2015 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 74owner reports
- 95,000median miles
- $5,294median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 5, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
286 of the 1,105 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 74 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 74 reports
Transmission failure on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
This is the end of the road for a transmission: the car stops moving under its own power, or a shop says the unit has to be replaced or rebuilt. Half of the owners here mention a warning light or message, and a quarter mention it happening again or to a second unit.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (74 reports) and the torque converter (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
All 9 recalls on the 2015 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
What owners paid
24 of the 74 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $250 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 83,794 and 112,560 miles, from the 48 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission failure in traffic. Just stopped engaging the gears. Transmission has failed and needs to be replaced.”
Filed Feb 27, 2026
“While driving, the car hesitates changing gears. Sometimes the car will not go in gear or go into Park. Had a recall in 2022 for some bushings and cable shifter. The car is too dangerous to drive and mechanics have stated a new transmission is needed.”
Filed Aug 25, 2025
“Driving home from work vehicle would not move forward. Had towed to Ford dealership. Told transmission was over heating, requiring a new transmission at a cost $7,400. Purchased the vehicle one year ago from an auto dealership. Was told by the Ford dealership that they see a lot of this happening to this vehicle type.”
Filed Jun 11, 2025
“Transmission failed with only 76,000 miles on the car. My wife's safety was at risk due to being on a busy highway on a hill and being unable to accelerate away from danger. Transmission fault light came on the dash.”
Filed May 7, 2025 · 76,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 74 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 226 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 145 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 136 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 120 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 68 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 52 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 46 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 39 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 36 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 30 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 26 reports