Ford Escape Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 4,236 of the 23,571 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Ford Escape (18%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2010 and 2014.
Transmission complaints
4,236
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
18%
of 23,571 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
9
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Ford Escape transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 372 | 15.4% | 3 | 15V606000 | 12 |
| 2009 | 316 | 17.1% | 3 | — | 13 |
| 2010WORST | 513 | 24.1% | 4 | 10V222000 | 10 |
| 2011 | 273 | 20.1% | 2 | — | 11 |
| 2012 | 67 | 10.8% | 3 | — | 8 |
| 2013 | 402 | 14.6% | 20 | 22V41300018V471000 | 31 |
| 2014WORST | 481 | 23% | 18 | 22V41300018V471000 | 29 |
| 2015 | 286 | 24.9% | 4 | 22V41300022V254000 | 24 |
| 2016 | 323 | 27.1% | 8 | 22V413000 | 25 |
| 2017 | 391 | 14.4% | 12 | 22V413000 | 34 |
| 2018 | 278 | 15.2% | 7 | 22V413000 | 30 |
| 2019 | 128 | 21.2% | 7 | 22V413000 | 18 |
| 2020 | 273 | 14.8% | 7 | 24V33000021V01100020V550000 | 48 |
| 2021 | 52 | 13.5% | 1 | 24V330000 | 34 |
| 2022 | 48 | 12.4% | 1 | 25V13300024V330000 | 29 |
| 2023 | 26 | 18.6% | 0 | — | 30 |
| 2024 | 4 | 4.4% | 0 | — | 27 |
| 2025 | 3 | 9.7% | 0 | — | 16 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Ford Escape transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 4,236 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Ford Escape years to avoid for the transmission
2010 Ford Escape
513 transmission complaints (24.1% of the year's 2,130). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by transmission recall 10V222000.
2014 Ford Escape
481 transmission complaints (23% of the year's 2,091). Most often described: transmission repaired or replaced. Covered by transmission recalls 22V413000, 18V471000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Ford Escape years to avoid.
Ford Escape transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Ford Escape model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 25V133000 · 2025-03-01 · 2022 models
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
- 24V330000 · 2024-05-11 · 2020–2022 models
The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
- 22V413000 · 2022-06-10 · 2013–2019 models
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- 22V254000 · 2022-04-14 · 2015 models
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- 21V011000 · 2021-01-15 · 2020 models
An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
- 20V550000 · 2020-09-10 · 2020 models
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
- 18V471000 · 2018-07-16 · 2013–2014 models
The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key,…
- 15V606000 · 2015-09-29 · 2008 models
The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift…
- 10V222000 · 2010-05-24 · 2010 models
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, MILAN, AND ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 27, THROUGH MARCH 26, 2010. THE PARK ROD GUIDE RETENTION PIN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL…
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2010 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 513 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford Escape, 24.1% of all 2,130 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (156 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 10V222000. 4 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2014 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 481 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Ford Escape, 23% of all 2,091 complaints for that year. The most common description is "transmission repaired or replaced" (92 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 22V413000, 18V471000. 18 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Ford Escape years have the most transmission complaints?
2010 (513), 2014 (481) and 2013 (402), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Ford Escape transmission problems?
In the 4,236 transmission complaints, owners most often describe loss of power or limp mode (13.8%), transmission repaired or replaced (13.3%) and jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (13%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Ford Escape model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration