NHTSA Complaint #11601498 — 2017 FORD ESCAPE

When I am driving my 2017 Ford Escape SE 2.0L Turbo EcoBoost, the engine seems to hesitate/skip when I am driving along at speeds from 25-55, once it accelerates from 55 to 70, the skipping doesn't seem to happen. It feels like the engine is skipping or gear shifting is skipping. This has been happening for a long time since it passed 60,000 miles and it's at approx. I was told by an independent mechanic that the transmission needs to be flushed, but flushing it wouldn't necessarily stop what's happening. I am now at 140,000, the car seems to still operate, and the engine light has never come on indicating an issue/malfunction. It's even had a part fixed in the transmission from a recall and the issue continues. However, recently I noticed when I am coasting down a hill and I tap my brakes to slow down and usually during this time braking triggers the hill assist function, the RPMS have been racing up to 3,000-4,000 RPMs and it usually won't go back down unless I press the gas to get it to shift gears. Usually this makes me have to accelerate instead of slowing down or keeping my speed at the legal speed limit on that road the hill is on. I was recently told that there is an engine block recall on 2017 Ford Escapes, and I am not sure if this could be the issue. But if it is, I would like to have my vehicle looked at by a Ford garage and have it replaced at no cost.