2015 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on
- 39owner reports
- 93,000median miles
- $5,294median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 15, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
753 of the 1,101 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 39 of those describe transmission warning light.
Tick what matches of 39 reports
Transmission warning light 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: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
This sheet is for a "Service Transmission" message, a transmission fault warning or a wrench light. Owners say it often shows up with lost power, a stall or a car that won't accelerate, and sometimes clears on the next start.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
5 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 engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
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.
In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off.
Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights.
All 9 recalls on the 2015 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Escape
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak. Closed oct 30, 2025, led to recall 25V-467.
Healey brothers ford / open recall sale. Open.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 27, 2024.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 21, 2013.
Cruise control cable. Closed jul 17, 2012.
Stuck throttle. Closed feb 21, 2013, led to recall 12V-353.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
Engine stalling. Closed aug 31, 2004.
Engine stalling. Closed apr 15, 2004, led to recall 04V-165.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 10, 2002.
Gasoline vapor intrusion. Closed dec 21, 2001, led to recall 00V-277.
None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.
What owners paid
8 of the 39 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $190 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 76,000 and 106,000 miles, from the 30 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2015 Ford Escape that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2013-2015 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or a transmission malfunction service now warning with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0741 and/or P1744 stored in the ...
What owners wrote
“The car wonât shift into the intended gear.The car stalls as well. The transmission fault service now light is on.”
Filed Sep 2, 2025
“While driving the vehicle started acting like it was out of gas and the transmission light came on and the car wouldnât go or crank back up”
Filed May 28, 2025
“After transmission shifter cable brushing repair I Received a transmission error warning on my car . Car is now going in reverse while in driving almost got into car accident with my kids in car. I believe there is a transmission problem with these model vehicle. Local shop unable to diagnose properly. Unable to drive.”
Filed Aug 25, 2023
“Was driving down the road and the car started to sputter and shake. Was able to pull into a gas station parking lot and when I stepped on the gas nothing happened and the transmission fault light kicked on. Got parked and called a tow company to tow it to the nearest transmission shop to which they told me the transmission is shot and needs replaced.”
Filed Nov 18, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 39 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 222 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 fails or needs replacement 74 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
- 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