Ford Escape Visibility/wiper Problems
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about visibility/wiper problems on the Ford Escape across 23 model years. The 2020 model year has the most (44). The words owners use most often: “rear window” (11% of reports).
- 245visibility/wiper complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 46%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear window: mentioned in 27 of 245 complaints (11%)
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 27 of 245 complaints (11%)
- Wiper motor: mentioned in 15 of 245 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do visibility/wiper problems happen?
Based on 151 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 245 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury.
Ford Escape visibility/wiper complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility/wiper complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape | 1 | 33% | — |
| 2025 Escape | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2023 Escape | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Escape | 9 | 3% | — |
| 2020 Escape | 44 | 3% | 1,200 |
| 2019 Escape | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2018 Escape | 7 | 0% | 20,185 |
| 2017 Escape | 11 | 0% | 50,523 |
| 2016 Escape | 15 | 1% | 24,275 |
| 2015 Escape | 16 | 1% | 41,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 19 | 1% | 43,104 |
| 2013 Escape | 32 | 1% | 58,000 |
| 2012 Escape | 12 | 2% | 57,000 |
| 2011 Escape | 24 | 2% | 53,210 |
| 2010 Escape | 23 | 1% | 69,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 2 | 0% | 94,500 |
| 2008 Escape | 6 | 0% | 111,500 |
| 2007 Escape | 3 | 1% | 126,543 |
| 2006 Escape | 3 | 1% | 106,753 |
| 2005 Escape | 6 | 0% | 91,950 |
| 2002 Escape | 3 | 0% | 147,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 2 | 0% | 187,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists visibility/wiper for the Ford Escape. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
For approximately two years, my Ford Escapeâs rearview camera has been inoperative, displaying âCamera Not Available. Please Contact Ford Dealership.â I subsequently discovered an outstanding safety recall addressing rearview camera defects. Approximately one year after the recall was issued…
**Subject: Unavailable Safety Recall Remedy â Ford Recall 26S14 / NHTSA 26V-117** I am submitting this concern regarding an outstanding safety recall affecting the front windshield wiper motor on my 2020 Ford Escape SE. Ford Recall 26S14 (NHTSA Campaign 26V-117) was announced in March 2026…
Wiper on front dash no longer worked correctly. Water sprayed under the hood. Hose cracked.
Our 2020 Ford escape cowling is separated from the windshield. I took it to a body shop to see if they could fix it. The strip groove that connects the cowling to the windshield has separated from the glass. The only way to fix it is replace the windshield. This is a know issue with Ford cars…
Issue Date: 2026-03-05 Campaign: 26C11/26V123 On my vehicle, it may be possible to have the SYNC screen image on the center display flipped or inverted immediately after an ignition cycle. Safety Risk This may result in the image displayed being inverted or flipped, which includes all buttons…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have visibility/wiper problems?
No. NHTSA has 245 owner complaints about visibility/wiper for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape visibility/wiper?
No recall currently lists visibility/wiper for this vehicle.
What do owners say about visibility/wiper problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “rear window”, in 27 of 245 complaints, followed by “windshield wipers” (27).
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Power Train problems (4,655)
- Steering problems (3,945)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
See all Ford Escape problems.