2017 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 24, 2026216,000 miVATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started rolling backwards while shifted to park(P). The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the recall repair was previously performed in 2024. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission shifter cable bushing was missing.…

   NHTSA complaint #11766714 · source
2. Filed Aug 31, 2026TNEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle just hit 70k miles, started abruptly shaking between 30 and 50 mph. Torque converter is needing replaced. PCV hose has cracked and needs replaced. COOLANT DISAPPEARING DUE TO INTRUSION LEAK. Extremely costly repairs for a vehicle that isn't even close to 100k miles. Engine overheating on highway which is an extreme fire risk.

   NHTSA complaint #11760923 · source
3. Filed Aug 18, 2026PAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The 4th cylinder started misfiring due to a coolant leak, which is being caused due to the known engine design flaw with the Ford EcoBoost engines. My local mechanic diagnosed the problem and said that the car needs a new engine.

   NHTSA complaint #11757782 · source
4. Filed Aug 12, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission failed/malfunctioned. Available for inspection. Safety at risk due to driving on busy road when transmission failed and car wouldn't move. Transmission recall for VIN [XXX] Vehicle component has not been inspected. No warning of any kind prior to failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11756473 · source
5. Filed Aug 9, 2026MATransmission & Drivetrain

   I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this issue, including the frequency of coolant intrusion and engine failure involving 2017 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. I would also like NHTSA to determine whether the existing Ford service programs, technical service bulletins, recalls, or other corrective actions adequately address affected owners. My VIN is [XXX]. I believe Ford should be held responsible if this engine failure resulted…

   NHTSA complaint #11755704 · source
6. Filed Jul 28, 2026NYEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Repeated Check Engine light issue Ford failed to diagnosis and follow service bulletins regarding a defect in the engine block. Now Ford tells us that the engine block is cracked and wants us to pay full price for their faulty engine. Car was purchased with 31,388 on Dec. 4, 2020 as a Certified Pre-Owned Ford vehicle from a Ford dealership. 12/10/2022 with 46,728 miles Levittown Ford serviced the vehicle due to engine issues. 9/17/2024 with 64,885 miles Levittown Ford…

   NHTSA complaint #11753362 · source
7. Filed Jul 24, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   At about 90000 miles my car was acting like a misfire so I changed plugs was a little better we went on a trip and half way home my car was losing coolant no over heating no puddles added more coolant when got home all my coolant was gone bought a new coolant tank still didn’t help white smoke so changed spark plugs again and coil and still misfire told it’s my coolant intrusion and no recall so I am stuck still paying car and car was fine something has to be done selling…

   NHTSA complaint #11752596 · source
8. Filed Jul 11, 2026ORTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car developed a sudden metalic rattle noise and with no service indication lights on the dash. It was immeaditley serviced by the local Ford dealership and diagnosed as a cracked flex plate in the drivetrain after just 51,000 original miles. This is still within the original milage warranty but outside the warranty limit by years dispite the fact a flexplate doesn't go bad by age. Failure of the flexplate (between engine and transmission) can result in a sudden and major…

   NHTSA complaint #11749784 · source
9. Filed Jul 10, 2026CTEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Check engine light came on XXX. Engine coolant level was extremely low, shuddering "start" several times the previous week. My 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost Turbo engine, with only 38,245 original miles has the well known and documented issue with the 2.0L EcoBoost block with the P0302 misfire code. Numerous TSB's have been issued about this (some are TSP 19-2346 and TSB 22-2229). The engine coolant has intruded into Cylinder 2 necessitating a long block engine replacement.…

   NHTSA complaint #11749616 · source
10. Filed Jul 6, 2026MAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    8/17/25 - Check engine light. Codes for Cylinder Misfire 1,2 and 3. Very very low coolant. 8/19/25 - The mechanic where we bought the car said that they checked plugs, did a compression test, everything came back fine and looks fine. Cleared the codes, drove it around, left it running, no light back on as of yet. Said the low coolant may have triggered the codes. - Coolant Filled back up Jan 31 2026 Car over heated and went into limp mode. No coolant when I looked before the…

    NHTSA complaint #11748548 · source
11. Filed Jul 2, 2026RIAirbagsOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    My vehicle was towed back to the dealership to have the transmission replaced, under warranty. After confirming the failure and warranty, I was informed, by emailed service order, that the airbag light was illuminated.it also listed the cost to diagnose the light and that I declined this "recommended service". What I said was that I absolutely wanted it diagnosed and addressed. What I declined were the charges they were quoting as the light came on while they had my…

    NHTSA complaint #11748087 · source
12. Filed Jun 18, 2026MITransmission & Drivetrain

    After years of driving Escape with issue finally found a mechanic that could definitely diagnose the problem. Was told that it was the torque converter and now possibly the transmission because it had been happening for so long. It shifts gears hard, shakes badly when idling (we always put it into neutral to avoid the shaking), stalls out sometimes when stopped at lights and trying to accelerate, can be coasting at a slow speed and the car will want to accelerate on its own…

    NHTSA complaint #11744925 · 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