2014 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 107owner reports
- 91,000median miles
- $5,181median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 30, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
471 of the 2,013 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 107 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 107 reports
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. 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, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
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
“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
“Transmission failed after only 83k miles. Also needed entire engine rebuilt. Sunroof liner also became loose, as well as Backup camera failed.”
Filed Feb 21, 2025 · 83,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 107 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 316 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 304 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 139 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 126 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 60 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
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 28 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 25 reports