2016 Ford Escape: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Transmission · OR

I was driving home on se stark to go to 60 uh then turn into burnside I was going 30 Mph per speed limit then all the sudden it jerked and slowed down very unsafe when the transmission just went slow and I had no warning or light never came on to say need transmission service. This was mind boggling then I had it towed to the shop and apparently I need a whole replacement for transmission and I’m at 165 k I do maintance and everything .. I know there was a recall abt the power train in 2022 however but I don’t know if it still active bec I am the second owner of this car

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · 150,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V695000(BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure listed in the recall. Also, while operating the vehicle the steering wheel had experience severe jerking making the vehicle difficult to steer and control. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in a drive-through and attempting to shift into drive to move forward, the transmission remained in neutral, causing the vehicle to jerk. The contact was able to roll into a nearby parking space, and the vehicle came to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that if the transmission was repaired, it would have a lifespan of 3 years. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer opened a case for the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the message "Transmission Fault" was displayed once. Additionally, the contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed and shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated and jerked forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced; however, the vehicle hesitated to shift into gears while driving. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000(Power Train), which the contact related to the failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed May 30, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 54,500 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while shifting gear and the vehicle jerked abnormally. In addition, the contact noticed a grinding sound and a burning odor coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure began shortly after the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The contact was provided an option to trade the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over camera system displayed a black screen and became disabled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic regarding the back over camera system failure and the vehicle was diagnosed with an electrical systems failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,500.

Filed May 6, 2025 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Transmission · WI

Transmission failure. Had to have the transmission repaired at 132,000 miles. Had idle issues and inconsistent speed while driving on the road, constant jerking causing me to lose speed while driving. Check engine light illumination was on but this is not always a tell-tell sign of the transmission failure in these vehicles.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Transmission · VA

I was driving down the road with my wife and friends when my vehicle started to lose forward power. It then started to jerk. i was able to make it off the road where I then turned the vehicle off and restarted it then began to drive again it did not make it much further before completely being unable to drive. There was no transmission light on. I was on the interstate just minutes before and if had happened while i was driving there I would have been stranded and in an unsafe situation. I had it towed to a shop and they told me a part of the transmission must have broke inside and ot would need to be replaced. I then took it to a transmission shop and they said the same thing. My car is available for inspection. I did not get it inspected by the manufacturer or anyone else besides those two shops. The problem has been reproduced. Once the engine raches a certain temperature the transmission stops working while the transmission does work it only drive 18mph before giving out. Last time I drove it home it abruptly stopped and jerked. The transmission light only comes on once the car stops moving.

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · VA

While operating my 2016 Ford Escape, I received a "Transmission Fault Service Now" warning on the dashboard display. It stayed on my dashboard for few minutes then disapeared. The vehicle suddenly jerked and became immobile, leaving me stranded in the middle of the street for approximately 5 hours, creating a significant safety hazard for both myself and other drivers. The vehicle's RPMs would increase but the car would not move forward properly. The transmission would only allow minimal movement immediately after starting the vehicle. A certified repair shop has diagnosed internal transmission damage. Similar transmission issues have been the subject of recalls for other Ford Escape vehicles, but my 2016 model year was not included after providing my vin despite exhibiting the same dangerous failure pattern. The transmission is available for inspection in Virginia Beach, VA. If needed, I can provide address details. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle jerked abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2024 · Brakes · 120,022 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the traction control and brake warning lights were illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,022.

Filed Jun 5, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 114,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and chugging significantly. Additionally, the transmission was slipping between gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the engine was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward. The contact also stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond while the engine was revving. The contact stated that he continuously depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.