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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,952 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Ford Escape brakes problems

brakes problem

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2020 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #20

Jun 172024

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has 14,000 miles on it. Was taken to Ford garage after the AWD light came on. They placed the AWD module on the vehicle and then ran diagnostics again and it still pulled the errors. They determined that the ABS system is bad and also needs replaced. He provided me with a notice that was sent to Ford/Lincoln dealers -Customer Satisfaction Program 20B5 which was for vehicles manufactured in 2020 where the dealers were to replace the electronic break booster. My vehicle was manufactured in 2019, but has the same problem as this recall and unfortunately was not part of the dates where Ford would fix the issue.

- Fairmont , WV, USA

problem #19

Feb 122024

Escape

  • miles
Driver door welds broke / window will not roll down and brakes make noise/scrubbing when in reverse, have already took vehicle into local dealership...no warnings of said issues. Purchased vehicle in December of 2023....welds broke in February of 2024 and took vehicle in when first occurred., was told i would receive letter from Ford Motor Company when parts came available/ letter to bring it in. Still waiting on letter.... sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Parsons, TN, USA

problem #18

Oct 092023

Escape

  • miles
Despite repairs done under what eventually became TSB 23-2308, the brake squeal continues. I reported this originally to the dealership that sold me the vehicle in the spring of 2021.Work was done under SSM51261

- Smithville, TX, USA

problem #17

Feb 152024

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The driver door welds have broken. The door has been investigated by Courtesy Ford, Hattiesburg, MS. They stated the door would have to be replaced at a cost of $2600. No warning lamps were indicated. Also, the breaks squeal when in reverse.

- Laurel , MS, USA

problem #16

Dec 272023

Escape

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when pressing the brake pedal while in reverse the vehicle would emit a loud howling noise. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bolt kit and spring kit for the brakes failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 32,000.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #15

Jul 052020

Escape

  • 5 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, there was a very loud screeching sound coming from the rear wheels. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the brake pads and rotors, but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was recently taken back to the dealer for the failure and the contact was informed that the rear brake pins needed to be replaced; however, the brake pins were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #14

Nov 122023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car stops while I-??m driving isn-??t the first time almost got hit couldn-??t turn the wheel or press breaks engine light kept coming on and so does the battery

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #13

Sep 282023

Escape

  • miles
Ford escape brakes have been a continuous issue after purchasing car 3 years ago. Brakes would make loud screeching noise when reversing car slowly. The problem seemed to get worse after it rained or the car gets wet. I-??ve taken the car into the Ford dealer 3x for the same issue and they cannot seem to recreate the noise. Dealer has said the brake pads look fine. Recently, when applying brakes the car isn-??t slowing down but still moving forward. After about 10seconds of -??skipping-?? forward the car will stop.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #12

Aug 232023

Escape

  • miles
Temporarily the brakes failed to function and inspite of applying ghte brakes the car would not stop. The waring lights came on such as service advance trac, check brake system, had to use the hand brake to stop the vehicle, called the alrry miller lakewood Ford dealership in Colorado and was given a date after 2 months just to inspect. Once the car was stopped and after turning off the ignition and waited for 20 min and at that time the car brakes were working fine.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #11

Aug 152023

Escape

  • miles
I lost my ability to steer my vehicle. I attempted to step on the brakes and nothing happened. I hit a box truck in front of me going at least 30mph and only my shin airbag deployed.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #10

Jun 172023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has 32,600 miles. On start, received the following warnings. "Check Brake System", "Hill Start Assist Not Available", Pre-Collision Assist Not Available", and the ABS light was lit. The brakes were extremely hard to use. Had vehicle towed to Dealership. Dealership tested and received Code U3000. They "reprogrammed" the ABS, PCM and IPC Modules and performed a "battery disconnect". The fix was not covered by warranty. The dealership said that this could happen again. They were vague about whether it could occur only on start or at any time. Reoccurrence at road speed would likely result in an accident as the vehicle was extremely hard to stop.

