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

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.

NHTSA ODI 11555627

The car stops while I’m driving isn’t the first time almost got hit couldn’t turn the wheel or press breaks engine light kept coming on and so does the battery

NHTSA ODI 11554863

Loud popping noise when opening driver side door, feels like the door is starting to slip, at times have trouble closing, now the window when rolled down will not roll back up. Popping, cracking noise started 3+ months ago, have call into dealership at this time. Not able to use the window at all now and not sure the door will stay continue to be usable.

NHTSA ODI 11553993

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.

NHTSA ODI 11553846

Driver side door hinge/weld breaks. The metal pops, makes a loud sound, door then has to be forced shut. Due to this the window and lock does not work. Driver side door broke first and now the passenger side door has done the same exact thing.

NHTSA ODI 11552972

My driver side door began making a grinding/creaking noise when opening. It was rather alarming as it was loud and extremly noticibale everytime I would open AND close my door. At one point, I had opened my door while doing errands and I could not actually push the door closed without some physical force. Now the door makes a more hollow creaking sound while closing and opening the door. Recently, my driver side window has since malfunctioned (does not go down). I can push the button for it to go down, but it only moves two inches before it stops completly. I use my vvehcile to communte to and from work and to transport my children to school and back. This safety concern is alarming as the safety of myself is at risk if ever in an accident, potentially not being able to open the door or even the door unlatching while driving at highway speed of 120kms. I have voiced my concerns to my FORD dealership but due to not purchasing extended warranty at time of purchase, It is not covered and recommened to take to an autobody shop for servicing. The technician noted "it can be quiet expensive". There are no warning lights.

NHTSA ODI 11552385

Radio/Bluetooth system has completely stopped working in the middle of driving. It made all the lights in the car go crazy. The car shut off and cut back on while I was driving down the interstate. Now the radio/Bluetooth will not come on and we are a hands free state. It is a hazard when I have an emergency call and cannot speak to the caller via bluetooth.

NHTSA ODI 11551602

Front driver door makes popping sound and window won’t work. Car is 2020 and dealership is telling me that it’s not covered.

NHTSA ODI 11550330

On the dates of Saturday, September 9, 2023, Monday, September 11, 2023, and Sunday September 17, my car stopped (with Start/Stop activated) in traffic, rotated the gearshift to park, would no let me manually rotate the gearshift into neutral, nor could I restart the vehicle. I had the battery replaced on Saturday, September 9, 2023, towed to my local Ford Dealership on Monday, September 11, 2023. On Thursday, Septmeber 14, 2023 I received my car back, and my vehicle shut down for the third time on Sunday September 17.

NHTSA ODI 11545036

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 .

NHTSA ODI 11541541

Driver door - one day, without prior warning, when opening or closing the door, it makes a popping sound as if a hing of some sort is broken. The door does not remain in an open position when getting in our out. Consequently, the drive window only opens about 2 inches.

NHTSA ODI 11540946

The vehicle information screen "APIM" froze, went black then after re-starting the car seemed to be reset. The large screen then showed only the back-up camera while in drive. The screen display is not the same each time the vehicle is started. It could be black or show partially such as the navigation system or the radio. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for servicing the malfunction a recall and the driver door limiter problem. the vehicle was returned with the recall corrected instructions for the door repair but the APIM is still broken. the part for repair is on back order, the timeframe for replacement is unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11538408

My main car display is dying and it’s also my way into the car, diagnostic reporting and navigation. Navigating is harder with out main display freezing or not working at all. Also my blind spot sensor goes off at random times in which nobody had a answer for me on a fix for that.

NHTSA ODI 11535819

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

NHTSA ODI 11535893

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electrical system was behaving erratically. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with the keyless entry failing to lock or unlock the vehicle and the vehicle failing to recognize the key fob. Additionally, the infotainment system was inadvertently changing the radio station and the lights were turning on and off independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic control module. The contact was informed that the module needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure became a recurring failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 20.

