UsedScore

2015 Ford Escape: Best bet

Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Escape in its first five years on the road, about 77 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. That's among the fewest of any Escape year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the electrical system (19% of complaints, median 40,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.4×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Escape year
Rank
2nd of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
236
first five years; 77 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
9
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. Electrical19% · 45 complaints · median 40,000 miles
  2. Engine19% · 45 complaints · median 46,000 miles
  3. Steering12% · 28 complaints · median 33,000 miles
  4. Powertrain14% · 34 complaints · median 59,000 miles
  5. Air bags3% · 7 complaints · median 41,000 miles
  6. Brakes6% · 14 complaints · median 27,000 miles
  7. Fuel and propulsion7% · 17 complaints · median 44,000 miles
  8. Body and structure8% · 18 complaints · median 19,000 miles
  9. Wheels and tires6% · 15 complaints · median 53,000 miles
  10. Doors and latches6% · 14 complaints

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 describe recurring electrical failures in this Escape, especially instrument panels going blank and body control module or ignition problems that can cause stalling or no-start situations. Many report frustration when dealers cannot duplicate the issue or say the vehicle isn't covered by an existing recall.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights, blank or flickering instrument panels, dead batteries, doors or liftgates registering as ajar, and engines that stall or won't shut off.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced instrument clusters, body control modules, or ignition switches, reprogrammed software, or in many cases could not diagnose or repair the issue, and frequently told owners their vehicle was not covered by a recall.
Mileage:
most between 35,000 and 100,000 miles, among 86 complaints that give it

“The multi function display would show either a black or gray screen, periodically with white lines, with no readouts showing at all.”

“The car failed to recognize the ford key. Had car towed. Told battery needed to be replaced.”

Engine

Owners describe their Escape stalling or losing power unexpectedly, often tied to coolant leaking into the engine and causing overheating or major damage. Repairs frequently required engine replacement, and several owners note recalls existed for similar issues on other model years but not theirs.

Warning signs:
Owners often notice check engine or overheating warning lights, white smoke from the exhaust, low coolant, rough idling, or the heater blowing cold before the engine stalled or failed.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently diagnosed a coolant bypass valve, head gasket, or throttle body issue, and many say the fix required replacing the entire engine, sometimes at high out-of-pocket cost.
Mileage:
most between 55,000 and 115,000 miles, among 153 complaints that give it

“diagnosis showed a coolant leak into engine cylinder #3. dealer states that i need a new engine”

“the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. there were no warning lights illuminated.”

Steering

Owners describe the power steering suddenly failing or the wheel locking up, sometimes while driving and sometimes when starting or backing out of a parking spot. Many say the failure was unpredictable, repair costs were high, and dealers could not always find or fix the cause.

Warning signs:
Many describe a steering warning light or "steering assist fault" message appearing along with the wheel suddenly becoming hard to turn, jerking, or seizing, sometimes with grinding or growling noises.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the steering gear, rack and pinion, or steering control module, though some could not duplicate or diagnose the problem and returned the car unfixed.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 75,000 miles, among 52 complaints that give it

“Steering assist fault service required" error came on screen and steering get locked , can't turn the steering.”

“The message changed to steering loss, stop safely. We conferred with the carmasters service center that performed the tie rod replacement.”

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

Recalls (9)

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 25V695000October 20251,448,655 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge.

  • 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 22V254000April 202296,015 vehicles

    Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod · Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. 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 shifter 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 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 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 15V436000July 2015374,781 vehicles

    Electrical system: ignition

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

    Risk: If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, 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.

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 128 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2015 Escape. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 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.
  • SSM 54366 · November 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
  • SSM 52335 · March 2024For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and…
  • 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…
  • SSM 50067 · August 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
  • SSM 49821 · May 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
  • SSM 49210 · September 2020Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket.
  • SSM 48619 · March 2020SSM 48619 - Various Vehicles - Perimeter Alarm Armed And Original Vehicle Keys Cannot Be Accessed to Enter Vehicle - CAN Protection Strategy Some 2013-2016 Model Year Vehicles may exhibit a concern…

All 2015 Escape bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2015 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Escape in its first five years on the road, about 77 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Escape year. That's among the fewest of any Escape 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 2015 Escape problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the electrical system (19%), the engine (19%) and the steering (12%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2015 Ford Escape been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2015 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 2015 Ford Escape on NHTSA.gov · How we rate