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

I have taken my vehicle to 2 different ford Dealership one tell me that this wasn't for my car and immediately it shows up that I need a fuel injection second one Jim Norton charges me for the lights on my car to get a diagnostics when the recalls and I should never been charged and then the light comes on the next day for the wrench and the engine I've taken my car three times for the recalls and never had to get fixed my engine sounds like crap now it barely runs and it's because of the recall that are not getting fixed

NHTSA ODI 11750715

Transmission needs to be replaced at 70k miles. In reading other user's stories online and hearing from mechanic, I was told to make a report here in reference to Ford's internal memo (SSM 54939). It would be nice for NHTSA to urge Ford to replace/fix transmissions on the 1.5L Dragon engines on the Escape 2020, etc. Too many widespread safety concerns/issues with a defective engine that they know about yet failed to act.

NHTSA ODI 11750322

I noticed the Powertrain slipping after 583 miles. Took to ford which ford recalibrated the software. Powertrain continued to slip during shift change. Noticed ford dealership in norco. Another recalibration. This continued until my transmission flush at 60,000. Took my ford escape at 95,000 for the same thing, then I was told I needed and new transmission, which would cost $4600. All of this back and forth, at a dealership i didn't buy the car from. Why wasn't it recommended to me at my 60,000 mile why my car was under warranty. Fast forward to now. Stopped driving my car at 109,000 miles. Had it parked for over 3 months. Went back to ford in norco was told transmission would cost me $8600!!! Found a auto shop that bought the transmission from norco ford and was charged $5600. What a headache.

NHTSA ODI 11750134

Complete transmission failure under normal driving at about 50,000 miles. Cost about $7500 to completely rebuild the transmission since Ford has none available within the next 6 months, probably because so many of them are failing early.

NHTSA ODI 11749617

I bought my car 2 years ago I heard about a recall so I had check turns back if you don't inject your powertrain and they can't fix it feel injector because they don't have the part apparently but it goes to the powertrain I've had to check three times the last time the light came on the very next day the wrench and the engine now it's saying something by my Cadillac converter and it open fuel line that won't close due to this problem they made me pay $27 just to take the codes off didn't do anything to my car let me drive this car off the lot the very next day the lights come back on I know these are recalls and they're very dangerous for me to drive I'm a mother and a wife and I am not trying to die driving his vehicle I took it if they're three times there has got to be something done they need to give me a vehicle or I've already filed a report with you guys on June 16th 2026

NHTSA ODI 11749146

My low mileage 2020 Ford Escape has rear differential shuddering, grinding, and bumping during low speed turns.

NHTSA ODI 11749199

I have a 2020 Ford Escape SE That I am having a lot of issues with the transmission. I looked to see what kind of recall is for on it and I'll see there is a lot of complaints related to the transmission and when I called Ford they said mine was not included with the recalls on the transmission although my transmission is also jerking, hard shifting, along with a shuddering, loud clunking when you shift and to reverse or drive, Also my park break has been kicking on by itself and it's done it to me while sitting in traffic, decrease in acceleration (it about got me hit on the highway) as the car could not get gas It would drop dramatically from 70 down to nothing almost on interstate I-75 highway. Also I've had a burning smell coming from the engine. My car is now at the transmission shop and they are trying to figure out what's going on with it I've had it to AutoZone for them to put it on their tester and a lot of transmission codes came up and one of them so happen to bend the clutch solenoid which could be caused by leaking fluids! I called Ford the corporate office that and they said well you're 20 20 Ford Escape It's not the one in the recalls or the will with the transmission issues but yet it is doing the exact same thing as the other ones that are listed!! It has just a little over 100,000 mi on it The car's not driven hard whatsoever. I was not giving much warning about the transmission The little wrench thing came on flashing and then suddenly these things start happening while on the highway, but then did not stay on! I had to drive my car 45 mi at speed about 30 to get it home.. I do use my car once in a while to drive Lyft which now I'm without being able to make some extra money for groceries and whatnot because of this car! Also the one of the recalls that is on this car pertains to the transmission updates and according to Ford they don't have the tool to update it but yet this update could affect the functioning of the transmission.. I was at ris

NHTSA ODI 11748713

The vehicle jerks forward when driving at slower speeds, around 10-25 miles per hour. I have especially noticed this on the highway when there is moderate to heavy traffic as I am consistently driving at slower speeds. The vehicle was checked by the original dealer I bought it from as well as a Ford dealership, but neither could replicate the problem. However, I have driven with multiple people who have agreed that the issue is happening, and I have read on many, many online forums and Facebook groups that others are having the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11748427

Electrical issues: Media screen blacks out/glitches including speakers. Gear switch "Dial" will move on its own and park itself. Switching from "Drive to Park". "Transmission not in park" on dash , Lights on dash for engine 4x

NHTSA ODI 11748433

Clutch inside transmission failed while driving. Started lurching and I was able to pull into a parking lot. Towed to service station where it was confirmed. Warning sign came on after attempting to drive the car to service station.

NHTSA ODI 11747683

Severe Transmission Shiudder and hesitation when shifting, Ford has had this problem For 6 plus years with theese escapes and still has no fix

NHTSA ODI 11747554

Transmission shuddering, slipping and or hesitating.

