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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,771 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2020 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #116

Sep 242024

Escape

  • miles

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

One day my all wheel drive, pre-collision emergency braking, lane departure warnings, cruise control, lane assist, and hill start assist stopped working. I could no longer use any of these functions. There was no accident, fire, or any other damage that occurred to my vehicle to cause this malfunction. It just stopped working. I was alerted by error messages on my dash that all wheel drive and pre collision assist were not functional. I scheduled an appointment with the dealership. When I took my car in for inspection at the dealership, they found that the all wheel drive module was defective, directly impacting the functionality of the powertrain, and needed replaced immediately. They confirmed that this module was not working. Without this function, I could not use all wheel drive in icy, snowy, or rainy weather, thus impacting the safety of the vehicle for myself and my 8month old daughter who I drive daily. This also prevented collision emergency braking and lane departure warning features from functioning, which are important for preventing dangerous accidents. Even though my car is still covered under the powertrain warranty, and this defect affects the function of the powertrain, they do not consider it covered under warranty.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #115

Sep 162024

Escape

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the " Power train malfunction and reduced power" and the "4-WD Power Train Fault" messages were displayed on the instrument panel; the power train fault warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V330000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- Warminster, PA, USA

problem #114

Aug 222024

Escape

  • miles
My AWD module stopped working for no reason WHILE DRIVING! My car-??s dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree stating for me to pull over safely, AWD fault service required, Hill start failure, pre-collision failure, and the stability and traction control failure light was on as well. My car was towed to my local Ford dealership. I researched what in the world could be going on with my car. I typed in the exact warnings displayed by my car and MULTIPLE articles about the AWD module failing for countless other 2020 Ford Escape cars! I also saw there was a RECALL on this module back in 12/2021-04/2022. They are saying my car is not apart of that recall though"?" How when my car-??s AWD module FAILED JUST LIKE THE RECALL STATED! This is happening/happened to hundreds of other 2020 Escape owners! This recall should be EXTENDED to every owner of the 2020 Escape experiencing AWD failure! This is a HUGE SAFETY RISK! Your car literally just stops working while driving. I got extremely lucky that I was already pulling into a gas station when this happened to me. I can-??t imagine what could-??ve happened if I were driving on the interstate when this occurred, which is EXACTLY what I was going to be doing after fueling up!

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #113

Sep 122024

Escape

  • miles

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

Upon purchasing and receiving the car from a dealership, I attempted to drive it around my neighborhood and after about 1 minute received a warning saying "safely stop now!" and the steering wheel locked and the power shut off in the middle of the street. The car would not turn back on and had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership (not Ford) already replaced the battery and that did not fix the issue. They are having to take it to Ford service to get it looked at. This poses a very significant safety risk because it could have happened on the highway, as some Ford Escape users have reported on forums. Before purchasing the car, all available recalls were addressed and "resolved", but clearly not all issues have been fixed.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #112

Jul 152024

Escape

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating and shaking abnormally. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the shaking ceased. The contact stated that the failure had become a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced an All-Wheel drive (AWD) failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #111

Jul 192024

Escape

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly while driving from a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter and the main control assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

- Connersville, IN, USA

problem #110

Sep 032024

Escape

  • 51,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with AWD module failure. The contact was informed that the AWD module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact researched and discovered the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B19; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with the program. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #109

May 172024

Escape

  • miles
While driving car at highway speeds and RPMs at or below 2500 and either driving uphill or into a strong headwind car seems to get a flat spot in acceleration and does not downshift to compensate. Powertrain malfunction light illuminates and vehicle enters reduced power mode. After turning off ignition and waiting a few minutes the light clears and car drives normally until the next time. Rarely does a DTC pop up on code reader to identify issue. Has happened multiple times and been in mechanic and dealer at least 4 times with no resolution.

- Inyokern, CA, USA

problem #108

Aug 262024

Escape

  • miles
We were traveling to Springfield MO and just before Strafford our 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE flashed a wrench warning on our screen and immediately went into limp mode in rush hour traffic on I-44. We were in the passing lane going up a hill at the time passing a commercial truck and our speed dropped significantly. Luckily the vehicles behind us to were able slow down in time.

- Sullivan, MO, USA

problem #107

Aug 222024

Escape

  • 34,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted with the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. The VIN was not available.

