Buy Ford Escape Bumper Covers

Background Info

The Ford Escape bumper cover-also called a fascia, bumper skin, or bumper shell-is the molded plastic piece you actually see and touch on the front or rear of the SUV. It hides the steel crash beam, gives the Escape its smooth style, and provides mounting spots for fog-lights, grilles, park-assist sensors, and the screw-in tow hook. Because it takes the first scrapes from shopping carts and low-speed bumps, learning about its fitment, materials, installation, painting, and upkeep can save time and repair costs. (Ford Parts On Sale, Painted OEM Parts)

What It Does

A bumper cover is not the same part as the metal bumper bar behind it. The lightweight shell's job is to improve aerodynamics, carry trim pieces, and absorb minor nicks while the hidden beam handles real crash energy. (Ford Parts On Sale, Painted OEM Parts, chicagoautohaus.com) The cover also keeps water and road grit away from sensors and wiring tucked in the nose or tail of the Escape. (YouTube, Partify)

Fit & Years

• 2013-2016: Part family CJ5Z-17D957 comes in versions with or without parking-sensor holes. (Ford OEM Parts Online)
• 2017-2019: Same body generation, but the styling update moved some fasteners and fog-light bezels. (YouTube)
• 2020-2025: The all-new shape uses part family PJ6Z-17K835 and a wider lower grille opening. (Ford OEM Parts Online)
  Always match the cover to trim level (S, SE, Titanium, etc.) and check for options like front radar cruise or rear park assist so the correct sensor cut-outs line up. (Partify)

Materials

Most Escape covers are injection-molded polypropylene (PP) blended with EPDM rubber for flexibility, often labeled "PP + EPDM T20." (Amazon, toponew.en.made-in-china.com) The plastic weighs much less than steel yet springs back from gentle taps. Textured black covers are common on rear bumpers, while primed gray covers are meant to be painted body color. (eBay, Reddit)

Features & Sensors

• Park-assist Holes - Round cut-outs molded in the correct spots accept ultrasonic sensors; blanking plugs fill them when the SUV lacks the option. (Partify, YouTube)
• Tow-Hook Cap - A small square plug on the right front pops out so the screw-in recovery eye can be fitted when towing is needed. (ford.ie, Ford Escape, Ford Parts) See Ford's own how-to video for the exact location.
• Lower Valance & Air Guides - Tabs at the bottom edge hold an under-tray that smooths airflow and helps fuel economy. (ROSA P)

Installation

1. Unplug lamps and sensors by turning the steering wheel to reach inside the wheel-well liner. (YouTube, YouTube)
2. Remove fasteners: plastic push-pins along the radiator cover, screws in each wheel arch, and clips on the bottom edge. (YouTube)
3. Slide the cover forward (front) or backward (rear)-the cover unhooks from side brackets with a steady pull. (YouTube)
4. Transfer parts: swap fog-light housings, grille, and sensor brackets to the new shell before re-installing. (YouTube, YouTube)

A full DIY walkthrough is shown in this video guide for 2013-19 Escape.

Paint & Finish

Brand-new primed covers need a scuff-sand with 600-grit, an adhesion promoter, then base-coat and clear-coat. (YouTube, YouTube, Reddit) Keep spray strokes even to avoid "halo" edges where the plastic meets existing paint. Textured rear covers stay unpainted-just clean with isopropyl alcohol before install. (Amazon)

Care Tips

• Wash gently with car-shampoo and a soft sponge; avoid harsh solvents that can dry the PP-EPDM blend. (toponew.en.made-in-china.com)
• Wax painted covers every six months to block UV fade.
• Check fasteners after any parking bump; loose clips can let the fascia flap in the wind. (YouTube)
• Repair small scratches with plastic-specific touch-up putty before they spread.

Safety Notes

U.S. bumper covers must meet the federal damageability standard in 49 CFR Part 581, designed to limit low-speed collision repair costs. (eCFR) IIHS studies show that when bumper heights don't line up, repair bills jump-even on the Escape, whose high rear bumper once mismatched a Ford Focus in testing. (IIHS, Autoblog) Good alignment and a sturdy cover therefore help keep insurance claims down. (chicagoautohaus.com)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between a bumper and a bumper cover?
A: The bumper is a steel or aluminum beam that absorbs crash energy. The cover (also called fascia or skin) is the plastic shell you see that adds style and holds lights and sensors. (Painted OEM Parts, Reddit)

Q: Which years of Escape share the same front cover?
A: 2013-2016 models share one design; 2017-2019 have a facelifted version; 2020-2025 use a completely new shape. (YouTube, Ford OEM Parts Online)

Q: Do I need sensor holes?
A: If your Escape has rear park-assist or front proximity sensors, choose a cover with the molded holes; blank caps won't fit a solid shell. (Partify, YouTube)

Q: Can I drive with a cracked cover?
A: Small cracks are legal, but sharp edges can be unsafe and may fail vehicle inspections. Replace or repair as soon as practical. (eCFR)

Q: What plastic is it made from?
A: Ford uses polypropylene blended with EPDM rubber (PP+EPDM T20) for flexibility in hot or cold weather. (Amazon, toponew.en.made-in-china.com)

Q: Will a painted cover come ready to install?
A: Primed covers still need sanding, adhesion promoter, and color-matching paint, then clear coat, before mounting. (YouTube, Reddit)

Q: Where is the tow-hook cover?
A: Look for a small square plug on the passenger-side front cover; pop it out and thread in the tow eye that sits in the trunk kit. (ford.ie, Ford Escape)

Q: How long does a DIY swap take?
A: A first-time installer typically needs about 90 minutes with common hand tools. (YouTube, YouTube)

Q: Do bumpers affect airbags?
A: No; airbag sensors are mounted on the crash beam or frame rails, not on the plastic cover, so changing the cover does not affect deployment timing. (Ford Parts On Sale, IIHS)

Q: Can I reuse the old hardware?
A: Re-use metal bolts if threads are clean, but replace push-pins and rusted clips so the new fascia seats firmly. (YouTube)

By understanding how the Ford Escape bumper cover fits, what it's made of, and how to care for it, you can keep your SUV looking sharp and protect the more expensive parts behind it.