Is the 2015 Ford Escape a bad year?
1,143 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 287, 5.2× a quiet Escape year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2015 Ford Escape were filed between 69k and 120k miles. You're at 96,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 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 96,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 287 (25%) | 69k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 271 (24%) | 58k–117k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Backup cameraSTANDS OUT | 177 (15%) | 71k–119k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 137 (12%) | 38k–98k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 29 (3%) | 53k–117k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (1%) | 12k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 81 (7%) | 30k–76k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 57 (5%) | 35k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 36 (3%) | 21k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 26 (2%) | 13k–73k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 25 (2%) | 36k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 21 (2%) | 12k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 17 (1%) | 22k–83k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 14 (1%) | 35k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
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 96,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,143 complaints: 31 mention a crash · 20 mention a fire · 25 report an injury · 107 say the car was towed.
242 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Sitting at stop light (Highway) light turned green pressed accelerator .car's rpms went up car did not move. I was the at the stop light, cars approaching fast.
Recall number: 18S20. The shifter cable bushing is degraded just like the recall number I mentioned at the beginning.
I would like to report a problem with my 2015 Ford escape. I had parked my escape and in a busy interstate rest area.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 96,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Ford Escape: 9
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 rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. 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.
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.
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: 123
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Ford Escape. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket
Some 2013-2015 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC with a 1.6L GTDI, 1.5L GTDI, or 2.0L GTDI may exhibit a lack of power, loss of power…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Door Latch Failures
Door Latch Failure
Neighbouring years
2014 Escape: 2,089 complaints, consider selling · 2016 Escape: 1,180 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 2015 Ford Escape a bad year?
1,143 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 287, 5.2× a quiet Escape year. At 96,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2015 Ford Escape were filed between 69k and 120k miles. You're at 96,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Escape?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (287), engine (271), backup camera (177), electrical system (137), latches and locks (29). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 69k–120k miles.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Escape have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 26V-011), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-695), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 22V-413), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 22V-254) 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.