4,679 of the 36,407 complaints filed about the Ford Escape are about the transmission — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2010.
4,679
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
76
Crashes
21
Fires
POWER TRAIN
The transmission went out. Torque converter is shot. Only has 120,000 miles in it. This is a known problem with the 8f35 transmission. It needs to be recalled.
NHTSA complaint #11763958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I visited the dealership for a shift bushing recall service. When I checked the car after leaving, I noticed that a required part of the repair, the white cap shown in the official documentation, was missing. When I returned to let them know the job wasn't done right, the staff insisted it was done correctly. However, under Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-254, that cap is required to be installed.
NHTSA complaint #11763853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure needing full replacement
NHTSA complaint #11763495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle had a transmission shutter and shakes the car. It also had a hard shift at 38mph. It happens daily, was not a one time Incentent
NHTSA complaint #11763277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
On July 7, 2026, at approximately 113,080 miles, my 2016 Ford Escape displayed a “Transmission Fault – Service Now” warning. The exact failed component is currently UNKNOWN, but the issue appears to involve the transmission/powertrain and possibly an electrical fault. While driving, I experienced abnormal symptoms including a rotational/squeaking noise from the front-right area and an air-leak/pressure-type noise from the right side. The pressure-type noise could also be heard while revving the vehicle at idle. The Check Engine Light also illuminated. I took the vehicle to an independent repair facility on July 7, 2026. The mechanic documented the symptoms and diagnostic trouble codes and advised that additional electrical diagnosis was necessary to determine the exact cause. The transmission itself has not been conclusively diagnosed as failed, and I am not claiming a specific failed internal component without further inspection. I consider this a serious safety concern because an unresolved transmission or powertrain malfunction could potentially cause improper shifting, hesitation, reduced propulsion, loss of acceleration, or other unexpected vehicle behavior while driving in traffic. I contacted Ford regarding the problem and followed up again on July 17, 2026. After receiving no resolution, I contacted Ford again on September 9, 2026. Ford advised me that there was no exact timeframe for when the ASO would contact me and that the ASO may or may not contact me at all. I requested that Ford make a final escalation of the safety concern. Ford confirmed that my escalation and my intention to submit the unresolved safety issue to NHTSA were documented under Ford case CXH-08511841-T8X5L4. To my knowledge, Ford has not inspected the vehicle or provided a substantive resolution to the transmission/powertrain concern. I am also concerned that this may not be an isolated maintenance issue. I am aware of other owners reporting transmission and powertrain problems.
NHTSA complaint #11763197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
There are no warning lamps on at this time but the transmission is not shifting at the right points. It seems to search a lot for the right gear. Also half the time you hit the gas there is severe transmission lag. It makes it dangerous to pull into traffic. I first had the transmission replaced at roughly 36000 miles. It now has 47000 miles on it and I believe it is already defective.
NHTSA complaint #11762517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle purchased from dealer with concealed total loss history and federal/state odometer fraud. Official state title records show the odometer froze at 73,539 miles between Tennessee title issued March 2025 and Ohio title issued January 2026. Live OBD-II scanner diagnostics confirm true vehicle mileage exceeds over 86,278 miles. Vehicle was in a severe crash (December 2024) resulting in a Junk/Salvage total loss declaration at auction, later fraudulently rebranded and re-titled as Rebuilt without mandatory consumer disclosure. Vehicle has undisclosed structural and mechanical damage presenting serious safety risks.
NHTSA complaint #11761195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle just hit 70k miles, started abruptly shaking between 30 and 50 mph. Torque converter is needing replaced. PCV hose has cracked and needs replaced. COOLANT DISAPPEARING DUE TO INTRUSION LEAK. Extremely costly repairs for a vehicle that isn't even close to 100k miles. Engine overheating on highway which is an extreme fire risk.
NHTSA complaint #11760923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11761090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
When I was about to park, the transmission failed. I couldn’t reverse, and it got stuck in Neutral. I wasn’t able to shift it into Park. When the mechanic came, he said the shifter cable bushing was faulty, which was exactly the part covered by the recall they had previously done.
NHTSA complaint #11760815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My escape would not change gears and the escape would not reverse it was also pulling back and accelerating in speed to the point I could not control it in traffic. My safety and the safety of my mother were greatly affected as the escape was malfunctioning in traffic and I could not control the gears. The alert on the escape came up and it stated: The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission clutches did not apply within the expected time as expected. Some transmission gears may not being available resulting in delayed or harsh shifts into another gear. Additional alerts that may provide additional information may accompany this alert. I took it to dealership and they told me it would need a transmission over haul. Once repairs were completed I brought it back home and had to take the escape back to the dealership because it started to pull back again and for the second time the dealership told me the escape would need a second transmission overhaul
NHTSA complaint #11759831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My Ford Escape powertrain went out when I was driving in town, it went from driving fine to not getting out of 1st gear. No warning prior got it towed to my mechanic and he did a diagnostic and it is indeed the transmission. This was extremely dangerous since I was close to being rearended because of the sudden failure. I still didnt get the transmission failure message on the screen until we went to load it up on the wrecker. This is a widely known transmission failure that has plagued this vehicle for years yet it was still sold to me. Ford knows about it and does nothing and it not recalled, unbelievable. Now my only vehicle is down, I cannot get to work and cannot afford thousands for a new transmission and labor. I am still paying on this car.
NHTSA complaint #11758731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11758510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
**On August 19, 2026, while driving my 2023 Ford Escape on Interstate 57 (I-57), with approximately 35,575 miles on the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpectedly. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not respond as expected and I could not stop it immediately. I became very frightened and started sounding the horn and turned on the hazard warning lights. I noticed that the lane immediately to my right was relatively clear, so I moved into that lane and applied the brakes again. The vehicle then responded to the brakes, allowing me to slow down and stop. I moved as far to the right as possible and stopped on the side of the road. I was extremely shaken and felt dizzy after the incident. I stopped to catch my breath and contacted my husband to tell him what had happened. During the incident, the Check Engine Light came on and the vehicle displayed the message “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power.” I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer for inspection. The dealer diagnosed a turbocharger problem and advised that the turbocharger needs to be replaced under warranty. The vehicle was left at the dealership for repair, and I was provided with a loaner vehicle. The vehicle and the affected components are available for inspection upon request. No collision occurred, but the unexpected acceleration and the vehicle’s initial failure to respond to braking created a serious safety risk and I nearly had an accident.**
NHTSA complaint #11758424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
When im driving sometimes it stalls. I give it gas and car wount go. It only idles.
NHTSA complaint #11758108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The 4th cylinder started misfiring due to a coolant leak, which is being caused due to the known engine design flaw with the Ford EcoBoost engines. My local mechanic diagnosed the problem and said that the car needs a new engine.
NHTSA complaint #11757782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission spudder when accelerates only at 75K miles
NHTSA complaint #11757726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11757833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Check engine light would come on vehicle was not running well, seemed to stall. When I turned off the car I could hear liquid moving around from inside the vehicle. I am a Mom so I am driving with my 2 small children constantly and worried about their safety. The problem was confirmed by the dealership as well as an independent service center.
NHTSA complaint #11756696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Coolant is leaking into the head causing engine failure. This car has fewer than 60,00 miles. From what I have read this is a common problem and is due to a manufacturer’s design flaw. Ford refused to help me in any way when I contacted them. When I took the vehicle to the dealership they informed me that the engine would need to be replaced. The bill would be $13,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.