2019 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 Oct 5, 2026WIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2019 Ford Escape Se was smoking during start up. Dealer says it needs a whole new engine due to coolant intrusion. I have been seeing there are many issues with this.

   NHTSA complaint #11769079 · source
2. Filed Oct 2, 2026MSEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   I am reporting a dangerous manufacturing defect regarding internal engine coolant intrusion on my 2019 Ford Escape SEL at less than 70,000 miles. Upon starting the vehicle after it sat parked overnight, a massive cloud of heavy white smoke erupted from the exhaust system and both sides of the vehicle, clearing after 1–2 minutes. The vehicle also exhibits a severe structural shudder and a mechanical groaning noise when shifting gears due to engine misfires caused by this…

   NHTSA complaint #11768512 · source
3. Filed Sep 15, 2026MOTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2019 Ford Escape has the Ford 6F35 transmission and I was just informed that mine is going out and needs to be replaced by a Ford dealership service department. Since 12/2025, I have had my car in the shop 3 times. I have researched and there are thousands of issues and complaints about this transmission that is going out and Ford has not done a recall. This is an immediate high risk hazard. If driving and the transmission has mechanical failure at 65+ mph it will drop…

   NHTSA complaint #11764367 · source
4. Filed Sep 10, 2026AZEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle had a transmission shutter and shakes the car. It also had a hard shift at 38mph. It happens daily, was not a one time Incentent

   NHTSA complaint #11763277 · source
5. Filed Sep 1, 2026OHBody & StructureOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle purchased from dealer with concealed total loss history and federal/state odometer fraud. Official state title records show the odometer froze at 73,539 miles between Tennessee title issued March 2025 and Ohio title issued January 2026. Live OBD-II scanner diagnostics confirm true vehicle mileage exceeds over 86,278 miles. Vehicle was in a severe crash (December 2024) resulting in a Junk/Salvage total loss declaration at auction, later fraudulently rebranded and…

   NHTSA complaint #11761195 · source
6. Filed Aug 22, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   My Ford Escape powertrain went out when I was driving in town, it went from driving fine to not getting out of 1st gear. No warning prior got it towed to my mechanic and he did a diagnostic and it is indeed the transmission. This was extremely dangerous since I was close to being rearended because of the sudden failure. I still didnt get the transmission failure message on the screen until we went to load it up on the wrecker. This is a widely known transmission failure that…

   NHTSA complaint #11758731 · source
7. Filed Jul 26, 2026IAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Was driving and a loud pop happened when pulling onto the hwy and lost power. Immediately pulled into parking lot and tried to restart but would not start. My son came over that evening and towed back to my house and the discovered the oil pan was cracked along with block and piston shattered. There are parts inside the oil pan. This has not been inspected by a dealer or service center. No warning or check engine lights came on indicating a problem. My build date is June of…

   NHTSA complaint #11752893 · source
8. Filed Jul 13, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   2019 FORD ESCAPE //// Mileage 103,457//6F35 transmission First towed on May 24, 2026 - Vehicle is still at Empire Ford Service in Huntington, NY First Ford replaced Shifter Cable Bushing Rollaway (2013-2019 Models) as per the recall. They said all is fixed no charge since it was the recall. I had the SUV for only one day from the recall repair and it broke down on the highway and would not stay running when put into gear. Now after keeping my car for about a week the service…

   NHTSA complaint #11750022 · source
9. Filed Jun 26, 2026145,000 miTNTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was unable to shift into a lower gear, and the vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with shifter bushing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage…

   NHTSA complaint #11746644 · source
10. Filed Jun 24, 2026122,000 miMOEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to properly shift into gear. The vehicle was driven to the local mechanic who determined that coolant had leaked into the engine cylinders. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who confirmed the coolant leak into the cylinders and advised the contact that the engine long block needed to be replaced. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11746239 · source
11. Filed Jun 17, 2026MIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Within the first year of purchase, I was going to the Toronto Airport on the 401 and the vehicles' engine power quickly reduced to about 5mi/hr. I had to pull off the freeway in fear of being rear ended. I slowly made it to a gas station, the vehicle running at reduced power for about 15min. I turned the vehicle off and waited for About 30min. The car started up with full power when increasing the pressure on the gas peddle I took it to the dealer when I returned home. They…

    NHTSA complaint #11744870 · source
12. Filed Jun 12, 2026CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    This updates a prior complaint (NHTSA tracking XXX). The 2019 Escape 1.5L EcoBoost has the known coolant-intrusion engine defect (white exhaust smoke, overheating, misfires; codes P0300/P0301-P0304). Ford replaced the engine short block under program 21N12 on 3/6/2024 at 62,201 miles. The defect has recurred and the engine has now completely failed a second time. The dealer (Tuttle-Click Ford) confirmed excessive exhaust smoke and a loud rod knock; the vehicle is undrivable…

    NHTSA complaint #11743807 · 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