Transmission fails or needs replacement

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (107 reports) and the torque converter (9 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

All 16 recalls on the 2014 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

What owners paid

34 of the 107 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,000 to $6,000.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 77,000 and 112,000 miles, from the 83 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“When I was about to park, the transmission failed. I couldn’t reverse, and it got stuck in Neutral. I wasn’t able to shift it into Park. When the mechanic came, he said the shifter cable bushing was faulty, which was exactly the part covered by the recall they had previously done.”

Filed Aug 30, 2026

“While I was driving, the transmission seemingly stopped working. I was able to coax the car into a parking lot and had it towed to the dealership. I was told the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. I was quoted approximately $7000.00 for this repair. All of its prior service, except for occasional oil changes, had been done at the dealership.”

Filed Apr 1, 2026

“Transmission failed around 81,000 miles resulting in a costly repair. Luckily I was not on a busy highway at the time so I was not in imminent danger.”

Filed May 8, 2025 · 81,000 miles

“The transmission failed on the highway. I put a lot of money in repairs on this vehicle since purchased in 2022 and stopped working in 2024. The vehicle has the defective 6f35 transmission. Paid almost 5k to repair the transmission alone. Ford has issued no recalls for thos claim but they knew it was defective.”

Filed May 7, 2025

Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works

Other problems on this car

• Engine overheats or leaks coolant 573 reports
• Check engine light or misfire 317 reports
• Engine stalls or loses power while driving 304 reports
• Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 139 reports
• Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 128 reports
• Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 112 reports
• Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 97 reports
• Vehicle fire 97 reports
• Doors, latches or locks fail 83 reports
• "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 59 reports
• Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 51 reports
• Fuel pump failure 33 reports
• Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
• Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 32 reports
• Engine leaks oil 30 reports
• A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 28 reports
• Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
• Turbo failure or loss of boost 27 reports
• Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports
• Multiple warning lights come on at once 25 reports