EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
2014 Ford Escape
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 2,074 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Ford Escape, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 16 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 146 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | 8 | 1,210 |
| Oct 2021 | 15 | 1,225 |
| Nov 2021 | 10 | 1,235 |
| Dec 2021 | 15 | 1,250 |
| Jan 2022 | 14 | 1,264 |
| Feb 2022 | 14 | 1,278 |
| Mar 2022 | 13 | 1,291 |
| Apr 2022 | 14 | 1,305 |
| May 2022 | 9 | 1,314 |
| Jun 2022 | 26 | 1,340 |
| Jul 2022 | 24 | 1,364 |
| Aug 2022 | 40 | 1,404 |
| Sep 2022 | 23 | 1,427 |
| Oct 2022 | 15 | 1,442 |
| Nov 2022 | 25 | 1,467 |
| Dec 2022 | 15 | 1,482 |
| Jan 2023 | 15 | 1,497 |
| Feb 2023 | 20 | 1,517 |
| Mar 2023 | 16 | 1,533 |
| Apr 2023 | 24 | 1,557 |
| May 2023 | 13 | 1,570 |
| Jun 2023 | 15 | 1,585 |
| Jul 2023 | 19 | 1,604 |
| Aug 2023 | 17 | 1,621 |
| Sep 2023 | 14 | 1,635 |
| Oct 2023 | 23 | 1,658 |
| Nov 2023 | 10 | 1,668 |
| Dec 2023 | 20 | 1,688 |
| Jan 2024 | 22 | 1,710 |
| Feb 2024 | 13 | 1,723 |
| Mar 2024 | 16 | 1,739 |
| Apr 2024 | 14 | 1,753 |
| May 2024 | 10 | 1,763 |
| Jun 2024 | 13 | 1,776 |
| Jul 2024 | 18 | 1,794 |
| Aug 2024 | 16 | 1,810 |
| Sep 2024 | 9 | 1,819 |
| Oct 2024 | 16 | 1,835 |
| Nov 2024 | 9 | 1,844 |
| Dec 2024 | 11 | 1,855 |
| Jan 2025 | 14 | 1,869 |
| Feb 2025 | 19 | 1,888 |
| Mar 2025 | 6 | 1,894 |
| Apr 2025 | 8 | 1,902 |
| May 2025 | 11 | 1,913 |
| Jun 2025 | 13 | 1,926 |
| Jul 2025 | 11 | 1,937 |
| Aug 2025 | 17 | 1,954 |
| Sep 2025 | 17 | 1,971 |
| Oct 2025 | 14 | 1,985 |
| Nov 2025 | 8 | 1,993 |
| Dec 2025 | 8 | 2,001 |
| Jan 2026 | 11 | 2,012 |
| Feb 2026 | 14 | 2,026 |
| Mar 2026 | 9 | 2,035 |
| Apr 2026 | 9 | 2,044 |
| May 2026 | 13 | 2,057 |
| Jun 2026 | 10 | 2,067 |
| Jul 2026 | 6 | 2,073 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 2,074 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine87637.4%
- Powertrain (other)45319.3%
- Electrical2129.0%
- Steering1516.4%
- Fuel system1365.8%
- Driver assistance1054.5%
- Body & structure833.5%
- Interior & seats743.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
16 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Door Latch Failures
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 circumstances, may result in the door coming open while driving. In response to ODI?s investigation, Ford has announced three field actions, as discussed below.On March 23, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-177 (Ford 20S15), a regional recall campaign to address door latch failures in vehicles not previously recalled under Safety Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210. The recall affects vehicles currently or ever registered in certain high ambient temperature states (see 20V-177 for affected states). As a remedy, Ford will replace all four door latches free of charge.On August 24, 2020, Ford issued a non-safety regional field action (Ford 20R01) to address door latch failures on the same model/MY vehicles not covered under 20V-177 (i.e., not currently/ever registered in affected states). According to Ford, spring tab failure rates for vehicles covered by this action are about half that of the 20V-177 vehicles. Under this action, dealers will replace all door latches, free of charge, if either; a) the vehicle exhibits a related latch concern, or b) if the vehicle owner expresses a concern about the latches in their vehicles. Details can be found under NHTSA TSB No. 10190990, a copy of which is available in this investigative file available at NHTSA.gov.On June 8, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-331 (Ford 20S30) addressing vehicles previously remedied under NHTSA Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210, where the repair may not have been properly completed, specifically not all of the door latches were replaced, or replaced correctly. This recall involves an inspection of the latches, with the option for a consumer self-inspection; owners could view the date codes on their latches (and confirm child safety locks are present on the rear doors) and then submit the information to Ford?s mobile app or website. A dealership inspection option was also available. Any vehicle found to have unreplaced defective latches requires the replacement of all door latches as directed by Ford.Regarding the 4,494 reports cited above, 1,485 involve scope-related failures (with 13% alleging door opening), and the remaining 3,009 reports involving remedy concerns (with 18% alleging door opening - note ODI was unable to verify the allegations of door opening). The three ODI injuries were all relatively minor. Ford?s reported injury incidences include one (unconfirmed) report of an ejection, three minor injuries with the others involving undisclosed injuries. Ford?s crashes involved two (unconfirmed) crashes alleging the incident door contacted another vehicle and three involving doors striking other property.The recalled vehicles include MY 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2012-2015 Ford Focus and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect.Ford's actions address ODI's concerns at this time. ODI will take further action if warranted by new information. The reference (OD
Door Latch Failure
