2021 Ford Escape transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V330000May 10, 20249,312 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

  Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 26, 2026FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Description of Defect & Safety Risk: Complete structural failure and collapse of the entire 3-part powertrain mounting system (right engine mount, left automatic transmission mount and rear lower engine torque strut mount). The severe defect was discovered at a mere 27,000 original miles by a certified independent technician fount the broken motor mounts during inspection, and I confirmed experiencing excessive, violent vibrations inside the vehicle cabin radiating heavily…

   NHTSA complaint #11767147 · source
2. Filed Sep 15, 2026NVElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Windows sometimes don't roll up or down, driver side doors do not lock, vehicle doesn't properly accelerate/very slow to go like gas isn't reaching where it needs to go, the transmission area makes a clunking noise, and the back sensor seems to have fallen out and it constantly beeps as if I am going to hit something, the side mirrors sometimes tell me there is something next to me when nothing is around, dash warning lights go off randomly sometimes.

   NHTSA complaint #11764550 · source
3. Filed Sep 13, 2026OKTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission went out. Torque converter is shot. Only has 120,000 miles in it. This is a known problem with the 8f35 transmission. It needs to be recalled.

   NHTSA complaint #11763958 · source
4. Filed Aug 26, 2026TXEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   My escape would not change gears and the escape would not reverse it was also pulling back and accelerating in speed to the point I could not control it in traffic. My safety and the safety of my mother were greatly affected as the escape was malfunctioning in traffic and I could not control the gears. The alert on the escape came up and it stated: The powertrain control system has detected one of the transmission clutches did not apply within the expected time as expected.…

   NHTSA complaint #11759831 · source
5. Filed Jul 21, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall on my vehicle. This recall has remained open for more than one year, yet no remedy has been made available. Despite the manufacturer acknowledging the safety defect, I continue to operate a vehicle that presents significant safety concerns because the defect has not been corrected. The recall has caused my vehicle to experience severe…

   NHTSA complaint #11751782 · source
6. Filed Jul 8, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   This car is constantly sputtering and when you give it gas to take of, it sputters as if it is going to stall. This poses a safety concern when you are giving the car gas and it is not properly accelerating. I was almost hit several times now. The check engine light is on, the wrench is illuminated and I keep getting an AWD/power train message, as well as a battery saving mode message. Then soon after this started, all the audio in the sound system is gone.

   NHTSA complaint #11748977 · source
7. Filed Jul 5, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   On XXX, the 8F35 transmission in my 2021 Ford Escape experienced a critical failure, characterized by severe slipping and a violent shuddering condition while operating at speed. This sudden loss of predictable power and drivetrain stability directly compromised my ability to safely operate the vehicle in traffic, creating an immediate highway safety hazard for myself and others. The vehicle was towed to an independent service center, Brownie’s Independent Transmission Shops…

   NHTSA complaint #11748373 · source
8. Filed Jul 1, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   This vehicle has had transmission slipping issues since I bought it. I had the PCM flashed and reset but it still jerks and slips out of gear ALL the time. The car actually stalled on me while turning through an intersection. This almost cause me to be t boned via a car crash. The transmission has already been replaced and still malfunctions. When it stalled there were no lights and the car would not go into neutral unless you pulled the emergency latch for it. This is a…

   NHTSA complaint #11747792 · source
9. Filed Jul 1, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle stutters on acceleration. This causes issues when at intersections or when merging into traffic. I have since replaced the torque converter that has resolved the problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11747600 · source
10. Filed Jun 30, 2026WITransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission shifts hard, jerking, stuttering when pushing the accelerator. Continues to go into limp mode when driving highway speeds.

    NHTSA complaint #11747564 · source
11. Filed Jun 30, 2026MITransmission & Drivetrain

    transmission bucking jerking lurching at low speeds. dangerous in stop and go traffic. hard 3rd gear shift. ford refused to remedy.

    NHTSA complaint #11747555 · source
12. Filed Jun 11, 2026WIElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    following up on Nov 20,2025 Manufacturer Recall Number25SC4 NHTSA Recall Number25V789 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available This recall has been out for 7 months - no remedy yet. We are not able to use our PHEV to the extgent is was designed.

    NHTSA complaint #11743440 · 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