Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where they repaired the bushing shifter cable. The failure recurred and the steering wheel became stiff. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately causing the contact the steering wheel became stiff. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately causing the contact to side swiped another vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Unknown- I purchased my Car in 2021 and I've had ongoing transmission issues since I purchased it. As of now the issues have gotten worse. I had the transmission recall repair done, but it did not fix the jerking way my car was driving. The repairs keep getting more costly and I don't believe there's an actual fix, but rather that this vehicle was sold with a faulty transmission. As of now I can't drive my vehicle because last month there was a fire under my hood and it's totally unsafe for me and my family to be in. Ford won't take any responsibility but they've already had to buy back vehicles for settling them with bad transmissions. This is not new for them.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after driving into a parking space and switching the transmission to the park position, the vehicle suddenly jolted forward and crashed into a brick wall. During the crash, the vehicle experienced significant damage to the front end but no air bag was deployed. The driver sustained neck and back injuries but no medical treatment was required. The vehicle was not towed. No police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while parking the vehicle in the garage, the vehicle unintended accelerated causing the vehicle to damage the garage wall, garage freezer, and into the next room which was a bedroom. The vehicle was taken to a collision center for repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that there were no recalls and the vehicle did not have an extended warranty. The failure mileage was 55,465. The consumer stated the vehicle is not repaired as of yet, presently waiting for the parts.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AND TEST DRIVEN HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER IN REVERSE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLACK. ADDITIONALLY, METAL FRAGMENTS WERE FOUND WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED BACK TO THE FIRST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle would not shift out of the park. The contact also stated that the vehicle proceeded to drift forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact had the transmission replaced. Recently while at a gas station, the contact attempted to park the vehicle while in reverse; however, the gear shifter failed to shift out of reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to drift backward. The vehicle was turned off. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective gear linkage system. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a nearby parking lot and turned off the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The contact's husband met her in the parking lot and drove the vehicle to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated upon attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle started reversing independently. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the upon restarting the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the transmission fluid and the engine oil. However, upon test driving the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was not drivable. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light and an unknown sensor warning light were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving the following day, and the vehicle decelerated from 65 MPH to 10 MPH, nearly causing a semi-truck to crash into the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for 15 minutes. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle, activated the hazard lights, and continued driving at 40-50 MPH. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while driving and exceeding 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved a DTC code for an engine misfire in cylinder #3. The contact cleared the code; however, the check engine warning light returned. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes and the engine. Due to the failure, the contact immediately shut off the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that there was a coolant intrusion in cylinder #3, resulting in engine failure. The engine was replaced. The contact stated that shortly after the engine repair, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. …
Whenever I got the vehicle at the middle of 2025 I had issues with the shocks hub assembly axle motor mount electrical issues trunk was opening and closing by itself. Recent recently I drive it to Savannah and the vehicle started to skip and would not switch gears while I was driving down a 70 mph Road. I almost wrecked due to an issue with the vehicle I have looked up the recalls that hasn't been repaired on the vehicle and I believe it has something to do with unrepair recalls or maybe there is a recall that wasn't found or reported because I've seen a lot of recall information about the transmission. I also had a incident with the door unlocking and locking while my nephew was in the vehicle after stepping out the doors automatically locked but I still had the driver door open. My nephew freaked out cuz he can't get out the vehicle. …
Related recalls
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Transmission complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 481 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Ford Escape, 23% of the model year's 2,089 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Escape transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-413 (shift linkage/cable/rod, Jun 10, 2022); NHTSA recall 18V-471 (floor shift, Jul 16, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Escape transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 4 fires and 7 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.