AWD Module fails to communicate properly due to bad ground connection. Dashboard message shows AWD Failure, Pre-collision assist warning unavailable, Electronic stability control unavailable, and Hill start assist failure. Ford is aware of this problem and has issued TSB 23-2061. These vehicles should be re-called because important safety features become inoperative and the possibility of a collision is greatly increased.
2020 Ford Escape driver assistance problems
103 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 43,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 103
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 43,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Warnings48
- Adaptive cruise control25
- Automatic emergency braking23
- Blind spot detection10
- Rearview system braking4
- Assist4
- Warning3
- Sensing system: camera3
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Escape driver assistance problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Ford Escape driver assistance
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 5, 2026.
Recall number 26V123000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Recall number 25V442000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Recall number 20V575000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (the federal safety agency Recall No. 20V‑575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rear Visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera operation. The supplier of the cameras was Magna Electronics.According to Ford's chronology in the Part 573, during the period February-April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes, focusing on changes introduced by the supplier in the October-November 2019 time frame. The Part 573 stated that the issue was brought to Ford's Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) for review on May 12, 2020.On July 7, 2020, the federal safety agency's Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC) informed the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a trend of MY 2020 Escape vehicles with rearview camera malfunctions. ODI contacted Ford the next day, providing five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging inoperative rearview cameras. On July 15, 2020, Ford met with the federal safety agency to discuss the rearview camera issue. In a subsequent August 24, 2020 meeting, ODI and the federal safety agency's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) met with Ford to discuss the recall status and additional VOQs. Ford presented rate and scope data for many of its MY 2020 products during the August 2020 meeting indicating high failure rates for certain models.This RQ is being opened to investigate both the timeliness and scope of Ford's rearview camera recall (20V‑575), and Ford's compliance with reporting requirements.The subject reports referenced in the opening resume are identified by the following ODI reference numbers which can be reviewed at 11349813, 11344126, 11342696, 11341486, 11340254, 11337274, 11331444, 11330875, 11329235, 11316960, 11343521, 11341884, 11337226, 11344018, and 11339573.
RQ21002
What 2020 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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
I consistently get an AWD failure warning and then it turns off multiple different safety features of the car, traction control, hill assist, AWD, collision detection etc. I have seen a lot of people complain about the same thing. This is dangerous and ford needs to provide a solution to the bad ground of the AWD module.
I had complete brake failure while driving my vehicle yesterday I had new brakes installed on XXX by Mr tire auto service centersStore Number: #XXX ([XXX]) Invoice Number: XXX Guest ID: XXX Vehicle details: 2020 Ford Escape Titanium. They have deemed that PARTS were defective ( calipers and pads) . This situation ended up okay however if I was on open road I could have killed myself or others. The manufacturer of these parts needs to be flagged. We have requested a detailed list of the parts that were used to do this job and have also reached out to Monro who is their corporate affiliate. We have not heard back from them yet. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While I was driving on a highway the ADAS (IPMA) suddenly stopped working creating a dangerous situation as I was using adaptive cruise control at the time. It has never worked since. Ford has told me that there is no software fix and the hardware needs to be replaced at a cost of $1500. Unless I pay that amount I will lack key safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 26V123000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. While the contact’s son was driving approximately 45 MPH, the screen on the radio went black. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the radio independently reset and displayed the correct information. The failure had occurred approximately 3 - 4 times. The radio screen often displayed erroneous information with distorted images. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a recall for the door, and after the recall repair was performed, the key fob failed to lock and unlock the doors. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the manufacturer had not provided the parts for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
My husband I originally purchased this vehicle around October 2020. We are the only owners and when we purchased it, it had 78 miles on it. Since I purchased it I have had to pay out of pocket for all the tire sensors to be replaced, I have had to purchase a new heater fan, and a sensor for a seat belt that prevented my adaptive cruise control from working. A while back, a warning light came on saying my adaptive cruise control was no longer working. I took it to Ford and was told it would cost $1600 to fix it. Surprisingly, it started working on it's own a few days later. Currently I took the car in because my rear passenger window wouldn't go up. I was told that it would cost almost $1800 to fix it. I have taken it to Ford to have 2 of the 3 recalls fixed. They do not show that it was fixed and I was told they weren't able to fix it. I pushed the button one day to send the cloth covering on the moon roof back. It snapped and no longer works, their is a crack in my dash, and I frankly don't have the money to fix a window motor that should have not quit after six years. I take excellent care of my car. I have all the maintenance taken care of. I expect to have the brakes fixed, new tires, new battery. What I don't expect is for the sensors and motors to go out. I have been driving for over 40 years, owned multiple vehicles and I have to say I am so disappointed with Ford. I understand that the problems I am having is not just me, that many Ford Escape owners are having similar issues. I would just like some assistance.
The cross traffic did not alert me. The opposing vehicle was parked in a parking spot at the Jacksonville Dermatologist office near the Martinez dental office 32216. She caused over $8900 dollars in damage. She indicated she did not see me in her rear view camera. Her vehicle from 2017 Kia did not have the cross traffic alert system. She did not believe me there was such an alert system. I showed the police officer my vehicle 2020 Ford escape did have it. I did have an anxiety attack and had to slow my breathing. I have PTSD and take prescribed anxiety medication.
Questions about the 2020 Ford Escape driver assistance
Does the 2020 Ford Escape have driver assistance problems?
Owners have filed 103 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2020 Ford Escape, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Escape driver assistance problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 43,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Escape driver assistance?
Yes, 3 recalls: 26V123000, 25V442000, 20V575000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Escape have the most driver assistance problems?
The Ford Escape model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2016 (276 complaints), 2015 (192 complaints) and 2020 (103 complaints).
Other 2020 Ford Escape problems
Body 671Transmission 243Fuel system 201Electrical 160Engine 132Visibility 71Locks 54Brakes 45Acceleration 20Wheels 20Steering 18Airbags 13Seat belts 13Seats 9Suspension 9Lights 7Tires 7
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