NHTSA Complaint #11662456 — 2015 FORD ESCAPE

On 14 May 2025 at approximately 11:45 am I went to drive my Ford Escape to Metro Ford for routine engine service. I started the Ford and proceeded to drive away. A few minutes later as I was driving down a two lane major highway I began to accelerate the Ford when I noticed RPMs going up but transmission was not engaged. I shifted into neutral and back to drive. Still nothing. I tried using manual shift buttons, nothing. I was on a busy high speed road and could not accelerate. I had enough momentum to pull off on a driveway area. I tried shifting ford into park and drive and when going to drive nothing happened. I turned the car off. Waited a few minutes and the Ford finally engaged into reverse. I was able to get back to my house by getting enough momentum to coast down to my driveway. The transmission completely stopped working. This is a serious failure that I had no indication it was failing. Had my niece or her kids was in the car they could have been injured due to the vehicle stalling on a major road or in an intersection or even in a train track. So many potential life threatening possibilities. I towed the Ford to Metro Ford. Ford only quoted me options for repair. I advised them if they had no other concerns then I would report the extremely dangerous situation that should have already been recalled. Ford metro noted they pulled transmission fluid and determined there transmission is bad. I had no warning from the computer this was a potential failure. I could have been killed had I not been able to figure out how to get out of the road. This transmission failure, according to Ford is common. If so, it’s a safety hazard. I am parking the Ford and I’m willing to let anyone inspect it so they can see the failure prior to any repairs. I maintain the Ford and rely on it. I want all Ford Escape owners to know this Hazardous safety issue. Someone is going to get killed if not already has been.