2015 Ford Escape transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V413000Jun 10, 20222,925,968 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · 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.

  Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

  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. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

• Recall 22V254000Apr 14, 202296,015 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · 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.

  Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

  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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 12, 2026NMTransmission & Drivetrain

   I visited the dealership for a shift bushing recall service. When I checked the car after leaving, I noticed that a required part of the repair, the white cap shown in the official documentation, was missing. When I returned to let them know the job wasn't done right, the staff insisted it was done correctly. However, under Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-254, that cap is required to be installed.

   NHTSA complaint #11763853 · source
2. Filed Aug 5, 202689,000 miVATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the transmission shifting from second to third gear, the vehicle was jerking, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the coolant level was low. The vehicle became inoperable when the engine temperature became overheated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with…

   NHTSA complaint #11755024 · source
3. Filed Jul 11, 2026MOElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Dash board panel comes on when you turn on the car, but once you put it in drive it automatically shuts off accept the rpm gauge, car goes into limp mode when driving and causes it to not allow any acceleration or movement of vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11749686 · source
4. Filed Jun 11, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   When car in parking spot (running or started after overnight parked); when put into reverse nothing happens. Backed into a slot today; had to pull forward and redo; but when put into reverse nothing happened. Would, when in drive, go forward but not in reverse. Drove a couple 100 feet and tried reverse again - worked. Six months earlier when parked after starting and putting into reverse same issue happened. Finally got into reverse and took to garage. Could not repeat it at…

   NHTSA complaint #11743415 · source
5. Filed May 20, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11739036 · source
6. Filed May 20, 2026111,400 miALTowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11738985 · source
7. Filed May 12, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission rides rough at speeds between 40 to 45 mph when driving in automatic. When in sport/manual shift you must stay in 4th gear. When going those speeds in automatic, it shifts into 5th and makes it a rough ride. I just thought it was cause of winter but not the case.

   NHTSA complaint #11737374 · source
8. Filed Mar 24, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   Took care & kept up with car maintenance quite regularly, including oil and transmission fluid drain & fills. No signs of any issues. Going uphill and suddenly transmission starts slipping and pump is suddenly whirring loud. No urgent lights or dash messages. Drove it a little further (i was already super close to my destination) and within a minute the car is violently jerking. Loud metal bangs and clank sounds and lost power. RPMs up but can’t get into gear. It will jerk &…

   NHTSA complaint #11726878 · source
9. Filed Feb 22, 2026OHBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission failure at 79211 miles. Vehicle has been serviced and maintained regularly. Transmission shop stated this is a "very common issue" with this specific transmission, that they see failures frequently. This occurred just a month or two after the recall repair for the shifter cable bushing. Front left wheel speed sensor also went bad around the same time, causing traction control to engage specifically when turning left even on dry roads and at lower speeds. Also…

   NHTSA complaint #11719708 · source
10. Filed Jan 8, 2026132,000 miALTowedSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly started to decelerate even though the RPM was extremely elevated. There was a high-pitched whine coming from the vehicle, and the tires screeched before the vehicle came to an abrupt stop, ceasing all functions. The contact turned off the vehicle in the middle of the interstate because the vehicle could not be moved to the shoulder. A passerby assisted…

    NHTSA complaint #11709736 · source
11. Filed Jan 5, 2026NCEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle Information: 2015 Ford Escape – approximately 165,000 miles Incident Description: During normal operation while backing out of a parking space, the vehicle unexpectedly slipped out of the drive gear immediately after I shifted from reverse to drive. There were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms indicating a potential issue. After restarting the vehicle, it briefly engaged drive but was only able to travel approximately ten feet before abruptly shifting…

    NHTSA complaint #11708742 · source
12. Filed Jan 3, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission is failing after being rebuilt. Has only 50,000 miles. It stalls if braking hard. Shifts hard and shudders. Has been serviced and checked by a mechanic.

    NHTSA complaint #11708519 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology