Power Train Problems of Ford Escape - part 2

My low mileage 2020 Ford Escape has rear differential shuddering, grinding, and bumping during low speed turns.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Escape 🔎.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to properly shift into gear. The vehicle was driven to the local mechanic who determined that coolant had leaked into the engine cylinders. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who confirmed the coolant leak into the cylinders and advised the contact that the engine long block needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 122,000.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Escape 🔎.

Transmission bucking jerking lurching at low speeds. Dangerous in stop and go traffic. Hard 3rd gear shift. Ford refused to remedy.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Escape 🔎.

The engine longblock assembly has failed. We have followed the "customer satisfaction program 23n06" instructions from Ford since receipt of the letter from Ford dated July 2024. The coverage date was extended to 150,000 miles because Ford knew that the engine in this 2020 Ford Escape titanium hybrid was very likely to fail and die on the highway, and even possibly catch fire. Our Escape's engine light and wrench light came on at 150,222 miles on Sunday, may 31st, 12:10 pm one hour from home. It reduced to low power mode. We had to have it towed to thomasville Ford where we purchased it and have had it serviced. It has been there every since. It is determined that it needs to have a long block. However, Ford is sticking to its 150k period and will not budge. The dealership drove it up to 150,566 miles to prove it out. I have called Ford and pleaded twice to no avail. Ford knows this engine is defective and will not give any grace due to being a few miles over their limit. Help, please!.

This car is constantly sputtering and when you give it gas to take of, it sputters as if it is going to stall. This poses a safety concern when you are giving the car gas and it is not properly accelerating. I was almost hit several times now. The check engine light is on, the wrench is illuminated and I keep getting an awd/power train message, as well as a battery saving mode message. Then soon after this started, all the audio in the sound system is gone.

Manufacturing defect causing coolant intrusion and misfire/rough idle. This is also after rebuilding transmission less than a year prior due to failure.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Escape 🔎.

This updates a prior complaint (NHTSA tracking xxx). The 2019 Escape 1. 5l ecoboost has the known coolant-intrusion engine defect (white exhaust smoke, overheating, misfires; codes p0300/p0301-p0304). Ford replaced the engine short block under program 21n12 on 3/6/2024 at 62,201 miles. The defect has recurred and the engine has now completely failed a second time. The dealer (tuttle-click Ford) confirmed excessive exhaust smoke and a loud rod knock; the vehicle is undrivable and likely needs another engine. While driving on the highway the engine began shutting down. The vehicle was shaking and making loud knocking noises, and we had to exit immediately at the next off-ramp; my children (ages [xxx] and [xxx]) were in the car. The vehicle is unsafe. Ford denied repurchase twice (cases xxx and xxx). I am reporting this safety defect for the record. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2019 Ford Escape with a documented history of powertrain failures. White smoke on cold start and engine stalling began around 48,000 miles; the dealer noted this engine is known for coolant intrusion. At about 62,000 miles the engine short block was replaced under Ford field service action 21n12 / TSB 22-2322. Smoke, shaking, and stalling continued, and the engine intermittently cuts out when shifting into reverse and must be restarted. At about 87,000 miles the transmission failed and the full transmission assembly was replaced (work order Jan 2026, vehicle returned end of March 2026). The owner repeatedly told the Ford dealer the vehicle felt unsafe. On [xxx] the owner reported renewed exhaust smoke, an illuminated engine light, and a clicking sound at startup and asked to bring it in; instead of inspecting it, the dealer advised taking the vehicle straight to carmax. About 9 days later, on [xxx], while driving in los angeles about 60 miles from home with young children aboard, the transmission would not stay in gear and the engine warning lights began blinking. The owner called the Ford dealership for guidance but no one could advise and the service desk would not answer. After consulting a mechanic, the family agreed it was unsafe to keep driving given the noises and pulled over in anaheim, about 30 miles from home, at a mechanic shop to read the codes. A paid tow (~$600) was required. Loss of gear engagement and stalling in traffic with children aboard is a serious crash and stranding hazard. The scan returned codes p0012 and p0014 (camshaft timing, stored as permanent), p0300 (random/multiple misfire), and p0301, p0302, p0304 (cylinder misfires); the dash showed "auto start/stop not ready - stall alert - restart engine. " the defect has been reproduced and confirmed repeatedly by the Ford dealer, which performed the engine and transmission replacements. A repurchase request was denied. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Componet system that failed: engine and engine cooling complaint description:the vehicle experienced a sudden internal engine failure due to a manufacturer design defect causing coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. A professional mechanic diagnosed the issue with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0303, confirming a cylinder 3 misfire caused by coolant leaking into the block. The vehicle requires a total engine replacement at just 48,406 miles. This internal coolant leak poses a severe safety hazard, including sudden engine stalling, loss of motive power while driving, and potential thermal runaway/engine fire risks. The vehicle is currently rendered unsafe to drive and is parked at my residence.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Escape 🔎.

