Problems · by component

2015 Ford Escape power train problems

286 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Escape cite power train, 25% of all 1,135 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
286
25% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I replaced my transmission around 156000 miles the repair shop replaced my transmission with a brand new transmission from a ford dealer. Less than 6000 miles on my new transmission it needed to be replaced again. My transmission is having issues again with less then 20000 miles on the second transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Power trainODI 11772728
“I visited the dealership for a shift bushing recall service. When I checked the car after leaving, I noticed that a required part of the repair, the white cap shown in the official documentation, was missing. When I returned to let them know the job wasn't done right, the staff insisted it was done correctly. However, under Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-254, that cap is required to be installed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2026Power trainODI 11763853
“The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the transmission shifting from second to third gear, the vehicle was jerking, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the coolant level was low. The vehicle became inoperable when the engine temperature became overheated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2026Power trainODI 11755024
“Dash board panel comes on when you turn on the car, but once you put it in drive it automatically shuts off accept the rpm gauge, car goes into limp mode when driving and causes it to not allow any acceleration or movement of vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11749686
“When car in parking spot (running or started after overnight parked); when put into reverse nothing happens. Backed into a slot today; had to pull forward and redo; but when put into reverse nothing happened. Would, when in drive, go forward but not in reverse. Drove a couple 100 feet and tried reverse again - worked. Six months earlier when parked after starting and putting into reverse same issue happened. Finally got into reverse and took to garage. Could not repeat it at that time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2026Power trainODI 11743415
“The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape SE. The contact stated that while idle at a stop light with the left-turn signal on, the vehicle started to jerk, and loud noises were coming from the front end of the vehicle. The Check Engine light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to move. The Fire Department arrived and assisted the contact with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic at Precision Auto Shop, who diagnosed that the coolant was leaking. After further inspection, the dealer also diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 111,400.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 11738985

Showing 6 of 286 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Remedy pending

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.

Power trainReported Jun 10, 2022NHTSA 22V413000

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Apr 14, 2022NHTSA 22V254000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.