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2015 Ford Escape transmission problems

287 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
287
of this car's complaints
25%
typical mileage
94,000
crashes
4
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    11
  • Automatic transmission: internal: bearings/bushings
    2
  • Shift linkage/cable/rod
    1
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    1
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
    1
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
    1
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    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 2015 Ford Escape transmission

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

Transmission failure 83Jerking 33Hesitation 31Won't shift 18Slipping 16Shudder 15Harsh shifting 10Whining noise 6

Related recalls

Power train: shift linkage/cable/rodReported June 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Recall number 22V413000 · Recall details

Power train: shift linkage/cable/rodReported April 14, 2022 · 96,015 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.

Recall number 22V254000 · Recall details

What 2015 Ford Escape owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Transmission · MI

I replaced my transmission around 156000 miles the repair shop replaced my transmission with a brand new transmission from a ford dealer. Less than 6000 miles on my new transmission it needed to be replaced again. My transmission is having issues again with less then 20000 miles on the second transmission.

Filed Sep 12, 2026 · Transmission · NM

I visited the dealership for a shift bushing recall service. When I checked the car after leaving, I noticed that a required part of the repair, the white cap shown in the official documentation, was missing. When I returned to let them know the job wasn't done right, the staff insisted it was done correctly. However, under Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V‑254, that cap is required to be installed.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the transmission shifting from second to third gear, the vehicle was jerking, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the coolant level was low. The vehicle became inoperable when the engine temperature became overheated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

Dash board panel comes on when you turn on the car, but once you put it in drive it automatically shuts off accept the rpm gauge, car goes into limp mode when driving and causes it to not allow any acceleration or movement of vehicle.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Transmission · FL

When car in parking spot (running or started after overnight parked); when put into reverse nothing happens. Backed into a slot today; had to pull forward and redo; but when put into reverse nothing happened. Would, when in drive, go forward but not in reverse. Drove a couple 100 feet and tried reverse again - worked. Six months earlier when parked after starting and putting into reverse same issue happened. Finally got into reverse and took to garage. Could not repeat it at that time.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Transmission · KY

The gear shifter cable became detached from it’s mount located under the air filter in the engine bay and stranded the driver at a gas station after she turned off the vehicle until she was able to use the gear release to shift the car into neutral and start the car. After arriving to her destination the vehicle would not shift into park or reverse even with use of the gear release. This can put the driver at risk in the event the car rolls away when it’s indicated to be parked or when needing to shift the car to reverse out of parking spots or out the way of incoming traffic or hazards. This vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, dealer or police. A dealer was contacted about recalls for this problem and one did not exist for this VIN regarding the gear shifter cable, however there are existing recalls for this same issue for Ford Escapes made from 2013-2019. This is a 2015 Ford Escape.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 111,400 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape SE. The contact stated that while idle at a stop light with the left-turn signal on, the vehicle started to jerk, and loud noises were coming from the front end of the vehicle. The Check Engine light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to move. The Fire Department arrived and assisted the contact with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic at Precision Auto Shop, who diagnosed that the coolant was leaking. After further inspection, the dealer also diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,400.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Transmission · OH

Transmission rides rough at speeds between 40 to 45 mph when driving in automatic. When in sport/manual shift you must stay in 4th gear. When going those speeds in automatic, it shifts into 5th and makes it a rough ride. I just thought it was cause of winter but not the case.

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Took care & kept up with car maintenance quite regularly, including oil and transmission fluid drain & fills. No signs of any issues. Going uphill and suddenly transmission starts slipping and pump is suddenly whirring loud. No urgent lights or dash messages. Drove it a little further (i was already super close to my destination) and within a minute the car is violently jerking. Loud metal bangs and clank sounds and lost power. RPMs up but can’t get into gear. It will jerk & move by itself at idle because can’t stay in park either. Still no warning message. Got it towed—dealership found NO transmission codes, but found one code, p0219, engine over speed; most likely from the RPMs spiking due to the slippage. The trans fluid level was ok but it was black and burnt, despite being serviced months ago. They confirmed it will need a total replacement transmission.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Transmission · WA

Transmission failure in traffic. Just stopped engaging the gears. Transmission has failed and needs to be replaced.

Questions about the 2015 Ford Escape transmission

Does the 2015 Ford Escape have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 287 complaints about the transmission of the 2015 Ford Escape, 25% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2015 Ford Escape transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2015 Ford Escape transmission?

Yes, 2 recalls: 22V413000, 22V254000. 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 2015 Ford Escape problems

Engine 273Driver assistance 192Electrical 137Steering 81Fuel system 57Body 36Locks 29Brakes 26Wheels 25Visibility 21Airbags 17Acceleration 14Seat belts 14Lights 13Suspension 13Seats 6Tires 5

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