2014 Ford ESCAPE: complaints, problems and recalls

PICKED UP MY BRAND NEW CAR, FORD ESCAPE S 2014, AND HAD THE AC SYSTEM RUNNING, WHEN I TURNED THE AC OF A STRANGE NOISE WAS AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AN EASY FIX. APPARENTLY TWO SCREWS HAD TO BE TIGHTENED AT THE SHOCK AND SUSPENSION. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE FIXED CAR' IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MIN TO HEAR THE NOISE AGAIN. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. I WILL TAKE THE CARE BACK AGAIN TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546159 at NHTSA ↗

EACH TIME THE DRIVERS OUTSIDE MIRROR IS TUCKED OR FOLDED IN AND RETURNED TO ITS DRIVING POSITION THE MIRROR DOES NOT RETURN TO THE SAME POSITION AND MUST BE READJUSTED FOR THE DRIVER TO HAVE PROPER AND SAFE VISION TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MIRROR HOUSING RETURNS TO THE CORRECT POSITION, BUT THE MIRROR INSIDE THE HOUSING DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS PROPER POSITION. THIS IS A MANUAL FOLDING MIRROR WITH ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MIRROR ADJUSTMENT. I CALLED FORD AND THEY AND THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NO FIX. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU FORGET TO ADJ…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548515 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND STALL WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH AND ABOVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN TOO SLOWLY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR HARDER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF A TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549210 at NHTSA ↗

FIRST TIME (WHILE DRIVING)INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDLES JUMPED, DISPLAY READ P TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK. CYCLE REPEATED A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN CLUSTER LIGHT TURNED OFF AND NEEDLES WENT TO OFF POSITION. DISPLAY ONLY READ PRND AND MILEAGE. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER ON11-7-13. CLUSTER REPLACED BY DEALER. PICKED CAR UP FROM DEALER 11-15-13. REPAIR WORKED ABOUT FOUR DAYS AND SAME CLUSTER PROBLEMS RETURNED AND BECAME WORSE. MULTIPLE TIMES CLUSTER WOULD NOT COME ON WHEN STARTING, MULTIPLE TIMES (WHILE DRIVING) CAR BEEPS AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON DI…

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10553721 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL AND THE CAR STEERING STIFFENED UP. I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT SO LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED. I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR BUT IT WAS STILL STIFF THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND TAKE CAR OUT OF THE LOT. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE AND BRING THE KIDS HOME ON MY OWN. NOT WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM A NEW CAR AND CERTAINLY VERY LUCK Y TO NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. FORD SAYING IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY FORGOT THE HARNESS IN THE POWER STEERING. IT WAS THEN TAKEN FROM A NEW CAR AND PLACED O…

Owner-reported narrative. 275 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556380 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HWY AT 70MPH AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST. I LOOKED AROUND AND HEARD WHAT ENDED UP BEING GLASS FALLING INTO MY REAR SEAT. MY REAR PANORAMIC GLASS HAD SHATTERED AND BLOWN UPWARD IN A WAY I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND I HAD NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED IT, AS THERE WERE ONLY CLOTHES AND A BOX IN THE REAR SEAT. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND MADE A CLAIM WHICH WAS DENIED. I AM CONFIDENT THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, BUT FORD SAYS THIS BREAKAGE WOULD ONLY HAPPEN UPON INSTALLATION DUE TO USING TEMPERED GLASS. I DON'T BELIE…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558310 at NHTSA ↗

PICKED UP 2014 FORD ESCAPE 1.6 ECOBOOST- OCTOBER 2013- ENGINE RPM' S REV TO 3-4 FOR NO REASON - SPORADICALLY- WHEN REMOTE STARTED, AND WHEN ELECTRIC STARTING CAR. BRAKES LOUD WHISTLING NOISES- COMES AND GOES- AUTO LIFT GATE OPENS HALF WAY SOMETIMES, CLOSES ON YOU WHEN YOUR LOADING THINGS SOMETIMES, REAR DOOR BEHIND DRIVER -CHILD LOCKS ON- CANT TURN OFF- PASSENGER CANT GET OUT OF THAT SIDE OF CAR- NO HEAT! TEMP GAUGE JUMPS FROM C TO H THEN BACK TO C. NO HEAT IN CAR EVEN AFTER REMOTE STARTING VEHICLE 2-3 TIMES AND LETTING IT RUN- CAR IS ICE COL…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558608 at NHTSA ↗

DUE TO COLD WEATHER, WALKED OUT AND STARTED CAR, RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE, RIGHT INDEX FINGER ON STARTER BUTTON, LEFT FOOT ON OUTSIDE PARKING LOT AND LEFT HAND HOLDING CELL PHONE. AFTER STARTING CAR, CLOSED DOOR, WENT BACK INTO OFFICE FOR OVER 3-5 MINUTES, DID FIVE WEB SEARCHES BEFORE SISTER WHO WORKS IN OFFICE CAME IN TO MY OFFICE AND TOLD ME MY CAR HAD BACKED A PERFECT U, MISSED 6 VEHICLES PARKED OUTSIDE AND HIT OUR OFFICE BUILDING. MY CAR IS JUST THE DISTANCE OF THE SIDEWALK AND WALL PLUS A FEW FEET WITH WINDOW BETWEEN US, I HEARD THE CAR RUNNI…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,303 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559455 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2014-04-02 (April 2, 2014)

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."

Consequence: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-05-07 (May 7, 2014)

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.

Consequence: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-05-07 (May 7, 2014)

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.

Consequence: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)

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.

Consequence: If the glass panel is improperly bonded, the glass may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-08-11 (August 11, 2014)

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).

Consequence: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-09-02 (September 2, 2014)

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.

Consequence: A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-09-26 (September 26, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2015-01-09 (January 9, 2015)

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.

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2015-06-24 (June 24, 2015)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2016-09-06 (September 6, 2016)

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.

Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2017-03-27 (March 27, 2017)

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.

Consequence: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2017-07-25 (July 25, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-07-16 (July 16, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2020-06-08 (June 8, 2020)

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.

Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2022-06-10 (June 10, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2026-01-15 (January 15, 2026)

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.

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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 became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.