UsedScore

2014 Ford Escape: Solid

Owners filed 535 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape in its first five years on the road, about 176 for every 100,000 sold: 0.9× the rate of a typical Escape year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the engine (35% of complaints, median 52,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.9×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Escape year
Rank
7th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
535
first five years; 176 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
16
campaigns
3rd generation, 2013–2019 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2013 Ford Escape SE

Photo: 2013 Ford Escape SE · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Engine35% · 189 complaints · median 52,000 miles
  2. Powertrain17% · 90 complaints · median 63,000 miles
  3. Electrical13% · 68 complaints · median 36,000 miles
  4. Air bags4% · 19 complaints · median 16,000 miles
  5. Fuel and propulsion7% · 39 complaints · median 49,000 miles
  6. Steering7% · 35 complaints · median 29,000 miles
  7. Doors and latches7% · 39 complaints · median 53,000 miles
  8. Body and structure7% · 37 complaints · median 36,000 miles
  9. Brakes4% · 19 complaints · median 11,000 miles
  10. Seats and belts2% · 13 complaints · median 25,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Electrical

Owners of this model report the dashboard display or instrument cluster going dark or flickering, sometimes alongside stalling, loss of power, or trouble starting. Many say dealers replaced parts or cited a related recall, but some found their vehicle wasn't covered and the problem returned.

Warning signs:
Many note flickering or dimming displays, warning lights, chimes or a burning smell before failure, and vehicles sometimes stall or refuse to shift out of park without warning.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the instrument cluster or wiring harness, though several owners report the shop could not duplicate the problem or said the vehicle's VIN was not covered by an existing recall.
Mileage:
most between 35,000 and 95,000 miles, among 127 complaints that give it

“The display was flickering and difficult to see for a few weeks”

“Vehicle has hesitated and stalled several times”

Engine

Many 2014 Escape owners describe stalling, overheating, or coolant leaks that in some cases progressed to engine fires, often with dashboard warnings beforehand. Repairs are frequently described as incomplete, hard to diagnose, or delayed by unavailable recall parts.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights (engine fault, check engine, temperature), rough idle, hesitation or jerking, unusual smells, smoke, or hissing noises before the failure.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced wiring, sensors, coolant components, or the water pump, though many owners say the problem could not be duplicated, diagnosed, or fully fixed, and recall parts were sometimes unavailable.
Mileage:
most between 55,000 and 105,000 miles, among 591 complaints that give it

“The engine lost power. Pulled over to the side of the road and discovered that the air cleaner was on fire.”

“My temperature gauge needle was at the hot. I pulled over and it slowly went back down enough where I got to my destination”

Powertrain

Owners of the 2014 Ford Escape report transmission trouble ranging from hesitation and rough shifting to complete failure requiring replacement, along with a separate shifter cable issue that let the vehicle roll away in park. Repairs often took repeated dealer visits, and some owners mention a related recall or software update.

Warning signs:
Owners describe engine revving without acceleration, rough or delayed gear shifts, jerking or lurching, warning lights reading transmission fault or 'not in park,' and unusual noises before failures.
What shops did:
Dealers replaced transmission components, torque converters, shifter cables and bushings, or entire transmissions; some could not duplicate or diagnose the problem and others said parts were unavailable under recall.
Mileage:
most between 70,000 and 115,000 miles, among 341 complaints that give it

“The transmission began slipping (I.e., loss of power upon shifting to accelerate) after about 1 year of ownership”

“Gear shifter moves to park, but does not register on drivers console. Cannot start car car drifts without emergency brake applied”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (16)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V011000January 2026116,672 vehicles

    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.

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

    Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied.

  • NHTSA 22V413000June 20222,925,968 vehicles

    Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod · 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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 20V331000June 20202,147,323 vehicles

    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.

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

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 18V471000July 2018504,182 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V472000July 201794,605 vehicles

    Seats · 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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V209000March 2017208,584 vehicles

    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.

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V643000September 20162,046,297 vehicles

    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.

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V406000June 2015184,519 vehicles

    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 and Displays."

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V005000January 201554,543 vehicles

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

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V597000September 2014746,842 vehicles

    Seat belts · Air bags: side/window · 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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V525000September 2014301 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

    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.

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V495000August 2014133,227 vehicles

    Electrical system: wiring

    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).

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V403000July 20141,867 vehicles

    Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

    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.

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

    Fix: Ford has notified owners.

  • NHTSA 14V237000May 2014594,785 vehicles

    Air bags: side/window · Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

    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.

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V239000May 2014581,986 vehicles

    Structure: body: door

    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.

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V164000April 201443,135 vehicles

    Seats: front assembly: recliner

    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."

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

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Ford sent NHTSA 146 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2014 Escape. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 25H05 S1 · April 2026Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
  • SSM 54601 · February 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code.
  • 25B61 · February 2026Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift Cable Bushing Inspection and Protective Service Cap Installation
  • 25H05 · November 2025This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned.
  • SSM 50804 · May 2022Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln phone applications…
  • TSB 22-2066 · April 2022Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position.
  • TSB 21-2152 · May 2021Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position.
  • TSB 21-2033 · March 2021Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position.

All 2014 Escape bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2014 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners filed 535 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape in its first five years on the road, about 176 for every 100,000 sold: 0.9× the rate of a typical Escape year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Escape years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2014 Escape problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the engine (35%), the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (17%) and the electrical system (13%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2014 Ford Escape been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2014 Ford Escape, the most recent in January 2026 (equipment). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. The 2014 Ford Escape on NHTSA.gov · How we rate