36 complaints reported

2020 Ford Escape Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
36
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2025

Driving down road and came to stop sign and vehicle engine turned off due to start/stop feature and would not turn back on. Received alert battery was going into deep sleep mode. While stuck at stop sign. Had to put in park, turn vehicle off and back on to proceed to move. This is 3rd time see pic of happened Also separate issue the computers sync 3 software will not take and now the screen doesn't work, remote start won't work, gps doesn't work had you drive around in circles.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2025
Sep 2025

I turned in a safety problem on my 2020 Ford Escape yesterday (tracking number 11688297), and now, with the same door (driver door), the electrical window is not working. I received a letter on 9/11 stating that this issue was known. Is there a recall to fix the door and repair, if any, electrical issues within the door?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2025
Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed high-voltage battery. The contact was informed that the high-voltage battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the battery was the original high-voltage battery. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2025
Aug 2025

All the TPMS sensors have had to be replaced on the Escape with under 51K miles on them. The Ford Dealer admitted this is a serious Safety issue and have had numerous complaints.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2025
Jul 2025

2020 Ford Escape Sunroof Shade Repair In my case, the curtain sags, obscuring the rear view. This is a design flaw that Ford should correct. The sunroof shade fails to operate correctly. It becomes detached, jammed, or cannot slide properly. Many owners have reported the same issue online, including in discussions such as this one: Reddit discussion]. This poses a potential safety issue if the glass or shade breaks or obstructs visibility.”

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2025
Jul 2025

My key fob stopped working due to BCM not being able to communicate.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2025
Jun 2025

Car will stop locking it won’t lock from the door, or automatically, or with the remote.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2025
May 2025

1) AWD module failed, 2) The failure of this module resulted in the deactivation of the Advance Track, Hill Start, and pre collison detection systems. 3)Dealer inspected and ran a diagnostics which into the problems listed above. 4)Manufacturer has inspected it. 5)The warnings and systems failure happen when the module failed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2025
May 2025

Awd fault. Module needed replaced

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2025
May 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact was locked outside of the vehicle; however, the key fob was within range. On another occasion, the contact attempted to start the vehicle using the key fob and the manufacturer app however, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the battery was dead and needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,470.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2025
Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "All Wheel Drive fault - Service Required", "Hill start not available", and "Pre-Collision assist not available" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that an undisclosed module needed to be updated and the battery replaced. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket; however, the "All Wheel Drive fault - Service Required" message was displayed again. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unidentified recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2025
Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine continued running after turning off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the hood, the engine turned off as needed. The contact stated that the message "Hood ajar - Stop Safely, Close Hood" while the hood was securely closed, and the message “Charging System - Service Now" was displayed. The contact related to the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V954000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to wires underneath the bumpers. The dealer was in the process of taking the bumpers apart for further diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included under recall because of the manufacturing plant the vehicle was built. The failure mileage was 74,880.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2025
Nov 2024

AWD fault service required see manual Pre-collision assist not available Service advance trac Hill start assist not available. These are the codes that popped up when I started my car this morning. Escape has 74,000 miles on it. I got this warning one other time about 20,000 or 25,000 miles ago and it went away. This Time every time I start the car I get this warning. After a Google search I found many other drivers reporting this issue with the 1.5 and the 2.0 model engine. The AWD drive control model ground is the issue. This forum here found the issue and found a work around to fix it: [XXX] . Would be nice if Ford would fix the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2024
Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver’s side window failed to roll down while depressing the window switch. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure and was previously repaired at the dealer. The contact stated that a while afterward, the rear passenger’s side window failed to roll down while depressing the window switch. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer and remained for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,600.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2024
May 2024

The shift selector locks in park when it gets hot. Several times the car has been disabled due to the shifter being locked in park. The car is in the driveway not allowing for our other car to reach the street. If we had an emergency we were without a car. In addition, no vechicle could get to our house. When the shifter is cooled down it will operate. Meaning that left over night or using some cooling device - like a plastic bag filled with ice water - applied directly can free the shifter up in an hour or so. This issue is mentioned frequently on the internet by other Ford Escape owners. In some cases they claim that Ford actually acknowledged the issue and had a dealer replace the shifter assembly at no cost to the owner. We do not feel safe with no access to transportation due to a disabled vehicle blocking our driveway.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2024
Mar 2024

The lift gate won't open. The "enable" and "disable" options on the vehicle screen are greyed out.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2023
Mar 2024

Back door of my ,2020 Ford Escape SE, is stuck closed! Won't open at all with key fob or buttons on driver side or button on back door. Multiple times before it got stuck closed, the door wouldn't latch properly and bounce open randomly over bumps in the road!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2024
Jan 2024

AWD fault at 58,000 miles. AWD module has to be replaced at approximately $750. Power train/drivetrain warranty good for 60,000 miles. Was informed at the dealership that it wasn’t covered under the power train/drivetrain warranty. I have read several complaints from owners having the same issue. Ford needs to offer a recall and reimburse all funds.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2024
Jan 2024

Rear View displays on screen while driving forward! Screen also goes blank and is non-responsive!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2022
Oct 2023

Radio/Bluetooth system has completely stopped working in the middle of driving. It made all the lights in the car go crazy. The car shut off and cut back on while I was driving down the interstate. Now the radio/Bluetooth will not come on and we are a hands free state. It is a hazard when I have an emergency call and cannot speak to the caller via bluetooth.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Dec 2023
Sep 2023

On the dates of Saturday, September 9, 2023, Monday, September 11, 2023, and Sunday September 17, my car stopped (with Start/Stop activated) in traffic, rotated the gearshift to park, would no let me manually rotate the gearshift into neutral, nor could I restart the vehicle. I had the battery replaced on Saturday, September 9, 2023, towed to my local Ford Dealership on Monday, September 11, 2023. On Thursday, Septmeber 14, 2023 I received my car back, and my vehicle shut down for the third time on Sunday September 17.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2023
Aug 2023

The vehicle information screen "APIM" froze, went black then after re-starting the car seemed to be reset. The large screen then showed only the back-up camera while in drive. The screen display is not the same each time the vehicle is started. It could be black or show partially such as the navigation system or the radio. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for servicing the malfunction a recall and the driver door limiter problem. the vehicle was returned with the recall corrected instructions for the door repair but the APIM is still broken. the part for repair is on back order, the timeframe for replacement is unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2023
Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electrical system was behaving erratically. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with the keyless entry failing to lock or unlock the vehicle and the vehicle failing to recognize the key fob. Additionally, the infotainment system was inadvertently changing the radio station and the lights were turning on and off independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic control module. The contact was informed that the module needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure became a recurring failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 20.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2020
Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "All-Wheel Drive Not Available", "Windshield Wiper Level Low", "Pre- Collision Assist Not Available", and "Hill Start Assist Not Available" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. Upon investigation, the contact discovered a Customer Satisfaction Program for the all-wheel drive which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2023
Jan 2023

The entire dash goes black while driving. I've called the dealership and they just say "yeah its known for that". Then they say if it keeps happening to let them look at it. This is very dangerous going down a highway at high speeds. Please look into this. It's happened 2 times now

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 FORD ESCAPE, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2023

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2020 Ford Escape has 36 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.