Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 24 | 24% | 33,000 miles |
| 2022 | 32 | 14% | 23,000 miles |
| 2021 | 45 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2020 | 243 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 2019 | 128 | 21% | 65,000 miles |
| 2018 | 275 | 15% | 80,000 miles |
| 2017 | 391 | 14% | 75,000 miles |
| 2016 | 321 | 28% | 88,000 miles |
| 2015 | 286 | 25% | 94,000 miles |
| 2014 | 481 | 23% | 90,000 miles |
| 2013 | 401 | 15% | 82,000 miles |
| 2012 | 66 | 11% | 43,000 miles |
| 2011 | 268 | 20% | 46,000 miles |
| 2010 | 508 | 25% | 51,000 miles |
| 2009 | 301 | 18% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 329 | 17% | 68,000 miles |
| 2007 | 44 | 17% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 80 | 17% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 117 | 8% | 92,000 miles |
| 2004 | 27 | 5% | 72,000 miles |
| 2003 | 55 | 10% | 69,000 miles |
| 2002 | 105 | 10% | 74,000 miles |
| 2001 | 128 | 13% | 68,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% | 76,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The engine continues to have a burning smell or rotten egg smell at high speeds, the car continues to hesitate when taking off from a red light like it is going to shut off and then jumps forward, and the engine continues to lag as does the battery or power when turning on the vehicle most mornings. I have brought the car in several times to the dealership and due to there being no codes showing, they will not diagnose it further and as soon as I get the vehicle back, the same issues and problems happen over and over again. I have had 4 service appointments now with no resolutions. I feel as though this car is a lemon and worry that it will continue to become more unsafe from ongoing engine, powertrain, and mechanical issues that cannot be fixed or diagnosed.
2025 Escape Safety Recalls* Instrument panel replacement Recall incomplete Replace instrument panel cluster Recall incomplete 2025 escape - inverted camera image Recall incomplete Block heater element replacement Recall incomplete Cylinder head replacement Recall incomplete Cylinder head inspectionreplacement Recall incomplete INVESTOR REPORTING cylinder head replacement recall. As this is a power train and engine part. RECOMMENDED that this recall broadcast for ALL OWNERS AND drivers of this type to STOP DRIVING immediately. While it can cause engine failure in high MPH instances and is a safety hazard for national highways and road ways. Please BROADCAST.....
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the RPM was not increasing on the gauge on the instrument cluster. There was no warning illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact reported several electrical failures. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was blank, and the windows failed to respond while attempting to raise or lower the windows. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission software needed to be re-flashed, and the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission overheated warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stopped and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to another dealer who also was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission failed and was unable to shift into reverse(R) or park(P). The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the transmission experienced hard shifts and hesitated while shifting into the intended gear. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated while the RPMs became elevated. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while shifting into the intended gear and lost motive power. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road until the power train warning light turned off. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure recurred, causing the contact to pull over to the side of the road several times. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle later, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon arriving at her destination, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). The message "Powertrain Fault" was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The "Service Powertrain" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Manufacturer Safety Recall: 23S27. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 81,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing down her driveway, that as soon as she had placed the vehicle in reverse, it independently accelerated to approximately 20 MPH. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal and did not have any brake function. The contact stated she did not notice any warning light being illuminated. The contact stated she began to drive backward with the vehicle turning in circles, and crashed into a fire hydrant. The vehicle crashed into the hydrant on the passenger rear bumper side which was crushed. The contact stated that the engine was still running but that the vehicle had been stopped by the hydrant. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The contact had injured her back on impact with the hydrant, however, she did not seek medical attention until later. She went to a chiropractor and not a doctor. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after an oil change at Firestone, the vehicle failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The failure persisted. While driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who refused to repair the vehicle, stating that the vehicle had already been repaired. The contact's son noticed that a cover was missing under the steering wheel, and an unknown part was fractured. The dealer denied any wrongdoing. …
Related recalls (11)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Internal › Park pawl
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park.
Remedy: The Secondary On Board Diagnostic Module C (SOBDMC) software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-330. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S16.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
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.
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 › Shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022.
Show 6 more recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, milan, and escape vehicles manufactured from February 27, through March 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin May not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 28, 2010. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 and for the…
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on April 21, 2004.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (508), 2014 (481), 2013 (401), 2017 (391) and 2008 (329) model years. Transmission complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape transmission problems?
Yes — 11 recalls, including 26V-301 (park pawl, May 12, 2026); 25V-133 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Feb 28, 2025); 24V-330 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), May 10, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escape transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (403 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (54).
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.