Worse than most Escape years
Owners filed about 1.4 times as many complaints as a typical Escape year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 79,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2019 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 2,090 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (886, 42% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the electrical system. That ranks 3rd of 13 Escape years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 16 recalls.
10 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2014 Ford Escape before you buy.
Engine and cooling
886 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am the original owner of a 2014 Ford Escape SE equipped with the 1.6 L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle currently has approximately 122,000 miles. Within he first three years of ownership, while the vehicle was still under its initial warranty, it suffered from a cracked cylinder block that required repair at the dealership. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My car warned me via service light that there was low coolant in my car, so I went to go get it topped off but the guys at valvoline said my coolant was almost completely full. I continued to drive it since the service light turned off, but when I drove it a day later, it suddenly warned me that my car was over heating and I needed to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
481 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 90,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
When I was about to park, the transmission failed. I couldn’t reverse, and it got stuck in Neutral. I wasn’t able to shift it into Park. When the mechanic came, he said the shifter cable bushing was faulty, which was exactly the part covered by the recall they had previously done.Owner complaint, filed 2026
My in city driving car has had it's transmission fail and continues to not be drivable. I am the only owner of this car and have completed all repairs and upkeep according to schedule. In October 2025, my 2014 Escape "slipped" out of gear while in drive and would not engage again. Had it towed to Mel Hamilton Ford where I was informed my…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
216 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost ABS functionality, and the instrument panel was blank. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced and brake system repair was needed. The contact was informed…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 100,194 miles
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to register the vehicle, he discovered a mileage discrepancy on the title of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale through Facebook Marketplace. The contact reported the issue to the local Police Department. At the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 138,000 miles
Steering
151 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel was impossible to turn. A message on the dash showed “Steering assist fault, Service required”. After shutting the vehicle off and restarting, the power steering was restored. The problem persisted on 2 more vehicle starts on the same day.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
143 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (68), Doors: latch (24).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 84,000 miles
On 10/12/2025, we noticed the driver's side rear door would not latch properly while shopping. We contacted the dealer the following Monday and dropped the vehicle off for inspection on 10/15/2025 at Classic Ford of Columbia, SC. Two open recalls were identified: Manufacturer Recall 16S30 (NHTSA 16V643) - Door Safety Latch: The pawl…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
137 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Stalls when tank is 1/2 full. With only 2-3 seconds warning, engine light goes on I loose all power. Engine’s light used to be on for about 3/5 years straight. Stalls on rough roads. Stalls a few miles into a drive when not driven for 3 or more days Started having problems 10 + years ago. Ford in henderson , no could not find anything…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My vehicle stalls while driving or after pumping fuel and I frequently have to "fart" it is the only thing I can describe it as. The opening to the fuel tank will start vibrating and making noises. If I do not pull over, the minute I let off the gas, it stalls out. In addition, when I pump gas, it takes 4-5 times to start it. It dies 3…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Wheels and tires
55 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles. Parts named most: Lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (13).
