Is the 2014 Ford Escape a bad year?
2,089 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 882, 14× a quiet Escape year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 Ford Escape were filed between 56k and 106k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Escape owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 875 (42%) | 56k–106k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 481 (23%) | 69k–113k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 65 (3%) | 52k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Backup cameraSTANDS OUT | 51 (2%) | 58k–119k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 216 (10%) | 40k–97k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 151 (7%) | 41k–88k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 137 (7%) | 42k–90k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 42 (2%) | 12k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 26 (1%) | 38k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 18 (1%) | 15k–84k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exterior lighting | 15 (1%) | 11k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 11 (1%) | 44k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 84 (4%) | 28k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 46 (2%) | 38k–72k miles · mostly behind | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 2,089 complaints: 47 mention a crash · 104 mention a fire · 36 report an injury · 194 say the car was towed.
101 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
This is the second time this vehicle has experienced this issue. The car loses coolant fluid, then overheats.
I've been having issues with my car stalling out. It began on 11/10/17 when I started the car. I drove about 500 feet pulling up to a stop sign and the car stalled out but all electrical stayed on (I.e.
Vehicle commonly overheats, loss of coolant. Overheating occurs when traveling uphill at greater than 40 MPH with air conditioning on, or in any gear when engine speed is held above 3500 RPM and air conditioning is on.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Ford Escape: 16
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach. 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.
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 door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. 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.
Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles. 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.
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. If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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. 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.
Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing. If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
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. A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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). The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The panorama roof glass may not be properly bonded to the attaching bracket. If the glass panel is improperly bonded, the glass may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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. A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
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. If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
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 back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 140
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Ford Escape. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift Cable Bushing Inspection and Protective Service Cap…
Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket
Some 2013-2016 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a lack of cooling caused by the A/C inlet line breaking at the compressor
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Door Latch Failures
Door Latch Failure
Neighbouring years
2013 Escape: 2,752 complaints, consider selling · 2015 Escape: 1,143 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford Escape year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Escape years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 Ford Escape a bad year?
2,089 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 882, 14× a quiet Escape year. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 Ford Escape were filed between 56k and 106k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Escape?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (875), transmission and drivetrain (481), latches and locks (65), backup camera (51), electrical system (216). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 56k–106k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Escape have?
16 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 26V-011), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 22V-413), Latches and locks (NHTSA 20V-331), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 18V-471) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.