NHTSA Complaint #11482443 — 2014 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking spot and approaching a stop sign, she heard an abnormal popping sound. The contact shifted into park(P); however, the vehicle began to roll backwards. The contact engaged the electronic parking brake. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front axle had detached from the transmission. The dealer replaced the driveshaft seal and bushings, and the transmission fluid; however, while driving a month later, a bystander informed the contact that the vehicle was leaking fluid. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer Sunset Ford (11700 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63127) where it was diagnosed that the front axle had created two holes in the transmission, which caused the transmission fluid to leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165, 842.