Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P2701

P2701 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Transmission Friction Element 'B' Apply Time Range/Performance

P2701 is a standard code covering engine, transmission, fuel and emissions. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 11 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

  • 11owner reports
  • 9car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2023model years

Which cars get code P2701?

Every model whose owners mentioned P2701 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Where does P2701 show up?

By brand

  • Ford10
  • Ram1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Power Train11 (100%)
  2. Vehicle Speed Control2 (18.2%)
  3. Electrical System1 (9.1%)
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System1 (9.1%)

Is there a recall for P2701?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Power Train) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage. NHTSA campaign 26V402000 · June 24, 2026 · Affected cars

2019 Ford Expedition. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Manual Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. NHTSA campaign 26V376000 · June 9, 2026 · Affected cars

2017 Ford Focus, 2016 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear. NHTSA campaign 26V237000 · April 14, 2026 · Affected cars

2016 Ford F-150. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube. NHTSA campaign 22V835000 · November 10, 2022 · Affected cars

2021 Ram 2500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach. NHTSA campaign 22V413000 · June 10, 2022 · Affected cars

2018 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts. NHTSA campaign 20V550000 · September 10, 2020 · Affected cars

2019 Ford Edge. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended. NHTSA campaign 20V263000 · May 8, 2020 · Affected cars

2019 Ford Expedition. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Manual Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. NHTSA campaign 18V845000 · November 28, 2018 · Affected cars

