2014 Ford Escape: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Transmission · VA

When I was about to park, the transmission failed. I couldn’t reverse, and it got stuck in Neutral. I wasn’t able to shift it into Park. When the mechanic came, he said the shifter cable bushing was faulty, which was exactly the part covered by the recall they had previously done.

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · Engine · IN

I have had problems with coolant leaks, coolant sensor, valve gaskets and coolant intrusion in my engine. The coolant reservoir was replaced at 36,580 miles on 07/13/17. The coolant sensor recall was completed at 37,315 miles on 07/31/17. The coolant overflow line was was replaced at 66,910 miles on 01/14/22. The coolant light came on and coolant was added at 69,882 miles on 02/16/23. There was a coolant leak and the valve cover gaskets replaced at 76,910 MILES ON 01/23/25. The engine started surging and the coolant light came one. The ignition coil was replaced and the sensor light was adjusted at 78,709 miles on 09/05/25. The sensor light came back on the next day. I went into the dealership 3 different times to tell them there had to be a leak. Since they assured me that it was just the sensor and I had no leak, they did not give me another appointment to check it out. On 12/04/25 a message came on that said it was overheating and to park the car immediately. It then went into limp mode. I was given an appointment on 12/10/25 and I had the car towed in. At 80,158 miles the dealership informed me that there was coolant intrusion in the engine and the cylinders and the car would need a new engine.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · FL

1. The transmission has continuously slipped and stuck in gears when significantly outside of standard RPM:Speed standards for the vehicle. 2. The vehicle has recently started leaking oil via a lower pressure valve. 3. The engine thermostat and/or sensor need to be replaced with faulty internal temperatures being registered. 4. The rear collision warning and camera system started malfunctioning after an update that happened middle of 2024. The camera won't work at all approximately 50% of the time. 5. The brake issues haven't been fully diagnosed, but I'm aware of the model year/series of vehicle having several faulty components that could have a hand in the weakened braking. 6. I recently had AAA come diagnose the vehicle (reference the photos provided). My objective is to have my vehicle included in the widespread recalls that were released for my car model, year, and overall series. For some reason my VIN in registering as a vehicle that qualifies for the recalls but seems to have the exact same issues. I'm more than happy to take part in an investigation and or third-party inspection to expedite the process as well. I've also included the reports I've found when searching for the 2014 Ford Escape recall/repair list (via your website and others).

Filed Feb 10, 2025 · Engine · NY

while driving on a busy road, the vehicle went into LIMP mode and would not move forward, the coolant was below the sensor and the vehicle said it would over heat, the block leaks coolant into the engine cylinder and there is no fix for this but to replace entire engine as per dealer. I was almost hit from the rear from traffic. the car had to be pushed into our driveway via a police car bump guard. the dealer could not find where the coolant was going too.

Filed Jan 28, 2025 · Engine · 120,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the LIMP Mode warning light illuminated and indicated to stop the vehicle. In addition, the low coolant level warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of coolant; however, there was no visual indication of a coolant leak. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed heater hose. The contact was informed that the heater hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the engine was replaced in August 2023 due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Engine · 98,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure persisted with the message that the engine was overheating before the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions where the spark plugs and other engine repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MA

I have maintained my vehicle as I always have with previous autos in the past. In 11/22 I had to replace the transmission, which left me 6k+ in debt. My auto is now seemingly going into limp mode for no reason whatsoever and just shutting off while driving. This almost caused an accident, there was NO forewarning of any mechanical issues prior to it doing this. The check engine light came on, rpm’s declined, tried to move to side of the road by pressing gas pedal with no acceleration. Shut car off, called a tow truck mechanic could not diagnose any problem. Since this first incident it has happened almost everytime I’ve driven it. This last time left me and my dog on side of road, unable to move to safe place due to no acceleration with gas pedal. My car is now leaking oil once parked, there’s oil all over hood and internal parts of car, auto is now spuddering with intermittent bursts of power. I’ve never had as many issues with a vehicle as I have with my ‘14 Ford escape ecoboost titanium suv. Upon researching common problems with this year and make this is a MAJOR COMMON ISSUE. For an auto to be “known” for these mechanical issues, these should be ALL covered by the manufacturer!! Transmission is a known issue, the deacceleration and oil leak issue once this issue starts are all known issues. Every mechanic I’ve either brought it to or discussed my issues tell me the same thing, “ oh yeah, that year is known for these issues” so what does one do, when they can’t afford a new vehicle , they owe more on the car due to the repairs? I’ve also needed to replace minimum of 5 headlight bulbs and tail light bulbs within the last 6 months. That’s not normal. Please advise

Filed Jan 23, 2024 · Transmission · NC

With no warning or indication the car would not go into gear. When put in reverse the car went forward. The car then bucked and the wheels kept spinning. I shut the car off and turned it back on. I had my children in the car. I was able to drive up the road and then the car made some crazy noises and would no longer accelerate. The car then indicated it needed to be serviced due to the transmission. No warning. No indication. Just died. I got this car a month ago.

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Engine · 153,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving uphill at 35–45 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the tailpipe. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode and lost motive power. The engine temperature rose to a HOT level. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer off the roadway. The contact stated who is an independent mechanic completed a diagnostic test and indicated that there were codes for the cylinder head, overheating, and cam position sensor fault. There was coolant entering the cylinder head and exiting through the tailpipe. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about a software program and referred the contact to the local dealer and the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2023 · Engine · MD

I purchased this vehicle used in 2017. I’ve had no issues until this year with coolant level problems. Every time the car went in limp mode, coolant had to be added several times. I went online to see if my car had any recent non-repaired recalls-there were none. However, I did find that there was a recall-#17S09-which is a coolant issue. Went to Preston Ford in MD who told me I need a $10,000 new motor because coolant is leaking in cylinder 4. If the coolant problem was repaired prior to me purchasing the car, why am I now having a coolant problem. I don’t think I should be responsible for any repairs to correct this problem. Please let me know what my next steps should be in situation. Thank you!

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Engine · MI

My car began to overheat and enter limp mode, when diagnosed the codes that appeared correlated directly with a safety recall issued in 2017. I brought my car to ford 2x to have them service the recall. I was given my car back, with the check engine light on and still overheating.i went to another dealership, who diagnosed my car again and I paid 712$ for a “water outlet connector “ and this did not resolve the issue. Ford decided to keep the car for 2 months, unable to diagnose the issue, they kept dropping it off to me and it would overheat… they towed it 2x back to the dealership for overheating after they drove 100+ miles on it. Instead of fixing the issue, they kept telling me it was not overheating and dropped it off to me with the check engine light on, the same codes, and overheating… stopping abruptly at high speeds. I brought it back to ford after it cut power at 50 mph with my daughter in it… Now I am being told, I have a cracked cylinder head and the recalled part has nothing to do with the cracked cylinder head … which was not cracked prior too all the repairs done. I was not informed that it was cracked, until November 6 2023. My car has been serviced since July 21st 2023. A cracked cylinder head, is a direct result of a faulty recalled part… which ford replaced a coolant level sensor and stand pipe to prevent this issue. It is not resolved. The estimated the repair at 5800$ and failed to give me any invoices. Refusing to work on my vehicle.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Steering · NE

Powering steering assist fault. Loss of steering and car went into limp mode and needed to try to pull over immediately. I have reported this issue several. Times. Ford has not been able to fix this issue. This car is not safe to drive. Please hold Ford accountable before someone gets severely injured or dies in a car crash from this known problem with the steering issues.