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CarComplaints.com Notes: The top problem trend for the 2014 Escape is transmission failure at around 70k miles.

This is relatively low mileage for an expensive transmission failure ($4,500 average to fix), but unless the trend becomes more established, we are only awarding the 2014 Escape our "Beware of the Clunker" badge for now.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,700 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Ford Escape drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 15 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #137

Jul 152019

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2014 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to loss of power while driving vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle suddenly revved up then lost power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer advised the transmission needed to be replaced.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

problem #136

May 252019

Escape

  • 93,000 miles
My 2014 Ford Escape was effected by a recall issue in November 2018, the engine overheats causing the coolant container to crack and leak. I paid $175 to replace the coolant container in June 2018. However in November 2018 my car completely turned off while driving on busy city street at stop light and smoke started coming in through the vents and the engine caught on fire. We never received notice of a recall until after this incident occured. After 30 days Ford finally accepted responsibility and paid $9500 to replace the damage. The vehicle probably should have been totalled. The day I got it back from the dealership I had noticed a change in the transmission. I made the dealership aware but they said they didn't notice a difference. My transmission completely died 4 months later while driving and I have been trying to get ahold of someone from Ford corporation since, it has been waiting at a different Ford dealership for a month and a half ago. Today we finally received a call from the Ford goodwill department offering $1200 off the total cost of over $5200. Unfortunately we cannot afford the $4000 and they will not pay anything of we decide to had a used transmission put in. They will not give us a phone number or email to Ford legal just a fax. Someone did tell us on Friday they were transferring our case to legal and would call the dealership and us on Monday but they did not and the person I talked to today says there is no record of us speaking to anyone Friday or anything being transferred to legal. It has been impossible to get any information from anyone and we are unsure what we should do. I have a warranty from the work done in November regarding the recall issue but Ford is saying this is unrelated and will not be covered, but also will not tear apart the transmission to determine the actual cause due to the labor cost unless we pay for that as well.

- Vienna, OH, USA

problem #135

Jun 302019

Escape

  • 98,000 miles
Vehicle in motion has a hard time shifting gears

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #134

Jun 162019

Escape

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2014 Ford Escape 1.6L 80,000 mi. Just like hundreds on this site and most likely thousands across the us - transmission failure while driving with no warning. Extremely dangerous and possibly deadly yet NHTSA and Ford refuse to acknowledge recurring problem with a faulty transmission recall. A 5 yr old vehicle with a yearly avg of 16,000 mi. Should not require a transmission replacement at a cost of $5000 to the owner. My only hope is people use this site to research vehicle purchases and avoid making the same mistake as me and thousands of others. There are two types of Ford Escape - ones that have had premature transmission failure and ones that soon will.

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

problem #133

Feb 222019

Escape

  • 131,000 miles
Transmission went out on my 2014 Ford Escape when stopped at a red light while driving on a city street it with no indications it was going bad.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #132

May 092019

Escape

  • 40,550 miles
I began losing coolant after taking my car in for coolant level sensor recall. I added water a few times before I decided not to drive it anymore. Couldn't figure out what was happening to my 5 year old less than 50, ooo mile car. Couldn't see any leak on the ground, decided to check oil, dip stick came back with water in the oil. Had it towed to Ford and my engine is blown, water all in the ngine

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #131

Jan 192019

Escape

  • 150 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In January 2019 my daughter was driving the vehicle and it stopped in the middle of the street and it would not go backwards or forward and there was a loud whining noise coming underneath the hood. It was towed to a shop where we was told the transmission was gone bad and we hadn't had it a year. I work in a call center on behalf of dealerships and I hear the same problem from customers about the Ford Escape and Ford Focus about transmissions going bad skipping gears seems like when you mash the accelarator which is what we experienced as well the vehicle is parked because we can't drive it need a transmission and we dont5have the money.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #130

Jun 022019

Escape

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving 65 mph, the transmission stopped working and the vehicle lost speed. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over with much effort. Gene latta Ford (1565 carlisle St, hanover, pa 17331, (717) 633-1999) stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The contact researched the failure himself and found the cause of the failure to be the torque converter clutch and the shift solenoid. The contact had not taken the vehicle to be officially diagnosed due to past experiences with other repairs. After hearing the contact's concerns with past diagnoses, the manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Asperres, PA, USA

problem #129

May 222019

Escape

  • 77,000 miles
Ford Escape with 77,000 stopped moving in the middle of the road while travelling over 30 mph, towed to a Ford dealership who is indicating that it needs a new transmission.