- Takoma Park, MD, USA

problem #9

May 302023

Escape

  • miles
The auto stop, occasionally has a fault in the system and will stop auto braking at a stop light. This is going to cause someone to get into an accident

- Pendleton, IN, USA

problem #8

Mar 182023

Escape

  • miles
Pulling up to a stop sign going slowly as I was in a shopping center parking lot. When I applied the breaks they felt mushy and I had to pump the pedal. A red light flashed but quickly went out as I stopped. I believe it was the break warning light, but I was concentrating on stopping so can't be sure. Driving home all was well but the next day the break light came on and stayed on. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer, but noticed as I backed out of the driveway for the tow the break light was off. The dealer could not reproduce the issue and said there were no fault codes present.

- Morrisville, NC, USA

problem #7

Apr 282021

Escape

  • 23,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 3 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.

- Hudsonville, MI, USA

problem #6

Mar 282022

Escape

  • miles
All four brake rotors show premature signs of corrosion, rears worse than fronts, needed to have rotors replaced after 24 months.

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

problem #5

Jul 012021

Escape 3-cyl

  • 2,800 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon the depression of the brake pedal, an abnormal grinding noise would intermittently emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle would intermittently hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal also with no warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer for repairs on two separate occasions; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,800. The consumer stated the vehicle pauses when accelerating, brakes squeak while driving, fluid leakage, carpet damage. Also, consumer hit a pothole and tires were totally destroyed.

- Maywood, IL, USA

problem #4

Nov 172021

Escape

  • miles
2020 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to defective brakes. The consumer stated while depressing the break in parking lot, the vehicle failed to come to a stop. The vehicle struck a pole and a car before stopping. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where they could not duplicate the failure.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #3

Aug 032021

Escape

  • miles
On quite a few occasions, while braking down hill, it felt like I lost all brakes, despite pedal feel remaining steady. It literally felt like sliding on ice. Most recently, I recently experienced it on a hill where regenerative brakes would normally decelerate vehicle. It felt like the brakes gave out in the middle of the hill. Thankfully had no one in front of me so I was able to pump brakes and barely got vehicle to stop safely. Then waited a few minutes - the brakes resumed normal operation. Spoke with the dealer and they advised no knowledge of any such issue, and suggested I drop the car off so they could try to replicate the issue. Not eager to have my wife drive the car, as this could lead to a serious accident. Can clearly see from blogs and FB page on this vehicle that others have experienced the same - really thought I was alone on this.

- Somerville, NJ, USA

problem #2

Aug 032020

Escape

  • 1,200 miles
The car camera goes black with squiggly lines when putting car in reverse. The car has less than 2000 miles. The dealership states Ford is aware of the issue and there is a huge back order on getting a replacement. Now I have a whirling sound when speed is between 25 mph - 39 mph. Once you let up on acceleration it stops or once the speed has gone beyond 39 mph. While driving on groves highways you can feel backend of the car moving around. I had this issue with a Fusion and had to replace the tires with a different brand due to no control of the vehicle in the winter. My 2017 Escape does not do this. Also, the drivers side trim does not fit snug, and has to be replaced and the dealership said Ford is aware of this issue as well. Lastly, the brakes make a loud squealing noice with a heavy morning dew or when raining.

- Lapeer, MI, USA

problem #1

Jan 232020

Escape

  • 40 miles
Most states require trailers of 3,000lb gvwr, and some states only 1,500lb, to have an independent braking system on at least one axle of the trailer. Ford sells vehicles with factory tow packages rated at 3,500lb, but does not supply even an optional electric brake controller. Further, they don't supply a "plug 'N' play" harness for an aftermarket controller as do many manufacturers. This situation has prevailed from at least 2013 onward. When we purchased our 2020 Escape sel with factory towing, we fully expected that this shortcoming would have been resolved. It has not. And that it has existed for two generations of the Escape spanning eight model years leads me to conclude Ford is willfully ignoring the laws of many states, and potentially endangering the drivers of these cars and other drivers sharing the roadways.

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

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