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 - the federal safety agency - 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.
2020 Ford Escape transmission problems
243 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 243
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical mileage
- 50,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)4
- Automatic transmission3
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)2
- Transfer case (4-wheel drive)1
- Driveline: differential unit1
- Driveline1
- Automatic transmission: torque converter1
- Automatic transmission: control module: software1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Escape transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Ford Escape transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Jerking 33Hesitation 32Harsh shifting 24Transmission failure 24Shudder 19Won't shift 13Slipping 9
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- 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 number 24V330000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- 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 number 21V011000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 20V550000 · Recall details
What 2020 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 it may cause me to rear end someone in front of me
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency has a record of the condition in case other owners of 2020–2021 Ford Escape vehicles are experiencing similar drivability and unexpected acceleration problems.
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 contact stated that the family crawled into the vehicle through the trunk. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the driver’s and passenger’s side front doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop as per the dealer. The driver’s and passenger's side front doors were replaced but the failure reoccurred. In addition, the transmission shift to park warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the auto body shop had clipped the wiring harness from an unknown sensor. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with battery failure. The battery was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side doors failed to unlatch occasionally. The doors unlatched and the transmission shift to park error messages were displayed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the dealer was an independent dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 58,986.
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.
I have a 2020 Ford escape all-wheel-drive, it only has 42,000 miles on it, and I had to have the differential replaced.
Questions about the 2020 Ford Escape transmission
Does the 2020 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 243 complaints about the transmission of the 2020 Ford Escape, 15% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Escape transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Escape transmission?
Yes, 3 recalls: 24V330000, 21V011000, 20V550000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Escape have bad transmission?
The Ford Escape model years with the most transmission complaints are 2010 (508 complaints), 2014 (481 complaints) and 2013 (401 complaints).
Other 2020 Ford Escape problems
Body 671Fuel system 201Electrical 160Engine 132Driver assistance 103Visibility 71Locks 54Brakes 45Acceleration 20Wheels 20Steering 18Airbags 13Seat belts 13Seats 9Suspension 9Lights 7Tires 7
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