NHTSA ODI 11747567

Power train fault, AWD OFF, Colision assist off

NHTSA ODI 11747569

Vehicle: 2020 Ford Escape Issue: Transmission / Torque Converter My 2020 Ford Escape has ongoing transmission problems, including slipping, shuddering, delayed shifting, and sudden loss of power. The vehicle hesitates when accelerating and sometimes fails to engage properly, creating unsafe situations in traffic. These issues appear related to the torque converter and are happening more often over time. This behavior makes the vehicle unreliable and dangerous to drive. I request that NHTSA investigate transmission and torque converter defects in the 2020 Ford Escape

NHTSA ODI 11747273

Vehicle went into low power or limp mode unexpectedly on interstate highway. Vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly slowed and was unable to maintain highway speed

NHTSA ODI 11746668

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission independently shifted from drive to neutral and then to park. In addition, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with gear shifter module failure. The contact was informed that the gear shifter module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission and computer system failures. The contact was informed that the transmission and computer system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the engine shut off and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake line failure. The contact was informed that the brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer several times for the persistent failures. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11745877

I have just little and over 100,000 in my car And the transmission is acting up and when I looked it up on Google I see there has been other complaints about similar issues that I am having; such as hard shifting and jerking hard revving not wanting to go in gear The car also acts like it does not want to get acceleration or suddenly slows down It acts like it does not want to even take gas This has happened on the highway just up out of nowhere But the jerking and stuff I thought was actually my brakes and that is also another thing My park break wants to engage while I am in motion and has done this even on a highway.. I have seen I am not the only one who has explained about the transmission issue in the park break

NHTSA ODI 11745227

My car has the 8F24 automatic 8-speed transmission. It was a subject to a recall to a fluent league related to the transmission. My car I have experienced hard shifting that low acceleration, along with sudden deceleration not intended, with a lot of bucking and hesitation, with very hard jerking while trying to accelerate or decelerate car almost feels like something wants to fall out from underneath the car. also wanting to go into automatic parking brake while in motion.. The car has also acted like it will not take gas when It acts like it just not wanting to shift right.. I tried to get a hold of Ford dealership and Ford corporate and was told this is not a recalled issue although it is coming up as a recall. I was told my car was built at a later date that's why it was not considered as an issue but yet I am having the same issues that many others have complained about. I had took it to AutoZone had them put it on their tester and it does come up with a power train issue relating to the transmission. There is no way for us to check the fluid to see if it's low and transmission fluid. Also I've experience a burning fluid smell coming from the engine.. Ford is not wanting to address this

NHTSA ODI 11745263

Numerous amounts of things come over the screen where the speed indicater is and have to do with power train but everything it says is messed up is working fine. The things coming up are very annoying with no way to keep them from coming up. There has been 2 fixes for software that I'm aware of but after calling several times they say there is NO FIX for the issue. It's been over a year now. Very disappointed with Ford as we have had the Ford brand for years but will buy something different next time.

NHTSA ODI 11743716

The Engine Longblock Assembly has failed. We have followed the "Customer Satisfaction Program 23N06" instructions from Ford since receipt of the letter from Ford dated July 2024. The coverage date was extended to 150,000 miles because Ford knew that the engine in this 2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid was very likely to fail and die on the highway, and even possibly catch fire. Our Escape's engine light and wrench light came on at 150,222 miles on Sunday, May 31st, 12:10 PM one hour from home. It reduced to low power mode. We had to have it towed to Thomasville Ford where we purchased it and have had it serviced. It has been there every since. It is determined that it needs to have a long block. However, Ford is sticking to its 150K period and will not budge. The dealership drove it up to 150,566 Miles to prove it out. I have called Ford and pleaded twice to no avail. Ford knows this engine is defective and will not give any grace due to being a few miles over their limit. Help, please!

NHTSA ODI 11743147

when I was crossing the road to turn around in a U-turn style, the rear end of the car locked up and I slid across several lanes of traffic. This happened only one time but was terrifying! A few times since then, the emergency brake will apply on its own causing the back end to freeze up. it's VERY random.

NHTSA ODI 11742324

The transmission on my 2020 Ford Escape has an internal fault code and is not shifting into 6th gear. It is an unsafe issue due to it cannot be driven on highways because it throws the vehicle into limp mode. It was diagnosed at a Ford dealership and Ford is refusing to cover the cost to repair their issue since the vehicle is out of warranty. There is a class action suit against Ford for this issue already. I’ve only had this car for a year and a half. I can’t sell the car and I can’t drive the car, but I have to continue to pay on the loan. This is absolutely unacceptable for Ford to have so many Escapes having the same issue but they are doing nothing to make their faulty transmission right.

NHTSA ODI 11736758

My vehicle was taking to a ford dealership Dec 8 2020. Diagnosed with transmission problems was told there is no ETA on parts and had to get it delivered to me to avoid them charging storage fees. The car has an unsafe transmission issue and no parts to fix it. My vehicle has 71k miles should not have transmission issues. Ford refuses to help, with a buy back or even the parts or helping in any way

NHTSA ODI 11732910

Multiple warning lights 4WD, Advance track, power train, hill start coming up on in my 2020 Ford Escape Titanium. Some go off for a few days and then come back on, some go on and off while driving. Also purge valve evap codes come up

NHTSA ODI 11730093

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that after shifting to reverse(R), the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11729966