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 reports related to the alleged problem on the subject vehicles.Ford reported no injury or accident claims.Ford also submitted 1,513 warranty claims related to door latch failures.Many customers indicated that the affected door could not be latched at all and some of them decided to restrain the door by other means in order to operate the vehicle.Some customers also reported door latch failures occurring on multiple doors and at different times.Additionally, Ford stated that MY 2014-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape, 2013-2015 Ford C-Max, 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect, 2015 Ford Mustang, and 2015 Lincoln MKC, all use the same door latch as the 2012-2013 Ford Focus.On September 6, 2016, Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (16V-643) to remedy the door latches in the MY 2012-2015 Ford Focus and other Ford models mentioned above (total of approximately 2 million vehicles).According to Ford, a component within the door latch may break preventing the door from latching.Ford dealers will replace all four door latches in the recalled vehicles with a new more robust latch design that is currently in production.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
1. My backup camera is malfunctioning. 2. I use it for visual safety when I put my car in reverse. 3. The back up camera either does not work or it shows the image upside down. It has not been confirmed by a dealership because it is easy to identify by me. 4. No, it has not been inspected by anyone else. On line, the 2014 Ford Escape Titanium has been identified with these issues however, for some reason my VIN (vehicle) is not on the list for recall. 5. My camera first started malfunctioning IN 2024. I can not have it looked at except at my expense which does not seem appropriate since others of the same year, make and model have been recalled due to the same issue.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755939
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine service, and the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the back-over prevention camera had failed. The mechanic stated that the screen displayed a reversed, inverted, or distorted image. The certified mechanic also became aware that the camera intermittently displayed a black screen before showing an inverted image. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,355.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753790
- Incident
- Jul 22, 2026
- Mileage
- 55,355 mi
Coolant leak into the cylinder causing engine failure and need to replace the engine, it is not possible to fix this, must replace engine.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753420
- Incident
- Jul 21, 2026
While driving the steering wheel stopped returning to center when in turns and also would occasionally get "stuck" in the turn. A few days after this began, was out driving, notice flashed "power steering failure" and then the steering wheel was not able to be turned. Turned off and restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel would not budge. Had it towed to a nearby mechanic, told me that it was not the power steering but that something inside the steering rack had broken. He stated that he had never seen that before, where the wheel would not budge at all. $1,750 later and it's fixed and running fine. Why was this issue not looked into for safety purposes? Thankfully I was on a straight road and not needing to turn going 45mph.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753384
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2026
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 an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11752356
- Incident
- Jul 20, 2026
- Mileage
- 84,000 mi
Rear camera intermittently does not work properly. Multiple incidents of the rear camera flickering off and on when in reverse, image is sometimes upside down, or the rear camera doesn't work at all.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751930
- Incident
- Jun 24, 2026
Coolant is leaking and overheats all the time. It has the 1.6l engine and is being grouped with the 2.0 engine.
- NHTSA ID
- 11750053
- Incident
- Jul 11, 2026
Reverse camera keeps cutting or flipping the image. There was a recall on Fords between 2020-2024 for this reason. I called my local Ford and they said my 2014 escape isn't covered. The issue has been ongoing for the past two years
- NHTSA ID
- 11746843
- Incident
- Jun 10, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford 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. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
POWER TRAIN
Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift Cable Bushing Inspection and Protective Service Cap Installation
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.
Some 2013-2016 Escape vehicles may exhibit an ABS warning indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U2300 after the ABS module is replaced.
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 21 | 9 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 2024 | 76 | 8 | 0 | 63.3 |
| 2023 | 94 | 11 | 0 | 60.3 |
| 2022 | 226 | 19 | 2 | 68.5 |
| 2021 | 332 | 19 | 2 | 67.9 |
| 2020 | 1,578 | 23 | 2 | 63.6 |
| 2019 | 571 | 3 | 0 | 60.0 |
| 2018 | 1,765 | 4 | 0 | 60.3 |
| 2017 | 2,654 | 4 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2016 | 1,079 | 4 | 0 | 61.2 |
| 2015 | 1,056 | 9 | 2 | 68.0 |
| 2014Viewing | 2,074 | 16 | 2 | 65.2 |
| 2013 | 2,743 | 18 | 3 | 61.4 |
| 2012 | 598 | 2 | 2 | 54.7 |
| 2011 | 1,313 | 3 | 4 | 56.2 |
| 2010 | 2,068 | 5 | 4 | 56.1 |
| 2009 | 1,691 | 3 | 3 | 55.2 |
| 2008 | 1,973 | 5 | 3 | 58.3 |
| 2007 | 254 | 4 | 2 | 54.8 |
| 2006 | 464 | 5 | 1 | 53.9 |
| 2005 | 1,394 | 5 | 2 | 55.3 |
| 2004 | 499 | 8 | 6 | 61.8 |
| 2003 | 558 | 9 | 8 | 65.2 |
| 2002 | 1,027 | 10 | 10 | 67.3 |
| 2001 | 996 | 15 | 11 | 66.3 |
| 2000 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.