2017 Ford Escape Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the failure recurred intermittently while driving that same day. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who advised the contact that he could not determine the cause of the failure as the OBD reader could not read the codes. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who advised the contact that he could not duplicate the failure. The transmission was flushed. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring more frequently while driving. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
For several weeks experienced shudder/judder and hesitation. Most noticeable at around 40 mph. Vehicle serviced and inspected by both dealership and independent auto repair shop. Hesitation unsafe. Issue Not uncommon as found on FMC Escape forum. Dealer recommended transmission replacement after finding transmission fluid burned and contaminated with metallic debris. Verified Torque converter clutch shudder. Independent auto repair shop confirmed hesitation, engagement in higher gears is abnormal. No warning lights or other symptoms aside from shudder/judder/hesitation. Vehicle currently available for inspection. Vehicle had less than 76,000 miles when issue first started.
I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden the car started bucking and revving to 4,000 rpm and would not go at highway speed. It continued to fluctuate the rpms but drop in speed. I had to pull over, shut off the car and restart. It drove for a little bit, started bucking again, revved to 4,000 rpms and lost power as I was trying to get off the exit - almost stalling in the turn. I had to pull over again, shut it off and restart. It went for a little bit then started revving like crazy, dropped speed quickly and then completely shut down. There were no warning lights, no check engine lights, no messages until the car finally died and it flashed a transmission problem. I have had the car from new and have always serviced it at the Ford Dealer. It has 98,000 miles and was told that is needs a transmission.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TYLER FORD LOCATED AT 2626 S SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
On August 13, while driving in stop-and-go traffic I noticed the car was handling funny. It was hesitating when I pushed the gas causing me to accelerate in an unpredictable way in traffic. That weekend I took the car to my mechanic who told me that he couldn’t replicate the issue but if I had the issue again to bring the car back. There were also no error codes so any issue couldn’t be diagnosed. On August 30 while driving home, I attempted to accelerate at an intersection (across 6 lanes of traffic) and the car would rev but not exceed 25 miles per hour. I literally limped into my mechanics shop but once again there were no error codes. However it was clear that something was completely wrong with the car. The car was towed to a transmission shop who inspected it and told me I needed a full transmission rebuild. They also couldn’t explain why the car wasn’t displaying any error codes. In the end I was without my car for 2 weeks, paid over $4,000 for the job, and had to borrow cars just to get to my teaching job. My car is well maintained. It is only four years old but has 100,000 miles – obviously past the warranty. However, I have never had a transmission fail on me. This is also the first time I’ve ever purchased a Ford.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the service transmission message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a dealer where he was informed that the clutch had failed and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred him to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
I HAVE A 2017 FORD ESCAPE 67,338 TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER (GALPIN FORD) MY COMPLAIN WAS THAT MY TRANSMISSION WHEN WARM REVERSE GEAR IS HARD TO ENGAGE AND WILL NOT GO OVER 55MPH. GOT A CALL BACK THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD REFUSED TO HELP ON ANY WAY TO FIX IT, ALMOST $6,000.00 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WITH 67K ON IT, WHY IS FORD COMPANY NOT HELPING CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, WHAT IS REALLY BAD FOR ME IS THAT I HAVE 2017 FORD TRANSIT THAT HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I HOPE FORD IS NOT WAITING FOR SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY FIND A FIX FOR THIS.
TRANSMISSION WENT WITH ONLY 93,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING IT WAS HESITANT TO GO WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF IT. CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO IN REVERSE. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MECHANIC JUST IN TIME BEFORE CAR WAS TOTALLY OUT OF COMMISSION.
The car would not get into gear without warning. The car would not produce power when I would press the gas. Then, moments later, without warning, the engine would rev without input, however, the car would not accelerate. I had to pull over and the turn the car off multiple times. I ended up getting a warning light indicating to service the transmission, but when I turned the car off, the warning light would go away, but continue to not get into gear and then jerk, especially at low speed. i ended up taking to the car to a mechanic and got an error code indicating that the car could not get into 5th gear. I was told that the vehicle needed transmission fluid change, which I did. I then drove for about 200 miles without issues. Then suddenly while driving at about 70mph, I the service transmission light came on. i pulled the vehicle over and turned off the car. About 20 minutes later, I again started driving at highway speed for about 5 miles, and the service transmission light did not show and I had no additional issues. I then parked the car over night and then started to drive to the highway. Approximately 5 minutes of driving at highway speed the car would no accelerate when I pressed the accelerator, and i attempted to accelerate the car, but the vehicle would not rev the engine nor provide power, I had no warning lights. When this happened, the car started to decelerate as if the car was in neutral. I ended up having to get the car towed and serviced. i am currently awaiting the results of what is wrong with the car.
