2010 Ford Escape: complete transmission failure

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Body, Brakes · CA

concerns regarding my 2010 Ford Escape. Within thirty (30) days of purchase, the transmission completely failed, rendering the vehicle inoperable. Additionally, upon further inspection, it was discovered that the entire underbody of the vehicle is severely rusted and corroded. This corrosion appears extensive enough to compromise the structural integrity of the frame and essential safety components. While operating the vehicle prior to transmission failure, I also experienced significant shaking and vibration during both driving and braking. These issues raise major safety concerns, as they could indicate underlying brake, suspension, or frame instability. Given the combination of a failed transmission, extensive underbody rust, and unsafe driving behavior, I believe this vehicle may present a serious risk to myself and others on the road. These types of defects and corrosion levels are unusual for a vehicle of this make and model and could point to a broader safety or manufacturing issue. I am requesting that Ford review this matter urgently and provide direction on possible inspection, repair, or compensation options. I am more than willing to provide documentation, photos, or mechanic reports to assist in your evaluation. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. I look forward to your prompt response regarding next steps.

Filed Apr 10, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · 37,000 miles · NY

First I notice the car just drop gears and nearly stop on the off ramp of the highway. Second time I tried to reverse and it would not move and I had to call a tow truck to take it to the garage. Ford told me it needed a new transmission. Ford dealership wanted to charge me over $ 5000 for the job. I winded up going to a lee myles that charge cost to $ 4000 for the repairs it had done. Now few months later and the vehicle is shaking upon start up and idiling. Whenever I drive the car it feels like its jerks slightly when going at higher speeds. Changed out the air filter, rebuilt transmission and still having problem after problems with this 2010 ford escape.

Filed Jun 13, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 50,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that the transmission failed to handle rapid acceleration when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The transmission remained in a higher gear despite the driver decelerating and the vehicle surged to a high rate of speed, which increased the risk of a crash. The contact heard an abnormal noise, the transmission was hesitant, and the vehicle lunged forward without warning. The contact had to drive in first gear (less than 25 MPH) because of the failure. Dewey moore ford (143 tx-49, hughes springs, tx 75656, (903) 639-2516) diagnosed that the transmission assembly needed to be replaced and no transmission recalls were issued for this year, make, and model vehicle. The manufacturer issued nine technical service bulletins regarding the power train. The manufacturer was notified and stated that this year and model vehicle was not included in a recall campaign. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2018 · Transmission · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that the transmission failed to function properly. The dealer (jack metzer ford-lincoln, 1857 montour blvd, danville, pa 17821, (888) 494-7059) was contacted. An independent mechanic was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The power train warning indicator flashed. The manufacturer issued one recall for the power train and nine tsbs for the power train; however, the contact was uncertain of a permanent remedy and was waiting on a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Oct 29, 2017 · Transmission · 41,590 miles · CA

Our 2010 dord escape's transmission failed in october, 2017 with only 41590 miles on the vehicle wile moving on city streets. Replacement of the transmission was required costing us .$4,848.22.

Filed Oct 10, 2016 · Transmission · 47,774 miles · PA

Transmission - center support snap ring failure at 47,774 miles on vehicle. While parked attempting to shift from "park" to "drive" very loud clunking sound under vehicle at shifter/center console. Vehicle was inspected 8/2016 all fluids topped off at dealer. A few days ago heard loud clunking sound - checked transmission fluid "none" completely empty (no leaking on ground) filled transmission fluid - same sound - immediately took to dealer. Dealer advised center support snap ring failed - instructed me to call ford directly reference "ford special service message #22547" as this is a "known defect with this vehicle". Called ford directly - case number was opened but no offer to assist with transmission replacement. Dealer quoted $4,500 to replace transmission $2,600 for repair (repair is only guaranteed for 2 years) replacement is guaranteed for 3 years. Thanks for nothing ford!

Filed Nov 27, 2015 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · KS

While in motion at highway speeds the car jolted and the engine provided no power the the wheels and the wrench light illuminated. After a small amount of time the car jolted again and power was restored to the wheels. When car finally stopped and turned off and back on again reverse would not work. After taking the car in to a ford service station, the transmission was found to be stuck in fifth gear and chunks of the transmission were found inside of the transmission fluid which resulted in the need for a new transmission..

Filed Apr 13, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 85,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and the speed decreased to 40 MPH. The vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to steer the vehicle, but was able to pump the brakes and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was determined that the gears in the transmission had been stripped. The check engine light, oil light, and battery light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the dealer previously changed the fuel gasket twice, but that did not correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer who determined that the transmission failed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact spoke with the manufacturer in regards to a newsletter regarding replacing the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM under investigation pe13003. The manufacturer stated that the dealer did not feel the repair was warranted and the manufacturer declined to pay for the repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · FL

I went to stop at the light and SUV jerked and shook. Sounded like bottom fell out of SUV. Pulled into parking lot. Suv running but when putting foot on gas nothing would happen, no matter what gear. Took it to repair shop and they said throttle body bad. This is the 2nd part that is defective on the 2010 ford escape!!! Replaced transmission at 60,500 miles (got ripped off when ford would not warranty)!

Filed Sep 23, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 88,000 miles · TX

This occurred while driving back from work, I bought the vehicle used and it passed inspection from the ford dealership. I have owned vehicle for almost 5 months when this failure occurred. The symptoms that I experienced were loss of power while accelerating and engine automatically goes into "limp mode" (engine ecu protection protocol so no more damage would be done to the engine) I noticed that the orange wrench light came on in the dashboard, so I took the vehicle to a another ford dealership and I explained what happened, right of the bat the woman behind the counter said it was a transmission failure (without even looking at the vehicle) so I became suspicious. I took the vehicle to another ford dealership and I got a hold of the actual mechanic and right away he said it was the throttle body, out of good faith he advise that I can change that part myself without having to pay ford for them to fix. The estimate for getting it fixed through the dealership was close to $600 +tax, when the part itself cost only around $200 +tax. I bought the part from the dealership and changed it, ever since that fix my vehicle is running even better than before. The man behind the counter that gave me the part mentioned that many people are having this issue and that usually changing the throttle body fixes the issue, he also mentioned that if a recall is to be made to just bring back the defective part and the proof of purchase in order to get my money back. Ford should just stop denying this issue and just admit that the issue was never fully fixed.

Filed Jul 30, 2013 · Transmission · 60,800 miles · WA

Shifted hard in to gear while driving. Loud shift sounded like transmission blew. Turned off engine and back on and it drove fine for 3 days until started it up one morning and it idled really low like it was going to shut off. Turned it off and back on and ran fine again for 2 days until the hard shift happened again. Shop says its the throttle body and that's the one part my warranty won't cover.

Filed Feb 27, 2013 · Acceleration · 46,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerked and then the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 46,000. Updated 4/1/13 *cn after the vehicle jerkes, the consumer stated he speed was 3 MPH. The incident also occurred while drivng 15-20 MPH.