My daughter owns a 2021 Ford Escape fwd equipped with the 1. 5l turbocharged ecoboost inline-3 engine, VIN [xxx] , with approximately 95,000 miles. The vehicle has been serviced almost exclusively by Ford dealerships and maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. The vehicle recently began exhibiting significant drivability and transmission-related problems, including shuddering while driving, hard shifting, rpm surging/revving, hesitation during acceleration, and erratic transmission behavior. The vehicle has hesitated in traffic, creating a significant safety concern. No warning lights or diagnostic alerts were displayed prior to diagnosis. On may 26, 2026, the vehicle was taken to [xxx] Ford, [xxx] , for a routine oil change and completion of open recall repairs. At that time, the transmission-related symptoms were reported to the Ford service department. The dealership performed a road test with a data logger and diagnosed the issue “torque converter slipping causing shudder / bump while driving. ” the dealership recommended the following repairs: replacement of the torque converter transmission line flush replacement of transmission fluid retesting after repair the quoted repair estimate was approximately $4,500. The Ford service advisor stated that the repair did not necessarily have to be completed immediately, but also warned that the condition could worsen and leave the driver stranded. This presents a serious safety concern. A vehicle experiencing transmission shuddering, torque converter slippage, hesitation, hard shifting, and erratic rpm behavior can experience loss of propulsion, delayed or inadequate acceleration, unpredictable drivetrain response in traffic, inability to safely merge or clear intersections, and stranding in unsafe conditions. Given that the vehicle has been routinely maintained, no warning lights were provided to alert the driver, and similar complaints information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2019 Ford Escape //// mileage 103,457//6f35 transmission first towed on may 24, 2026 - vehicle is still at empire Ford service in huntington, NY first Ford replaced shifter cable bushing rollaway (2013-2019 models) as per the recall. They said all is fixed no charge since it was the recall. I had the SUV for only one day from the recall repair and it broke down on the highway and would not stay running when put into gear. Now after keeping my car for about a week the service person said they were finally able to replicate the issue and pull up a fault code that points the issue to the valve body inside the transmission. He said at a minimum it will cost $2,800 plus tax unless they find more damage when they open up the transmission. The cost can/will possibly be more. I explained I am disabled and on a fixed income and can't afford a large bill as I don't have that kind of money available to me. I asked about a payment plan and was sent to an online company called sunlit to fill out the approval paperwork. I was approved for $4,200 dollars for repairs with $1,260 due at checkout and a 18 month $197. 53 payment. At 24. 99% Apr, $615. 52 interest which puts the repayment amount at $4,815,52 (screenshot available). All this without even knowing what the cost of the repair is yet. I continue to read that Ford knew that the 6f35 transmission has known issues but they did not inform the consumers. They charged me $2,988. 11 for the valve body repair which I paid when I picked up the Escape on June 18, 2026. I drove the Escape 8 miles from empire Ford service and it broke down again. I got in touch with joshua gorman in service whom I have been working with directly. After explaining to him I called Ford towing from my Ford app and I was towed back to Ford service and was informed on June 26, 2026 that they were able to look into the vehicle and it now needs a new transmission which will cost me $8,500. It would put the repair cost at $11,488. 11. I really could use some help.

- component/ system: (unknown). Possible powertrain / transmission . - yes available for inspection. - my safety @risk: mine and my child (passenger) - problem confirmed : yes at local mechanic shop and Ford dealer service shop. - has the vehicle been inspected : yes - any warning lights or messages prior to failure: check engine (appeared at time of incident) and “engine fault: service now” - when did the warning appear: after it failed (5/2026) no warning prior to failure. - vehicle attempts from start to find the proper gear (like a bicycle chain that has come off) - clunky - no power from first gear up. No city driving - dangerous to operate.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Escape 🔎.

