2017 Ford Escape: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Electrical · CO

While driving on the highway at speed of 65-70 mph, there was a loud and felt "clunk" and immediate loss of power. Dashboard screen said "faulty engine service immediately" and warning bells came on. Frightened, I immediately pulled over in the shouldee of the highway and turned off ignition. When I turned the car back on, dashboard read same faulty engine message, then started to go through a diagnostics in which it reported sensors not functioning (parking sensors). Vehicle was able to be started after this incident and drove fine afterward. This was not the first time this Vehicle has had electrical issues. It has been known to have intermittent start up issues where the engine would not turn on but only the lights and accessories will come on. After some varying amount of reattemtps to turn on car, the dashboard screen will go through same messages: "fauly engine" and go through sensors not found or working etc. After these messages appear, then the car is able to start normally. I have taken this car in to 2 different Ford dealerships, 1 Buick/GMC dealership, and 2-3 independent auto shops, all of which cannot get the vehicle to replicate the issue enough times for them to diagnose the car. It does not store any codes to pinpoint the issue. The vehicle has been in and out of shops for a total of 4-6 weeks now with no answers. Now, it did this while driving on the highway! I am fortunate it did not cause a crash, but I am scared to death to drive it on the highway again. I dont know what to do because my job requires a lot of driving, especially on the highway. I do not want to get in an accident if this happens again or becomes worse the next time. There are no warning sounds, lights or medsages before it happens. Plus I owe way more on it than the car is worth, so selling it is not really an option. Please help.

Filed May 13, 2026 · OH

The Ford Escape 2017 experienced a transmission malfunction involving delayed shifting, sudden jerking during operation, and difficulty shifting gears properly. Unusual noises were also coming from the transmission, along with ongoing symptoms indicating a clear mechanical and technical defect. This defect placed the driver, passengers, and other motorists at risk, especially during acceleration or while merging onto highways, due to the vehicle’s delayed response and the possibility of sudden loss of control or unexpected stopping while driving. Prior to the complete failure, several warning signs and recurring symptoms appeared, including vehicle jerking during driving, delayed or rough shifting, abnormal transmission noises, and in some cases the illumination of the Check Engine warning light. These symptoms began gradually before the problem significantly worsened.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Transmission · MI

When driving the car suddenly stopped and made a loud clunk noise. Unable to get car to move when pressing gas petal. I had to call Police to get car out of busy road. Had car towed to Dorian Ford (where car was purchased) . Car was inspected to investigate problem. Was told "luck of the draw "that the transmission failed. Car has always been services at Dorian Ford with recommended maintenance and oil changes completed. This resulted in Dorian saying transmission had to be replaced at the cost of $7238.22. The car only had 82,608 miles on it.

Filed May 23, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 85,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. Additionally, while shifting from fourth to fifth gear, there was a violent clunk coming from the transmission. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who test-drove the vehicle for an hour but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the failure persisted. While the contact’s wife was driving, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head had fractured, and coolant was leaking into the engine. The dealer recommended that the engine and transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Engine · 88,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a hard shift in the transmission when accelerating and decelerating. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally while being started. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust system. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and there was a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that there was coolant leaking into the spark plugs, causing the spark plugs to fuse inside the cylinder. The spark plugs were removed, and it was determined that there was coolant inside cylinder #3 and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2025 · Engine · 78,000 miles · SD

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced hard shifting and shuddering, with a pinging sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the manufacturer's Extended Warranty coverage for the engine failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Steering · WA

Steering rack and pinion failure, should not be happening at this low of miles and have read of similar cases with ford's rack and pinion of this style. Pulls hard to other lanes and almost causing accident or crash, extremely unsafe. You can hear it now when car is in park (or moving) and you turn to the right. I have additional video of popping, clunking and grinding noise coming from rack and pinion. I cannot drive safely until this is fixed.

Filed May 31, 2024 · Transmission · CO

I was driving to work, and I reversed out of my driveway. I stopped, put the transmission in Drive, and proceeded forward. I let my foot off of the accelerator, and the transmission slipped and the car lurched and made a "thunk" noise. I stopped, and then accelerated again. After about 10 minutes of driving (while stopping and going at several stoplights), I was driving at 45 mph. The engine suddenly started revving past 4000 RPM, and the car would not accelerate forward anymore. I let my foot off the accelerator, then pressed on it again. The engine again revved with no forward movement, and several clunking and grinding noises. I was fortunately able to pull over on the shoulder of the road. I put the vehicle in park, then drive again. It would not move. After turning the car off and on again, and putting the transmission in drive, it clunked loudly and lurched forward. I was able to drive another 1/4 mile slowly, and pull into a parking lot. After that, the car would not move in forward or reverse gear. It was towed to the dealership on May 15, and has been there evere since. I am submitting this due to the Ford Motor Corporation's awareness of the issues with the transmissions on these vehicles, and the safety risk that they pose. I was lucky that there was a place to safely pull off of the road and move the vehicle to a parking spot.

Filed May 21, 2023 · Engine · TN

February 2023 When starting was running a little rough, check engine light came on. #1 miss fire, took car to Beachaven Auto Care, changed spark plugs, air filter, fuel induction kit was used.(42397 miles) When I got the car home noticed anti-freeze was low, topped it off. March 21, 2023, 836 miles later same problem, anti-freeze was low again. (43235 miles) Remove and replace engine ($7060.24) and they also replaced stabilizer bar link kit (bad bushings). I had the Extended car warranty. When leaving with car heard clunk sound coming from right front. Went back to Beachaven could not duplicate, they checked everything no issues. Got worse the more I drove. Decided to take to Ford at the end of April, appointment May 30th. Safety risk: engine failure while driving. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? engine failure, core sent back after replacement. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? unkown

Filed Oct 25, 2022 · Transmission · OH

Transmission Torque Converter failure at low speed, in traffic . could not get off of road , until towed. to Ford dealer service garage. Yes this problem has been identified at Donnell ,Ford Service garage in Salem ,Ohio. They had 3 more of these failures towed in the same day. (10/21/2022) A clunk from under the vehicle then the car quite moving. all the idiot lights came on. The Ford device garage said the Torque converter shattered and the vehicle needs a complete transmission rebuild. I do not know if the manufacturer has inspected these parts or components. The Ford garage said they cannot get ford parts only after market parts for these transmissions. The garage Manager also said and it is all reported on web sites that the 2017 and 2018 transmissions are a problem.

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. After receiving the notice, the contact stated that an abnormal clunking sound was coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the clunking sound returned as the vehicle lost power without warning. The contact managed to coast the vehicle off to the side of the road after nearly being struck by several vehicles. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 1, 2021 · Brakes · 24,000 miles · FL

The right rear brake makes a clunking noise and also the left front brake makes the same noise.when taking off by backing out or pulling out and applying the brakes it makes a clunking sound