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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.

9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,020
Average Mileage:
97,650 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (6 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
2014 Ford Escape transmission problems

transmission problem

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2014 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #8

Nov 022022

Escape SE 1.6L V4 Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,540 miles

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

Vehicle maintained according to manufacturers recommendations. My 2014 Escape started to stop shifting gears and accelerating. The car did this a few seconds then seemed to drive normally. I drive it in forward and reverse when I got home from the loss of acceleration incident. Reverse caused a thunk sound. After that the car seemed to drive normally. As the manual calls for a trans flush at 150,000 miles, I had that service performed. Mechanic said no signs of trans wear. Trans module looked alright. I drive 30 miles to work, mixed city and highway driving. Problem reoccurred. Barely able to drive through an intersection. Pulled into a safe spot and turned vehicle off. Waited a few minutes and the car seemed to drive well. About 5 minutes later, I get to work and the car will not drive. No warning lights. No codes. It is now at an independent trans shop as the 5 Ford dealerships I called were booked out 4 weeks for service appointments. The vehicle will be looked at in 2 days. Will update later.

- o’stabbo, Plymouth, US

problem #7

Dec 262019

Escape ES 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,092 miles

Ford needs to recall this transmission. It failed right after their 60,000 mile warranty!!! I need to replace the transmission at 68,092 miles with a $5571 bill. It just suddenly lost acceleration on a freeway! Luckily (or badly) it was during Christmas, with not too many cars on the road. Otherwise this could be a serious safety issue. People can get injured!

I was able to get off the highway immediately, but it completely stopped at the traffic light. I had to turn the engine off and restarted it, then it could move at a very low speed with a scary noise, allowing me to pull off to the curb. I had to tow it to a garage. The only thing the mechanics can do was to replace the transmission! This is unacceptable for a car at 68,000 miles.

- Maozi L., Santa Clara, CA, US

problem #6

Feb 252020

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I was traveling on the highway with my baby in the back and the car started to slow. I was in heavy fast moving traffic so I tried to speed up and the car shot forward. It did it once more before it went back to normal. We got off the highway and the we had to make a left turn through a busy intersection. As I turned the car slowed to a crawl going the intersection and we barely made it through before traffic started the other way. We made it into the parking lot of the store and I parked and went in hoping it would be okay once I came out.

After I got back and started the car it was still having trouble accelerating but no warning lights came on so I tried to make it to the repair shop. As we were trying to make it to the shop I had to go up a small hill and the car completely stalled trying to go up the hill on a busy road. Only then did the transmission fault warning come on. I had to call for a tow truck and have someone come get me and my daughter. The dealership said it was the torque converter which messed up another part in the transmission so the whole thing needs to be replaced.

When I spoke with the service department they said it is a recurring issue with these SUVs but they can’t do anything about it until Ford issues a former recall. If we would have been on the highway any longer we could have been killed. We are looking into filing a class action lawsuit because this is an ongoing issue with these and Ford doesn’t care. If you have the same issue and are interested in filing a class action lawsuit please contact us at bboatright2020@gmail.com.

- Elizabeth B., Carrollton, US

problem #5

Aug 102017

Escape SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

I've had so many problems with these Escapes. This is probably my 5th Escape with at least 2 of them having transmission problems... probably 3... one just never went out. FORD - FIX YOUR ESCAPE TRANSMISSIONS!! This car has been around long enough there should not be this problem!!

- Jill Z., Warren, US

problem #4

Jan 092021

Escape SE 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

This is the second transmission I'm having replaced in this 2014 Escape. Unbelievable!

- Jill Z., Warren, US

problem #3

Jul 082019

Escape 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Started having trouble with the car not accelerating around 7/8/19. Took it in to Firestone because engine light also came on. They advised that all codes were related to Ford recall and there was also a code for transmission - torque converter. The tech at Firestone stated this cars are known for transmission failure and that the Ford dealers should repair along with the other recall repairs. YEA RIGHT!!!

The Ford dealership has had my car since 7/15/19 - they call me on the 17th and advised all the codes where covered under the recall. THEN called me the next day to say it's the transmission- torque converter and other parts inside the transmission that will need to be replaced! and it would cost over $4,500 to repair. This is a 2014 with 80,000 miles! How is the transmission already going out? Sure enough I Googled recalls wit this vehicle and find out its not an uncommon issue. Apparently, these vehicles are notorious for transmission failure around 70,000 / 80,000 mile. AND Ford knows about the issue. smh no way I can afford to fix this car and continue my car payment... Ford should make this issue a recall... it's pathetic

- Sharmaine B., Fort Worth, US

problem #2

Jul 012019

Escape LS 4

  • Manual transmission
  • 101,230 miles

Car doesn't seem to get enough power. I have to give excessive gas at times to get it to run properly.

- Nadine C., Charleston, WV, US

problem #1

Jan 222019

Escape Limited 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

Car has lost power on us 5 or 6 times. It failed in traffic and we almost got rear ended. NO ACCELERATION, Almost no RPMS. It is at the dealer and they say it needs new transmission.

- Marlene P., Lafayette, NJ, US

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