- East Lyme, CT, USA

problem #128

Mar 292019

Escape

  • 116,596 miles
While driving our 2014 Ford Escape SE shortly after being serviced at our local coggin Ford for a maintenance including a transmission flush, the vehicle began to exhibit problems. The vehicle had been plagued with problems since purchase from a used dealer and each time it was brought to Ford who claimed to fix the problem every time. Despite the vehicle being brought to the Ford dealership it continued to have multiple problems which seemed to be misdiagnosed such as a wastegate and turbo that needed to be replaced when the intake hose was simply not reconnected after recall issues were supposedly addressed. The vehicle would intermittently signal that the coolant level was low. While sitting at a stoplight after normal operation the vehicle failed to engage the driveshaft once the accelerator was depressed. After failing to hear the gears engage the accelerator was released followed by a loud thud and then the vehicle jerked extremely as the gears engaged and the vehicle began to move. The vehicle then felt as if it was not fully catching gears as it began to over rev when attempting to continue driving. Upon this happening the vehicle then engaged a safety mechanism where the vehicle only allowed for it to move far enough for us to pull into a parking lot and shut it off. A tow truck was called and the vehicle was towed home. This was after getting the vehicle back from Ford whom did a diagnostic stating that the recall issues were taken care of and the transmission flush was completed. Being that the problems had been so repetitious we have left the vehicle parked and no longer drive it due to not being able to afford the cost of a replacement transmission. It is out of warranty and we still owe over 12 thousand dollars on the vehicle. Now we are stuck with a car payment for a car we can't even drive and this car has been nothing but problems since it's purchase.

- Jax, FL, USA

problem #127

Apr 122019

Escape

  • 123,913 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pulled into a gas station parking lot and placed vehicle into park. Driver remained in vehicle to make phone call and realized the vehicle was rolling backwards despite vehicle being in park. Emergency brake was applied to stop the vehicle from rolling backwards. Vehicle had to be towed to a dealership where it they discovered the shifter cable bushing was broken. Husband called Ford directly to discuss the safety issue and they stated that this particular vehicle was not part of the recall because it was not assembled in the same factory.

- Fairfax, IA, USA

problem #126

May 112019

Escape

  • 129,163 miles
Ford has recall #18S20 the bushing denigrates causing the car not to properly shift. The dash reads park but the car is in reverse. This almost cause me to hit another car. Very dangerous. My VIN# not covered under recall it should be its the very same issue the recall covers. In a cvs parking lot. Ford refuses to repair because the VIN not included in recall. Had to manuall put in drive but could not leave car until somone came to help me manually put in park under the hood

- Glendale, OH, USA

problem #125

Mar 012019

Escape

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after shutting off the engine, the vehicle failed to restart. Also, the gear shifter failed to engage in reverse or drive and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle might be experiencing gear shifter failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

- Burgettstown, PA, USA

problem #124

Apr 122019

Escape

  • 65,000 miles
My car over heated while driving. So I pulled over and let it cool down. I then took it to the shop and I was told I needed a new cylinder head when asked why it over heated they refereed to the coolant system but didn't know why the coolant was getting there. After doing some research online the way they explained everything seems very similar to the recall number 17V209000 or Ford recall number 17S09

- Tarawa Terrace, NC, USA

problem #123

Mar 282019

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
At freeway speed, the transmission on our 2014 Ford Escape failed, causing the car to immediately slow down. My teenage daughter was able to get the car onto the freeway shoulder. Per the service manager at the Ford dealership where the car was towed, they see a lot of these transmissions failing. The car had around 60,000 miles, which is far too early for a transmission failure. Ford claims they can't do anything about this issue since there is no recall for failing transmissions. The NHTSA must act before a serious injury or death occurs as a result of the poor design or manufacture of these transmissions. Many of these cars are coming into the same mileage as our vehicle, so the numbers of these failures will begin to surge.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #122

