Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Escape powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Ford Escape have filed 272 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 95,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
272
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Escape | 254 |
| 2012 Escape | 61 |
| 2013 Escape | 381 |
| 2014 Escape | 468 |
| 2015 Escape (this page) | 272 |
| 2016 Escape | 314 |
| 2017 Escape | 369 |
| 2018 Escape | 253 |
| 2019 Escape | 113 |
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 272 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 272 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Powertrain accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and on certain vehicles install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and on certain vehicles install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Transmission failures dominate the complaint set. Most owners describe the same core event: driving normally, then the transmission abruptly loses engagement. Engine revs but the vehicle stops accelerating. Some owners report a whining noise seconds before; many get no warning at all—no check engine light, no fault code, nothing on the dash until after the failure, if at all. Owners were on highways, city streets, and parking lots; in most cases they had young children or other passengers in the car.
The transmission typically fails between 80,000 and 100,000 miles, well outside the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Dealership diagnostics show internal destruction: torque converters with metal shavings clogging the whole system, transmission pump failures, regulator valve failures. One small-town transmission shop serviced about 60 Escapes in 18 months for this same failure. One Ford dealership had 108 transmissions sitting on backorder.
A separate issue affects the shifter cable bushing—it degrades and detaches, making the gear indicator on the dashboard lie about what gear the transmission is actually in. Owners parked with the shifter in park and the transmission in reverse, then the car rolled. Ford issued a recall (18S20) for 2013–2014 models, but many 2015 owners say their vehicles were excluded despite identical symptoms.
Owners also report EcoBoost engine problems: coolant leaking into cylinders, white smoke from the tailpipe, rough idle, and engine fires in some cases. One owner's engine failed twice in four years. None of these owners accepted Ford's answer that these are rare, isolated events; they found online forums and Facebook groups full of identical failures.
Same Ford Escape powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Complete transmission failure—loss of drive engagement
Transmission suddenly loses ability to engage drive or reverse, leaving the vehicle immobilized. Engine revs but vehicle does not move or moves only momentarily before disengaging. Occurs without warning lights in some cases; 'Transmission Failure Service Now' light may appear after the event.
When: Between 38,000 and 136,000 miles; most commonly 80,000–100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs but no acceleration or movement; Loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle stalls or comes to complete stop in traffic; Transmission disengages from gear unexpectedly; Loud whining, knocking, or clunking noises from transmission; Vehicle remains stuck in park or reverse with shifter loose or unresponsive
Codes mentioned: P07AA (Transmission Override), P0219 (Engine Over Speed)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; costs range from $3,999 to $7,000+. Shops report transmission filter clogged with metal fragments from internal components; torque converter failure with metal shavings distributed through hydraulic system common; transmission pump failure; regulator valve failure. Remanufactured parts and cooler flush typical. One dealership had 108 transmissions on backorder; another repair shop serviced approximately 60 Escapes in 18 months for transmission failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Powertrain warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles; most failures occur beyond this period. Ford refers customers to NHTSA complaint process; no recalls identified for most affected VINs. Limited recall (18S20, 22V413000) exists for shifter cable bushing but does not cover many 2015 models. Class action litigation pending (Miller v. Ford and others) for EcoBoost coolant intrusion.
Torque converter failure
Torque converter fails catastrophically, distributing metal shavings throughout the transmission hydraulic system. Transmission initially appears to work briefly after restart, then fails again as metal debris clogs the filter.
When: Between 80,000 and 136,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses power while driving; Engine revs without acceleration; Loud whining sound before failure; Transmission engages briefly after restart, then fails again after short distance; Metal fragments visible in transmission filter
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement required, including torque converter replacement with remanufactured parts, cooler and line flushing, new thermal switch, fresh fluid fill. Estimated cost $5,250–$7,000.
Halfshaft center bearing wear and transmission disengagement
Halfshaft center bearing completely worn; bearing retainer tight but worn bearing causes halfshaft to slide out of transmission, preventing torque transfer to axle due to traction control restriction. Results in no forward or reverse engagement.
When: Approximately 81,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle whining during operation; Loss of power and self-shifting into neutral; No forward or reverse engagement after initial failure; Vehicle cannot drive past 1st gear or engage reverse
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership recommended halfshaft replacement as first step, then possibly address transmission noise; dealership also noted collapsed transmission engine mount and coolant/oil leaks (coolant tank sold with upper mount). Dealership estimated transmission likely fried despite fluid being clean with no metal particles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford informed owner warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles and declined coverage. Owner identified this as ongoing issue on car forums from 2008 to present affecting several thousand Escapes, typically occurring suddenly around 81,000 miles.
Transmission hesitation, surging, and delayed engagement
Transmission hesitates or surges when accelerating from stop or slow speed. Delayed engagement (2+ seconds) when shifting into drive. Engine revs but transmission response is sluggish or erratic; vehicle may jerk forward suddenly after hesitation.
When: Occurs within first year of ownership; some instances at under 100,000 miles; one case at 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when accelerating from complete stop or low speed; Surge of power after hesitation; Engine revving without proportional acceleration; Jerky or abrupt gear engagement; No check engine light or fault codes detected on initial visits
Repairs/costs cited: One customer paid $350 for two new transmission overheating sensors without resolution; full transmission replacement later required. Dealerships often unable to replicate issue or find fault codes, telling owners 'no issue' despite persistent symptoms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships tell owners 'no codes' found, cannot fix; Ford engineering provides same response. No recalls for this symptom pattern.
Transmission stalling during reversing or low-speed maneuvers
Vehicle stalls or shuts off when shifting into reverse or drive from a complete stop, requiring driver to depress accelerator quickly to prevent stalling. Stalling occurs increasingly frequently.
When: Intermittently across driving history; one case after 2016 purchase at 26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls when reversing; Engine shuts off when shifting to drive from stop; Significant shuddering when coming to complete stop; Driver must depress accelerator quickly to prevent stalling; Stalling frequency increases over time
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved transmission overhaul after first stall event at 26,000 miles; vehicle hesitated again at 56,000 miles and stalled completely on highway. Second transmission diagnosis/overhaul attempted.
Shifter cable bushing failure and gear mismatch
Shifter cable bushing degrades and detaches from transmission, causing mismatch between gear position indicated by shifter and actual transmission gear. Vehicle may roll despite shifter in park; transmission may be in reverse or another gear while shifter shows park.
When: Various mileages; some cases at under 51,000 miles; one case at 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter moves freely but does not engage or register gear changes on dashboard; Vehicle in park on dashboard but transmission in different gear; Vehicle rolls despite shifter in park and engine running; Unable to shift out of park or into drive; No warning lights or messages
Repairs/costs cited: Ford Recall 18S20 (2013–2014 Escapes) and 22S25 (later years) address this for some VINs but many 2015 models excluded. Repair involves shifter cable replacement at $500–$950. One owner reported dealership had 1,400 shifter cables on backorder. Some owners paid out of pocket for repairs not covered by recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Limited recall (18S20) exists but does not cover 2015 model year or all affected VINs. 2015 owners told 'no recall for this year' despite same symptom pattern. Recall 22V413000 excludes many VINs.
EcoBoost engine coolant intrusion and overheat/fire risk
Coolant leaks into engine cylinders, causing rough idle, misfires, abnormal noise, and loss of performance. White smoke from exhaust. Loss of coolant circulation results in engine overheating and potential cylinder head cracks, pressurized oil leaks, and fire risk under hood.
When: Various mileages; one case at 86,600 miles; one repeat failure 24.5 months after warranty replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Rough/unstable idle, especially on startup; Abnormally loud engine noise; White smoke from exhaust; Loss of coolant without visible external leaks; Burning smell; Fouled spark plugs with coolant; Vehicle stalls or shuts off unexpectedly; Vehicle overheats
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required; one case involved Ford paying 1/4 of replacement cost ($3,000–$5,000+). Another owner experienced same failure (rough idle, engine noise, loss of performance) 24.5 months after warranty engine replacement, suggesting design defect recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue under litigation (Miller v. Ford class action); no recall for all affected vehicles. Ford offers partial warranty coverage (1/4 cost) in some cases. Owner reports 30+ engine fires related to this issue; hundreds to thousands of owners affected. VINs excluded from limited recall.
Intermittent stalling and no-start condition
Vehicle stalls intermittently after driving, especially on second or third short trip of the day, or on extended drives. Check engine light may not appear. After stalling, vehicle may not restart or may take multiple restart attempts. Dealerships unable to replicate or find codes.
When: Intermittently throughout ownership; one case beginning 2021 on vehicle purchased new 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls after restart or during second/third short trip; No check engine light initially; Vehicle restarts after rest period between trips; Stalling resolves intermittently, then recurs; No codes detected by dealership diagnostic
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership replaced airflow valve without resolving issue. Transmission eventually failed completely after oil change. Owner paid $7,000 for transmission replacement out of pocket 4 months after powertrain warranty expiration (51,000 miles).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to replicate, no codes found, told 'no issue.' After check engine light activated, one repair performed but stalling persisted.
Unintended acceleration and transmission failure after recall repair
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver input while parking or immediately after recall work performed on transmission-related parts. Transmission fails shortly after recall service appointment.
When: At 38,384 miles (immediately after transmission-related recall service); at 75,000 miles (after recall part replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates on own during parking maneuvers; Vehicle continues to accelerate even after brake applied; Transmission codes appear on diagnostic after incident, but no prior warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: One case required transmission overhaul at $3,999.41 at 38,384 miles. One owner reports recall unavailable for 3 years due to part backorder, and transmission degraded to complete failure; 108 transmissions on backorder at dealership, suggesting systemic issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall (18S20, 22V413000) exists for shifter cable bushing but parts availability severely limited (1,400+ on backorder reported). One owner stated transmission failure attributed to unavailability of recalled parts.
Transmission failure after recalled part replacement
Transmission fails shortly after dealership performs recall service on transmission-related component (shifter cable bushing). Owner reports no prior transmission problems; failure occurs within days.
When: Days to weeks after recall service appointment
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle RPMs spike above 4,000 and downshifts hard; Rapid deceleration (e.g., from 65 mph to barely moving); No warning lights on dashboard or diagnostic codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claims internal transmission failure not related to recall work, but owner reports no prior issues and failure immediately after service. Another case: transmission failed entirely in traffic immediately after recall repair; owner later found out this identical part (shifter cable bushing) is subject to class action (1.7 million Escapes cited as affected).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denies responsibility; claims defect is internal transmission issue unrelated to recall work. Ford defending class action litigation regarding shifter cable bushing on 1.7 million vehicles.
Transmission pump failure
Transmission pump fails, producing whining noise and preventing vehicle movement. Diagnostic codes indicate transmission pump malfunction.
When: At 133,926 miles; symptoms may appear earlier
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining noise from transmission; Vehicle will not move; Loss of power while driving; Vehicle shudders and shakes; Dash displays 'Transmission Fault/Service Now'
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; one case cost $5,294.10 after tax (diagnostic $111.30). Pump making whining noise and vehicle refusing to move.
Sudden engine shutdown while driving with no apparent cause
Engine shuts off completely while driving; all electrical systems remain functional (lights, radio, dashboard). Vehicle will not restart immediately or restart with 'System Start Fault' message. Occurs at random with no warning lights beforehand.
When: Twice within one week; one case at undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off abruptly while driving; All electrical systems (lights, radio, dashboard) remain on; Dashboard displays 'Warning, Vehicle is not in Park'; Steering wheel locks up; Vehicle will not restart (no engine cranking sound); Dashboard displays 'System Start Fault'; After 2 hours, vehicle restarts and operates normally
Repairs/costs cited: AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts testing confirmed battery and transmission working fine. Issue remains undiagnosed.
Synthesized from 272 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
While driving down hill the vehicle was revving up to almost 5rpms while breaking... Was not shifting into lower gear.. Pulled in to get gas.. Went to back up with reverse.. Then shifted gear into drive .. And the vehicle was still in reverse... Pushed the shifter to park and then back into driver and car was still driving in reserve...pushed back into park ... Switched seats with my husband ...…
We were driving down the highway when the ford escape shut down and the the check engine light came on for the Evap system several parts have been replaced but I get the same code and the car is dying at idle and losing power a different times while driving
The transmission shift cable fell off the transmission shift lever in the engine compartment. The plastic bushing that holds the shift cable in place is worn out or defective. Ford has a replacement part (#DG9Z-7K340-A) and a new cover cap to protect the bushing now. Wondering why this is not a safety recall. The linkage fell off while my wife was parking the vehicle in sub-zero weather. She had…
It first started while sitting at a light and the gears shifted on their own kind of felt like it just clicked into place. I continued to drive as no check engine light came on and it was feeling fine. I was driving down a hill at 45 MPH and then all of a sudden my rpms shot from a 2.5/3 to a 7rpm right back down to a 1rpm and this took me immediately down to 26mph this totally freaked me out as…
Purchased a new 2015 escape have had it in the dealer multi times for turbo replacement and the heads replaced. Was smelling coolant in the car took it to the same dealer for repair. That was over 7 weeks ago. Fords will not approve the repair that was caused by the coolant leaking into the engine. I have a active powertrain and Ford esp warranty.
Transmission is not shifting correctly from reverse into drive. Also does not shift through the speeds and the RPM reaches 5000. Shifting is unpredictable and very glitchy. Dangerous in certain conditions because car does not accelerate properly. Reverse to forward direction is unpredictable. Worse in cold conditions. Car is dangerous to drive. Condition has worsened and now need a new…
Driving along just fine went pass another car on the road. While acelarating the made a sudden hard shift and then started to hessitate. The car did this down town phx 75 to 25 causing to cars behind me to crash into each other so yeah I have to say that would be a saftey issue. As it was doing this the car said transmission failure. So I had the car towed and when I got it home I hooked it up to…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 272 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 157 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 69,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 69,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.