8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,100
Average Mileage:
77,300 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace transmission (7 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
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problem #11

Aug 022021

Escape Titanium 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

The transmission stopped working unexpectedly while driving and I had to pull to the side of the road. It would not go forward or backward. No gear was working, not even reverse.

- Leslie D., Flowery Branch, GA, US

problem #10

Jul 102020

Escape SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

Transmission failed with no warning. Driving home one day, the car had a delay in accelerating and would then lurch forward. Tried to make it home with the car, eventually a "Transmission Fault" message came up. Had the car towed to a Ford dealership service center. It took over two weeks for them to look at my car. They then called and told me that the "torque converter had come apart" and that I needed a full transmission replacement for $7500. My car is four years old and barely outside of the powertrain mileage warranty. This is absolutely absurd.

- Leander S., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #9

Aug 152020

Escape ES 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

Went to car wash with my 2016 Ford Escape. I stopped and waited in line put in gear to go ahead and nothing happened. Tried all my gears - nothing. I had it towed to dealers shop and won't know anything until Monday.

- Roger H., Ulen, MN, US

problem #8

Dec 042020

Escape 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I have had this car about 2 years. I'm the second owner. I don't believe I should be having transmission problems. There should be a recall on these transmissions.

- Brenda H., Malone, US

problem #7

Nov 232020

Escape SE 4-1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

Stopped for a red light on a hill. Light turned green, stepped on the gas and there was a loud clunk and the car wouldn't move. Shifted it into low and could get it to move about a foot at a time before it quit in the middle of the road. Had police come to push me out of the road.

We had it towed to our Ford dealer who analyzed it and said that it was the transmission and that it couldn't be fixed and would have to be replaced. They stated that a new transmission would cost about $6,000 to replace. This is the second Ford Escape that we have had this problem with, the first was our 2003.

- Joseph C., Stanwood, US

problem #6

Apr 282021

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

Car is only 5 years old with 76000 miles. Transmission should not just FAIL. No warning. No problem up to time of FAIL. Just traveling 50mph then couldn't accelerate. Lost power. RPMs raced. Had to pull over in the middle of no where. Turned off car, let sit a minute , then restarted. Same issue, TRANSMISSION FAIL came up on dash. Had to get a tow. Unfixable.

I have to get another transmission BUT BACKORDERED. BECAUSE FORD CAN'T KEEP UP WITH DEMAND? This is so WRONG! FORD should issue a recall.

- Jane M., Fort Myers, US

problem #5

May 252020

Escape SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Transmission started clunking while shifting gears for 3-4 days before the entire transmission gave out and left us stranded on the side of the road. Our repair place gave us the quote and told us that we were going to trade this in or get a new car to NOT get another Ford Escape. His recommendation was noted and I, even without knowledge of transmission problems other than the hundreds of others I've read on carcomplaints.com, will never buy a Ford Escape again.

- Pamela B., Winchester, US

problem #4

Nov 012019

Escape SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Transmission went out with no warning. There were no warning lights or anything. Owners manual suggests only changing fluid at 150,000 miles, but the car didn't even make it that far. We did change the fluid around 75,000 though. It's a 2016 model that I still owe a little over 2 years on. I'm not very happy.

- Julie D., Fairview, WV, US

problem #3

Feb 032018

Escape SE 1.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,500 miles

I was backing out of a parking space and put it into reverse and the vehicle did not go anywhere but the rpms ramped up. Then I put it back in park and then put it in reverse and it backed out. Then I put the vehicle in drive and it did not go anywhere and the rpms ramped up again. Had to have it towed to the dealership. The dealership cannot recreate the problem but has had it for 6 days. They further stated that it would take another week and a half before the mechanics can break it down to find out the problem. There is a waiting list. Another vehicle came in Wednesday of this week, complaining that their Ford Escape was doing the same thing mine was. I hope they are able to fix this problem.

- Susanne R., Tolar, US

problem #2

Apr 012017

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,025 miles

The car was nice and warm, as had just driven it 40 mins prior. Needed to put into garage. Put gear shift into reverse, gently pushed on gas pedal, wheels did not move. tried Drive, no motion. After about 5 minutes the transmission woke up and I was able to move.

- Carol A., Fairplay, CO, US

problem #1

Apr 032017

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,540 miles

Still can't get car into gear. Same as 4/1 and 4/2. Put car into reverse, wheels do no move. Put in drive, does not move. Try Reverse, no action, try drive, moves forward. Put into reverse, transmission has gotten with program and car will move in reverse. HELP!!!! how long till transmission drops?

- Carol A., Fairplay, CO, US