10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,834 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #302

Apr 292025

Escape

  • miles
Automatic transmission failure burnt smell started coming from the engine compartment but didn't see anything because the engine air filter was on the way but after removing it there was a leak coming from the top of the transmission vehicle only has 129,598 miles and I was in the highway when I notice vehicle deaccelarating and had to pull over almost cause a. Accident because I was in the middle lane Problem has not been addressed by dealer or independent service center No inspection done to the vehicle yet No warning lights until too late which is burnt transmission fluid and transmission in top of transmission

- Caseyville, IL, USA

problem #301

May 052025

Escape

  • miles
My Ford Escape has had coolant leak into engine block, causing damage to cylinders and cylinder misfires, detailed in this service bulletin: [XXX]. The car has been checked by my mechanic, who confirms the problem. Dealership acknowledges that this problem is real and has had many customers who have had to replace motors because of it but says there has been no recall or extended warranty in respect to this design flaw and declines to resolve the problem at Ford's cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

problem #300

Apr 082025

Escape

  • miles
The transmission went out and completely immobilized the car while driving. My wife was driving the car on a 45mph public road, approached a roundabout that had a single entry lane where she attempted to enter. After trying to safely enter the roundabout, then engine revved but the car did not move. If she let it sit, the transmission would eventually engage but surge into gear, and she was able to eventually operate the vehicle to get it to a safe spot until it could be towed. I requested a transmission drain and fill from the dealership at about 55,000 miles, but the service writer declined to have the service done because the service interval from ford is listed at 150,000 miles. The service writer told me the transmission fluid was in a sealed system and would not need to be replaced yet based on my usage for the car, which is largely city/suburban driving with longer trips mixed in where i was not towing.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #299

May 032025

Escape

  • miles
Vehicles transmission, with no warning indicator lights, or any indication whatsoever, failed on me at a busy intersection and nearly caused me and others to be in a possibly fatal accident. It's my knowledge that Ford knowingly produced this 6F35 transmission with a flawed design and with poor engineering. There should be a recall to prevent a possible fatality.

- Eastview, KY, USA

problem #298

Apr 142025

Escape

  • miles
I am writing to report a serious and potentially dangerous issue with the transmission in my 2017 Ford Escape (6F35 model). On April 13, 2025, at approximately 83,800 miles, my vehicle began exhibiting alarming symptoms, including slipping, jerking, hesitation, and delayed acceleration. A dashboard message instructed me to -??Service Transmission.-?? On Monday morning I immediately took the vehicle to my trusted mechanic, who identified the problem as a likely failure of the 6F35 transmission. Hoping it was a computer glitch, he reset the system and advised me to monitor it. The issue returned within 20 miles. When I brought the car back, he confirmed the failure and informed me this is a common and well-documented problem with this transmission model and vehicle year. I contacted the original dealership where I purchased the car and was told there were no recalls. I then contacted Ford directly. Despite this being a widely reported issue, Ford told me I had to take it to a dealership for official diagnosis. I did so-?"at an additional cost of $200-?"and the dealership confirmed exactly what my mechanic had already determined. They then quoted a repair cost of over $7,000, which is nearly the value of the vehicle itself. Further research confirmed that this is a known and widespread issue with the 6F35 transmission in the 2017 Ford Escape and prior models, yet Ford has failed to issue a recall or offer assistance. This transmission failure poses a significant safety risk, especially in high-speed or high-traffic situations, where sudden loss of acceleration could lead to accidents. I am urging you to investigate this matter for potential safety defects and to consider a formal recall. Consumers should not be left to bear the financial and safety burden of a manufacturing defect that Ford has failed to address.

- Avondale, PA, USA

problem #297

Jan 302025

Escape

  • miles
Bought car from DriveTime, October 23, 2023. Problems started happening in June 2024. Have detailed list. Have spent over $5,000 in repairs. There is a warranty that has covered some repairs. The 2 major issues have been a transmission replacement and most recently an engine replacement. The mechanic I am using is still having problems with completing the work.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #296

Feb 062024

Escape

  • miles
The car just stopped in the middle of the road with no warning and I had to have the car towed. The transmission shop had to rebuild the entire transmission.

