PartMatchup

2014 Ford Escape

Counts come from unverified consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and cannot be compared between models — how to read them.

Common problems reported on the 2014 Ford Escape

Share of the 1,855 complaints on file that name each component group. A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Component group Complaints Share
Engine 641 34.6%
Power Train 446 24.0%
Unknown or Other 220 11.9%
Electrical System 179 9.6%
Engine and Engine Cooling 156 8.4%
Steering 143 7.7%
Fuel/Propulsion System 109 5.9%
Structure 80 4.3%
Latches/Locks/Linkages 60 3.2%
Wheels 45 2.4%
Vehicle Speed Control 38 2.0%
Back Over Prevention 33 1.8%

1,855 complaints filed between September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2024.

At what mileage the Ford Escape failed

Mileage at which owners reported the failure. The bar spans the middle half of the reports (25th to 75th percentile); the line inside it is the median. Shared scale within this page only.
Component group Median Reports
Engine 73,500 447
Power Train 89,200 334
Electrical System 60,500 121
Engine and Engine Cooling 97,000 129
Steering 62,500 108
Fuel/Propulsion System 61,342 73
Structure 40,000 53
Latches/Locks/Linkages 73,000 25
Wheels 54,000 29
Vehicle Speed Control 54,000 28

Across all components, half the reported failures happened before 75,000 miles, with the middle half falling between 47,000 and 100,000. Based on the 1,316 complaints (71%) that record a mileage.

A low figure does not mean the car stops working at that mileage. It means the reported failures clustered early, which most often points to a fault built into a production batch — usually the kind of thing a warranty repair or a recall campaign addresses.

How this mix compares with other model years

Share of this model year’s complaints naming each group, against the median share across all 276 model years on this site. The tick marks that typical share.
Component group Here Typical
Engine 34.6% 16.6%
Electrical System 9.6% 13.4%
Power Train 24.0% 10.2%
Unknown or Other 11.9% 10.2%
Service Brakes 1.8% 6.4%
Steering 7.7% 6.2%
Air Bags 1.7% 5.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System 5.9% 4.5%

This compares the subjects of the complaints, not how many there are. A share needs no denominator, so unlike a count it can honestly be held against a norm — but a group sitting above the typical share means people complained about that part more often relative to everything else on this car, not that the car is worse than another.

Parts named by name

Part Complaints Median mileage
Structure: Body 64 44,000
Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch 23 72,000
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 22 —
Power Train: Automatic Transmission 14 —
Wheels: Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 13 —
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 12 —
Structure: Body: Door 7 —
Power Train: Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod 6 —
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (Prndl) 5 —
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Torque Converter 5 —

Most filers pick a category and stop there; only 11% of this model year’s complaints name a specific part. This table is that minority, so treat it as detail on top of the distribution above rather than as the whole picture. A dash means too few of those complaints record a mileage to publish a median.

How serious the complaints were

Reported across all complaints on file: 38 injuries and 3 deaths. These shares sit within this model’s own complaints — they say nothing about how it compares to another model.

Recall campaigns

16 campaigns. A recall repair is free at a dealer regardless of how many owners the car has had. Check the car’s own VIN — a campaign listed here may already have been carried out on it.

26V011000 Equipment: Electrical: Engine Block Heater January 15, 2026

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.

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

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Campaign covered 116,672 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

22V413000 Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (Prndl) · Power Train: Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod June 10, 2022

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Campaign covered 2,925,968 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

20V331000 Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch June 8, 2020

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.

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

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Campaign covered 2,147,323 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

18V471000 Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Lever and Linkage: Floor Shift July 16, 2018

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.

Campaign covered 504,182 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

17V472000 Seat Belts · Seats July 25, 2017

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available in the fourth quarter of 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S17.

Campaign covered 94,605 vehicles across model years 2014, 2015 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

17V209000 Engine and Engine Cooling: Engine March 27, 2017

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.

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

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

Campaign covered 208,584 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014, 2015 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

16V643000 Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch September 6, 2016

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.

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

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Campaign covered 2,046,297 vehicles across model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

15V406000 Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel June 24, 2015

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 and Displays."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C03.