Mar 232019

Escape

  • 88,000 miles
Low coolant light appeared. Had oil changed/fluids topped. A week later, coolant light appeared and check engine light came on. Took it back to place that changed my oil. Coolant was not low. They used a diagnostic code reader that indicated cylinder 2 had misfired 3 times (I was unaware). A few days later, took it to have checked (Firestone). They used a diagnostic code that said the same thing but one of the mechanics related he had just fixed a Ford Escape having the same issue and that they had then figured out there was a recall for the problem. Ford says my VIN is not included in the recall. There has been no leak noted this entire time. The engine light went off. I drove it approximately 25 minutes, went in to a business for 2 hours, came back out and started the car, pulled out of the parking lot and saw the check engine light and a message that the engine was overheating and pull over safely (which I did immediately). There was no obvious sign that the engine was overheating (steam, odor, leaking, etc). The vehicle would only start, but would not accelerate at all. Had it towed to johnson city Ford which told me that they would have to drop the engine to determine the cause ($1700) and that the total repair job would cost between $3500-$7000+ depending on the cause and damage (may have to have a new motor!). he then told me it would be about 3 +weeks before they could repair it since there are 5 just like it waiting to be serviced! I questioned him about this. He related that there were 5 Ford Escapes with a coolant low/overheating issue currently in their shop. My vehicle was bought brand new. It is garage kept and serviced regularly. I do not understand how a vehicle that is well-kept and has under 90,000 miles can suddenly, without warning or reason, have this kind of issue" why hasn't there been a recall on this issue"

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #121

Mar 282019

Escape

  • miles
A week after purchasing 2/21/2017. The Escape starting running hot then it shut down the car acceleration. Took it back because it under the factory warranty, they said the head gasket were blown and leaking coolant into the engine. Mind you it only ran hot for one minute. They repaired it. A year later in February before my birthday 2/26- I say 2/19. The transmission went out, they repaired that. A recall on own coolant valve was fixed by dealer. Now in the beginning of March the water pump and engine problem has come back. If fill this model of 2014 Ford Escape is a lemon and I should be compensated for all my inconvenience. It been nothing but a money drain and the dealership is robbing me. I took it up there to see if they could repair the problem, but they said my warranty has expired. The told me the water pump needed to be fix and it will cost $1,300 and that I have to pay that before the can look at head gasket. To much to pay and there charging a service fee which is ok but the never said anything about a storage fee. I had a trip schedule for dominican republic. She told me they left a message days after but never received it. I asked if they can wave the storage fee and I'll pay the rest but was told they can't do so. I asked to speak with the manager and was told he won't be back until Monday and it Friday. Called corporate they were no help at all. Ford Motor Company is the worst car company and they do not help there customers. Poor customer service and no solution to a problem that they no this car is known for. I'll be taking legal action in a civil suit against Ford. Thank you for listening and if anyone has a solution please contact me. Thank you. ( I will never think Ford first- your last). They want $160 for storage.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #120

Mar 162019

Escape

  • 93,300 miles
Our 2014 Ford Escape was recently under repair for the Jan 2018 coolant recall. It was completed on Mar 15, 2019. On Mar 16, 2019. Our vehicle had driven on the freeway for 3 hrs for a distance of 200 miles and upon exiting the freeway and stopping at a stoplight. My vehicle stopped moving and managed to get it onto a gas station parking lot.. I had it towed the nearest car dealership and they had diagnosed it and came back with the transmission and coolant being the issue. They are currently wanting to charge us a large amount of money to fox the repairs and transmission. I noticed that there is a recall for the transmission as of Sept 2018. No recall message has been sent out yet. However. I believe my vehicle is affected as it would make an unusual sound from time to time when shifting from park, reverse, or drive as if it got stuck. I would love to have someone from the Ford assist me with this because it doesnt make sense for me to deal with this if this has been a discovered issue. Please assist me in this matter. Thank you.

- Twentynine Palms, CA, USA

problem #119

May 082017

Escape

  • 39,000 miles
There was a recall on the coolant system, to add a sensor due to Ford having cars blowing motors. After this recall was done, I had the car in the garage on and off for over a month, to find out that th coolant was leaking into the number 4 cylinder. So, they replace the motor, not sure about the heads. Then with in weeks trouble with the transmission.

- West Gardiner, ME, USA

problem #118

Mar 062019

Escape

  • 127,000 miles
Transmission fail: We were driving our 2014 Ford Escape at time of the fail. Turning into traffic and the car wouldnt go almost caused a car to hint us cause we couldnt go we couldnt get out of the way. Ford is saying its the transmission line not building enough pressure to change gears. We took it Ford one yr ago because it was shifting right from 2nd gear, they changed the fluids said it tested fine at thos time. One yr to the day transmission fails.

- Chuckey, TN, USA

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