2020 Ford Escape: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · TN

I have a 2020 Ford Escape SE That I am having a lot of issues with the transmission. I looked to see what kind of recall is for on it and I'll see there is a lot of complaints related to the transmission and when I called Ford they said mine was not included with the recalls on the transmission although my transmission is also jerking, hard shifting, along with a shuddering, loud clunking when you shift and to reverse or drive, Also my park break has been kicking on by itself and it's done it to me while sitting in traffic, decrease in acceleration (it about got me hit on the highway) as the car could not get gas It would drop dramatically from 70 down to nothing almost on interstate I-75 highway. Also I've had a burning smell coming from the engine. My car is now at the transmission shop and they are trying to figure out what's going on with it I've had it to AutoZone for them to put it on their tester and a lot of transmission codes came up and one of them so happen to bend the clutch solenoid which could be caused by leaking fluids! I called Ford the corporate office that and they said well you're 20 20 Ford Escape It's not the one in the recalls or the will with the transmission issues but yet it is doing the exact same thing as the other ones that are listed!! It has just a little over 100,000 mi on it The car's not driven hard whatsoever. I was not giving much warning about the transmission The little wrench thing came on flashing and then suddenly these things start happening while on the highway, but then did not stay on! I had to drive my car 45 mi at speed about 30 to get it home.. I do use my car once in a while to drive Lyft which now I'm without being able to make some extra money for groceries and whatnot because of this car! Also the one of the recalls that is on this car pertains to the transmission updates and according to Ford they don't have the tool to update it but yet this update could affect the functioning of the transmission.. I was at ris

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Vehicle: 2020 Ford Escape Issue: Transmission / Torque Converter My 2020 Ford Escape has ongoing transmission problems, including slipping, shuddering, delayed shifting, and sudden loss of power. The vehicle hesitates when accelerating and sometimes fails to engage properly, creating unsafe situations in traffic. These issues appear related to the torque converter and are happening more often over time. This behavior makes the vehicle unreliable and dangerous to drive. I request that the federal safety agency investigate transmission and torque converter defects in the 2020 Ford Escape

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Transmission · TN

I have just little and over 100,000 in my car And the transmission is acting up and when I looked it up on Google I see there has been other complaints about similar issues that I am having; such as hard shifting and jerking hard revving not wanting to go in gear The car also acts like it does not want to get acceleration or suddenly slows down It acts like it does not want to even take gas This has happened on the highway just up out of nowhere But the jerking and stuff I thought was actually my brakes and that is also another thing My park break wants to engage while I am in motion and has done this even on a highway.. I have seen I am not the only one who has explained about the transmission issue in the park break

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Transmission · TN

My car has the 8F24 automatic 8-speed transmission. It was a subject to a recall to a fluent league related to the transmission. My car I have experienced hard shifting that low acceleration, along with sudden deceleration not intended, with a lot of bucking and hesitation, with very hard jerking while trying to accelerate or decelerate car almost feels like something wants to fall out from underneath the car. also wanting to go into automatic parking brake while in motion.. The car has also acted like it will not take gas when It acts like it just not wanting to shift right.. I tried to get a hold of Ford dealership and Ford corporate and was told this is not a recalled issue although it is coming up as a recall. I was told my car was built at a later date that's why it was not considered as an issue but yet I am having the same issues that many others have complained about. I had took it to AutoZone had them put it on their tester and it does come up with a power train issue relating to the transmission. There is no way for us to check the fluid to see if it's low and transmission fluid. Also I've experience a burning fluid smell coming from the engine.. Ford is not wanting to address this

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Transmission · CA

Component: Powertrain / Transmission Vehicle: 2020 Ford Escape Mileage at failure: 53,500 Transmission began violently jerking, hesitating, and mis-shifting around 53,000 miles. Brought to Ford of Sunnyvale on May 2, 2025 where the dealership diagnosed complete transmission failure. Instead of replacing, they installed a software update that masked the problem for a few weeks before it returned worse. Vehicle is now unsafe to drive — surging, delayed shifting, unpredictable acceleration — especially dangerous for highway merging or family use. This is a known issue with Ford’s 8F35 transmission. Ford TSB 22-2281 documents widespread failures and need for planetary gear replacement. What’s more concerning is that this failure occurred within what should have been the 5-year/60k powertrain warranty. Ford denied full coverage based on a hidden warranty start date from demo use. I was never informed at lease that the warranty had started 6 months earlier. My wife drives our two small children in this car, and it is now unsafe and undrivable. Ford should be held accountable not only for the mechanical failure, but for masking the problem and compromising customer safety.

