THIS CAR HAS HAD TWO TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES DRIVEN. BOTH TIMES THE ALERT SYSTEM ACTIVATED "SERVICE ASAP". THE CAR BECAME STUCK BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
2019 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
227 reports with mileage · 358 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 307 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
125 reports2019 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM STEERING WHEEL SHAKES/VIBRATES HEAVY & MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM CAR (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A BAD LOUD MUFFLER SOUND) AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH & 45MPH WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS LEVELED AT SPEED AND ALSO DOES THE SAME WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT THE SAME SPEEDS. ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1 & 2 GEARS INTERMITTE…
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2019 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM STEERING WHEEL SHAKES/VIBRATES HEAVY & MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM CAR (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A BAD LOUD MUFFLER SOUND) AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH & 45MPH WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS LEVELED AT SPEED AND ALSO DOES THE SAME WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT THE SAME SPEEDS. ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1 & 2 GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. VERY BUMPY RIDE IN THE BACK WHEN GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHEN ON LOCAL ROADS & HIGHWAY RAMPS. DEALER REPAIR HAS CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES. FIRST FEW TIMES THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DECEMBER 29, 2020 FINALLY GOT THE ISSUE TO REPLICATE AND PUT A TICKET DIRECTLY INTO FORD. I CHECKED BACK ON 1/7/2021 SINCE I BARE THE HEARD FROM THE DEALER SERVICE REP. AT THAT TIME SHE STILL DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO A RESOLUTION TO FIX THE FAULT. I CALLED TODAY 1/13/2021 AND THE DEALER REPAIR SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE MODEL BECAUSE THEY INFORMED FORD ON THE TICKET THEY TESTED ANOTHER 2019 ESCAPE WITH THE SAME ENGINE & TRANSMISSION AND IT HAD THE SAME FAULT. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 3/2019. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE PURCHASED BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPES IN 2002, 2005, 2009, 2017 & 2019. I KNOW HOW THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION OF A FORD ESCAPE SHOULD PREFORM. I STILL HAVE MY 2009 ESCAPE AND IT PREFORMS BETTER THEN THIS 2019...COMPARABLE ENGINES & TRIM PACKAGE. THE FAULTS THIS 2019 IS HAVING ARE NOT CHARACTERISTICS OF A CAR THEY ARE CLEARLY ISSUES WHERE PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. FORD NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE AND REPAIR IT CORRECTLY.
I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE BEST FORUM BUT I WAS UNABLE TO FIND A BETTER WAY. I WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL TO MY VEHICLE. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2020. HASSETT FORD 3530 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793. THE DEALER REUSED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT STATING THEY ARE NOT TAKING ANY NEW CUSTOMERS. I CALLED THE …
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I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE BEST FORUM BUT I WAS UNABLE TO FIND A BETTER WAY. I WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL TO MY VEHICLE. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2020. HASSETT FORD 3530 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793. THE DEALER REUSED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT STATING THEY ARE NOT TAKING ANY NEW CUSTOMERS. I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO TOOK MY INFORMATION PLACED ON HOLD WITH CALL ENDING WITH THANK YOU FOR CALLING FORD AND A CUSTOMER SURVEY. WONDERING HOW TO HAVE SAFETY RECALL PERFORMED?
CHANGING REVERSE OR FORWARD, THERE IS A LOUD THUMP AS IF SOMEONE OR SOMETHING HAS HIT THE CAR
2019 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION LEVER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT LEVER COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *JS
ONLY HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN 30 DAYS MILEAGE WAS 29,476 ON 4/13/20. MILEAGE WHEN IN SHOP IS 29,944 SO DROVE 468 MILES. BEEN HEARING LOUD THUDS OR CLUNKING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE FOR A FEW DAYS. TOOK IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY LOOKED AT AND DUPLICATED THE NOISE SEVERAL TIMES IN THEIR SHOP, SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY SOMET…
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ONLY HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN 30 DAYS MILEAGE WAS 29,476 ON 4/13/20. MILEAGE WHEN IN SHOP IS 29,944 SO DROVE 468 MILES. BEEN HEARING LOUD THUDS OR CLUNKING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE FOR A FEW DAYS. TOOK IT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT THEY LOOKED AT AND DUPLICATED THE NOISE SEVERAL TIMES IN THEIR SHOP, SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD AND AT FIRST THE SERVICE WRITER WAS IN DENIAL BUT THE TECHS MADE HIM A BELIEVER....THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE BODY THEY THINK. THEY TOOK THE TRANSMISSION OUT TODAY HOPEFULLY KNOW SOMETHING MONDAY. THE NOISE OCCURRED WHEN BACKING UP WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED AND GIVING THE CAR A LITTLE GAS. A VERY LOUD CLUNK WAS HEARD . THE NOISE CONTINUED AND STARTED DOING IT EVERY TIME I BACKED UP. ALSO HEARD NOISE/FELT IT WHEN SHIFTING FROM R TO N TO D. THIS PROBLEM STARTED JUST BEFORE I TOOK IT IN THE SHOP (MORNING OF ) JUST SITTING STILL SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR BACK TO NEUTRAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS TO REVERSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND IMPACTED A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS TO REVERSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND IMPACTED A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES OR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER FRIENDLY FORD LOCATED (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162) WHERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT STATED UNKNOWN PART OF FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.
I SUBMITTED THIS COMPLAINT ON 3/08/2020. THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED WHEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD MY CAR TOWED INSPECTED THE CAR. THEY FOUND THAT I HAD INSTALLED A WEATHERTECH FLOOR MAT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND HAD OVERLAPPED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE MAT OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAD SNAPPED THE MAT FIRMLY IN PLACE SO THA…
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I SUBMITTED THIS COMPLAINT ON 3/08/2020. THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED WHEN THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD MY CAR TOWED INSPECTED THE CAR. THEY FOUND THAT I HAD INSTALLED A WEATHERTECH FLOOR MAT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND HAD OVERLAPPED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE MAT OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAD SNAPPED THE MAT FIRMLY IN PLACE SO THAT IT WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED WHEN THE FLOOR MAT WAS REMOVED AND INSTALLED PROPERLY.
CAR ACCELERATED FROM 25 TO 75 MPH WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON ACCELERATOR. CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, STOPPED AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE. RESTARTED AND VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE FROM ANY SPEED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO CONTROL MY SPEED ON A WINDING, NARROW, ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS. I COULD ONLY CONTROL …
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CAR ACCELERATED FROM 25 TO 75 MPH WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON ACCELERATOR. CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, STOPPED AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE. RESTARTED AND VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE FROM ANY SPEED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO CONTROL MY SPEED ON A WINDING, NARROW, ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS. I COULD ONLY CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE CAR BY RIDING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES OVERHEATED. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP THE CAR ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT 5,000 RPM. I CAME TO A STOP, THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT 4,500 RPMS. PUSHED THE IGNITION TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LEXINGTON, VA FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR.
NO CRANK TO START VEHICLE
Official recalls
326V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Jun 10, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
21V155000 · Tires
Mar 10, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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