Print this page

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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2020 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2020 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 5 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Feb 062023

Escape

  • 19,000 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 that the vehicle failed to reverse while the transmission was shifted into reverse(R). The transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code (DTC): P0766 (Shift Solenoid "D" Performance/Stuck Off) and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 21-2421 (FWD - 1.5L - 8F24 Transmission - No Reverse Engagement with DTCs P0766 And P2703) however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

problem #22

May 232022

Escape

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that during cold starts, a rattling sound was present coming from underneath the vehicle. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure was also present when accelerating from a stationary position. Also, while operating the vehicle, the there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who examined the vehicle but found no cause for the failure. The contacted stated that the failure persisted. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #21

Jul 182021

Escape 3-cyl

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the steering wheel shuddered significantly between 1200 and 1500 rpms. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a transmission shudder; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. Additionally, the contact received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:?22V859000 (?Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The stated that there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #20

Nov 262022

Escape

  • miles

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

This has happened a few times sporadically since I have owned the vehicle in 2020. As I am driving it will alert me to stop safely now. The car will loose power and not allow me to go past 15 mph. The screen will go blank and the ac will not throw cool air. This is concerning because since the car looses power, it is dangerous if I am at a fast speed. Once I pull over, sometimes I cannot turn off the car. And if I do turn it off, I cannot turn it back on for a few minutes.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #19

Oct 152022

Escape 4-cyl

  • 19,500 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 76 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated without warning. The contact deactivated the cruise control feature and attempted to accelerate; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact pulled over safely, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the mechanic stated that the power module was possibly inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed, and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 19,500.

- The Villages, FL, USA

problem #18

May 172022

Escape

  • miles
Driving on freeway at 70 when cruise went off and car slowed down -??power train malfunction, detecting erratic signals from timing sensor-?? came on tried to get speed back up could get to about 67 and exited 1st ramp. Stopped in parking lot called dealer. They said it would be fine after turned off an back on. -??Wrench repair light went off service light stayed on. After time both lights were off and drove home safely. Next time I drove was fine until drive home didn-??t take freeway but busy road with 55 mph limit.started. Losing power again then when stopped at light stalled. It took eight tries to restart and slow acceleration finally got to speed but was hesitating. Took to dealer next morning said was probably reset on gear code. After he said that may not the be problem but drive and see. At first stop had only very slow speed, rpm we-??re high but only going about 3 mph. I had to cross a busy 55 mph road and was so scared it would stall again. Got home safely dealer cannot get back in for 5 days. I drive 70 or on 55 mph roads usually with at least 1 or 2 children the youngest 5 months. I am too afraid of driving this car again incase it looses power or stalls and someone isn-??t paying attention. Also when these cars stall and you are in traffic you can-??t just put in neutral and push out of the way. You feel like a sitting just waiting to get squashed. This problem is very dangerous for driver passenger and other cars. Please help.

- China, MI, USA

problem #17

Jul 292021

Escape

  • miles

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

In three occasions the automatic transmission has stopped working, operating under normal city driving conditions. Turning the car off and on again, it has worked properly. The car has less than 4000 miles. I took it to the Ford repair shop and there is a defect in the hybrid transmission, and it will take 4-6 weeks to be solved. Unbelievable such problems in a vehicle with such a few number of miles. Where is the quality control...

- Bogota, Colombia South America, DC, USA

problem #16

Jun 202021

Escape

  • miles
Car randomly stopped and the stop safely now message appeared. The car would not turn off. The dash was still illuminated. I held the car start button for several seconds and the car finally turned off and I was able to reset it. The transmission light and battery light came on. I have not had any issues sense.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #15

Dec 042020

Escape

  • 1,602 miles
Purchased a 2020 Ford Escape on 10-31-2020. On 11-23-20-11-24-20 I got messages about the transmission and my wife couldn't put the car in reverse after going to the store. Took the car to the dealer they didn't even check the transmission only the engine and computer system. Ended up back in there the same day 5 times because the anti crash and brake systems wasn't working. The service tech then drove it around the corner 5 different times to get the computer system to kick in. Eight days later 12-4-20 I get stuck in my friends driveway. The car wouldn't go in reverse. Finally it did after 20 minutes. I take the car back and it needs a new transmission. The computer system and power train, crash assistance, anti collision system wasn't working either. They had just received the vehicle on 10-27-20. The car was picked out for me by the sales rep and it wasn't from off the lot it was in the back. I truly believe they knew the whole car was bad. They've had my car since the 12-4-20 and I'm still responsible for it and the loaner car. The sales manager and general manager told me I'll have to sue them using the lemon law of anything else goes wrong. It will and they know it. I have several reports that the transmissions on the 2020 Escape is one of the main issues. I also have all the reports sent to my phone from Ford pass. I also have a vehicle history report that the brakes, power train system, and restraints and driver assistance needs repaired also. This occurred in jacksonville, Florida. All these issues make this vehicle unsafe for anyone.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #14

