2015 Ford Escape

Above average

Owners filed 1,093 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 9 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

627 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 76,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train224
201
Engine198
475
Back Over Prevention121
200
Unknown or Other101
143
Electrical System100
030
Steering68
422
Structure › Body32
012
Engine and Engine Cooling31
000
Fuel/Propulsion System28
000
Wheels19
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater26V011000
Filed Jan 15, 2026116,672 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera25V695000
Filed Oct 13, 20251,448,655 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod22V413000
Filed Jun 10, 20222,925,968 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

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. 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.

Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod22V254000
Filed Apr 14, 202296,015 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

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. 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 shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch20V331000
Filed Jun 8, 20202,147,323 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Seats17V472000
Filed Jul 25, 201794,605 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch16V643000
Filed Sep 6, 20162,046,297 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Electrical System › Ignition15V436000
Filed Jul 8, 2015374,781 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk. 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.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel15V406000
Filed Jun 24, 2015184,519 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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."

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 17, 2026IL

See attached document for complaint.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 15, 2026140,000 milesCT

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted or blank image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was advised to wait for the recall remedy letter. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 15, 202667,000 milesWA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rear-view camera image was blank, and the message "Camera Not Available" was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 15, 2026120,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera image was inverted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 14, 2026IL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted in reverse(R), the rear-view camera failed to display a clear view image.

Power Train
Filed Sep 12, 2026NM

I visited the dealership for a shift bushing recall service. When I checked the car after leaving, I noticed that a required part of the repair, the white cap shown in the official documentation, was missing. When I returned to let them know the job wasn't done right, the staff insisted it was done correctly. However, under Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-254, that cap is required to be installed.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 11, 2026KY

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image. In addition, the contact stated that the safety features were not visible on the radio screen. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with rear-view camera failure. The contact was informed that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that parts would be unavailable until 2027. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Protection); however, the part was unavailable.

Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2026WA

While driving the power steering goes completely out. It jolts suddenly and causes to steer off course. The steering tightens up making it difficult to safely make turns. Occasionally the steering assist goes back on without warning, forcing another jolt and overcorrection. It can not be safely driven with this malfunction. It forces the wheel to suddenly turn hard unexpectedly., making it dangerous for me, my passengers, and other drivers in the road We have had the problem confirmed by a Ford service mechanic. A Steering Assist notification flashes on the dash, as well.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 9, 2026300 milesOH

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact stated that the battery was drained. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, however the failure was not duplicated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 300.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 8, 2026FL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse(R), the back-over prevention screen was black. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 3, 202640,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving reversing, the rearview camera was inoperable and the message "Back Up Camera Inoperative" was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 3, 202696,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while shifted in reverse(R), the rear-view camera failed to display a clear image. The local dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 2, 202642,000 milesIA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image intermittently fluctuated, with the message "Camera Not Available" displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 2, 2026TN

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted in reverse(R), the rear-view camera failed to display a clear image. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera displayed a blank white screen. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Sep 1, 2026IL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed an upside-down image. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The rear-view camera later displayed a black screen and failed to power on. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part was unavailable for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Aug 31, 202690,000 milesTN

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Aug 27, 2026120,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to perform the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving in reverse, the message "Contact Manufacturer" was displayed and the rearview camera screen image was black. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Back Over Prevention
Filed Aug 27, 2026140,000 milesCO

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that they had received notification of notification of NHTSA Campaign Number : 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) the local dealer was contacted however the vehicle was not remedied as the contact was advised that the parts to perform the recall repair were not yet available. The contact had experienced the failure stating that upon reversing the rear view camera would display blank or distorted; no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had failed to provide a remedy in a timely manner. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 25, 2026UT

Ford has yet to provide a remedy to this recall nearly a year after being notified. NHTSA: #25V695 Recall: #25SA9 REAR VIEW CAMERA INSPECTION

Back Over Prevention
Filed Aug 25, 202666,000 milesKS

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back-over-prevention camera failed to display an image behind the vehicle. The message informing the contact that the back-over-prevention camera was unavailable was displayed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure occurred at approximately 66,000.

20 of 1,093 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20263200Routine
202523900Routine
202476801Fatalities reported
2023951130Routine
20222311940Above average
20213431990Above average
20201,5952340Above average
2019586330Above average
20181,791450Above average
20172,6784150Above average
20161,1154100Above average
2015 — this page1,0939190Above average
20142,083161034Fatalities reported
20132,74918900Do not drive
2012598230Above average
20111,316370Above average
20102,069530Above average
20091,692320Above average
20081,974560High concern
2007254422Fatalities reported
2006464592Fatalities reported
20051,3945202Fatalities reported
20044998141Fatalities reported
20035589270High concern
20021,027101042Fatalities reported
200199615583Fatalities reported
20005000Routine

Compare every Escape year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 15, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.