2020 FORD ESCAPE Safety Overview

Component: VISIBILITY

"The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while opening the moon roof, the moon roof cover cloth bunched up and blocked the view of the rear glass. The failure mileage was approximately 51,250."

Component: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

"My air bag light is reporting - Your Air Bag Warning is on due to an issue with the front passenger air bag system. The front passenger airbag may not work properly. This light came on last week. This first appeared on 9/14. Also, I have another failure light reporting my seat belt is malfunctioning. First appeared 10/15. No one’s safety was put at risk yet. There were no warning messages, just indicator lights."

Component: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

"2020 Ford Escape is suffering from sudden, uncommanded loss of power, severe engine hesitation and violent stuttering during acceleration and problem is getting worse. Took to our service center to fix and they said the problem is a recall - NHTSA - 25V467 recall 25S76 (engine hesitant acceleration, rough idling, reduced engine power). Called Airport Ford in Florence, KY. They are saying they can't fix this issue -there is no remedy and that the program has been paused. This condition poses an immediate safety hazard. The unexpected failure of the powertrain to respond during high-demand situations - such as merging onto highways, passing vehicles or making left turns across oncoming traffic - makes me feel very vulnerable to rear-end or side impact crashes. The failure occurs at all speeds but is worse at 10-30 miles per hour. There is a Ford Recall on this issue. If the recall is paused - I assume they are no longer trying to find a fix. This is a 2020 car - surely in 6 years the Ford experts should have found a viable fix. In addition to the Dealership also talked to Ford Consumer Hotline and were given the same info as from the dealership. Please help! I love my Fords - I have had Fords all my adult life. Please help us."

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

"2020 Ford Escape – AWD and Multiple Safety System Failures I own a 2020 Ford Escape with approximately 99,000 miles. Every time I drive my vehicle, the dashboard displays the following warnings: * All-Wheel Drive Off * Pre-Collision Assist Not Available * Service AdvanceTrac * All-Wheel Drive Fault – Service Required * Hill Start Assist Not Available * See Manual I contacted an authorized Ford dealership regarding Customer Satisfaction Program 21B19, which addressed an AWD control module issue in certain 2020 Ford Escapes. The dealership checked my VIN and informed me that my vehicle was not included in the program. The dealership did not inspect or diagnose my vehicle. I subsequently contacted Ford Motor Company directly and requested goodwill repair assistance. Ford informed me that it would not provide goodwill assistance. I am concerned that my vehicle may be experiencing a defect similar to the one addressed by Program 21B19. Multiple driver-assistance and stability-control systems appear to be affected. I am requesting that NHTSA review this safety concern and investigate whether additional 2020 Ford Escape vehicles may be affected by a related defect. The underlying cause has not yet been diagnosed."

Component: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

"I am reporting an unresolved safety concern involving my 2020 Ford Escape SE, which is subject to Ford Safety Recall 25S76 (NHTSA Campaign 25V-467). The recall was issued in July 2025 because a fuel injector may crack, allowing gasoline to leak into the engine compartment and potentially ignite on hot engine or exhaust components. As of October 9, 2026, approximately 15 months after the recall was issued, NHTSA's VIN-specific recall database continues to list my vehicle's recall as incomplete, with the permanent remedy not yet available. My concern is the prolonged period during which my vehicle remains subject to a known fire-related safety defect without an available permanent repair. I have not reported an actual fuel leak or fire. This complaint concerns the documented safety defect and the continued unavailability of a permanent remedy. I request that NHTSA review the length of Ford's recall remedy delay, determine whether the manufacturer's response satisfies applicable recall requirements, and provide guidance regarding vehicle safety, interim protections, and the expected availability of a permanent repair. I also request that Ford provide affected owners with a clear repair timeline and appropriate assistance while the safety defect remains unresolved."

Component: VISIBILITY/WIPER

"**Subject: Unavailable Safety Recall Remedy – Ford Recall 26S14 / NHTSA 26V-117** I am submitting this concern regarding an outstanding safety recall affecting the front windshield wiper motor on my 2020 Ford Escape SE. Ford Recall 26S14 (NHTSA Campaign 26V-117) was announced in March 2026 because the windshield wiper motor may fail, causing the windshield wipers to stop operating properly. This defect presents a serious safety concern. If the windshield wipers fail during rain or other adverse weather conditions, a driver could suddenly lose the ability to see the roadway, surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, and other hazards. As of October 9, 2026, my vehicle remains subject to this recall, and NHTSA's VIN-specific database indicates that a remedy is not yet available. I am particularly concerned about continuing to operate a vehicle with an unresolved defect affecting a critical visibility and safety system. I respectfully request that NHTSA review the status of Ford's recall remedy, verify the anticipated repair availability, and provide guidance regarding appropriate safety precautions while affected vehicle owners await a repair. I also request that Ford provide a clear timeline for completing the recall at no expense to affected owners. This submission concerns an outstanding safety recall and the unavailability of a repair. It is not a report of an actual windshield wiper failure, crash, or injury."