Component failed 1. 6l escoboost engine coolant intrusión into cylinders causing misfire and white exhaust smoke vehicle available for inspection upon request . Safety risk:engine misfire and coolant loss cause sudden of power or ingine fire while driving. Recall 17s09 was issude for this exact defect . Ford ssm 46433 states this requires new engine assemby . Problem confirmed multiple repair shops confirmed cooland in cylindres. I have spent s5000 on repairs including used transmisión trying to fix this defect. Manufacturer inspection called Ford customer service 05/22/2026. Agent refused supervisor and stated we cannot help no case number probided Ford is refusing to honor federal safety recall 17s09. Warning symptoms: check ingine light, ingine misfire , white exhaust smoke , coolant loss. First appeared approximately 6 months ago and has worsened. Requesting NHTSA compel Ford to provide engine replacement per ssm 46433.

Check engine light on with powertrain malfunction / reduced power notification on myford pass app. Scanned with obd scanner and it has code p0929.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Escape 🔎.

My power lines were not installed properly and leaked all over burning up my transmission. This is avery common Ford issue to the point where the place where I took it said I got a lot further than others. Ford needs to do better.

The gear shifter cable became detached from it’s mount located under the air filter in the engine bay and stranded the driver at a gas station after she turned off the vehicle until she was able to use the gear release to shift the car into neutral and start the car. After arriving to her destination the vehicle would not shift into park or reverse even with use of the gear release. This can put the driver at risk in the event the car rolls away when it’s indicated to be parked or when needing to shift the car to reverse out of parking spots or out the way of incoming traffic or hazards. This vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, dealer or police. A dealer was contacted about recalls for this problem and one did not exist for this VIN regarding the gear shifter cable, however there are existing recalls for this same issue for Ford Escapes made from 2013-2019. This is a 2015 Ford Escape.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Escape 🔎.

Engine displayed overheating, after diagnostic test by corwin Ford in nampa, idaho, they said it needs gaskets and short block replacement and that there was a technical service bulletin issued by Ford for my vehicle. The cost is astronomical and I feel it should be a recall issue since it is a known problem.

The vehicle is operating with a Ford remanufactured transmission assembly which was installed at the dealership of purchase. The repair was completed under the extended Ford warranty I purchased with the used vehicle 6 months prior and the replacement parts and labor are covered by an active 3-year/36,000-mile Ford service parts warranty from the date of installation with approximately 20,000 miles of coverage remaining at the time of the first incident. On may 5, 2026, at 151,033 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a severe internal mechanical rattle under brake load, indicating a progressive hardware failure of the internal torque converter assembly. On may 19, 2026, at 151,663 miles, the internal failure escalated, causing the vehicle to suffer a sudden power loss/stalling event while in active traffic, triggering the vehicle's factory 'stall alert' dashboard safety warning. The problem has gotten significantly worse, and I can show at minimum, it stalled again on may 27 (video shows car in d but failing to move ), twice on June 4, and again today, after being told there were “no codes”, causing complete loss of propulsion and power steering. This sudden stalling in active traffic creates an immediate highway safety hazard and an extreme risk for a rear-end collision. Because Ford's computer programming automatically clears transient/temporary fault codes upon turning off the ignition, standard diagnostic scanners do not store a permanent code after a key-cycle, hiding an active mechanical safety defect. Authorized Ford repair facilities are refusing immediate diagnostic triage or alternative transportation due to a multi-week service backlog, leaving a safety-compromised vehicle on the road and violating consumer warranty rights. ".

I was driving in a parking lot and my car went completely dead while I was still in drive. And then when I finally got it back home, it would only go in reverse while I was in drive. And I was stuck in the middle of the road only being able to go in park and reverse. I had it towed to the dealer and it is going to cost me $6,000 to fix the transmission.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape se. The contact stated that while idle at a stop light with the left-turn signal on, the vehicle started to jerk, and loud noises were coming from the front end of the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to move. The fire department arrived and assisted the contact with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic at precision auto shop, who diagnosed that the coolant was leaking. After further inspection, the dealer also diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,400.

I am the only owner of this vehicle and it has 114,000 miles at 90,000 miles I had to replace the transmission and now, its at the dealer due to turbo leaking oil internally and externally and coolant intrusion. These issues are commonly known and the coolant intrusion is from a design flaw. Why is this engine not included with the recall for the very same issue on other Ford ecoboost engines.

2023 Ford Escape with approximately 80,000 miles. While traveling home, vehicle started shifting violently making loud bang. Lost acceleration while traveling on a two-way roadway with no shoulder. Vehicle would shift violently and allow acceleration momentarily and then would again lose acceleration. Just prior to reaching a pull off area in a safe place, the vehicle shifted violently one last time and would no longer accelerate. The service engine now warning light then came on advising of a powertrain malfunction. Vehicle was towed to Ford dealership and the technition reported that the planetary gears were locked up and a full transmission replacement would need to be done. This posed a serious safety issue on the road way due to the initial sudden speed changes becuase of the loss of acceleration and then the complete loss of ability to accelerate causing the vehilce to have to drift slowely to the shoulder while impeding traffic.

