2017 Ford Escape · symptom sheet

Transmission fails or needs replacement

88owner reports
82,608median miles
$5,000median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 12, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

390 of the 2,670 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 88 of those describe transmission failure.

Tick what matches of 88 reports

lost drive or would not move

warning lights came on first

it was replaced under warranty

I paid for it myself

a second transmission also failed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (88 reports) and the torque converter (11 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

22V-413Jun 10, 2022

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

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

Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
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.

What owners paid

31 of the 88 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,500 to $6,000.

$2,500$5,000$6,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 68,000 and 114,000 miles, from the 67 reports that gave a mileage.

118

319

620

621

1122

1323

1824

2325

726

What owners wrote

“I am the only owner of this vehicle and it has 114,000 miles At 90,000 miles i had to replace the transmission and now, its at the dealer due to turbo leaking oil internally and externally AND coolant intrusion. These issues are commonly known and the coolant intrusion is from a design flaw. Why is this engine not included with the recall for the very same issue on other ford ecoboost engines”
Filed May 21, 2026 · 114,000 miles

“Transmission failed at 96,000 miles requiring replacement Cracked/bad cylinder block at 110,000 requiring replacement Ford knows of engine problem (Technical Service Bulletin 22-2322) will not assist with repair Repair invoices available upon request”
Filed Feb 6, 2025 · 96,000 miles

“Transmission failed and burned after only 80,000 miles. Bought car used and only drove for 30,000 miles before it failed. I almost crashed on a busy road. The issue was confirmed by 2 service centers. Only 1 warning light saying oil change required the same day appeared.”
Filed Dec 17, 2024 · 80,000 miles

“Transmission went out. No warning. 121,000 miles. No lights on dash, nothing. Complete transmission failure. Car started whining upon acceleration out of nowhere, jerked really hard, and then out it went. Have had it serviced and maintained meticulously. Ford is aware of the problem and doing nothing to fix it.”
Filed Nov 11, 2024 · 121,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 88 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.