- Uniontown, OH, USA

problem #295

Jan 162025

Escape

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #294

Apr 052025

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The powertrain malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right of the road and left the vehicle unoccupied for several days. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer transferred the contact to NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Corning, KS, USA

problem #293

Apr 052025

Escape

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon attempting to accelerate from a stoplight, the transmission failed to shift into gear, and the contact was forced to pull over onto the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the message "Transmission Fault - Please see Service Center" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Ashley, OH, USA

problem #292

Mar 012023

Escape

  • miles
A design problem with the 2017 Ford Escape Ecoboost 2.0 turbo engine causing a coolant intrusion. As a result, my car check engine light is on. The car cannot pass smog. I have to refill the coolant daily. This coolant intrusion problem is a known design defect as such their needs to be a recall issued to replace the long block. I was not informed of the problem when I purchased the vehicle. The dealership will not honor their lifetime powertrain warranty as they state it is a head gasket problem, when it is actually a known design defect.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #291

Dec 282024

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the gear shifter indicator failed to display the correct gear that the gear shifter was shifted into. The contact stated that there was a message for a transmission issue; however, the contact was unsure what the message indicated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Fulton, MS, USA

problem #290

Mar 252025

Escape

  • miles
January 2, 2025, I took my car to Huntley Ford for a Complete Multi Point Inspection and oil change. It passed on all accounts. One of the many items checked was the Transmission Fluid. It was marked Good. March 25, 2025 (3 months later) I took my car back to Huntley Ford for a vibration / noise. They informed me that the transmission is now shot and needs to be replaced. They said the transmission fluid is black and thick and filled with debris. The inspection report they gave me 3 months ago, said that the Transmission Fluid was Good. My transmission didn't go from Good to damaged beyond repair, in just 3 months. Huntley Ford is negligent, and they expect me to pay $7,000 to replace the transmission. In addition, when Huntley Ford replaced the engine just 8 months ago, they made no note of a failing transmission. It-??s common practice to check the transmission during an engine replacement. The engine and the transmission work together to provide the power and control for driving.

- Pingree Grove, IL, USA

problem #289

Mar 142025

Escape

  • miles
I was driving stopped at a red light and when the light turned green and I proceeded my car continuously jerked and would not pick up speed then it would go and start jerking while in the middle of traffic putting me and others at risk for possible pile up multi accidents.Given no warning just out if the blue no lights on dash either.Yes it's is available for inspection took it to shop today was advised to take it to transmission specialist which I plan to.

- Milwaukee , WI, USA

problem #288

Mar 162025

Escape

  • miles
I tried to accelerate pulling out of a parking lot and there was a whizzing sound and no acceleration. I pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle and restarted it. I got up to 55 mph and the transmission service light came on and it de-acelerated. I ended up going 20 mph for the next mile to get it home in my driveway to park it. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership for diagnostics, the same dealership that had to replace the short engine block due to coolant intrusion in my engine at 84,000 (which I found by accident EVEN though I had a Ford.com account - they never notified me even though they had my email, address, and phone number - also to note i tried to get the repair at three other local dealerships that said they did not see the CSP for this issue and would not get me in - I did notify Ford customer service). The same dealership also replaced a shifter bushing cable when they did the engine. Dealership called today to advise that it was the torque convertor and I needed a new transmission. They are going to have warranty department see if Ford will assist with repairs, but I'm sure they won't. Mileage is 121,000. At this point there is a class action for transmission related issues for this year, make and model and Ford has STILL Not issued a recall. In speaking with the dealership, they said this is a common issue with the year, make, and model. And that anything over 100,000 is subject to trannie issues for this car. So obviously Ford knows this is an issue. I see they also recalled the torque convertors for other vehicles. And I see several other complaints where customers are being told the same thing as I am. Could a defective shifting bushing cable cause this" Should the torque convertor have been included in their other recall for the Ford Escapes" How does both an engine and transmission need replaced with 120,000 miles on the car. I used to love Ford. I will NEVER buy another Ford again as long as I live.

- Saint Paris, OH, USA

problem #287

Mar 092025

Escape

  • miles
As has happened to many others, a coolant intrusion destroyed the engine. The engine was replaced around 60k miles. Now around 84k miles, my transmission needs to be replaced. Ford is telling me that a new engine and new transmission for a 2017 car with 84k miles on it is something they see. The Customer Experience team told me there's nothing they can do. I can't believe a car this new, with that mileage, has had such significant and dangerous failures.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #286

Mar 082025

Escape

  • miles
No warning lights turned on but antifreeze just started spraying out everywhere without warning and car was not overheating or showing any signs of overheating emptying the entire contents of the radiator and the antifreeze reserve.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #285

Feb 222025

Escape

  • 16,821 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. In addition, while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The -??Engine Fault - Service Now-?? warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the shifter cable had failed, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (POWER TRAIN). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance, and informed the contact that the recall was closed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 16,821.

- Clarksdale, MS, USA

problem #284

Sep 272021

Escape

  • 62,798 miles
The contact's husband owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The transmission was replaced under warranty by the dealer. The contact stated that recently the failure recurred with an abnormal cranking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective flywheel and transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 62,798.

- Columbiana, OH, USA

problem #283

Feb 262024

Escape

  • miles
Transmission failed at 96,000 miles requiring replacement Cracked/bad cylinder block at 110,000 requiring replacement Ford knows of engine problem (Technical Service Bulletin 22-2322) will not assist with repair Repair invoices available upon request

- Mashpee, MA, USA

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