VehicleVerdict

2020 Ford Escape transmission problems

The 2020 Ford Escape has 218 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

218

Transmission complaints

11%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Escape transmission complaints by model year508 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 132 complaints2002: 106 complaints2003: 55 complaints2004: 27 complaints2005: 119 complaints2006: 80 complaints2007: 46 complaints2008: 335 complaints2009: 302 complaints2010: 508 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 66 complaints2013: 400 complaints2014: 491 complaints2015: 284 complaints2016: 321 complaints2017: 384 complaints2018: 261 complaints2019: 118 complaints2020: 218 complaints2021: 34 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 18 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 3 complaints
Escape transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

24V330000TransmissionMay 10, 2024 · 9,312 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V011000TransmissionJanuary 15, 2021 · 147 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V550000TransmissionSeptember 10, 2020 · 97 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

“I was in an accident on March 18 around 10 pm eastern time. I was t-boned and the side air bag never deployed. I have also since had issues with my powertrain light coming on and the vehicle loosing power. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 9, 2023 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2020 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA has 218 complaints about the 2020 Ford Escape transmission — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2020 Ford Escape transmission?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 20V550000, 21V011000, 24V330000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.