2015 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 68owner reports
- 88,000median miles
- $5,294median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
285 of the 1,082 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 68 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 68 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (12 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.
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 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.
What owners paid
16 of the 68 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $350 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 59,000 and 106,000 miles, from the 50 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission is failing after being rebuilt. Has only 50,000 miles. It stalls if braking hard. Shifts hard and shudders. Has been serviced and checked by a mechanic.”
Filed Jan 3, 2026 · 50,000 miles
“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
“As I was driving my car started to jerk, drag backwards and stop. I put it in park in the middle of the road and turned the car completely off. It would start and drive, then jerk, try to slide backwards again then stopped. The car starts, but the shift freezes after try to go.”
Filed May 18, 2024
“I was on my way to work, going about 40 mph, when all of the sudden my car slipped out of gear and a service transmission light came on. I pulled off the road and put the car in park, after that I tried to put the car and drive and it would only go in reverse. There were no warning lights or problems prior to this incident. I had the car towed to my home.”
Filed Jun 17, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 68 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
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 209 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 135 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 119 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 74 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 51 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 46 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 30 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 27 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 25 reports