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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,734 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 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

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

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

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

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

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

problem #43

Jul 262023

Escape

  • miles

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

The AWD module failed. This was confirmed at a Ford dealership after a lengthy diagnostic. The car started to alarm by showing first a powertrain failure and then disabling AWD, pre-collison assist warnings and hill assist. This placed the car in "limp" mode while i was entering the interstate on the on ramp making it a safety issue. In my research, I am seeing others who have had the same issue in the 2020 Escape and feel this should be recalled. My car is still at the Ford dealership awaiting a part, but I am happy to submit the service report once completed.

- Bellville , OH, USA

problem #42

Jun 172023

Escape

  • miles
2020 Ford Escape Titanium Multiple error messages shown; forced into front wheel drive. Took my car to the dealer and was told my car-??s awd module needed to be replaced. I did get it replaced and paid out of pocket because it apparently is not covered under the powertrain warranty ($705.33).

- Wyomissing, PA, USA

problem #41

May 102023

Escape

  • miles
When putting vehicle into reverse the gears jump and there is an gear malfunction warning that appears on my screen. The car jumps and jerks several times. Also, when car is in drive whether it is at a stop or driving, the car starts to shudder like it's about to stall- ESPECIALLY when idling or at a stop.

- Lafayette , LA, USA

problem #40

Jul 232023

Escape

  • miles
Awd module failed Problem confirmed by dealer Ford previously had a recall for this exact problem. That recall should not have expired as the problem is still ongoing.

- Front Royal , VA, USA

problem #39

Jul 012023

Escape

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the AWD module warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the AWD system and advised that the vehicle was stuck in 2WD. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B19 (Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #38

Jul 032023

Escape

  • miles
Driving vehicle and AWD became disabled, received a major power train fault, and pre collision system disabled as well as other safety issues. Took to ford dealer and they said it was the AWD control module that caused the faults but this was not covered under powertrain warranty. There was a customer service program for this for 2020 escapes but my vin was not covered. It is identified as a powertrain fault so how is that not covered under powertrain warranty.

- Jersey Shore, PA, USA

problem #37

Jul 192023

Escape

  • miles
Transmission becomes unresponsive and unreliable in high temps and locks into whatever gear it was in IE if left in the sun in park the shifter won-??t budge until enough time for it to cool down has passed

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #36

Jul 142023

Escape

  • miles
At a little over 4,000 miles and less then a year in to owning my car the transmission went out. Now at at little over 36,000 and now the driver door isn't opening easily, and is making a popping noise. This shouldn't be happening with a car this new

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #35

Jun 282023

Escape

  • miles
AWD Module Failure and needs to be replaced. Service lights came on, and awd was disabled, pre-collision was disabled, and hill-start assist was not available. I looked this up, and al ot of people have had the same problem. The vehicle was just outside the warranty (37,688) and cost over $1100 to repair. AWD should be considered to be in the Powertrain warranty that is still active.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #34

Apr 212023

Escape

  • miles
AWD Fault Service Required message on screen which then triggered multiple other warning messages such as auto start and stop disabled, traction control is disabled, AWD is no.longer functional and neither is my cruise control. Ford already had a recall because of this issue but mine was not included. I tried to do a powertrain warranty claim but they said The AWD modual isn't part of the powertrain.

- Appleton, WI, USA

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