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Body, Electrical · WI

Went to open the drivers side left front door and heard a loud clunk, now door isn't opening or shutting properly and we can't use the drivers window either. I've heard of peoples doors falling off while driving because of this and we just bought the car at the end of October. We have yet to get it looked at, but it's not a cheap fix. There were no warnings or signs. I opened it normal like every other time.

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Transmission · IN

Clunking sound from rear of vehicle when making slow turns. Dealer states needs a new rear drive unit no warning lights present in dash

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · AZ

Wrench light came on car lost power running high RPMs and hard shifting

Filed Nov 4, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · TX

A 2020 Ford Escape that was purchased in new condition in September of 2020. The vehicle has had numerous issues with transmission failure as well as the failure of other engine/transmission components causing drivability and safety issues such as hard shifting, not shifting, and not accelerating properly. I was not informed of Ford's buyback program until August 28, 2024, when a friend who had previously experienced similar issues with a Ford vehicle alerted me to its existence. She assisted me in contacting Ford Consumer Affairs and initiating a buyback request (case #[XXX]). On October 20, 2024 we called Ford Motor Corp Consumer Affairs to follow up on the case and they advised the application for buyback was denied since it had not been submitted within the 30 month period as outlined in Texas Lemon Law. We were advised that the only way I could seek remedy was via BBB complaint. I need assistance to advocate for my consumer rights related to Lemon Law and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. It is my belief that Ford Motor Corp has repeatedly failed to perform their due diligence with regard to the transmission, engine, and other components installed in my vehicle. June 3, 2022 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department. Diagnosed transmission failure and the transmission was replaced at 14,158 miles. I received the vehicle back on July 2, 2022. August 2, 2022 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department for shifting/drivability issues and failed communications of OBD system. Vehicle had 14,557 miles and I received it back on August 29, 2022. April 21, 2023 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department for check engine light at 18,554 miles. I received the vehicle back on May 22, 2023. August 6, 2024 - Vehicle taken to Bob Tomes Ford service department for hard shifting and drivability issues at 20,281 miles and as of November 4, 2024 the vehicle is still in the service department. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Transmission · MI

A clunking noise in the rear at turns to the right starting up from a stop. Local automotive shop diagnosed contaminated rear differential fluid. Changed fluid and told me to contact dealership. Differential should not have the issue at only 30,000 miles. Dealership confirmed issue and recommended TSB 24-2185 be performed at this time. However RDU vent nose part unavailable at this time and had to pay for a special order shipment when it was produced by third party vendor. Did not change fluid and Escape is clunking at right and left turns now and feels unsafe to drive as I herk and jerk down the road.

Filed Apr 11, 2024 · Body, Fuel system · MI

Driver's door when opening would make a clunking sound. After opening it a couple times door would not shut. Finally getting it to shut, the door now will not open all the way. Also since this happening the window on that door will not roll down. Safety issue is that I'm afraid the door won't stay closed or it may fall off. Also the gas cap light is on, always been a problem even when the cap door is completely closed.

Filed Feb 24, 2024 · Transmission · 129,485 miles · MT

The vehicle without warning lost power as I was driving in the middle of a road way. The engine stayed running but only revs. No check engine lights or messages. Thankfully I was headed down hill and was able to coast through the intersection that was turning yellow and had just turned red as I coasted through. I coasted and pulled over to a side street and proceeded to put vehicle in park and shut it off. I then tried to start and put it back into drive. Nothing. I shut it off again waited 10 minutes then started and it started driving. Then lost all ability to give power to the wheels. Vehicle was taken to the dealership where they said it had metal in the transmission fluid. The vehicle was scheduled to have a fluid exchange for the transmission the next day. They couldn't get it out of park either then it did slam into drive for them. They said it needed a new transmission. For the cost of $7,500 it now has a new transmission from ford. The only warning I finally got was through the Ford pass app after the vehicle has finally been at the dealership for a couple days. That is when it indicated a power train fault and problem with transmission.