As I was driving on I-75 on the evening of Sunday, November 14, 2021 around 8:30, at approximately 75 mph (I was in the middle lane passing a semi-truck), my car suddenly lost power. The RPMs began to go all the way up, the drop all the way down repeatedly. Lights came on, and a red light came on saying something like "Transmission malfunction Service now". Thankfully, I was near an exit and was able to get off the interstate. I parked at a gas station and let my car sit for about 30 minutes. It immediately cranked back up, but would not drive. I called roadside assistance and had it towed to a nearby Ford dealership. Two days later, I was told I would need a new transmission due to the overdrive gear breaking apart and spreading metal throughout the transmission, rendering it basically useless. My car only has around 77,500 miles on it. In fact, I still have the original battery and tires. I have NEVER had any indication of a problem with the transmission - no noises, no lights, nothing. I take my car to my local dealership for oil changes and inspections when it is time. Not once have I ever been told there were any issues. I just feel this must have been a faulty part in order for it to simply break apart that fast to cause my car to stop working while I was driving, not to mention the fact it was able to ruin my entire transmission. I do not have any invoices to share at this time. I am still trying to come up with $6500 for the repair so I can get my car back. Thank. you for your time and consideration.
I was driving along, approaching an intersection, and suddenly my car had no gears! The rpm's went sky high when I pressed on the gas but I had no drive. Thankfully I was able to coast to a turning lane and into a parking lot without incident. There had been no warning lights or funny noises and this was completely unexpected and could have caused an accident! I had to call a tow truck and the ford dealer that I took it to is now telling me the transmission needs replaced and that this is a common problem with this vehicle! And this is only 4 months after they replaced the engine that was bad! Shame on ford for not recalling this vehicle!
ON 2/17/21 MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY INTERSTATE RIGHT AFTER A MAJOR SNOW STORM. NO WHERE SAFE TO PULL OFF. THE CAR STARTED JERKING AND LOST POWER ALONG WITH NOISE AND SYSTEM ERROR FLASHED ACROSS DASHBOARD STATING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CARE EVENTUALLY LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED IN TO DEALERSHIP. TORQUE CONVERTER COMPLETELY BLEW. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 6 WEEKS. I JUST GOT IT BACK LAST NIGHT. THEY SAID THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REDESIGNED AND IF IT MADE ME FEEL ANY BETTER THERE WERE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE I WAS HAVING AND THEY WERE WORKING ON. THE ICING ON THE CAKE WAS WHEN THEY CALLED ME YESTERDAY TO SAY IT WAS FINALLY REPAIR AFTER 6 WEEKS THAT IT FELL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY SO WE GOT SOCKED WITH THE $100 DEDUCTABLE. WHEN A MAJOR CAR PART HAS TO BE "REDESIGNED" FOR ANY REPAIR TO BE MADE, THAT SHOULD BE A RED FLAG TO THE MANUFACTURER AND A RECALL ISSUED.
I PURCHASED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE 4 MONTHS AGO. MONDAY MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS STOPPED WHEN THE CAR JERKED, I TRIED PRESSING THE GAS AND IT WOULDN'T GO JUST THE ENGINE REVIVED, IT FINALLY JUMPED INTO GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND GOT A RECALL FIXED FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, HOPING THAT WOULD HELP THE ISSUE, ONLY TO GET A CALL SAYING I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED DURING A REGULAR MAINTENANCE REPAIR HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE REVVED UP HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SUBURBAN FORD OF STERLING HEIGHTS (40333 VAN DYKE AVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313, (586) 268-7500) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DECLINED TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHICH WAS LATER DENIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.*DT *TR
I PURCHASED A FORD ESCAPE IN DECEMBER OF 2017. IN JUNE OF 2018 I BROUGHT IT IN TO A FORD DEALER DUE TO THE CAR PULLING FORWARD WHEN IT SHIFTED IT WAS 23,475 MILEAGE. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC TESTED IT FOR TRANSMISSION CODES AND CAME UP WITH P0300. HE TEST DROVE AND CHECKED FLUID LEVEL AND SAID IT WAS OK. MARCH 2019 AT 39,473 MILEAGE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WOULD JUMP WHEN I SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THEY DID AN TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS AND STATED NO CODES APPEARED. THEY DID A IDS SCAN TOOL TO WATCH SOME TYPE OF DATA AND FOUND A LINE PRESSURE HIGHER THAN NORMAL DURING ENGAGEMENT, THEY RESET IT. CLEARED TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE TABLES. AUGUST 2020 TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AT 80,462 MILEAGE BECAUSE IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AT A STOPPING POSITION AT ACCELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC PERFORMED A ATD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS, FOUND NO CODES STORED, HOWEVER, FOUND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID VERY BLACK AND BURNT. THEY FOUND WHEN TEST DRIVING HARSH UP AND DOWN SHIFT. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO OVERHAUL THE TRANSMISSION TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY QUOTED ME $ 2000-5000 PRICE. I DID NOT HAVE IT. IT HAS BEEN THREE WEEKS AND I AM CONCERNED IF MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLACK AND BURNT WHY DID THEY NOT CHANGE IT? THEY ONLY CHARGED ME FOR THE TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS.
WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE ON A TOWN STREET AT A RATE OF 35 MPH MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING ALERT TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE NOW. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND I WILL NEED TO HAVE A NEW ONE AT A COST BETWEEN $4000 TO $5000. MY VEHICLE HAS $92,000.00 MILES. FORD IS UNWILLING TO HELP WITH THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. I TALKED WITH A CHRIS AVERY ([email protected]) HE SAID THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. HOW DOES A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE HAVE A TRANSMISSION GO OUT?
II TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE BEFORE IT REACHED 60,000 MILES. I ASK THEM TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING , IT WOULD GO SLOW GOING UP A HILL SOMETIMES AND WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WASN'T MOVING WHEN YOU PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS FINE. AT 74,000 MILES THE CARS TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED MOVING AFTER MAKING A LOUD NOISE, WE WERE ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, BUT MANAGED TO MAKE IT HOME TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH MEANT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE 3 YEARS. FORD IS ONLY WILLING TO PAY HALF THE REPAIR . NO ONE BUYS A CAR AND EXPECTS TO HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS PAID FOR. I HAVE 2 MORE YEARS OF PAYMENTS . I WORK AT A HOSPITAL IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE . I DRIVE ABOUT 40 MILES EACH WAY. I HAVE TO GO TO WORK DURING THIS COVID-19 . I WOULD EXPECT FORD TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AT NO COST BEING I HAD TAKEN IT IN BEFORE .
CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING LIGHTS. NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. $6400. CAR IS FOUR YEARS OLD WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT. POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ONLY LASTED UNTIL 60,000 MILES.
I WAS DRIVING, TRIED TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH, RPM WENT UP TO 6. PULLED OF THE ROAD, PLACED IT IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, THEN BACK ON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WAITING FOR ESTIMATE AT THIS TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HESITATED WHILE THE ECO-BOOST ENGINE FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOWANDA FORD INC. LOCATED AT (14650 US-62, GOWANDA, NY 14070) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,400.
WOULD SHIFT HARD AFTER A FRESH START. WOULD NO LONGER CATCH GEAR. AFTER ABOUT 3 RESTARTS, IT WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO A GARAGE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE.
AT APPROXIMATELY 61,800 MILES THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND HAD TO BE EITHER REPLACED OR REBUILT. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STARTED SEIZING UP AND SLOWING DOWN. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON.
VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID 11083629. PULLING INTO TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE SYSTEM MESSAGE "TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE NOW" CAME UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING SO IT WAS TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY CLEARED THE FAULT AND SID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT, THEY HAD IT TWO WEEKS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND/REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND GAVE IT BACK. I DROVE IT TWO DAYS AND IT OCCURED AGAIN. DROVE IT TO THE DEALER THIS WAY. THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD ECM, REPLACED IT AND THEY REPLCATED THE ISSUE ON THEIR TEST DRIVE AFTER THE "REPAIR". SAID THEY NEED TO CALL FORD FOR TECH ASSISTANCE. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR ~MONTH AND A HALF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY FAILING AS YOU'RE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IS A HUGE DANGER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR WHILE CHANGING LANES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARBER FORD OF HAZLETON (1112 N CHURCH ST, HAZLETON, PA 18201, (570) 454-2414), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PRODUCE ANY FAILURE CODES; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SLIGHT HESITATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS 24051505. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,642.
THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE COMPLETELY SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF WHEN WAITING AT SIGNAL LIGHTS OR OTHER SITUATIONS WHEN STOPPING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE. THERE ARE ALERT CHIMES AND A MESSAGE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTART VEHICLE APPEARS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PROBLEM STARTED APPROX. OCTOBER 9, 2019 AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP OCTOBER 17, 2019. WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A WIRING HARNESS. NOVEMBER 25TH THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH SHUTTING OFF WHEN AT SIGNAL LIGHTS. CALLED FOR AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY AND WAS SCHEDULED TO BRING THE CAR IN DECEMBER 3, 2019. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND ARE SAYING THEY CAN'T FIND AN ISSUE. OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT FIXING IT. DOCUMENTATION IS ATTACHED SHOWING REPAIRS AND AN ONLINE POST SHOWING THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND INSTRUCTING MECHANICS NOT TO ATTEMPT TO FIX UNTIL ENGINEERS FIND A SOLUTION. THAT WAS 10 MONTHS AGO.
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Quick Summary
The 2017 Ford Escape has 206 Power Train complaints on file. 3 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.