2015 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1225 complaints
1225
Total Complaints
74,000mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
37
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
44,000
25th Percentile
74,000
Median Mileage
104,500
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
262
Engine
228
Unknown Or Other
126
Electrical System
112
Steering
77
Fuel/Propulsion System
48
Back Over Prevention
48
Engine And Engine Cooling
37
Body
31
Service Brakes
23
Severity Assessment
37
Crashes
31
Fires
44
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T..."
"MY WIFE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR AFTER ONLY ABOUT 1,600 MILES. THE TIRES ON THIS NEW CAR ARE THE CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT 235/45 R19 95H. THERE APPEARED TO BE A SMALL GASH/SLIT TOWARD THE RIM OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE -- ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. MY WIFE DOES NOT RECALL DRIVING OVER A..."
"BRAND NEW 2015 FORD ESCAPE DROVE FINE UNTIL 800 + MILES THEN... ACCELERATOR HESITATION OF 2-3 SECONDS OR MORE OCCURS AFTER INITIAL OR FIRST USE OF ACCELERATOR. HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS WARM OR COLD. UNSAFE TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAYS, MAKE LANE CHANGES SAFELY ETC IF ANY CARS WITHIN VIEW OR NEARBY. COMP..."
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.
Power Train
262 complaints
25th: 67,887 mi
Median: 93,500 mi
75th: 119,389 mi
Engine
228 complaints
25th: 47,125 mi
Median: 73,950 mi
75th: 107,835 mi
Unknown Or Other
126 complaints
25th: 26,660 mi
Median: 48,616 mi
75th: 78,500 mi
Electrical System
112 complaints
25th: 32,950 mi
Median: 59,529 mi
75th: 97,536 mi
Steering
77 complaints
25th: 30,000 mi
Median: 45,744 mi
75th: 75,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 89
MI: 84
OH: 75
FL: 75
PA: 74
CA: 63
IL: 56
NC: 56
GA: 41
IN: 37
Who Files Complaints?
0.5%
Original Owners
99.5%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (9)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
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.
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.
Ignition
Campaign 15V436000 | 08/07/2015
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.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.
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 22V254000 | 14/04/2022
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 shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.
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
Camera
Campaign 25V695000 | 13/10/2025
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.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall
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 Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
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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