- Indian Harbour Beach, FL, USA

problem #106

Aug 052024

Escape

  • miles

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

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The AWD module failed after 35000 miles. Dealership said it needed to be replaced. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure shut off my collision assist, traction control, AWD, and hill assist. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Unknown, it seems to be a fairly common issue with 2020 Ford Escapes from what I've seen online. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Just the dealership Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" Unknown, I had warnings on my dash stating AWD fault service required and soon after began reporting the other errors.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #105

Aug 132023

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions after shifting into reverse, the vehicle erroneously drove forward. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle erroneously shifted into neutral. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, it was discovered that there was hydraulic fluid leaking from the rear shock absorbers. The shock absorbers were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Pinconning, MI, USA

problem #104

Aug 012024

Escape

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "All Wheel Drive" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the rear differential was faulty and needed be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V011000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 41,000.

- Westminster, MA, USA

problem #103

Jul 102024

Escape

  • miles
2020 Has a 8f35 transmission with the same torque converter issues and low speed shudder under 35 same as bulletin 21-2081... ford edge with same transmission ford recommended replacement at 90000 miles didn't offer to even attempt to work on it. No warning lights are

- Middleboro, MA, USA

problem #102

Jul 292024

Escape

  • miles
The AWD module failed after 22,000 miles. This affects the awd and many other options not to work. Trac control, Hill assist, Awd etc. Dealership wont cover due to 3 years. Dealership is fixing with $1160 out of pocket to me. This part is a known issue with Ford and many other complaints have been made.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #101

Jul 192024

Escape

  • miles
My car spontaneously started throwing out Service AdvanceTrac, PowerTrain Malfunction, AWD Fault, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, and Hill Start Assist warnings. Those all cleared themselves, but the AWD Fault remained. I took it to my local Ford dealer, who replaced the AWD module the same day. The very next day my check engine light came on with the code for the Catalytic Converter and the PowerTrain Catalyst System fell below the efficiency threshold. My car barely has 40,000 miles on it and it is well-maintained. Upon reading some of the other complaints about this year, I see that I am not alone and have read several other complaints explaining the exact same thing that happened with my car. It appears as though there were other 2020 escapes within a certain manufacturing date range that DID qualify for a recall related to these issues, however mine did not for some reason.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #100

Jul 192024

Escape

  • miles
Took car to dealership for separate covered customer satisfaction program involving door weld. door weld was resolved however the dealer stated that some check engine lights came on. after having my car for three weeks they diagnosed it as needing to replace the AWD Module and 2 related updates. It is publicly known by Ford that this issue has occurred in other 2020 Ford Escapes. This was addressed for some 2020 Ford Escapes in their customer service program 21B19. However my VIN did not qualify as it did not meet the manufacture dates. Nevertheless, the problem, vehicle year, and manufacture year are identical and this is not an issue that occurs with normal wear and tear within 30000 miles. The known issues with the 2020 Ford Escape AWD Module should be expanded to cover this.

- Oradell, NJ, USA

problem #99

Jul 182024

Escape

  • miles
Had new Ford factory transmission installed due to only getting 72000 miles on original trans. New transmission, after being installed, has been deemed defective from the factory so dealer will have to order and install a replacement. Ford 8 speed transmission.

- West Blocton, AL, USA

problem #98

Jul 182024

Escape

  • miles
My car spontaneously began displaying error messages saying that pre-collision assistance, hill start asssitance, vehicle stabilization, and AWD were in error and wouldn-??t work. I took it to a Ford dealership and they diagnosed the AWD system as faulty and it will need to be replaced. If continued to be driven without replacing it, the AWD fault would cause the car to not be able to move forward. They were surprised a car this new would need this. Upon further research, I am among hundreds, if not more, of 2020 Escape owners with this problem. This is a widespread safety issue.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #97

Jul 152024

Escape

  • miles
AWD module has failed and per FORD is not covered in replacement cost. Multiple error messages about forward collision, AWB and adaptive cruise control. This module was covered un a previous customer satisfaction program (Customer Satisfaction Program 21B19) and in multiple issues noted in on line forums should be taken up for a recall. Vehicle appears to run more poorly and thus could put myself and passengers at risk for accident. The error shows up every time the vehicle starts up. I see there are over 40 complaints listed here and I am sure there are more.

- Newaygo, MI, USA

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