2017 Ford Focus, 2016 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P2701?

10 of the 11 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

On June 20th 2026 while driving my 2023 Ford Edge SEL AWD at approximately 35mph on an active hwy (93 AZ NB in Wickenburg AZ) the vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic loss of motive power and came to a sudden stop in a jerking motion. The vehicle completely disabled itself without warning in live traffic, presenting an immediate and severe safety hazard to myself and surrounding motorists. I was forced to stay in an immobile position impeding the flow of traffic and could not coast safely out of the way of hazardous traffic conditions and subsequently was almost hit by a semi-truck and another POV. The vehicle was subsequently towed out of the hwy with law enforcement present for safety…
2023 Ford EdgePower Train, Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11757324 · Aug 16, 2026
STOPPED AT TRAFFIC SIGNAL, BEGAN ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH AND CLUNKY, REVVED HIGH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. SHIFTED IN AND OUT OF GEAR WITH PERIODS OF PROLONGED HESITATION. TRANSMISSION FAULT SERVICE NOW WARNING SOUND AND DISPLAY. CAME TO A STOP AT THE NEXT SIGNAL AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD IN SEVERAL JUMPING MOTIONS AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. CAR HAS 5900 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, SERVICE "CLEARED CODES, PERFORMED ADAPTIVE LEARN AND TEST DRIVE, CODE P2701-TCM STATES TO REMOVE CLUTCH AND INSPECT FOR WEAR" WHICH WAS NOT DONE. SERVICE FOUND VEHICLE NOW IS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED" AT THIS TIME. IF CODE…
2017 Ford FocusPower Train, Vehicle Speed ControlNHTSA complaint 11081017 · Mar 23, 2018
2018 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (MASSEY FORD) WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE CODED P2701 AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION (KENT PARSONS FORD) STATING THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SPARK WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE NEXT DAY THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE INTO MASSEY FORD. KENT PARSONS FORD WAS RELUCTANT TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE AS THE BILL WAS NOT PAID FOR THE SPARK PLUG REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
2018 Ford EscapePower TrainNHTSA complaint 11415853 · May 5, 2021
SIX WEEKS AGO MY TRANSMITION START JUMPING WHEN IT SHIFTED GEARS. THE EXPEDITION ONLY HAS 82, 212 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND GOT A CODE P2701, WHICH IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER FIRST TO SEE IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. HAD HIM DO A FULL TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER REPLACEMENT. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT HAS GOTTEN WORST AND NOW JUMPS AND HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS ALL THE TIME, WHICH IS DANGEROUS. CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DELIVER AND THEY SAID…
2019 Ford ExpeditionPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11638974 · Jan 27, 2025
SIX WEEKS AGO MY TRANSMITION START JUMPING WHEN IT SHIFTED GEARS. THE EXPEDITION ONLY HAS 82, 212 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND GOT A CODE P2701, WHICH IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER FIRST TO SEE IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. HAD HIM DO A FULL TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER REPLACEMENT. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT HAS GOTTEN WORST AND NOW JUMPS AND HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS ALL THE TIME, WHICH IS DANGEROUS. CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DELIVER AND THEY SAID…
2019 Ford Expedition ELPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11638974 · Jan 27, 2025
VEHICLE IS A 2013 EXPLORER XLT THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS 69K AND IS OUTSIDE THE 5YR/60K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. MY WIFE COMMUTES TO WORK AND DRIVES THE KIDS TO SCHOOL. WE DO NOT TOW OR HAUL ANYTHING WITH IT. A FEW DAYS AGO SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT ABOUT 20MPH WHEN IT LOST POWER AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE (LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL). SHE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO TURN AROUND, BUT THERE WAS NO REVERSE. WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITH HELP FROM A NEIGHBOR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT AN INTERSECTION THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I DROVE IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND "TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT CAME…
2013 Ford ExplorerPower TrainNHTSA complaint 10905479 · Sep 10, 2016
XXX: I scheduled an oil change online and selected the open transmission safety recall. [XXX] Ford executed Recall 26S28 (PCM Programming) under verification code RGLKT7MASIPIJ. The truck had absolutely no shifting issues prior to this flash. XXX: Within two weeks of the software update, the truck began experiencing the exact erratic shifting and violent gear-dropping safety hazards described in the recall. I returned the truck to the dealer. XXX: After days of complete silence, I had to initiate contact. First by phone, then by physically walking into the service desk on XXX to get answers because the dealer ignored my vehicle. Mid-XXX: After the truck sat on their lot for three weeks, they…
2016 Ford F-150Power Train, Vehicle Speed ControlNHTSA complaint 11765851 · Sep 21, 2026
Transmission failed. Yellow wrench light on with Transmission overheating message with an indication to pull over immediately. Took the vehicle to a shop and this was their conclusion: Firestone: Code. "P2701 Description, Transmission Friction Element "B" Apply Time Range/Performance". TECH ROAD TESTED AND FOUND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BADLY, REFER TO TRANS SHOP OR DEALER FOR OVERHAUL/REPLACEMENT. COMPUTERIZED ENGINE ANALYSIS The car has been a at Ford dealer for 2 weeks awaiting a very expensive transmission overhaul. 2017 Ford Fiestas are experiencing the same transmission issues as previous years.
2017 Ford FiestaPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11600800 · Jul 10, 2024
The 68RFE automatic transmission in this 2021 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins fails to engage reverse when the transmission reaches operating temperature. When the gear selector is placed in reverse and the accelerator is applied, the engine revs but the truck does not move. The defect is intermittent and temperature-dependent, which means it cannot be predicted or avoided by the driver. The vehicle is used to tow an enclosed cargo trailer weighing approximately 7,000 pounds.The safety risk: inability to engage reverse on demand creates a hazard in any situation requiring reverse motion, including backing away from a stopped vehicle, reversing out of a fuel station, backing a loaded trailer at a…
2021 Ram 2500Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11734218 · Apr 28, 2026
My vehicle began jumping when switching from drive to reverse. When I placed the car into reverse, it stalled and would not switch into reverse or neutral. The car stalled in the middle of a parking lot. The check engine light did not come on initially, and when it did, it did not remain on for very long. The car prompted a Shift Solenois B Stuck On error (P0757:00-E8), as well as an inability to engage neutral error (P073D:00-6C) and transmission friction element error (P2701:00-6C). The valve body has been replaced, but the transmission is still promoting the same errors.
2019 Ford EdgePower TrainNHTSA complaint 11696930 · Nov 1, 2025

P2701: questions drivers ask

What does code P2701 mean?

P2701 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Transmission Friction Element 'B' Apply Time Range/Performance". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 9 car models.

Which cars get code P2701 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P2701 is mentioned most for the Ford Edge (2), Ford Focus (2), Ford Escape (1), across 9 models and model years 2013 to 2023. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P2701?

No NHTSA recall text names P2701 directly. 8 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Power Train); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P2701?

Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.

How this page was made

CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P2701. The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

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