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2007 Ford Escape transmission problems

44 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 74,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
44
of this car's complaints
17%
typical mileage
74,000
crashes
2
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    7
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    2
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Escape transmission problems in other years

200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2007 Ford Escape transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 9Harsh shifting 5

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported September 29, 2015 · 57 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 15V606000 · Recall details

What 2007 Ford Escape owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · OR

My 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid (mileage currently 180,000 but the issue started around 150,000 miles) will occasionally (varies from once a week to once every 3 months) not respond properly when I'm accelerating from a stop. When this happens, I can push the accelerator all the way to the floor, but the car will accelerate very slowly for the first 5 seconds or so, and then start accelerating normally again. When this issue first began, it nearly resulted in multiple crashes when I was pulling out into traffic, but now I leave lots of extra space when pulling into traffic in case this happens. I've taken the car to an independent mechanic to try to diagnose the issue and they were unable to observe it since it doesn't happen frequently or predictably enough. There were not any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the issue starting.

Filed Dec 7, 2024 · Fuel system, Transmission · CA

While driving, a red triangle to safely stop came up and the vehicle engine shut down. I could not accelerate since the engine was shut down, I could only coast and brake. After the vehicle has been cooling down for 20 min, I’m able to restart the vehicle and drive again until the same issue occurs again. No light on dashboard. Very dangerous issue as it often happens when driving on the freeway for a while. You have no way to accelerate the vehicle and need to slowly pull over on a busy freeway, endangering others and yourself. The issue has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. Please note that this is a known recall for this vehicle but my VIN is NOT included in the recall. Please see the details of the recall below: the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 14V526000 Report Date: SEP 03, 2014 Vehicles Affected: 70,209 Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash. What You Should Do: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · GA

When accelerating on the vehicle it would run fine till about a couple minutes driving then it would jerk and the rpm gauge would go to 0 and then back up the the right rpm

Filed May 9, 2023 · Steering, Transmission · 152,000 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2023 · Transmission · CO

The torque converter was failing in my 07 escape. When I switched gears from park to drive or reverse the car would shake and sometimes stall out. Or if I had to stop at a stop sign or traffic signal while in drive the same issues would happen. The old torque converter is not available for inspection unfortunately because I gave it back to autozone to get the core charge money back. But when we installed the new torque converter it completely solved the issues and the transmission is running great again. It put myself and my passengers at risk since my car would completely turn off at traffic lights sometimes. This problem has been reproduced by others and I actually found out the torque converter was the issue by finding a technical service bulletin (TSB 07-5-6) so I know other shops have discovered this issue. There were no warning lights or anything and no parts were inspected by others. I completed the whole replacement.

Filed Feb 28, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · 195,000 miles · MO

The contact's mother owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and decelerated to 40-45 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's brother depressed the accelerator pedal however, the pedal felt soft and remained on the floorboard. The contact's brother veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, he was able to continue to drive; however, the failure reoccurred while exiting the highway. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to go into gear while attempting to shift into drive and depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle would start but would not move. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

Filed Feb 14, 2022 · Transmission · CA

This Escape is an AWD Hybrid. When driving in slippery snow, sand, ice, etc., the front wheels spin, but there is no power transmitted to the rear wheels, causing serious control and traction problems. An "all-wheel-drive-locked" signal appears on the info display, followed instantly by "AWD disabled". After a while (a couple minutes), the system then comes back and says "Automatic AWD restored". Which is simply not true—AWD never engages, but a driver going into a snowstorm or other difficult situation has no way of knowing this until it's too late. Problem was diagnosed by a good mechanic as a faulty transfer case—a very common problem in 2002—2011 AWD Ford Escapes. There is a serious design problem—the transfer case is too close to the exhaust, which cooks the internal lubricant, causes it to leak out completely, and kills the bearings inside the case. There are many cases on forums of this problem causing locked wheels at speed, sudden lack of drive on highways, etc. Not to mention the problem (as in my case) of drivers entering dangerous driving situations where they are counting on AWD for safe driving, but having just front wheel drive, with absolutely no warning from the car. I have no idea why this has not resulted in a. recall so far, but it is an serious, obvious (and worsening) safety issue. Parts and labor cost will be over $1000. Dissection of fragged transfer cases destroyed by this problem is easily available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yLkr609bfI

Filed Nov 28, 2020 · Transmission · 110,500 miles · MI

While driving escape at approx 70mph the overdrive sensor ses light came on and engine was making a whining noise. Stopped and borrowed a scan tool from a local garage we know. Codes p0741 and p1744 for tcc were found. Drove home approx 40 miles. Escape was shifting poorly after exiting expressway. Limped vehicle home. Next day 11/14/2020 attempted to take escape to mechanic. Escape had total transmission failure after about 5 minutes. Odometer reads approx 110,500 miles escape was towed to accurate transmission in bellevue, mi for possible repair. Diagnosis was that the vehicle needed a total rebuild of the transmission for $2900. Heard that some ford escapes were recalled for transmission issues and wondered about 2007 ford escape issues.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Transmission · 60,700 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 ford escape. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 40 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was 60,700.

Filed Dec 29, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 140,000 miles · WI

When I'm driving my vehicle & making left turns it makes a loud noise. To me it sounds like the transmission just fell out. I'm enclosing some documents of recalls that I've found. My truck is also rusting out so bad that when I put my grandson in his car seat, the legs of my pants get caught on it.

Questions about the 2007 Ford Escape transmission

Does the 2007 Ford Escape have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 44 complaints about the transmission of the 2007 Ford Escape, 17% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2007 Ford Escape transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 74,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2007 Ford Escape transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 15V606000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Escape have bad transmission?

The Ford Escape model years with the most transmission complaints are 2010 (508 complaints), 2014 (481 complaints) and 2013 (401 complaints).

Other 2007 Ford Escape problems

Brakes 48Acceleration 40Engine 31Electrical 30Fuel system 23Suspension 19Body 18Steering 15Airbags 12Visibility 11Tires 8Driver assistance 7Seat belts 7Wheels 6Locks 3Lights 1Seats 1

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