2014 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 2608 complaints
2608
Total Complaints
74,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
78
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
46,000
25th Percentile
74,000
Median Mileage
100,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
704
Power Train
442
Unknown Or Other
258
Electrical System
190
Engine And Engine Cooling
172
Steering
146
Fuel/Propulsion System
119
Body
68
Vehicle Speed Control
41
Latches/Locks/Linkages
40
Severity Assessment
78
Crashes
147
Fires
62
Injuries
6
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"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 SUSP..."
"EACH TIME THE DRIVERS OUTSIDE MIRROR IS TUCKED OR FOLDED IN AND RETURNED TO ITS DRIVING POSITION THE MIRROR DOES NOT RETURN TO THE SAME POSITION AND MUST BE READJUSTED FOR THE DRIVER TO HAVE PROPER AND SAFE VISION TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MIRROR HOUSING RETURNS TO THE CORRECT POSITION, BUT TH..."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND STALL WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH AND ABOVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN TOO SLOWLY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR HARDE..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
704 complaints
25th: 50,100 mi
Median: 73,794 mi
75th: 98,000 mi
Power Train
442 complaints
25th: 65,750 mi
Median: 88,000 mi
75th: 112,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
258 complaints
25th: 50,750 mi
Median: 69,400 mi
75th: 93,142 mi
Electrical System
190 complaints
25th: 33,225 mi
Median: 60,000 mi
75th: 89,250 mi
Engine And Engine Cooling
172 complaints
25th: 74,500 mi
Median: 100,000 mi
75th: 122,332 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 190
TX: 176
FL: 173
MI: 170
PA: 155
OH: 143
GA: 120
IL: 107
NC: 98
NY: 98
Who Files Complaints?
1%
Original Owners
99%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (16)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Floor Shift
Campaign 18V471000 | 16/07/2018
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.
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 recal
Door
Campaign 14V239000 | 07/05/2014
A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Seat Belts
Campaign 17V472000 | 25/07/2017
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.
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 cu
Latch
Campaign 16V643000 | 06/09/2016
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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.
Engine
Campaign 17V209000 | 27/03/2017
If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 1-86
Air Bags
Campaign 14V597000 | 26/09/2014
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.
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.
Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Campaign 14V237000 | 07/05/2014
If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
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.
Delivery
Campaign 14V525000 | 02/09/2014
A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 15V005000 | 09/01/2015
If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Wiring
Campaign 14V495000 | 11/08/2014
The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Instrument Cluster/Panel
Campaign 15V406000 | 24/06/2015
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.
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.
Recliner
Campaign 14V164000 | 02/04/2014
The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
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.
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Campaign 14V403000 | 02/07/2014
If the glass panel is improperly bonded, the glass may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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
Latch
Campaign 20V331000 | 08/06/2020
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 22V413000 | 10/06/2022
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.
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 notifica
Engine Block Heater
Campaign 26V011000 | 15/01/2026
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 lett
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28