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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 1 of 21)

problem #417

Sep 152023

Escape

  • 113,081 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved a DTC code for an engine misfire in cylinder #3. The contact cleared the code; however, the check engine warning light returned. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes and the engine. Due to the failure, the contact immediately shut off the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that there was a coolant intrusion in cylinder #3, resulting in engine failure. The engine was replaced. The contact stated that shortly after the engine repair, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact reversed the vehicle into a parking spot and then had the vehicle towed back to the dealer. While at the dealer, a mechanic discovered metal shavings inside the transmission fluid, causing transmission failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was 113,081.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #416

Dec 132024

Escape

  • miles
I have a 2014 Ford Escape that is leaking antifreeze from the reservoir. I see that 2013-2015 Ford Escapes had a recall 17V209000 but I'm being told it is not my vehicle. I would like to know why if my 2014 is having the same issue?

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #415

Oct 112024

Escape

  • miles
At 104,000 miles the cars ability to shift gears was gone. Engine Light comes on dash. Took to certified mechanic and they confirmed it was a TRANSMISSION failure and I needed a new transmission. There were no warning lights on prior to the failure. Vehicle has had one owner and has been serviced regularly. All records to prove it. Cost of repair, $6000!!!!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #414

Oct 142024

Escape

  • 165,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the message "Transmission Fault - Service Now" was displayed. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, however, the engine only revved, and the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle however, after shifting to drive(D) the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

- Tappahannock, VA, USA

problem #413

Oct 182024

Escape

  • 163,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power and failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and discovered that there was fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. No further information was provided. The manufacturer and the local dealer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 163,000.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #412

Oct 102024

Escape

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a whining type noise was present coming from the transmission, the vehicle would not properly accelerate when pressing the accelerator pedal, and the message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #411

Aug 202024

Escape

  • 89,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, while preparing to make a left turn at an intersection, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #410

Oct 152023

Escape

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted hard from third and fourth gear, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the contact stated that while pulling out of a gas station, the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was shifted into reverse and steered out of the spot by a gentleman passing by. He steering wheel was adjusted and placed in the vehicle was shifted into drive(D). The contact also stated that the "Steering Assist Fault - Service Required" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

- Nettleton, MS, USA

problem #409

Apr 142024

Escape

  • miles
The transmission on my 2014 Ford Escape went totally bad at 91,000 miles. I had to replace the transmission at a cost of $6,780. I have read that this has happened to many 2014 Ford Escapes with low mileage. There should be a recall on this vehicle.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #408

Aug 212024

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle is have coolant intrusion through cylinder walls. Car is overheating and burning coolant, large amounts of white smoke coming from tailpipe.

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #407

Jul 162024

Escape

  • 109,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle downshifted unexpectedly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #406

Nov 012023

Escape

  • miles
The low coolant level came on the car. We were told that they sensor needed to be replaced. We paid $1500 to replace that. The low coolant level light has back on 5 times, then the check engine light comes on and the car shuts off. It has left me, and my daughter stranded on the side of the road and in the middle of the highway. We were told they are not sure what else to do, here is a bottle of coolant from the dealership and keep bringing it back in. Next issues are it won't go over 20 MPG, my daughter was crossing a major highway, she lost power and the car started to shake. We are now told that it is the transmission. There was a recall replaced on it back in 2023. Not happy at all with ford and very unsafe.

- Hamlet, IN, USA

problem #405

Mar 052024

Escape

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to decelerate and failed to exceed 70 MPH. The transmission service required message was displayed. The contact stated while shifting gear, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #404

Apr 072024

Escape

  • miles
veh running hot and low on coolant; took nearly a gallon to set coolant level when checked. after cycling coolant & getting heat into engine found coolant entering the combustion chamber cracked head or gasket. engine misfire upon start up; white exhaust smoke. check engine light also on.

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #403

Apr 022024

Escape

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light and an unknown sensor warning light were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving the following day, and the vehicle decelerated from 65 MPH to 10 MPH, nearly causing a semi-truck to crash into the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for 15 minutes. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle, activated the hazard lights, and continued driving at 40-50 MPH. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while driving and exceeding 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The dealer determined that an unknown sensor had failed, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V495000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered due to the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #402

Mar 182024

Escape

  • miles
Transmission failed without warning while driving on March 18, 2024. There were no previous issues, warning lights, symptoms, etc. The acceleration suddenly stopped, and the car struggled to move. This put me and other drivers at great risk of physical harm. The problem has been confirmed to be a serious transmission issue by our master mechanic and now needs to be replaced.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #401

Mar 022024

Escape

  • miles
My engine coolant kept disappearing with no signs of a leak and no overheating. Then one day it was driving fine when I stopped at a red light and it stalled so I tried to restart it but every time I put it in gear it stalled so I had to get it towed to a mechanic and the diagnosed it as transmission failure. It never showed signs of transmission issues and never had a check engine light on or anything. Worst buy ever

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #400

Feb 172024

Escape

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle made a popping sound and then lost motive power. An unknown message was displayed. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle, but the transmission failed to shift into reverse(R) or drive(D). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Cynthiana, KY, USA

problem #399

Dec 012023

Escape

  • miles
Coolant circulation as part of recall 17S09. Not sure if my car was affected but it-??s not right. We have change coolant bottle and coolant seems to be going somewhere and can-??t figure out if my car was with this recall. Also already had to rebuild transmission. It was destroyed. $5000. Will never buy a ford again

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #398

Jan 272024

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The transmission warning light illuminated later. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- West Sunbury, PA, USA

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