Problems · by component
2020 Ford Escape forward collision avoidance problems
69 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Escape cite forward collision avoidance, 4% of all 1,548 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
69
4% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the forward collision avoidance
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 – 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 NHTSA review this safety concern and investigate whether additional 2020 Ford Escape vehicles may be affected by a related defect.…”
“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.”
Showing 6 of 69 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.