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Escape 🔎.

Stopped at a light and took off thru the intersection and car made a loud bang noise then no power and kept bogging out, pulled into parking lot and stopped then car wouldn’t move. Shut car off then restarted it and put into reverse and car drive forward, put in neutral and car still drove forward, couldn’t get it to go into reverse, now the motor is tilting back to fire wall like motor mounts are broke and it’s make a grinding noise when idling.

Power train fault, awd off, colision assist off.

Bought the vehicle used and two months later engine and transmission needed replacement after several transmission faults and check engine light stayed on due to coolant intrusion in the cylinders and the known transmission defects in this model.

I have a vehicle whose refrigeration is going into the motor. It started with the check engine light came on notifying the third spark plug was damaged and showed the codes p0303, p04db, p0316, p0339. Later a warning sign came on the dashboard with the phrase "engine malfunction, service now". It had a recall almost immediately after it was acquired and was seen by the manufacturer about two years.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a clanging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle then started to work as intended before coming to a complete stop at the second traffic light. The contact stated that once the traffic light turned green, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact was informed by her husband to shift the gear shifter into park(p). The husband jumped into the driver’s seat and shifted the gear shifter to low and driven to a safe place and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle was turned off for thirty minutes then restarted and operated as intended. The transmission shifter failure warning light was illuminated while her husband was driving. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Escape 🔎.

Car started to pull moving out of 1st gear into 2nd. Took to a shop to have the issue diagnosed, shop states torque converter is failing and taking the transmission with it. This car has just over 80,000, it should not be having transmission problems. There should be a recall or something for this. This is unacceptable.

The transmission on my 2020 Ford Escape has an internal fault code and is not shifting into 6th gear. It is an unsafe issue due to it cannot be driven on highways because it throws the vehicle into limp mode. It was diagnosed at a Ford dealership and Ford is refusing to cover the cost to repair their issue since the vehicle is out of warranty. There is a class action suit against Ford for this issue already. I’ve only had this car for a year and a half. I can’t sell the car and I can’t drive the car, but I have to continue to pay on the loan. This is absolutely unacceptable for Ford to have so many Escapes having the same issue but they are doing nothing to make their faulty transmission right.

My 2014 Ford Escape was part of a recall in 2023 concerning the transmission shifter cable bushing. I took the car to [xxx] Ford in [xxx] . According to [xxx] Ford, the part was fixed. However, just last week, the bushing failed as I was backing out of my driveway. I had the vehicle towed to [xxx] Ford in [xxx] . The repair for the bushing is going to costs me over $458, for a repair that was possibly not done correctly the first time. If this is a second failure of the shifter bushing cable, Ford should issue another recall on this vehicle. Consumers like myself should not be subjected to safety issues auto manufacturers will not correct. I should definitely not have to pay out of pocket for their careless assembly. I want my complaint noted for the record on behalf of the safety of everyone who drives a Ford Escape. If Ford will not issue another recall, then there should be a full-fledged investigation. I have filed a complaint with Ford motor company. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Coolant intrusion defect. Had to replace engine. Power train fail also.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle sputtered and intermittently lost motive power. The message "transmission fault" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to drive to her sister's residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with burnt transmission fluid, and the transmission was replaced with a rebuilt transmission. The contact stated that while driving after the repair, the rpms fluctuated intermittently and the message "transmission fault - service now" was displayed. The independent mechanic was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the warranty company of the rebuilt transmission. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 173,000.

Complete transmission failure under normal driving at about 50,000 miles. Cost about $7500 to completely rebuild the transmission since Ford has none available within the next 6 months, probably because so many of them are failing early.

There is a known issue with coolant intrusion into the engine with this vehicle. The vehicle has less than 40,000 miles. The engine stalled three times over a two mile trip and completely shut off during a left hand turn with oncoming traffic putting my family and other drivers in danger.

2019 Ford Escape titanium 2. 0l ecoboost, VIN [xxx] , ~51,000 miles, built March 2019. Sioux falls Ford performed full TSB 19-2346 / 22-2229 diagnostic on April 23, 2026 and confirmed coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 with visible damage on borescope. Check engine light has occurred four times. Ford customer care (case ##cxh-xxx-xxx) denied goodwill. Known design flaw. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).