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P0420 on FORD ESCAPE

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
3
Most Affected
2020, 2019

What P0420 Means on Your FORD ESCAPE

Real FORD ESCAPE Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"The vehicle started running rough and missing at 75 mph with about 5000 miles on it. check engine light came on, cruise control shut off. i took it to the dealership and they said i had 3 trouble codes but i don't know what the were. they reprogrammed something a gave me the car back a week later."

— 2019 FORD ESCAPE owner • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE • Filed 07/10/2019

"The primary component that failed is the turbocharger system, which has malfunctioned five times since October 2024. Additional failures include the catalytic converter, and there is now suspected motor damage."

— 2020 FORD ESCAPE owner • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 10/18/2024

"The car was bought at matt blatt kia in July 2023 certified pre-owned with 164 safety inspection check. 2 weeks ago the check engine light came on and it was code p0420. Kia told me to call ford and they told me I have to pay for the diagnostics and the repair."

— 2020 FORD ESCAPE owner • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 05/18/2024

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0420 on FORD ESCAPE

33.3%
33.3%
33.3%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2019
1
2020
2

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0420 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026