2019 Ford Escape: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · TN

For a few days before the transmission went out, it was kinda spitting and shuddering, then the 4th day the transmission would not shift into gear and go. It would rev the engine all the way up and bark the tires even with my foot not on the gas or brake. It started jerking and just would not go. It would not accelerate at all.

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Engine · SC

Driving on highway when we approached a traffic jam. Car started mis-firing (jerking) especially at low speed. Got off roadway as soon as it was safe to do so. Went to O'Reilly Auto Parts to get a diagnosis. Stated issue with coil in 2 so replaced and still having issue. Replaced 2 spark plug but did not fix the problem. Following day replaced all coils and spark plugs and still did not fix the problem. Brought it to the nearest Ford Dealer and was told there was coolant intrusion to the engine and it would have to be replaced. Two days later after engine arrived discovered transmission fluid leak into the main engine harness, another $1,600. Total cost is going to be $12,755.00. Car only has 50,000 miles on it and always did maintenance on time.

Filed Jun 11, 2025 · Transmission · ND

Was driving out of town when the car started to slow down on its own, and when stepping on the gas kept slowing down and jerking and we had to pull over and shut it off. Did that a few times and then would go gaining speed a little at a time, except when going up a hill. Then would start to slow down and almost stall on the busy highway. Traffic was backing up behind us unable to pass and we continually had to keep pulling over on the highway as the car would start to stall. Then the check engine light came on, and a couple times it flashed. We pulled into our hometown garage (Heisler Auto, Mohall ND) and they checked it out and said it was a cylinder 1 misfire. We purchased spark plugs and did that ourselves. The problem continued immediately after we put them in and the check engine light came on again. We took back to Heisler Auto and 2 weeks later they changed out the coil packs to see if that was the issue. The issue continued when they took it out for a drive and upon further inspection found it to be the timing chain. It will be another 2 weeks before they get the part and do the work. So it’s been a whole month with no vehicle to drive. There was no warning signs of this. Car has driven great and has had great gas mileage until Bam, that day it just quit running. I will upload the $2200 repair bill after they get it done. I wanted to send this off now so I don’t forget. I called Ford and I have a case number for this: CXH-04637344 and they told me to file the complaint with you.

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Engine · 83,500 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle jerked, and white smoke was coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with spark plug failure. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact's husband inspected the vehicle and determined that the coolant level was low, and the coolant reservoir was refilled. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir needed to be refilled constantly; however, there were no visible coolant leaks. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was also referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,500.

Filed Feb 19, 2025 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal failed to respond. The vehicle was stalling and jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed with CVT transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that if a warning light became illuminated, assistance would be provided with the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2024 · Transmission · IL

While driving once I exited off the highway the rpm gauge was going up and down before I could exit onto a secondary highway. If I would have continued on the highway and loss acceleration I would have been in danger as well as other drivers because I no longer had control of making the car move. All of a sudden, the car started to slow down and when I pressed the accelerator, the car jerked and would not accelerate so as I pulled over. After I pulled over, I could not get the car to move again and the accelerator would not work at all. Had to call a tow truck. Towed to dealership. Dealership called 2 days later to tell us the transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked while attempting to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and DTC code: P0303 was retrieved, and the spark plugs were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · Engine · WI

Problem was first detected when engine service light came on while engine was idle. Coolant reservoir was empty and filled several times prior to inspection by the same dealership where the car was purchased. Inspection happened 11 days later, car was driven about 100 miles between first noticing the empty coolant tank and the date of service. During inspection and diagnostic, coolant was found leaking into cylinder along with a broken head gasket and a cracked engine block. Since getting service at the dealer, car has been observed to be lurching when accelerating at either highway speeds or high RPM (unsure of precise onset of symptom), creating worries that diagnosing the problem has accelerated the engine deterioration.

Filed Jul 17, 2024 · Engine · 163,080 miles · WY

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,080.

Filed Jun 28, 2024 · Engine · 64,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the engine was noticed jerking and misfiring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant intrusion into the engine, and it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related to the failure with the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21n12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2023 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked, shuddered, and would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer and local dealer were informed of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk with a delay while shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after accelerating above 30 MPH, the vehicle operated properly and drove as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and agreed to cover a portion of the cost for the repair. The failure mileage was 48,000.