2020 Ford Escape transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V330000May 10, 20249,312 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

  Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.

• Recall 21V011000Jan 15, 2021147 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.

  Risk: If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

• Recall 20V550000Sep 10, 202097 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.

  Risk: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 25, 2026ORTransmission & Drivetrain

   I am noticing an obvious lurching while accelerating at low speeds after being stopped. It also happens when slowing down. It is happening with and without adaptive cruise control engaged. This may cause someone to rear end me if my brake lights are not activated because I am not braking. Inversely it may cause me to rear end someone in front of me

   NHTSA complaint #11766892 · source
2. Filed Sep 23, 2026MNDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   There is a malfunction in the AWD system that gives a code for low voltage. I tracked down the issue to a factory defect where the connector to the AWD module doesn’t have a ground wire. Ford has acknowledged the issue under “Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21B19” but it has since expired. (Expired after the vehicle was purchased) As a result of the fault, It disables AWD, hill start assist, forward collision assist.

   NHTSA complaint #11766344 · source
3. Filed Sep 23, 2026VTTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vacuum pump went and replaced then rpms spiking between 1500 and 2000. Then traction control light came on and noise in from end. All within a week.

   NHTSA complaint #11766311 · source
4. Filed Sep 22, 2026FLElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle: 2020 Ford Escape I am experiencing a recurring drivability issue with my 2020 Ford Escape. During normal or light acceleration, primarily between approximately 1,000 and 2,000 RPM, the vehicle intermittently jerks, surges, or hesitates. At the same time, I can observe slight RPM fluctuation. The condition continues to occur even when the vehicle is driven in Sport mode. On some occasions, the vehicle has also accelerated suddenly and more aggressively than expected,…

   NHTSA complaint #11766259 · source
5. Filed Aug 31, 202658,986 miNYBody & StructureTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the door was unlocked was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed of an unrepaired recall associated with the VIN. The contact was informed that an unknown device was installed, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side doors failed to unlock. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11761090 · source
6. Filed Aug 21, 2026130,000 miTNEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle jerked significantly. The contact continued to drive the vehicle despite the failure, which intensified while coming to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11758510 · source
7. Filed Aug 10, 2026TXElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   On 8th of June 2026, exiting I35W onto Convery Dr. I notice my dash gauges failed in proving any information. I immediately pulled over turned off the vehicle and turn it on. Gauges did not work, but vehicle did start and was running normal. I utilize the Waze app to monitor my speed and arrived home safely while putting no one at risk. I had to take a different vehicle to Hopps automotive for repairs, upon return my vehicle gauges were working as normal. Two days after the…

   NHTSA complaint #11756059 · source
8. Filed Aug 5, 202630,000 miMITransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed with an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was stopped before resuming normal driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was associated with the rear differential. The contact stated that four repairs had been performed…

   NHTSA complaint #11754909 · source
9. Filed Jul 29, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission on my 2020 Ford Escape began shuddering around 30 mph and occasionally shifted harshly during acceleration without any warning lights or messages. I took the vehicle to Beechmont Ford, where the technician confirmed the concern, found metal contamination in the transmission fluid, and determined the transmission has internal damage consistent with a failed output planetary bushing, requiring a complete transmission overhaul. The vehicle has approximately…

   NHTSA complaint #11753469 · source
10. Filed Jul 29, 2026OKFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    I've taken my car 3 times for the same recalls 1st time was to jack Kisse for power train and fuel injector he told me the recall wasn't to my car I argued I can tell something was wrong with my car it keeps stalling and it's going to end up killing me in traffic from the fuel injectors so I take it too [XXX] of Norton and broken arrow they tell me after sitting there for 8 hours that the powertrain is not taking it takes 4 hours to do it and they only have 30 minutes left…

    NHTSA complaint #11753441 · source
11. Filed Jul 24, 2026FLOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    Since about 80,000 miles my escape has been jerky when shifting in low gears and hesitates to accelerate or accelerates slow putting me and other drivers at risk. I have taken it to ford several times and each time they fixed something but not the problem. They replaced my rear differential, alternator, compressor and AWD module. Also they have done transmission fluid exchanges and updates on the software, however they never fixed the issue. I stressed everytime I took my…

    NHTSA complaint #11752563 · source
12. Filed Jul 23, 2026WITransmission & Drivetrain

    Our transmission is going out. We started having issues without any warning lights coming on. The car jumps heavily at stops lights when we are coming to a stop. The car then doesn't want to accelerate from a stopped position. When we hit the accelerator, the car starts skipping/jumping and the gas pedal feels like it doesn't have any grip. We had an independent mechanic ride in the vehicle and hook it up to the computers and saw that the codes reading is all transmission…

    NHTSA complaint #11752507 · 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