Component: VISIBILITY/WIPER

"Our 2020 Ford escape cowling is separated from the windshield. I took it to a body shop to see if they could fix it. The strip groove that connects the cowling to the windshield has separated from the glass. The only way to fix it is replace the windshield. This is a know issue with Ford cars researching. I was in recently for the windshield motor replacement warranty. I asked the service tech about it and stated not covered considered a "body issue." This is does not sit well. Is there anything that can be done. We take very good care of our car. This is cosmetic but it appears to be a known defect."

Component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"The sunroof moulding of my 2020 Ford Escape has come loose. I can’t find any clips to restick the moulding to the sunroof. I see that others have also had this issue and for some the moulding has gone to the back of the visor housing. Luckily I took out the moulding before this happened, but I can’t place it back without new clips which are not available online."

Component: POWER TRAIN

"Transmission fault"

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

"I am the owner of a U.S.-specification 2020 Ford Escape currently stationed in the Netherlands under military orders. I attempted to complete all open safety recalls through an authorized Ford dealership in the Netherlands. The dealership reviewed the vehicle and performed the actions available to them, but the recalls remain open. Open recalls include Ford Recall 25S76 / NHTSA Recall 25V467 involving the fuel injector system and Ford Recall 26C11 / NHTSA Recall 26V123 involving the SYNC and rearview camera display system. The dealership advised that not all recall actions could be fully completed overseas due to limitations associated with servicing a U.S.-market vehicle and/or remedy availability. The vehicle was inspected and serviced by an authorized Ford dealer in the Netherlands. I am submitting this report to document that I made a good-faith effort to obtain recall repairs before returning the vehicle to the United States, where I intend to complete any remaining recall actions."

Component: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"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, making the vehicle’s response unpredictable. I have had situations where I nearly collided with another vehicle because of the unexpected acceleration. The vehicle has displayed diagnostic trouble code P0600 – Serial Communication Link. The ignition coils and spark plugs have already been replaced, but the condition remains unchanged. I am concerned because the hesitation, jerking, surging, and unexpected acceleration occur while the vehicle is being driven and could affect safe and predictable vehicle control in traffic. I have not yet received a final diagnosis confirming whether the cause is related to the transmission, torque converter, PCM/TCM, communication system, speed control system, or another component. I am reporting this issue so that NHTSA has a record of the condition in case other owners of 2020–2021 Ford Escape vehicles are experiencing similar drivability and unexpected acceleration problems."

Component: POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

"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."

Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

"When driving, the car will shudder and jolt when shifting gears, particularly from 2nd to 3rd. It will not accelerate properly at times and has almost caused me to be rear ended when merging on highways at highway speeds. This might be tied to the transmission issues that other 2020 ford escapes are dealing with."

Component: POWER TRAIN

"Vehicle diagnosed with DTC C0095 (sub-codes :71 and :19) indicating a total mechanical misalignment of the internal Rear Drive Unit (RDU) actuator motor magnet ring, as documented in Ford Service Bulletin SSM 51117. This defect causes an immediate, unprompted shutdown of the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system while driving, defaulting the vehicle strictly to Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and significantly degrading vehicle traction, stability, and handling control in adverse weather conditions."

Component: POWER TRAIN

"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."

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

"These are the failed systems since the recall was being repaired since July 27th 2026. The car is presently still at the dealer today. Sept 18 2026. Sync Screen goes black Instrument cluster goes black. Auto-hold fails Pre-collision emergency assist not available Forward camera not available Drive mode not available Powertrain Control Module fails with error to Ford App Service Engine light on at all times We have all repair times it went back total of 4 times. No replacement vehicles was provided. Here are the additional files in this link there are approximately 16 repair files 3 are Ian pictures below uploaded https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:4e092f62-ba12-4fac-888f-d529227f810a"

Component: POWER TRAIN

"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"

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

"The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an engine control software update was performed as an interim repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, smoke was coming from under the hood and the RPM was fluctuating. Additionally, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle even while the vehicle was turned off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and advised the contact not to drive the vehicle due to a fire risk. The contact scheduled a service appointment with Mike Carpino Ford Pittsburg, Inc. (1097 US-69, Pittsburg, KS 66762). The manufacturer was contacted several times, and a case was opened, but the contact was denied the contact information for the engineering department and towing assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000."

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY

"The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V117000 (Visibility); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue."

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

"The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle began shuddering and nearly lost power. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an interim repair. The contact stated that there was an abnormal rotten egg odor coming from the vehicle after the repair. The vehicle was sputtering while accelerating, and there was a delay with the engine responding. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000."