What 1,479 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Escape Gas

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the DPFE sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred approximately five months later when the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated, and several minutes later, the power train warning light illuminated and a message to "Refer to the Owner’s Manual” was displayed and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle went into "LIMP Mode". The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where DTC: P0402 and P1061 were retrieved, and the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,819.

NHTSA ODI 11671585

turn on vehicle dashboard lights up where my AWD not working, my collision assist not working, Trac not working, drive mode not working. This started about a week ago from end of June. I did find a recall for 2020 Escape EcoBoost but my vin is not on there. I cannot access my drive mode my collision light does not work and I am driving in front wheel.

NHTSA ODI 11671674

For 6 months, after a routine visit and safety recall preformed by ford, I have had an issue with the park brake engaging on its own. When pressing the button to disengage it, the car would not disengage and would remain locked. The only way to disengage it would be to throw the car into reverse, press the button to disengage the park brake and step on the gas pedal as fast as you could. After 6 months of trying to diagnose the issue, ford pittsville came up inconclusive, replacing multiple parts of the e-brake such as the buttons themselves, the wires connecting the brakes, and checking over the brakes. The issue itself was unrecreatable but the only common denominator was remote starting the car via the app. The most recent investigation this past month conducted by ford revealed that the pin for my brake and e brake was loose after they (ford) had replaced it. They fixed the connection and delivered my car to me. I hadnt even driven the car yet, only remote started it due to the heat. When the car was started, it immediately popped up with a new issue. The powertrain had failed, with codes popping up via fords system indicating the: park brake, brake system, gear shift, and 5 other codes that i cannot recall at the moment showing on their system. Ford diagnosed the problem, finding the gear shift itself was not engaging due to a loose pin (code: P0929:77). I was told that the car was safe to drive but there has been zero communication on when the part would be ordered or taken care of. I have tried to follow up multiple times with the dealership in the past two weeks and update them about the cars current state, including now with the error still showing, my steering feels loose and my car feels as if it is drifting while i drive.

NHTSA ODI 11671249

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power train warning light illuminated, and the "AWD Fault" message was displayed. The vehicle taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred approximately a year later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,804.

NHTSA ODI 11670457

AWD Fault

NHTSA ODI 11670141

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed on two occasions, the powertrain warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle on one of the occasions, the message "No Hill Assist" and another unknown message were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that an active shutter switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 11669646

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse, the vehicle drove forward instead of reversing. During the most recent failure, after starting the vehicle, the contact shifted the vehicle into park, and the vehicle collided with the contact's home. No warning lights illuminated. No air bags deployed. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was provided. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve body was binding internally, and sticking shift valves assembly had failed. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 33,704.

NHTSA ODI 11665890

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the chrome on the gear shifter had started to peel, creating sharp edges on the shifter knob. The contact stated that while attempting to move the gear shifter, the contact sustained minor cuts to the fingers from the peeling gear shifter. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663675

Two issues. 1: transmission shakes, shudders, and loses power intermittently at shift points. 2: check arm spot welds broke loose at the door. Safety issue. Ford has a service bulletin for this SM 51553 And SM 50150

NHTSA ODI 11661671

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to shift gear, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.

NHTSA ODI 11661151

Rotary style gear shift does not go into gear on hot days. Gear shift is stuck in park and will not rotate to drive or another gear, leaving motorist stranded.

NHTSA ODI 11661200

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal odor on the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was entering the interior of the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated the abnormal odor had a sweet smell. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the contact stated the transmission was slipping. The contact was informed that a software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 11660963

May 2025 The following fault codes illuminated on vehicle start up. * AWD FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED * Hill Start Assist Not Available * Service Advance Trac * Pre-collision Assist Not Available. Wrench light illuminated on dash board. AWD and safety features disabled intermittently. OBD Codes: - C0090:18-6C Power Transfer Unit Actuator - Circuit Current Below Threshold - C0095:18-64 Rear Diff Unit Actuator ‘A’ - Circuit Current Below Threshold - C00A2:01-6C Drive-in Control Module Power Transfer Unit Control Circuit Driver. - C00A3:01-6C Driveline Control Module Rear Diff Unit ‘A’ Control Circuit Driver - P0562:00-AF - System Voltage Low on AWD Module. Appears to be AWD module failure.

NHTSA ODI 11660087

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the message "Vehicle Shutting Down - Place Vehicle in Neutral to Restart" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times in one day. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that upon further investigation, the contact noticed on the Ford App that a message "Powertrain Malfunction - Reduced Power" was displayed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11659002

2020 ford escape in 2023 transmission started slipping amd stuttering around 60,000 miles on it. Ford service said nothing wrong. Problem persisted and now at 103,000 miles they admit need a whole new transmission. Service bulletin released in 2022 did not fix the issue and now that warranty is out they want the customer to replace it. The car is unsafe as you can't count on acceleration as the transmission slips going up inclines and oftent times when accelerating to pass or turn into traffic. Additionally a new class action lawsuit seems to state all of the same issues I have had and am having. Ford knows about the issue and refuses to recall the transmission or help monetarily with the repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11658577

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The contact stated that the failure occurred while the temperature was hot. The contact stated after parking the vehicle, the gear shifter remained stuck in park(P). The contact waited for 30 minutes before the gear shifter was able to be shifted to the desired gear. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and to the local dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11657626

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the RPM increased, and the check engine and power train warning lights illuminated. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ODI 11656561

On hot days the gear shift gets stuck in park. The car interior has to cool down before the shifter will turn in to gear.

NHTSA ODI 11656665

AWD module failed at 20,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11655032

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the rear of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys; however, the cause of the failure was not identified. The contact stated that after the attempted diagnostic test, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle independently swerved in various directions and hesitated while accelerating with the accelerator pedal depressed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11654396

When outdoor temperatures are above 85 degrees, the interior of the vehicle becomes warm enough that the vehicle may not shift out of Park. Our most recent experience was while on vacation in Florida last week. The outdoor temperature was around 90 degrees, though likely warmer in the parking lot. The vehicle was parked on a flat surface facing the sun, wheels facing forward, no reflector in the windshield, windows closed. When starting the engine, vehicle started normally, all functions appeared normal, but could not shift out of Park. Tried rocking the vehicle back and forth, turning the wheel, brake lights functioned, no movement of the shifter- as though the round shifter of the vehicle was electronically locked. This does not seem like a safety issue, but my wife is [XXX] and could have happened in a location where she would not have help available. Forums on the Intrnet have multiple complaints. Ford told me that they do not know of an "issue" but did find that my car was misbuilt - the cable coming off of this switch is a two part cable, at least two different cable sets were used in the manufacture of the 2020 Escape. My vehicle used the A part of one set and the B part of a different set. Ford gave replacement parts for free, I paid $600 for diagnostics and labor. Latest incident happened after the correct cable set was installed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11654117

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the shuddering was almost constant and occurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11653444

AWD MODULE on 2020 Ford Escape failed at 21,000 miles. There has been a customer satisfaction repair done in 2022 when it started happening to select vehicles. I drive low mileage but should have been a recall issued due to the amount of complaints and fixes online

NHTSA ODI 11653260

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that overtime she became aware that there was a sharp piece on the transmission dial, causing cuts on her fingers while turning the dial. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11647952

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "All Wheel Drive Fault" was displayed, and the vehicle only operated in 2WD. The contact was concerned that during winter weather the vehicle was unsafe to drive in 2WD only. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with AWD module failure. The contact was informed that the AWD module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11647405