2020 Ford Escape Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 241 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2020 Ford Escape, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 50,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “awd module” (20% of reports).
- 241power train complaints
- 50,000median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $6,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 39%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- AWD module: mentioned in 48 of 241 complaints (20%)
- Pre collision: mentioned in 26 of 241 complaints (11%)
- Hill start: mentioned in 22 of 241 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2020 Ford Escape at $6,400, and half of them between $1,500 and $7,850.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2023–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 65 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 241 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 3 an injury.
Ford Escape power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2024 Escape | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Escape | 23 | 23% | 33,000 |
| 2022 Escape | 31 | 13% | 21,500 |
| 2021 Escape | 44 | 13% | 79,845 |
| 2020 Escape | 241 | 15% | 50,000 |
| 2019 Escape | 128 | 21% | 64,460 |
| 2018 Escape | 275 | 15% | 80,000 |
| 2017 Escape | 391 | 14% | 75,456 |
| 2016 Escape | 320 | 28% | 88,000 |
| 2015 Escape | 286 | 26% | 94,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 481 | 23% | 89,804 |
| 2013 Escape | 401 | 15% | 81,500 |
| 2012 Escape | 66 | 11% | 41,967 |
| 2011 Escape | 268 | 20% | 45,380 |
| 2010 Escape | 508 | 25% | 51,430 |
| 2009 Escape | 301 | 18% | 65,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 329 | 17% | 68,100 |
| 2007 Escape | 44 | 17% | 74,500 |
| 2006 Escape | 80 | 17% | 80,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 117 | 8% | 91,928 |
| 2004 Escape | 27 | 5% | 72,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 55 | 10% | 69,000 |
| 2002 Escape | 105 | 10% | 74,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 128 | 13% | 68,308 |
| 2000 Escape | 1 | 20% | 76,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Transmission fault
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…
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 doesnât have a ground wire. Ford has acknowledged the issue under âFord Customer Satisfaction Program 21B19â but it has since expired…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2020 Ford Escapes have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 241 owner complaints about power train for the 2020 Ford Escape (15% of the 1,610 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Escape power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 50,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2020 Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,400 (half paid between $1,500 and $7,850), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2020 Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “awd module”, in 48 of 241 complaints, followed by “pre collision” (26).
Other 2020 Ford Escape problems
See all 2020 Ford Escape problems or power train problems across all Escape years.