NHTSA ODI 11535065

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.

NHTSA ODI 11534535

My check arm broke at the welding sites and has now affected my locks, window, and the door staying open/shut. I am worried about my window shattering and my door not closing or opening while I am driving. My locks are no longer working which leaves me to be worried about someone getting into my car, since there is not way for me to lock my door. They don’t even work with the key fob. The outside manual lock will not turn. The problem was confirmed by the dealership Ken Stoepel Ford In Kerrville, TX. But they will not fix it because it is out of warranty due to mileage. There was no warning of this. I was parked when it happened. I simply opened my door to get in and it snapped.

NHTSA ODI 11533928

The door started popping when it was opened and closed. After one day the weld completely busted loose and the window no longer rolls down either.

NHTSA ODI 11533505

At around 66,000, I opened the driver's side door and noticed a popping sound when the door opened wide. I investigated a bit and noticed the door welds were cracked. The workaround was to only open the driver's side door slightly when entering and exiting. Then the driver's side window began behaving erratically. It could lower slightly but then may roll back up or roll all the way down without human intervention. Then, if it was lowered, you may have to help guide the window back up to the top using the button and pulling the window upward. I do not know if this issue affects the integrity of the door, and if it is at risk of becoming dislodged. I took it to Ford who wanted to charge me to replace the door, which I have not yet done. There is a communication number and an NHTSA ID number, but so far Ford is not doing the right thing by having a recall for this defective engineering and safety issue. NHTSA ID Number: 10201603 Manufacturer Communication Number: SSM 50150

NHTSA ODI 11528113

Screen goes out periodically, not able to use backup camera, or radio, or anything.

NHTSA ODI 11527564

I have been the only driver/owner since May of 2020. Vehicle has not been in any type of accident. 2020 Ford Escape has approximately 18,000 miles. I did purchase (bumper to bumper) warranty. Vehicle is scheduled for service on July 10, 2023. Ford dealerships are understaffed and can only service vehicles on urgency of issue or issues. July date was soonest and was from the 3rd Ford dealership I called. Issues started on May 13, 2023. While vehicle is parked and while it’s being driven, the following warnings occur: •AWD Off •AWD Service Required •Powertrain Malfunction •Powertrain Service Required •Pre-collision Assist Not Available •Service Advance Trac •See Manual •Passenger window opens/closes on its own When vehicle is in park: •Power Lift-gate opens halfway or does not open •Doors unlock and lock on their own

NHTSA ODI 11526233

AWD Fault Service Required popped up on screen. Which Then resulted in others system failures such as auto start. Stop cruise control emergency breaking. I was within manufacturer powertrain warranty, but was told it was not covered under the powertrain warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11525754

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "All-Wheel Drive Not Available", "Windshield Wiper Level Low", "Pre- Collision Assist Not Available", and "Hill Start Assist Not Available" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. Upon investigation, the contact discovered a Customer Satisfaction Program for the all-wheel drive which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525697

The entire dash goes black while driving. I've called the dealership and they just say "yeah its known for that". Then they say if it keeps happening to let them look at it. This is very dangerous going down a highway at high speeds. Please look into this. It's happened 2 times now

NHTSA ODI 11524803

The drivers side door hinge broke and the window no longer rolls down. When I took it to the dealership they told me the weld on the hinge broke, that it was not covered under warranty, and that I would need a whole new door. It is the middle hinge that stabilizes the door and stops the top two hinges from becoming damaged. My door is still functional (despite making a very loud popping noise when opening) but the first time it gets opened too hard or far the top or bottom hinge is going to bend. This will result in the door not being able to latch correctly or at all. If it does latch there is a chance it doesn't open if they hinges are bent. They did not diagnose the window. Upon looking online this is a common issue with 2020 Escapes. The part (hinge) did not fail; their weld did. My vehicle currently has 50,400 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11521062