2020 Ford Escape Hybrid: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Acceleration · CA

​VEHICLE INFORMATION ​Year/Make/Model: 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Titanium ​Component: Electrical / Instrument Cluster / Digital Display Unit (IPC) ​Hazard: Critical Visual Hazard & Operational Safety Defect ​STATEMENT OF SAFETY CONCERN The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the 2020 Ford Escape Titanium is experiencing severe pixelation and flickering, indicating imminent screen failure. Because this trim lacks mechanical gauges, screen failure blinds the driver to vital real-time operating metrics: ​Speedometer: Prevents real-time speed monitoring, increasing collision risk. ​Engine Temperature: Hides thermal warnings, risking sudden engine breakdown or overheating. ​Fuel Gauge: Obscures fuel levels, risking sudden loss of propulsion in active traffic. ​Warning Lights: Hides critical alerts for Brake System, Airbags, Tire Pressure, and High-Voltage Hybrid System faults. ​OPERATIONAL HAZARD ANALYSIS Driving with a malfunctioning instrument panel creates immediate hazards: ​Driver Distraction: Constant screen flickering directly in the driver's line of sight creates a dangerous visual distraction, especially at night. ​Power Loss Risk: Lack of fuel/hybrid monitoring increases the likelihood of stalling on highways or busy intersections. ​Loss of Safety Warnings: The vehicle cannot communicate critical restraint or braking system failures to the driver. ​REQUESTED ACTION / RESOLUTION This condition represents an active safety defect. I request: ​Immediate diagnostic and replacement of the digital instrument cluster unit (IPC) or control module under applicable technical/safety service guidelines. ​Formal documentation of this defect with Ford Motor Company and reporting to federal regulators (the federal safety agency).

Filed Apr 19, 2024 · Engine · VA

Recall was issues 5/2023 for Engine Stall/Fire risk. There has been no remedy done and it's coming up on one year since this has been issued. This was expanded upon the July 2022 recall that drilled holes and removed grill shutters , but it was shown to not have alleviated this issue. The issue is a rod bearing breaching the engine block causing the potential for devastating and potential personal injury along with property damage. In reaching out to the dealer , no remedy has been issued yet....it's almost 1 year !!!

Filed Feb 2, 2024 · GA

The spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment points in the door assembly broke. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety is put at risk because the door check arm is broken and the window won’t roll down as a result. The door has nothing to stop it from closing or opening, and if I were to require my window to roll down in the event of an accident my safety is jeopardized. This issue was confirmed at my dealership and they even provided me with a Ford memo SSM 51553 that acknowledges this problem. No one besides the dealership has inspected it yet. There were no warning lamps or messages. The issue started when the door suddenly made a loud popping noise when opened or closed, along with some resistance doing so. Then without warning the noise stopped, but now the door flings open and closed without any catching and my window will only roll down about 3 inches before stalling out. The first popping noise started three days ago, then it stopped and the door became non functioning yesterday. Dealership acknowledged this is a known issue, but Ford refuses to cover it.

Filed Jan 3, 2024 · Engine · CA

Car frequently stalls. Will not restart. Dealer has been saying a fix will come, but it never comes. Your documentation says a fix in October. It's now January and no fix in site.

Filed Sep 12, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NY

My car, at the time was a moving vehicle at a NYC parkway intersection. malfunctioned. Dashboard, navigation radio went black. Navigation panel shows vehicle network communications error. car stopped moving.gear can shift. hazard light or hatch can turn one. Once dealer restarted the car, system generated notification listed powertrain to restraint control and four wheel drive failures. But phone still kept connecting to car on Bluetooth. This caused me to have to keep dialing back to 911, AAA, Ford roadside and dealer service because call receiver kept thinking the call was not connecting So they would disconnect the call. hill assist and pre-collision failure reporter in 3/21. Sync failure was reported to sync support and ignored. I was told CRM was down and call back later. Apple product and level 3 had update its software to address it. It is one thing an old car stalls. We have police, roadside and Good Samaritan to help a single woman to pull off the toad. It is abominable that safety features malfunction. It is even more horrid when the paid Ford roadside assist’s response at two calls was “call911” when I asked them to walk me through recovery protocol. When I called my dealer service (queens Ford 7 miles away from incident location), I was told to look for backup key slot, when I could not locate it at the described location, I asked for manual page number, I was told to call roadside or sales department to express my dissatisfaction) I found the manual page. The location identified does not provide a place to insert key. It took almost two hours before Ford contacted me about tow. If the federal safety agency does not look into this there is no justice. My 2020 escape was purchased in sept 2020 with extended warranty. It has only 9000 mi one it. Dealer offered a loaner. But kept me waiting because “it was too busy”. I refused to sign loaner gsreemtn, they threaten to report car stolen. Auto generated report still says car is healthy