Dec 042020

Escape

  • miles
When I'm driving on the expressway, I'm getting a red light that a picture shows up with all of my doors open. I have taken my vehicle to nortgate Ford in cincinnati but it didn't happen to them. My Escape is under full warranty and they won't fix it. It happens all the time with even my husband driving my Escape. The dealership wants me to take a picture of it but that's impossible to do when I'm driving.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #13

Dec 152020

Escape 3-cyl

  • miles

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

2020 Ford Escape consumer writes in regards to vibrations and a loud noise while driving. The consumer stated the dealer set the vehicle to sport mode (ssm 49151) but, the vibration persisted. The consumer stated the dealer advised the vehicle was operating as designed.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #12

Nov 282020

Escape

  • 3,700 miles
After pulling out of a parking lot and onto the street, the Ford Escape lost drive power and could not reach legal speed. Stopped and put on flashers. The instrument panel showed a "stop slowly now" message plus several malfunction lights were on. Could not put the car in park or neutral and could not restart the drivetrain. Later even the instrument panel went blank. About 1 hr later, was able to restart the car and pull off the street and waited for a tow truck to take the car to the dealer. Dealer has not looked at the car yet, but this is apparently related to Ford's customer satisfaction program 20B14.

- Wylie, TX, USA

problem #11

Nov 052020

Escape

  • 2,703 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the RPM fell and the vehicle independently decelerated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the speed increased abruptly however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked for several hours and when restarted, the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to heritage Ford (2100 sisk rd, modesto, ca 95350; (844) 362-2226) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 2,703.

- Salida, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 222020

Escape

  • 3,500 miles
Car showed error of 'stop safely now' and the gas engine turned off and would not turn back on. This is a AWD hybrid Escape, was stranded on side of road for 15+ minutes. After turning off and on multiple times the car finally was able to shift into drive from park, gas engine did then turn on. Dealer has no clue what happen, did a 'master reset' and said it's fixed. This is an unsafe vehicle.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #9

Jul 312020

Escape

  • 450 miles
Vehicle shifts very hard when normally driving and when auto start and stop feature functions. The transmission does not know what gear it wants to stay in, often times jerking very hard, which moves the entire car at a complete stop or tosses the driver in their seat when moving and shifting. The vehicle also stalled several times, loosing throttle and function, almost causing me to get T-boned by 2 separate cars in traffic. Overall, the vehicle has issues with transmission shifts, engine realizability, and general safety features as a whole. Someone can and will get seriously injured if this is not investigated and addressed. Vehicle has been taken into the dealer who can't fix the issue, despite it happening several times, and has insisted the customer drive the malfunctioning vehicle. Ford Motor Company was notified about the complaint and is processing a buy back on my personal vehicle. I just don't want others to get hurt.

- Poland, OH, USA

problem #8

Jun 182020

Escape

  • 1,500 miles
Vehicle rolls backwards on incline while in drive. After coming to a complete stop then removing foot to put on gas the vehicle rolls back as if it were in neutral. We almost rolled back into a lady that was pushing a stroller. Ford says they have no repair for this problem. I can provide video.

- Grayslake, IL, USA

problem #7

Aug 072020

Escape

  • 2,000 miles
Under unknown circumstances when attempting to accelerate the car experiences significant lag which puts me at risk of collision. I attempted to associate it with the air conditioning but it does not seem to be associated with any system. Vehicle seems to lost half the power and I am unable to safely move into traffic.

- Hales Corners, WI, USA

problem #6

Jul 032020

Escape

  • 1,300 miles
On the 1.5L engine when you are accelerating in the normal driving mode you experience a vibration in the steering wheel similar to a flat tire. The 2.0L engine with the same transmission does not experience the same problem.

- Murrells Inlet, SC, USA

problem #5

Jun 282020

Escape

  • 4,090 miles
My 2020 Ford Escape's automatic transmission makes odd whirring sounds and shifts hard often while driving. Automatic transmission still has a hard time shifting smoothly even when the vehicles been warmed up and driven for at least 10 minutes. The rear view camera has a mind of its own and doesn't always work. Even when it is working the feed is usually terrible quality. When it doesn't work you can't see anything out of the rear view camera, the image quality turns greyish and images lag.

- Fort Hood, TX, USA

problem #4

May 222020

Escape 4-cyl

  • 84 miles
Vehicle purchased 5/12/20. On 5/22/20, at odo 84 miles, on startup, vehicle displayed powertrain fault - illuminates when a powertrain or AWD fault has been detected. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Vehicle flat bed towed to sunstate Ford West colonial dr orlando fl (purchase dealership). Service team had vehicle 5 days. Cleared codes U0131, U0100, U0140, U0155, U0198, U0253, U0257, P0919, U0212, U023A, U0103, U0111, U0121, U013F, U0159, U0232, U0233, U0293, U0401, U0415, U0420, U0424, U0531, U0101, U0418, U0429, U0146. 4 mile test drive. 20 mile drive returned vehicle with no cause or correction. Only explained powertrain failure could not be replicated. Since return, rear automatic liftgate intermittent failure, back up camera failure, headliner drop at front passenger and driver door seal.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Read the next 3 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?