2014 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 97owner reports
- 82,000median miles
- $3,500median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Jun 24, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
471 of the 2,013 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 97 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 97 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (11 reports) and the torque converter (7 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
19 of the 97 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $5,748.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 65,000 and 114,000 miles, from the 78 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission has violent jerking and shuddering. Sometimes it has hard time accelerating. Dealer doesnt want to do anything. It is still messed up”
Filed Oct 1, 2025
“The vehicle make model and year has had recalls in the past with regard to the transmission and I recently purchased the vehicle a few months ago and the transmission started slipping and is now not operational.”
Filed Mar 27, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 97 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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 fails or needs replacement 107 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