2017 Ford Escape: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Transmission · OR

Transmission, AAMCO inspected and verified, no warnings just grinding noise and jerking of vehicle

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine · WA

Coolant intrusion into the engine, coolant flowing into the cylinders. Resulting in major dangerous stuttering, jerking, and dangerous loss of power in middle of freeway with fast moving traffic around vehicle. Ford KNOWN ISSUE!

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 Apr 28, 2026 · Transmission · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50-60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the recall because the VIN was not included. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I started having trouble with my car idleing hard and driving jerky. Around November of 2025, I took it to the local Ford dealership and they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. The check engine light was on at this point So I took it to an independent local shop. They looked at it and saw that the valve in cylinder one was broken and not firing. At this point I took it back to Ford along with pictures of the busted valve. I went back to Ford because I have a lifetime power train warranty they are my authorized repair shop. So with the pictures of the busted valve they filled a claim. The warranty people said that if the head gasket was the only thing messed up they would cover the repairs. If the block was warped they would not cover anything because Ford knows about the problem and there is a Technical Service Bulletin TSB 22-2229 about the problem. I just want to know what to do. How do I proceed ?

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · NJ

First trip (12/9) to mechanic for regular maintenance...technician discovered empty coolant reservoir, found leaking auxiliary water pump...repairs made. Two weeks later (12/23), engine light comes on...technician found faulty ignition coil in cylinder two...removed and replaced all ignitions coils and spark plugs. Took car on the highway, but couldn't get above 35 mph without lurching, car wouldn't go into higher gear. Technician reprogrammed computer twice before the issues seemed to be resolved (12/27). Six days later (1/02), car was idling unusually high, once on the road the idle settled down. Three days later (1/05), started the car and the temperature gauge flew up above HOT LEVEL. Warning light came on that the car was overheated. Turned it off. Checked under hood a few hours later, no coolant in reservoir. No coolant on the ground (there was never any evidence of a coolant leak on the ground). Diagnosed (1/07 and 1/14) as internal coolant leak by two different technicians (an independent service center and a Ford dealer). Need to replace engine block, etc. Cost for repair over $10,000. Unable to drive car for at least two weeks. Cost of repairs were over $1500, before final diagnosis made. Car cannot be driven safely without repairs. No inspection by police or insurance representatives.

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Transmission · MI

1. Transmission failure, it is available for inspection up until time of repair. 2. The vehicle lost power while driving, had incidents of jerking forward without warning, and shifter would get stuck. 3. Yes, independent service center. 4. Yes, when the incident occurred (Transmission Fault Service Now) P0301-00 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected P0316-00 Misfire Detected on Startup P059F-00 Active Grille Air Shutter A Performance/Stuck Off P0729-00 Gear 6 Incorrect Ratio P2702-00 Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Engine · GA

I am filing this complaint due to repeated and dangerous safety-related failures in my Ford vehicle involving both the transmission and engine. Prior to a transmission recall repair, my vehicle experienced severe drivability issues, including sudden jerking while driving, loss of power on the highway, unexpected stopping, and shutting off at traffic lights. These incidents nearly caused multiple accidents and placed me and others at serious risk. The transmission was later replaced under recall by a Ford dealership. After that repair, I am now experiencing a major engine failure related to coolant intrusion. This defect is well documented by Ford in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2322, which supersedes TSB 22-2134. The bulletin states that to resolve the condition, the engine short block and head gasket must be replaced. This effectively requires replacement of the core of the engine and confirms the severity of the defect. The symptoms associated with this engine issue overlap with the drivability symptoms I reported earlier (stalling, loss of power, unsafe operation). The vehicle was previously evaluated by a Ford dealership while this bulletin was already published, yet the engine defect was not identified or addressed at that time. Despite Ford’s acknowledgment of this defect through its own bulletin, I am being denied assistance and left responsible for an extremely costly repair involving what is essentially a partial engine replacement. This defect poses a serious safety risk due to the potential for sudden engine failure without warning. I am concerned that Ford is failing to proactively address a known safety-related defect and that similar vehicles remain on the road with the same risk. I believe this issue warrants further investigation to prevent serious injury or loss of life.

Filed Dec 19, 2025 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that soon after the engine was replaced by the dealer under warranty, the vehicle started to hesitate and jerk while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure worsened, and the contact initially called the dealer and was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure, and the contact was provided with estimates to replace the transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was then referred to the federal safety agency for additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Engine · 75,629 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and jerked while attempting to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,629.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Transmission · 68,693 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift properly and lurched forward while attempting to change gear. There was no warning light initially illuminated. Additionally, while the contact’s son attempted to drive the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move forward and rolled backwards with the powertrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,693.

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · NE

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked, stalled, and hesitated while accelerating. Additionally, on several occasions, the vehicle failed to immediately start. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and became aware that there was an odor of fuel on the spark plugs, due to a faulty fuel pump. The fuel pump was replaced, but the failure later reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the fuel pump had been replaced three times. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.