2015 Ford Escape: whining or grinding noise

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Steering, Transmission · 132,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly started to decelerate even though the RPM was extremely elevated. There was a high-pitched whine coming from the vehicle, and the tires screeched before the vehicle came to an abrupt stop, ceasing all functions. The contact turned off the vehicle in the middle of the interstate because the vehicle could not be moved to the shoulder. A passerby assisted with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road using a push bar. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was restarted, and the message “Transmission Fault - Service Immediately” was displayed, followed by the check engine warning light becoming illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NC

Vehicle Information: 2015 Ford Escape – approximately 165,000 miles Incident Description: During normal operation while backing out of a parking space, the vehicle unexpectedly slipped out of the drive gear immediately after I shifted from reverse to drive. There were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms indicating a potential issue. After restarting the vehicle, it briefly engaged drive but was only able to travel approximately ten feet before abruptly shifting through multiple gears without any driver input. During each occurrence, the engine surged to unusually high RPMs despite no acceleration being applied. Safety Concerns: The unintended gear changes were accompanied by loud whining noises, and the vehicle was unable to remain in any gear long enough to be operated safely. This failure left the vehicle immobilized on a main roadway, causing a traffic backup and creating a hazardous situation for myself, my children, and surrounding motorists. Current Vehicle Condition: After the vehicle was towed home, I attempted several restarts. At no time did any warning indicators or a check‑engine light illuminate. Each attempt resulted in the transmission immediately disengaging from gear when shifted into either drive or reverse, accompanied by continued loud whining noises and repeated engine surging to high RPMs without throttle input. The vehicle is currently inoperable. Additional Details: I plan to take the vehicle to Keith Hawthorne Ford for diagnostic evaluation. I am concerned that this failure may be related to a previously repaired transmission recall, as the recall documentation states that the defect may recur and could require additional corrective action. The dealership is currently requiring a diagnostic fee of $199.95 to inspect the vehicle.

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · 110,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. Additionally, there was a whining sound coming from the engine compartment while attempting to accelerate and the vehicle was jerking and vibrating abnormally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 118,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, while driving or while reversing from a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormally loud whining sound. Additionally, the contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle temporarily responded as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle then jerked, lost motive power, and failed to exceed 2-3 MPH. The malfunction warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Passenger Air Bag Off" was displayed while the front passenger's seat was occupied. The contact stated that the failure recurred while her son was test-driving the vehicle. The contact's son was able to check the transmission fluid level and confirmed that no issue was found. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Mar 6, 2023 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH uphill, the RPM revved up and dropped. The vehicle made an abnormal whining sound. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPMs revved to approximately 4,000-5,000 RPM and the vehicle hesitated to respond while accelerating. The contact stated that the vehicle was not shifting properly. The contact continued to depress the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist, Tigard Transmission Center, where the transmission was replaced at the contact’s expense. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 ford escape. The contact stated while driving the vehicle started whining, then lost most of power and shifted by self into neutral gear on transmission and came to complete stop (not the inside of vehicle shifter) and would’t drive. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated at this time. Contact then put vehicle into neutral via shifter and gave vehicle some gas and then put vehicle in drive position and shifted hard with a big thump but then drove for few moments while turning at a light but wouldn’t engage past 1st gear. At that time the warning light finally appeared and began flashing faulty transmission and automatically shifted back into neautral gear and stopped. Again contact placed vehicle into neutral gear, gave some gas and put back into drive position and again transmission shifted with another thump into gear but still not past 1st gear. Contact was within couple blocks from home so safely repeating prior steps got vehicle home safely. Vehicle had been maintain and all fluid levels and indicators were up to date. Contact had her husband check vehicle and drained and changed the transmission fluid. Fluid was clean and no foreign particles or metal in fluid. Test drove vehicle around block and whining was still there and then would only drive forward and not reverse. Contact then had vehicle towed to tuttle-click ford lincoln (43 auto center dr, irvine, ca 92618) for a diagnostic check. Even the tow driver stated he had just recently towed several others due to the same issue. Contact was told by ford dealership that transmission check and maintanence is 120k miles on these vehicles. It was diagnosed with the halfshaft center bearing completely worn, retainer tight but since bearing is worn, halfshaft slides out of trans. That could explain no engagement if halfshaft slid out. Torque could not be transferred to other axle due to traction control not allowing one to spin more than the other. Dealership recommended first replace halfshaft, then maybe address trans