KnownCarProblems2015 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Escape, most often about the transmission (26% of complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). It is 12th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2015 Ford Escape problems
Transmission
286 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, shift linkage/cable/rod.
Purchased my 2015 Ford Escape 10/12/19 from cardinaleway hyundai dealership in corona ca. February 1, returned to dealership for routine maintenance. 02/07/20 I was going to lunch and when I put my car in drive it sounded like I was dragging something under the front of the car. Parked car immediately and had it towed…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. While attempting to place the gear in park, the shifter cable fractured without warning. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to call the dealer. The dealer was not called. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the shifter…
Engine
273 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated. While examining the failure, a diagnostic instrument displayed an error code of p1450, which indicated excessive vacuum in the fuel tank. Later, while driving, the vehicle suddenly stalled and was towed…
Vehicle stalls while driving on city roads. Have had conditions where we are driving at 30 miles/hr and car starts switching off with check engine light and oil light and battery light coming on. Vehicle will not move properly until I switch it off an on again. Has caused 1 accident and 2 almost accidents where car…
Backup camera
159 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensing system, rearview system braking, warnings, camera system.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the back-over prevention feature was activated; however, the back-over prevention system failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed back-over prevention camera…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display displayed a blank screen with an error message indicating that the back over prevention camera was unavailable. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not…
Other or unspecified
144 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles.
Faulty instrument cluster - inoperative display - blank multiple function display (mfd) and non-functioning warning chimes. Messages and warning lights. Unable to read speedometer, odometer, door ajar, tires low etc on display panel. Instrument cluster needed to be replaced. Similar Ford recall - advised updating…
Electrical problem: on my 2015 Ford excape ive had only abfew months at 40,000 mfiles the dash board lights and keys go crazy when vehical is turned off then cant unlock doors. When cut car back on computers are black. Was drive down the road and computer goes blank just like you cut the car off lost all electrical…
Electrical
135 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel, ignition, body control module/bcm.
Car totally shut down in traffic at a stop in rush hour traffic. No electric functions. Could not put on hazards, ,could not roll down windows. Car had to be towed.
Engine shut off while driving. Car also has been having a starting issue. The instrument cluster would come on, fuel pump would prime, go to start and nothing. If the battery was unplugged for 5 minutes it was more likely to start. Thankfully it happen on a city street and not the highway that I was going to be…
Steering
81 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: column.
Power steering went out at 46554 miles. Total cost of repair: $2019. Ford service department explained that this part was "in high demand" and repairs took eight days to complete. First time power steering went out, car was stationary, driven to destination in town w/o power steering, restarted and power steering…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. While the contact's daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel moved down approximately two inches towards the accelerator pedal. The contact took the vehicle to plaza tires and was informed that the steering column bolts were missing and needed to be replaced.…
Fuel system
57 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
I left the car on since my daughter and husband were in the car. When I came back out from the store, I tried to put the car in drive but it would not let me. So I tried to turn off the car but it will still stayed on. After about 1 hr the car started to turn off slowly. It is completely off now but wont turn back on.…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that she was unable to refuel the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inserting the nozzle, the gas pump stopped pumping continuously. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that fuel tank solenoid was…
Body and structure
36 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle was vibrating. A bystander informed the contact that a part had detached and was dragging underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road and noticed that…
The liftgate latch failed causing the liftgate to not properly close and be secured. We had to drive with the gate open as it would not latch. The vehicle has a recall for the door latches which are similar. The lift gate latch should have been included in the recall however according to olathe Ford [phone], this is…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on october 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang 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 bec
Full defect summary
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.
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.
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 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
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.
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: ignition
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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."
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."
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 2015 Ford Escape
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Escape?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (286 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); engine (273 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); backup camera (159 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Escape have?
- 9 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 2015 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
- It is 12th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints, with 1,117 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.