Campaign covered 184,519 vehicles across model years 2014, 2015 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

15V005000 Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump January 9, 2015

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 May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.

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

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.

Campaign covered 54,543 vehicles across model years 2014, 2015 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V597000 Air Bags · Air Bags: Side/Window · Seat Belts September 26, 2014

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.

Campaign covered 746,842 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V525000 Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery September 2, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured May 1, 2014, to May 24, 2014, 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured on June 6, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to July 7, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.

Consequence: A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S20.

Campaign covered 301 vehicles across model years 2014, 2015 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V495000 Electrical System: Wiring August 11, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Consequence: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.

Campaign covered 133,227 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V403000 Visibility: Sun/Moon Roof Assembly July 2, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 15, 2013, through October 22, 2013. The panorama roof glass may not be properly bonded to the attaching bracket.

Consequence: If the glass panel is improperly bonded, the glass may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Ford has notified owners. Dealers will inspect each vehicle and replace the front roof glass if its production date and sequence number falls within the affected range, free of charge. The recall is began on July 14, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S13.

Campaign covered 1,867 vehicles across model year 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V239000 Structure: Body: Door May 7, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through April 10, 2014. Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may possibly open while driving.

Consequence: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S03.

Campaign covered 581,986 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V237000 Air Bags: Frontal: Sensor/Control Module-inactive · Air Bags: Side/Window May 7, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

Consequence: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.

Campaign covered 594,785 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

14V164000 Seats: Front Assembly: Recliner April 2, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.

Campaign covered 43,135 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

NCAP crash-test ratings

Variant Overall Frontal Side Rollover
2014 Ford Escape SUV 4x2 4 4 5 4
2014 Ford Escape SUV 4x4 4 4 5 4

Ratings are out of 5 stars.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

Written and checked by someone who does this work; it is not derived from the data. The complaint counts decide only the order: the assemblies this model’s owners complain about most come first.

Engine and cooling system

Related complaint groups: Engine (641), Engine and Engine Cooling (156)

Come to a cold car. A warmed-up engine hides a hard start, smoke and knocking. If the car is already warm, that is a yellow flag: ask for 30–40 minutes to let it cool. A refusal to let it cool is a red flag.

With the car parked

On the road and after

Red flags

Automatic transmission

Related complaint groups: Power Train (446)

Checking the fluid level during an inspection is usually not possible — many cars need a lift, some have no dipstick at all, and Honda’s procedure differs from the rest. So this assessment is built on behavior, not on fluid.

With the car parked

On the road

Questions for the seller

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Expensive. The most expensive of the likely assemblies; a repair is often comparable to the value of the car.

Axles and CV joints

Related complaint groups: Power Train (446)

With the car parked

On the road

Cost if it needs work: Relatively low. A good indicator of how the car has been treated overall.

Electrical system

Related complaint groups: Electrical System (179), Exterior Lighting (14)

With the car parked

On the road

Red flags

Suspension, control arms, steering

Related complaint groups: Steering (143), Suspension (17)

With the car parked

On the road

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Low to moderate. Depends on what turns out to be the source. Plus an alignment after the replacement.

Airbags and the VIN recall check

Related complaint groups: Air Bags (32), Seat Belts (24)

The most reliable procedure in this library — it does not depend on hearing, experience or inspection conditions.

Required procedure

Inspection

Brakes

Related complaint groups: Service Brakes (33)

With the car parked

On the road

After the drive

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Moderate. Confirm actual cost against local prices at the time of purchase.

The Ford Escape year by year

Model year Complaints Median mileage Recalls
2010 2,025 59,869 3
2011 1,265 56,000 2
2012 572 56,302 1
2013 2,625 75,000 18
2014 (this page) 1,855 75,000 16
2015 780 70,000 9
2016 744 72,000 4

Read the mileage column down this table with care. A newer year has simply been driven less, so its median sits lower for that reason alone — the figure is censored from above by how long the cars have been on the road, not only by how they were built. The same applies to the complaint counts: an older year has had more years in which to collect them.

Where the mileage figure does compare cleanly is between different models of the same year, which have had the same time to accumulate miles.

Other Ford model years

All model years