2014 Ford Escape: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine · 104,353 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine light and low coolant warning light were illuminated. Upon checking the coolant level, the contact discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle; however, the coolant disappeared and gushed back into the reservoir. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start and chugged, with a white sweet-smelling smoke coming from the tailpipe while idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased, and the contact inquired about a free diagnostic test, but the dealer denied assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,353.

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Engine · OR

Vehicle hesitates when shifting mainly from secon to third gear and hesitates to accelerate. The rpms go up but not going any faster and then jerks. If I was to try and pull out onto a highway there is no way the car will accelerate fast enough. Took it to the dealer to see if they could check a previous recall item to see if it was maybe defective and they would not look at it unless I paid 220 dollars for a diagnostics even though the recall was for the transmission shifting cable bushing. This has been happening since I bought the car about a year ago which wa previously owned by an elderly person that got it from the dealer with 35000 miles on it and it now only has 50000 miles on it and the dealer could not tell me what else was fixed on the car. I have read about the same issues with tje same transmission that I have amd the dealer does nothing to help. It is the 6f35 transmission. There are no warning lights on and no codes popping up. The transmission fluid has been changed and was not dirty along with the filter. I am afraid that when I go to accelerate my car will not go fast enough and hesitate and possibly cause an accident. I have read many of the same complaints about this vehicles transmission had I known about them before I got the vehicle I would not have bought it as the dealership is not helpful at all. This happens everytime I drive the vehicle especially going from a complete stop to going.

Filed May 30, 2025 · Transmission · 129,000 miles · NE

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and jerked, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an oil leak. However, the source of the oil leak was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that recently while the vehicle was being repaired, the dealer found an oil leak by the rear turbo and diagnosed that the solenoid valve was damaged and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (POWER TRAIN), and the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not repaired a second time because the VIN was no longer under recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2025 · Engine · 63,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cylinder head was cracked, the spark plugs were seized, and there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Engine · 110,000 miles · CO

The contact's wife owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start after several attempts. The message "Low Coolant" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into an unknown engine cylinder, which damaged the engine's long block. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2024 · Engine · 130,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was sputtering and hesitating. The contact stated that the failure also occurred during start-up. The message low coolant level was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket had failed, and there was a fracture in the engine and there was a coolant and exhaust odor. The contact was informed that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jun 28, 2024 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle briefly jerked and hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed May 28, 2024 · Locks · 153,066 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Check Transmission" message was displayed, and the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact was on the way to the dealer and heard an abnormal sound and saw black liquid coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle driven to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that soon after the failure, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel displayed an error message "Engine Overheating” and the fuel tank failed to function as need. The message “Turn OFF Engine" prior to the engine overheating. The contact stated that the temperature gauge was extremely elevated, and the vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 8, 2024 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake without warning. The contact also stated that the coolant needed to be frequently replenished. The failure persisted and the contact stated that the vehicle was starting to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that coolant was leaking into one of the cylinders. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to decelerate and failed to exceed 70 MPH. The transmission service required message was displayed. The contact stated while shifting gear, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2024 · Engine · WY

The vehicle engine block has a weak spot in which it has allowed coolant to leak into the number 3 cylinder and thus ruining the engine as my local ford dealer (Greiner Ford. Casper, Wyoming) confirmed. Apparently it's a known issue with ford and they won't do anything to fix it. A check engine light came on and the car started having a bunch of hesitation which led me to the dealership. The issue runs the risk of fire which could cause bodily injury to me and also causes me to be without a vehicle even though I'm currently making payments on it.

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was initially discovered there was a leak in the expansion tank as well as a defective thermostat. The contact stated that both parts were replaced. Despite the repair, the contact continued to experience failure with the check engine warning light displayed on the instrument panel and an abnormal burning odor was coming from the vehicle. After several visits to the dealer, it was discovered that coolant had leaked into one of the engine cylinders. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.