2020 Ford Escape Hybrid electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 3, 2026KYElectrical System

   Changed 12V battery because liftgate was inconsistently opening. Would click but not release. I have tried the resetting the system with accessory mode, pressing brake and flashing highbeams, have disabled liftgate and reenabled liftgate, have even tried the emergency release under access panel and it still will not open but clicks.

   NHTSA complaint #11748234 · source
2. Filed Feb 25, 2025TXElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle is just under 37K miles. I was operating the vehicle normally, and the wrench icon came on, indicating a powertrain issue. There are recalls for this for some vehicles but not all, and it seems to occur just after warranties expiring. I am concerned my vehicle falls under this service bulletin but has not been properly added: SSM 49157 - 2020 Escape - Illuminated MIL With DTCs U0100, U0401, P166B, P1753, P0929, And/Or P0919 Some 2020 Escape vehicles may exhibit…

   NHTSA complaint #11644872 · source
3. Filed Dec 31, 2024OHElectrical System

   The hybrid battery coolant line has a leak and is available for inspection. Driving the vehicle with this leak can compromise the battery resulting in overheating which could cause the vehicle to break down, fire, or burn. The dealer confirmed the leak. The dealer was a manufacturer dealer and they inspected the vehicle. There were no indications of a leak.

   NHTSA complaint #11633447 · source
4. Filed Oct 3, 2024TXElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Whenever I shut off my 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid or when I am about to turn it on, a message appears on the touchscreen that says: "System off to save battery, please turn ignition off or start engine." I have replaced the battery but I get the same error message. When I took the car to Firestone, they performed a Diagnostic which did not indicate that there was anything wrong with the battery. When I spoke to a Hybrid Battery Specialist, he told me that the error message was…

   NHTSA complaint #11617837 · source
5. Filed Sep 19, 2024NYElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I have received 2 letters from manufacturer, than I had appointment dealer service, I went there and worker sad to me we don't have it, than I tried another services , they same answer, than I contacted ford, ford told to me car is good condition don't need replacement

   NHTSA complaint #11615422 · source
6. Filed Sep 18, 2024CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Upon purchasing and receiving the car from a dealership, I attempted to drive it around my neighborhood and after about 1 minute received a warning saying "safely stop now!" and the steering wheel locked and the power shut off in the middle of the street. The car would not turn back on and had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership (not Ford) already replaced the battery and that did not fix the issue. They are having to take it to Ford service to get it looked at.…

   NHTSA complaint #11615260 · source
7. Filed Aug 27, 2024MOElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   We were traveling to Springfield MO and just before Strafford our 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE flashed a wrench warning on our screen and immediately went into limp mode in rush hour traffic on I-44. We were in the passing lane going up a hill at the time passing a commercial truck and our speed dropped significantly. Luckily the vehicles behind us to were able slow down in time.

   NHTSA complaint #11611195 · source
8. Filed Aug 21, 202465,000 miTXElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the display screen on the instrument panel intermittently went black. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the sync system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and became aware of Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 24B47; however, the VIN was not included. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11610012 · source
9. Filed Jun 23, 2024GAElectrical SystemEngine

   My escape continues to shut down after parking and will not restart. Push button light will sometimes turn green but will not come on , dial to P flashes but will not move . Sometime I can quickly jump it off and it restarts but most recently and to get someone to disconnect both batteries and reconnect and it will start … it acts like it has to restart the electrical system . I have seen many examples of others having the same issues

   NHTSA complaint #11595981 · source
10. Filed May 24, 2024MOElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Was driving the car when it suddenly went dead with the following message on the screen: “Vehicle network communication error”. By chance I happened to be able to coast off the road otherwise i would have been stranded on a very busy road. The vehicle was towed to a Ford dealer where the problem was reproduced, the car has been at the dealer for 1 week now with no idea what the problem is. There was no warning prior to the error appearing and the vehicle completely stopping.…

    NHTSA complaint #11590669 · source
11. Filed May 14, 202434,500 miCAElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while trying to turn the inside vehicle lights, she accidently pushed the sunroof button. The sunroof cover broke. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with the entire sunroof needing replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact states that is a safety hazard because the vehicle gets extremely hot without the sunroof cover. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised…

    NHTSA complaint #11588769 · source
12. Filed Apr 18, 2024CAElectrical System

    A software update to the SYNC 3 system was sent out to my vehicle after the update took place the radio system as well as navigation, backup camera, and self parking all failed to work. And the system never turned back on again. After diagnosis from Ford dealership it was declared that the APIM needs to be replaced. I tried to voice my problem to ford corporate via phone calls, emails, and letter and they did not acknowledge that the problem was from the update.

    NHTSA complaint #11583904 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology