2014 Ford Escape: Not shifting properly
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2014 Escape report: not shifting properly. CarComplaints.com lists 13 owner complaints, average mileage 65,350 miles.
NHTSA has 481 owner complaints for the 2014 Escape in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11760815 (filed 08/30/2026): “When i was about to park, the transmission failed. i couldn’t reverse, and it got stuck in neutral. i wasn’t able to shift it into park. when the mechanic came, he said the shifter cable bushing was faulty, which was exactly the part covered by the recall they…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11758108 (filed 08/19/2026): “When im driving sometimes it stalls. i give it gas and car wount go. it only idles.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission (7 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $3,970 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .