transmission failure at 132K miles

- Saint Charles, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, while driving or while reversing from a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormally loud whining sound. Additionally, the contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle temporarily responded as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle then jerked, lost motive power, and failed to exceed 2-3 MPH. The malfunction warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Passenger Air Bag Off" was displayed while the front passenger's seat was occupied. The contact stated that the failure recurred while her son was test-driving the vehicle. The contact's son was able to check the transmission fluid level and confirmed that no issue was found. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

- Fort Ripley, MN, USA

The problems on my 2015 Ford Escape are related to the last recall, NHTSA Recall 22V413/Safety Recall Notice 22S43. On 02/21/2025, I had stopped by a Traffic Stop Light Signal. When I tried to proceed after the lights turned green, my car would not move forward and would behave like it was in Neutral mode making a lot of noise. I called Ford Motor Company and asked for remedy, and I was told the previous recall has already expired and that there is nothing that they can do now. I got my car towed to a Ford Dealership and they have sent me a cost estimate of over $8,000 to get the issue fixed. I am wondering if NHTSA can make Ford Motor Company do the necessary repairs on my Ford Escape, since this problem is related to the last recall. Thank you.

- Coppell, TX, USA

The contact owned a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted and the contact had repeatedly taken the vehicle back to the dealer and received the same information. The contact stated the transmission eventually failed and the transmission was replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

- Cypress, TX, USA

While driving my 2015 Ford Escape at a speed of 35MPG and stopped at a stop sign, proceeded to turn left and car would not move. It seems to coast backward as if transmission was in neutral. I coasted back into a parking lot and turned off vehicle. I then restarted it and it started just fine with no warning lights. I then tried to put into gear and the RPMs went up and still felt like it was in neutral. I then had it towed to a mechanic and was told that it was a total transmission failure. $5500 to have repair. More than what the car's book value it. I have not reported to manufacturer but that is my next step.

- Frankford, WV, USA

We were driving down the highway when the ford escape shut down and the the check engine light came on for the Evap system several parts have been replaced but I get the same code and the car is dying at idle and losing power a different times while driving

- Azle, TX, USA

I replaced the transmission in 02/2023. Then the bushing failed in 08/2023. Had it replaced at dealership (after paying $150 for diagnostic & $200 for towing.... Then the bushing failed again last Tuesday (XXX). Was told not longer covered by Ford despite it previously recalled. Then repaired again. Broke same night. $250 in towing.... repaired Saturday - yesterday. Now the bushing is out AGAIN today (sunday). This is ludicrous. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Austin, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to operate the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift out of neutral. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle became loosened. The vehicle was left at the local dealer for further diagnostic testing. In addition, the contact stated that the front wheel bearings were previously replaced at the same local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

We bought this car used from the Ford dealership in Ellensburg WA in 2021. It had 79k at the time. We performed a lot of maintenance on the vehicle; new tires, alignment, coolant flush, transmission flush, spark plugs, and updated the Synce software. Then the turbo failed about 5 months later. And we replaced the turbo with a brand new one at the same dealership for 5k. Then we replaced the coolant system. We performed all the recalls as they came in, regarding the transmission shifter and something to do with a solenoid, and we never missed an oil change. In September 2024 the transmission failed and it needs a whole new one. There's a class action lawsuit in CA for the type of transmission in this year of Ford Escape, but it's only for CA residents. Too bad. It's been less than 3 years since we bought it, we've paid twice the price it's worth in repairs and on maintenance, and now it's junk. DON'T BUY AN ESCAPE!

- Richland, WA, USA

At 120k the transmission went bad. Dealership charged $7k to replace. We chose to replace because it was cheaper than buying a new vehicle. A few months after the transmission was repaired, we started losing a lot of coolant. The dreaded coolant leak through the head gasket into cylinder 2 is the diagnosis. Dealer, told us $12k for a new motor. This is not okay!!!

- Nibley, UT, USA

The contact owned a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle died without warning. Due to the failure, the contact was left stranded in the middle of the highway. While the contact was on the phone with 911, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle from behind. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact sustained mental trauma due to the accident, but no physical injuries. The police arrived at the scene and a police report was filed. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. No medical attention was rendered at the scene. No property damage was reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Brockton, MA, USA

My daughter borrowed my car and experienced a loud rattling noise. We had it towed to our local shop who recommended bringing it to a Ford Dealership for the issue. We had it towed there and I was informed after they looked at it that we had a cracked flex plate. It horrifies what could have happened while she was in the car. There was a check engine light on, but that was not connected to this issue apparently because I had to pay an additional cost to get that fixed. I have never heard of a cracked flex plate but when I googled it I found Ford had several recalls for it, but not attached to my VIN

- Leominster, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds up an incline, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Evansville, IN, USA

My 2015 Ford Escape SE has a defective transmission. While driving on the interstate, the car suddenly lost power and would not exceed 5 mph. The interstate was busy and I was almost hit by 3 different vehicles swerving to go around me until I could find a safe place to pull off the interstate. I had my car towed to a certified mechanic and they confirmed the transmission had failed and needs to be replaced. Repair estimate $5000.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the transmission malfunctioned causing the vehicle to jerk and lose motive power before the vehicle stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the message "Transmission Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local transmission mechanic who rebuilt the transmission, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Was driving normal, got an engine fault light then overheated. Engine has coolant intrusion. Ford won-??t do anything about it!!

- Spokane Valley, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. While the contact's fiancé was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact's fiancé stated that the vehicle was shaking, and the transmission failure warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the RPM was elevated; however, the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH unintendedly. The contact's fiancé drove the vehicle to a parking lot and parked the vehicle. The contact arrived and connected a digital diagnostic scanner to the vehicle. The contact retrieved DTC codes P07AA (Transmission Override) and P0219 (Engine Over Speed). The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- East Lyme, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of multiple leaks coming from the vehicle. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to several local dealers where it was diagnosed with coolant leaking into the cylinders. The contact was advised that the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power and then stalled. The vehicle was eventually towed to the local mechanic who replaced the turbo and shifter cable bushing; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Brilliant, OH, USA

As I was driving my car started to jerk, drag backwards and stop. I put it in park in the middle of the road and turned the car completely off. It would start and drive, then jerk, try to slide backwards again then stopped. The car starts, but the shift freezes after try to go.

- Halethorpe , MD, USA