KnownCarProblems2014 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 2,089 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape, most often about the engine (42% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Escape model year since 2000 and has 16 recalls.
Most common 2014 Ford Escape problems
Engine
885 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system, engine.
I drove 25 miles in traffic to pick up my kids from daycare. When I got the kids in the car to go home and the car was in motion turning left onto a busy highway turn/merge lane, all of a sudden my check engine light came on and engine temperature gauge went all the way up. I pulled over and checked my coolant. There…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the hood unlatched independently and fractured the windshield of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Transmission
481 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, shift linkage/cable/rod, axle assembly, driveline.
Stopped while driving at 25 MPH on highway at a blind spot. Motor just revved in drive. After playing with it for 10 mins was able to crawl off the road.. After being towed to dealer it has been said that the transmission is bad. Under normal driving not towing or hauling it should not do this at 87k .. First…
The transmission blew on this car after 3 1/2 years of ownership, 87,000 miles. The transmission began slipping (I.e., loss of power upon shifting to accelerate) after about 1 year of ownership. I asked our local dealer where I purchased the car to check and they could not replicate. The slippage kept happening…
Other or unspecified
272 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles.
Was driving home from work on the interstate. Engine began to jerk a bit then warning messages appeared on screen. Pulled over to side of road. After car stopped smoke began to appear from under hood and entering cab through the vents. I opened the window to clear the smoke and looked for phone number to roadside…
On february 2017 I brought a 2014 Ford Escape at about 59 k miles and now it has about 70k miles on it. I was totally clueless as to how unsafe this car was and all of the numerous complaints/issues that consumers are having with this car. On 09/22/2017, this car totally broke down. This car is a safety hazard as I…
Electrical
216 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Just purchased a certified pre-owned 2014 Ford Escape se. A yellow check engine light appear. Trouble code p26b7 (dealer specific). It looks like there have been numerous issues with the bypass coolant solenoid or coolant leaks. Also, steering wheel controls only occasionally work.
I started my vehicle yesterday to warm up and about 5-10 minutes later heard a big boom, looked out the door and the front end of my Escape was completely engulfed in flames. I had scheduled it to get repaired yesterday morning, but was unable to make it as we received a lot of snow and schools were cancelled and…
Steering
151 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, column.
Driving began to get jerky then the warning popped up on dash steering fault service now! And now steering is completely gone can not turn left or right it
Power steering assist failure. Numerous times in the last month the power steering does not engage right away.today 10/10/17 I received a warning to service power steering assist.very costly cannot afford 1400 dollars at this time.from some research Ford is aware of this problem.
Fuel system
137 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
Truck stalls while driving, and won't start back up. Ive had it towed twice already for the same problem also had it towed to a mechanic shop where they couldn't find anything wrong with it besides saying it seemed to be a gltch inside the computer. Check engine light illuminates reading code p0109. When it stalls it…
Over the course of 1 year, vehicle in the shop 9 times for 109 days. On 7-6-2017- car would not accelerate & low power light on. 8-23-2017- vehicle overheating, goes in to limp mode, high temperature gauge goes up. 12-26-2017-towed in as car would not start. Coolant leak, quick connector to heater core and bypass…
Body and structure
84 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
When opening the drivers door sometimes a noise comes from the rear of the vehicle. It lasts about 1 to 2 seconds and sounds like a ratcheting noise. The vehicle is parked. It has been in service for two weeks and they can't duplicate the problem. I took a video and showed to them with sound. Also last summer it was…
Engine coolant sensor re-program recall. This was corrected october 10, 2017 at Ford dealership in bensenville, illinois. Also four door latches were recall and replaced at same time.
Doors and locks
65 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors, hood.
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated after her daughter had driven and parked the vehicle, the vehicle started overheating and there was steam coming from the cowl. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics, where the vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side door failed to latch or lock as intended. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2014 Ford Escape recalls
Equipment: engine block heater
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. 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 b
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: shift linkage/cable/rod
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: floor shift
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Fuel system: fuel pump
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: delivery
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: wiring
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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).
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: door
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: recliner
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. The recall began on may 30, 2014. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14c03.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Door latch failures
Summary
In december 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on 235 vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (my) 2012-2014 ford fiesta, and 2013-2014 fusion and lincoln mkz. Some voqs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other voqs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? Condition, however in certain somewhat rare circu
Door latch failure
Summary
In january, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (my) 2012-2013 ford focus vehicles (subject vehicles).odi has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.one consumer alleged an injury that occurred while driving when a door inadvertently opened and then closed on a child's arm.another alleged that a door that inadvertently opened struck a parked vehicle.in response to odi's information request, ford motor company (ford) provided 500 unique repo
Questions about the 2014 Ford Escape
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Escape?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (885 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); transmission (481 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); other or unspecified (272 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Escape have?
- 16 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2014 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Escape model year since 2000, with 2,089 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.