Ford Escape Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 4,655 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford Escape across 26 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (508). The words owners use most often: “throttle body” (9% of reports).
- 4,655power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 74mention a crash
- 59mention an injury
- 11related recalls
- $4,750typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Throttle body: mentioned in 413 of 4,655 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Ford Escape at $4,750, and half of them between $1,250 and $6,750.
Based on 261 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 3,206 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 4,655 complaints, 74 mention a crash, 21 a fire, 59 an injury.
Ford Escape power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2024 Escape | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Escape | 23 | 23% | 33,000 |
| 2022 Escape | 31 | 13% | 21,500 |
| 2021 Escape | 44 | 13% | 79,845 |
| 2020 Escape | 241 | 15% | 50,000 |
| 2019 Escape | 128 | 21% | 64,460 |
| 2018 Escape | 275 | 15% | 80,000 |
| 2017 Escape | 391 | 14% | 75,456 |
| 2016 Escape | 320 | 28% | 88,000 |
| 2015 Escape | 286 | 26% | 94,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 481 | 23% | 89,804 |
| 2013 Escape | 401 | 15% | 81,500 |
| 2012 Escape | 66 | 11% | 41,967 |
| 2011 Escape | 268 | 20% | 45,380 |
| 2010 Escape | 508 | 25% | 51,430 |
| 2009 Escape | 301 | 18% | 65,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 329 | 17% | 68,100 |
| 2007 Escape | 44 | 17% | 74,500 |
| 2006 Escape | 80 | 17% | 80,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 117 | 8% | 91,928 |
| 2004 Escape | 27 | 5% | 72,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 55 | 10% | 69,000 |
| 2002 Escape | 105 | 10% | 74,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 128 | 13% | 68,308 |
| 2000 Escape | 1 | 20% | 76,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (11)
Power train:automatic transmission:internal:park pawl
Model years: 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The Secondary On Board Diagnostic Module C (SOBDMC) software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 15, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V863.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-330. 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.
Fix: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S16.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Model years: 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
Risk: If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
Risk: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Model years: 2013, 2014
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2010
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, milan, and escape vehicles manufactured from february 27, through march 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin may not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention".
Risk: A vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 28, 2010. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 and for the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (tdd). Representatives are available monday through friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.
Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the power control module (pcm) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Transmission failed, Car would only move at high rpms, created a dangerous driving situation Known issue with Ford and the 6F35 transmission
My daughter was driving our 2018 Ford Escape at highway speed when it suddenly began shaking and shuddering violently, with no advance warning. The check engine light came on for the first time as the shaking began. The vehicle lost propulsion, and the shaking impaired her ability to control it…
At 56000 miles have had dealer replace transmission now dealer wants to replace the fuel pump even though the code reader says po0087 , a sensor this is the 2nd time this vehicle has had to be towed to the dealer. Now the dealer says he will just put the fuel pump back in not replacing it. Help !!…
Failed Component/System: The engine assembly/engine cooling system. The internal structural failure of the cylinder block (open-deck design defect) allowing engine coolant intrusion into combustion chambers, cylinders 2/3. Safety: The vehicle is experiencing severe engine stalling, immediate loss…
Transmission fault
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 4,655 owner complaints about power train for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape power train?
Yes: 11 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,750 (half paid between $1,250 and $6,750), from 261 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “throttle body”, in 413 of 4,655 complaints.
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Steering problems (3,945)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
- Suspension problems (1,145)
See all Ford Escape problems.