What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2014 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

3.8% of complaints about the 2014 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2014 vehicle — around the middle of the 195 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (719 complaints), typically at 6.3 yr or about 74,000 miles.

Complaints
2,662
Median age at failure
6.7 yr
Median mileage
74,904 n=1721
Crash / fire / tow
14.8% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
719 reports · 74,000 mi
6.3 yr
15.4%
Power train
492 reports · 89,400 mi
7.1 yr
16.7%
Other
271 reports · 70,000 mi
7.3 yr
11.1%
Electrical system
217 reports · 62,600 mi
6.3 yr
12.9%
Engine cooling
187 reports · 100,000 mi
9.4 yr
25.7%
Steering
150 reports · 63,740 mi
6.4 yr
12%
Fuel / propulsion
120 reports · 61,342 mi
5.9 yr
3.3%
Structure
84 reports · 40,000 mi
5.3 yr
15.5%
Latches / locks
66 reports · 85,000 mi
3.7 yr
3%
Back over prevention
52 reports · 85,000 mi
9.2 yr
1.9%
Wheels
48 reports · 54,000 mi
6.4 yr
10.4%
Speed control
42 reports · 63,000 mi
6.4 yr
7.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V011000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

22V413000 2022-06-10
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.

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

20V331000 2020-06-08
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

18V471000 2018-07-16
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.

If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.

17V472000 2017-07-25
Seat belts

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.

The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

17V209000 2017-03-27
Engine and engine cooling:engine

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.

If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

16V643000 2016-09-06
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

15V406000 2015-06-24
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured May 19, 2014, to February 6, 2015, and Transit Connect vehicles manufactured May 11, 2014, to July 2, 2015. Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights. Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control

If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of may not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.

15V005000 2015-01-09
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to M

If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V597000 2014-09-26
Air bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Suspension 100 mi 0 mo in service
PICKED UP MY BRAND NEW CAR, FORD ESCAPE S 2014, AND HAD THE AC SYSTEM RUNNING, WHEN I TURNED THE AC OF A STRANGE NOISE WAS AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AN EASY FIX. APPARENTLY TWO SCREWS HAD TO BE TIGHTENED AT THE SHOCK AND SUSPENSION. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE FIXED CAR' IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MIN TO HEAR THE NOISE AGAIN. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. I WILL TAKE THE CARE BACK AGAIN TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
Suspension 47,000 mi 3.0 yr in service
MY 2014 FORD ESCAPE HAS A BLOWN RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND TIE ROD AT ONLY 47,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC WAS SHOCKED AND SAID TO CONTACT FORD. HE SAID IT'S UNHEARD OF FOR A STRUT OR TIE ROB TO FAIL WITH SO FEW MILES. IT IS A POOR QUALITY PART. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM FORD.
Suspension 70,000 mi 3.5 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN IT DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BAR THAT THE BAR THAT CONNECTED THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND MOVEABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Visibility / wipers 800 mi 5 mo in service
THIS IS THE 3RD TIME WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER HAS FAILED FOR MY NEW 2014 FORD ESCAPE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER DID NOT MOVE WHEN TURN ON THE WIPER AND THE DRIVER SIDE WILL MOVE ONCE AND STUCK AT THE UP RIGHT POSITION. AFTER IT GOT STUCK, IT'LL NOT RESPOND TO ANY WIPER CONTROLS. I SHUT DOWN MY ENGINE AND THE WIPER THEN RETRACTED TO THE OFF POSITION. SENT THE CAR TO THE DEALER LAST SATURDAY BUT NOTHING WAS DONE SINCE THEY COULDN'T REPLICATED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Other Escape model years

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