2019 Ford Escape Transmission Problems

128 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2019 Ford Escape to NHTSA — 21% of all 596 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 65,000 miles. That ranks #12 of 26 Escape model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 117). One related recall has been issued.

128complaints
65ktypical miles
1related recalls
6crashes
0fires
4injuries

Which parts fail

  • Automatic transmission › Torque converter
    2
  • Automatic transmission
    1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1324%
  • 25k–50k
    815%
  • 50k–75k
    1222%
  • 75k–100k
    1019%
  • 100k–150k
    917%
  • 150k+
    24%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact initially received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000(Power Train); once the parts were available, the vehicle was repaired by the dealer. Recently, the contact's wife had placed the vehicle into the reverse(R) position, and the vehicle surged forward and crashed into the corner of his home's garage. Both the vehicle and the garage sustained damage due to the failure. The air bags did not deploy and none of the vehicle's occupants sustained any injuries. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure but neither offered any assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

53,000 miles · Apr 2023 · crash

The contact owned a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle was parked on a flat surface; however, it inadvertently rolled down the street backward into two different fences. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and diagnosed as deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 20,000

20,000 miles · Jun 2022 · crash

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated she had front-end parked her vehicle in her garage, as she had placed the vehicle into park (P) and was exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled backward at approximately 2 MPH. The contact stated that the driver's side front tire ran over both her feet. The contact stated that the driver's vehicle door hit the right side of her body. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled down her driveway and stopped in her neighbor's front yard. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and wrote a report. The contact was transported by ambulance to the Emergency Room where she was treated for severe bruising on both feet and bruising on her ribs on her right side. The contact stated that there were no broken bones. The vehicle had been moved back into the contact's garage and placed in park (P). …

34,000 miles · Feb 2023 · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the engine was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the oil was changed. The contact's son noticed that there was white smoke coming from the exhaust and noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant to the reservoir. The contact's neighbor informed her that there was white smoke coming from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side CV joint was leaking, and the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving the "Transmission Service Now" message was displayed. …

84,000 miles · Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the contact received a power train malfunction notification through the Mobile App. The vehicle was able to restart but failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start but was started after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to Loganville Ford (3460 US-78, Loganville, GA 30052); where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam seals, the crankshaft sensor and harness, and the timing components needed to be replaced. …

98,000 miles · Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle started to stall and lost motive power. The contact stated that it was like gasoline was not getting to the engine. Additionally, the contact stated that she had been having difficulty shifting the vehicle into drive (D) or park (P). The contact stated that when she shifted the vehicle into the selected gear, the vehicle would hesitate before moving and then abruptly respond. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle needed the canister purge valve replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. …

52,000 miles · Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate to merge onto a highway at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to lose forward momentum. The contact stated that he pulled over and turned the vehicle off; however, when he restarted the vehicle and shifted into drive(D), the vehicle would not move forward. The engine revved while attempting to shift back into park(P). The contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle on and off numerous times until he was able to move forward. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle had been at the dealer for over two months. …

8,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, a message displayed reading "Service Engine Now, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to reach her destination, where the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the battery, requiring the battery to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that upon leaving the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the transmission had failed years earlier and had been replaced. …

239,000 miles · Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake was applied to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle rolled away while parked. The contact fell while running after the vehicle. A police officer witnessed the failure and ran after the vehicle as it rolled into a residential yard before coming to a complete stop. No police report was filed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. …

48,000 miles · Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle was making an abnormal sound while idling. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced due to the failure; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the flywheel, the sealant, the torque converter, and the transmission pump needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty and referred the contact to another dealer, Apple Ford (8800 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045), where the same assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. …

98,000 miles · Aug 2024

Related recalls

Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod

NHTSA recall 22V-413 · Jun 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles

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.

Transmission complaints in other Escape years

’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261128105552711780443293015082686640148128632139127512824345322423
Transmission complaints per model year, Ford Escape.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Ford Escape?

NHTSA has 128 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Ford Escape, 21% of the model year's 596 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (2 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2019 Ford Escape transmission problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-413 (shift linkage/cable/rod, Jun 10, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2019 Ford Escape transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.