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Ford Motor Company should issue a recall and replace the known faulty manufacturing defective lug nuts since 2019. The lug nuts swell and can not be removed by standard lug nut wrench. This is a safety issue because recommend tire rotation is impossible with standard tools. Dealerships are requiring owners to replace faulty lug nuts at…Owner complaint, filed 2025
During an oil change, the technician discovered 14 of the 20 lug nuts had swelled and needed replacement for a 2014 Ford Escape. The cost was $110. The service manager stated the technician would not put the old lug nuts on the vehicle since it was a safety issue. He said the nuts could not be removed with the lug wrench which comes with…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Driver assist systems
53 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles. Parts named most: Sensing system: camera (23).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 55,355 miles
Rear camera intermittently stopped working. This was recalled for other years of Ford Escape models, but (according to the dealer) not for the 2014 model year. This puts at risk the driver and others that we might not see (little kids in the neighborhood) when we are backing in or out of our driveway. We had this problem repaired at the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
48 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 34,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the brake pads were overlapping the top of the rotors. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the braking system malfunctioned, and the brake pedal was very hard while pressed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to slow or stop as needed. The contact used the parking brake to slow and eventually stop the vehicle. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 108,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
42 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 3 MPH, the contact stated that she was in a parking lot when she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle unintentionally accelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle was moving at approximately 45 MPH and it continued to accelerate. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle reversed without warning. In addition, the RPM was fluctuating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 106,875 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
41 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rear-view camera is not working while in reverse. When backing up, it doesn't show anything but a blank screen. Says it is unavailable. I had a mechanic run a diagnostic on it and it showed the camera was faulty.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver’s side windshield cracked causing a visibility hazard to the driver. The contact indicated that the crack was present between the two layers of glass used in the windshield construction. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle in daylight the driver’s…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 38,500 miles
Seats and seat belts
34 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her mother observed that the driver's seat belt failed to retract properly over time and failed to secure the driver as intended. The contact stated that the seat belt was very loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 80,000 miles
the drivers seatbelt does not retract. The seatbelt is extended all the way loose in your lap. In an accident i don’t think it would work at all. Something is broken inside that doesn’t allow it to retract on its own at all.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Air bags
32 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was in a car accident. The car was a total loss. All air bags deployed, but the drivers side door air bag did not. I sustained shoulder and neck injuries. I contacted ford motor co. They failed to help me in any way. I hit another vehicle that failed to yield right of way to me. It happened on a town street. Ford said they are not…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 99,000 miles
Our 2014 ford escape was involved with a front side crash. Driver accidently pulled out on a city street in front of another car and was hit. The whole front end was destroyed. None of the air bags engaged. Our vehicle was declared a total loss. I don't know what air bags were in our vehicle, but they didn't work.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 62,000 miles
Suspension
18 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driving down the freeway going 65 MPH in virginia I the left lane heard a bang and the car suddenly jerked the the right and into the next lane over. Stopped the car in the middle of the freeway and found that the rear right lower suspension control arm broke. The car was stuck and had to be towed from the middle of freeway.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 119,106 miles
The contact owns a 2014 ford escape. While driving at any speed above 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle vibrated. The check engine warning indicator illuminated when the failure occurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be driven when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (fort mill ford, 801 gold…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 85,000 miles
Ford Escape complaints by year
Compare the 2014 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2014 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Ford Escape | Worse than most years | 16 |
| 2014 Toyota RAV4 | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2014 Honda CR-V | About average | 1 |
| 2014 Mazda CX-5 | Worse than most years | 4 |
2014 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.
Full recall 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.
Transmission and drivetrain Gear position indicator
- 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.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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.
Full recall 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.
Transmission and drivetrain Floor shift
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seat belts
- Risk
- The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge.
Full recall 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.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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.
Full recall 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 system 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.
Full recall 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."
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system
- Risk
- A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Wiring
- Risk
- The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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).
Windows, mirrors and wipers Sun / moon roof assembly
- Risk
- If the glass panel is improperly bonded, the glass may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Ford has notified owners.
Full recall summary
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.
Body and structure Door
- Risk
- A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Sensor / control module
- Risk
- If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Seats Recliner
- Risk
- The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2014 Ford Escape questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Escape?
The most reported problem areas on the 2014 Ford Escape are the engine and cooling (886 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (481 complaints) and the electrical system (216 complaints).
Is the 2014 Ford Escape a good year to buy?
Worse than most Escape years. Owners filed about 1.4 times as many complaints as a typical Escape year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 79,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012, 2019 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Escape years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Escape have?
NHTSA lists 16 recalls for the 2014 Ford Escape. The most recent, from Jan 2026, covers the engine block heater. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 79,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 90,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Escape years should I avoid?
The Escape years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012, 2019 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2014 Ford Escape?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model