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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,643 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 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Jan 182024

Escape

  • miles

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

AWD Module failed, deactivated all traction control, all wheel drive, pre-collision alert, emergency breaking. Module failure is known issue to Ford

- Geneva, IL, USA

problem #62

Jan 082024

Escape

  • miles
Car was parked on sloped driveway by dealer's service department driver. Car was shut off and in park, but parking brake was not on. The driver was out of the car taking pictures when it started to roll backwards down the driveway. The driver saw it happen and set the parking brake, It rolled approximately 18 inches and then stopped. I had thought that this had happened previously, but it was much more noticeable watching from outside the car. I contacted the dealer immediately and was told it was normal and to just pay attention to it. He did not suggest bringing it in for inspection. No warning lights or messages.

- Amherst, MA, USA

problem #61

Dec 022023

Escape

  • miles
I've started to get a message on my dashboard - AWD fault. This car was built in 2020 with less than 25,000 miles and no accidents. A search on Ford forums revealed multiple complaints about 2020 Ford Escapes with the same issue. The dealerships in each incident said there was no recall, and prices for repairs ranged from $900 to $1100. Our Ford dealership said there was no recall, and we would have to pay for a repair to a AWD module on a 4 year old car.

- New Haven, MI, USA

problem #60

Dec 042023

Escape

  • miles

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

The warning lights came on and I suddenly did not have all wheel drive. This happened while driving in the snow with my 2 year old son in the vehicle with me. I took it to Horn Ford in Brillion, WI and they sad it-??s a bad all wheel drive module and that even though it-??s part of the drivetrain, it-??s not covered under warranty. They said it-??ll be covered after my transmission blows up! On top of that, they had my car for two days and only fixed two out of four recalls and charged me $135 for -??diagnostics-??! Ford put my child and me at risk and could not care less. This needs to be corrected before someone dies.

- Potter, WI, USA

problem #59

Dec 012023

Escape

  • miles
The Recall (Under Hood engine fire) is causing crankshaft wear due to containments being present destroying the engine, my engine has been deemed unsafe and can currently no longer use my vehicle until ford fixes the problem

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #58

Nov 162023

Escape

  • miles
The AWD module malfunctioned and had faults. Issue was confirmed by dealer with no explanation and had no cause for failure. AWD fault and Service AdvanceTrac warnings appeared and reappeared each time the vehicle was turned on. Vehicle could only use front wheel drive and cruise control was also affected. The dealer kept the malfunctioning module so unknown if it will be inspected.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #57

May 312023

Escape

  • miles

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

AWD module needs to be replaced in my 2020 Ford Escape. Seen a bunch of other posts online with people having the same thing. Happened at 32K miles. Have a series of messages every time I start car relating to this issue: Service Advance Trac, AWD Fault Service Required, AWD Off, See Manual, Hill Start Assist Not Available, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available.

- Cook Station, MO, USA

problem #56

Oct 292023

Escape

  • miles
The AWD module failed-- it is at the dealer for repair now. Several errors popped-- pre-collision, hill assist, AWD, traction control all turned off The dealer determined the AWD module needed to be replaced. The error codes popped up and I brought it to the dealer within three days. Ford states this part is not covered under the "bumper to bumper" warranty, which expired four months ago. It is not part of the powertrain warranty, which is still active. The same make/model/year produced at the same plant had a Customer Satisfaction Program to replace this part, but it only covered a very small window of dates.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

problem #55

Oct 122023

Escape

  • miles
My AWD module went out and several features of my vehicle were in-operable. I have read that this is a common problem with this vehicle, and it tends to happen around the same mileage. The failure of this module makes the pre-collision assistance fail

- Houma, LA, USA

problem #54

Sep 202023

Escape

  • miles
I have paid for Ford to look into a AWD error code that came up and they had stated that my PTU has failed and they did a fix for that but I still have the same issue. The vehicle deactivates AWD and defaults to 2 wheel drive until Ford can get it

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #53

Sep 202023

Escape

  • 68,000 miles

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

The contact's wife owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Maintenance 2" was displayed. The contact stated that he saw white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Transmission Not in Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an oil leak, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #52

Sep 252023

Escape

  • miles
Out of no where I got codes for a AWD system fault, pre collision fault and hill start and traction assist fault.

- Belcamp , MD, USA

problem #51

Sep 062023

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle cannot engage park. Shift sys fault appears and throws a code that states that park may not be available. Ford has refused to help.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #50

Sep 062023

Escape

  • miles
Transmission dropped out of gear on the highway and would not accelerate. Had to coast to the side. Indicator stated shift system fault. Turned off and restarted and it worked again going forward but there was no reverse gear. Code states -?? The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission clutches did not apply within the expected time as expected. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert.-?? and also -?? The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission shift solenoids is not responding as expected or is stuck in the off position. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert.-?? The vehicle has not been inspected yet but does constantly show shift system fault and makes rattle and clicking noises when shifting.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #49

Aug 182023

Escape

  • miles
While driving on the highway my dash kept flashing all these different errors, my car kept changing the way it was driving. I got off went to ford dealer ! They said probably a sensor can-??t look at it for 10 days and yes it is fine to drive. I did not think so ! I brought to my mechanic, replaced AWD module ! Which has been found to be an issue in this vehicle ! I felt unsafe. There have been recalls on this issue ! They say had do be built on a certain date ! Really, not if you keep searching ! It should be covered under drive train. Safety issue ! The lights going off are a distraction in itself.

- Marshfield , MA, USA

problem #48

May 262023

Escape

  • miles
Recall came out in May. Still no remedy....

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #47

Aug 202023

Escape

  • miles
The dial shifter gets stuck/ locked in position (Park) when overly hot outside. Takes significant time to cool car and release.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #46

Mar 312023

Escape

  • miles
I was just driving one day and then the hill start assist warning, pre-collision assist not available, and Powertrain malfunction/reduced power warnings all popped up. Upon further research there have been MULTIPLE people with this exact issue. Ford states the AWD module needs to be replaced. I have yet to do so but will do so in the near future.

- Raeford, NC, USA

problem #45

Aug 012023

Escape

  • miles
When the Escape interior reaches a certain temperature (between 90-101 degrees), the gear selector (a knob-like device), will not move--you cannot move from Park into any other gear. I have to either pump the brakes OR turn on the AC to get the interior a little cooler, before I can move the gear selector. There are reports of others dealing with this, mostly 2020-2021 Escapes. If you have to move the car in an emergency, it will not be happening.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #44

Aug 012003

Escape

  • miles
Driver side door front is making a creaking sound like a popping noise when opening.

- Cass Lake, MN, USA

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