NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, creating an electrical short circuit when plugged in.
This page covers 18 recalls, 2052 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Ford Escape.
24–26 mpg combined
9–9.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2014 Ford Escape draws a high volume of complaints, with engine and powertrain issues dominating the picture. The most widely reported engine problem involves coolant intrusion, owners describe coolant leaking internally, often with little or no dashboard warning, and several report the issue returning even after an engine replacement. On the powertrain side, owners frequently report transmission and torque converter failures at relatively low mileage, describing shuddering, rough shifts, and delayed engagement between gears. A recurring secondary complaint involves the electric power steering system, where owners report intermittent loss of steering assist accompanied by a dashboard fault message, typically resolving after a restart but returning on subsequent drives. Some owners also report no-start conditions with no prior warning signs. The coolant loss pattern stands out for the lack of warning indicators, owners consistently note the problem goes undetected until a service visit or the engine is already affected.
2,052
Total Complaints
47
Crash-Related
102
Fire-Related
36
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Ford Escape has 18 recalls, the most serious involving fuel pump failures that can stall the engine without warning, a panoramic roof panel that can detach while driving, and fire risks from a cracking cylinder head or a faulty engine block heater on 2.0L models.
The shifter cable bushing can degrade and fall off, leaving the transmission unable to engage the intended gear and allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly. Door latches are covered by multiple recalls: a latch component can break and leave a door appearing closed but unlatched, prior repair attempts on some vehicles did not fully resolve that issue, and a door handle misalignment on certain vehicles can cause doors to open while driving.
On the occupant restraint side, seat mounting bolts can fracture and compromise seat and seatbelt performance in a crash, front seat recliners can loosen and allow the seatback to shift, and a software error in the restraint control module can delay side-curtain airbag deployment in a rollover. Airbags, side curtain airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners on some vehicles may also fail to fire due to electrical short circuits. A failed instrument cluster can leave the driver without warnings for low tire pressure or disabled airbags.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater may crack and leak coolant, creating an electrical short circuit when plugged in.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the block heater or install a threaded plug and remove the electrical cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber bushing connecting the shifter cable to the transmission can wear down or come loose, potentially affecting shift control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the worn bushing and install a protective cap over the cable bushing at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A door latch component may break, making doors hard to close or allowing doors to appear closed when they're actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect door latches and replace them if needed at no cost. Owners can also check latch date codes online to verify if repair was done correctly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber bushing connecting the transmission shifter cable can wear and separate from the transmission. This may let you shift to Park and remove the key while the transmission stays in a different gear, with no warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some seat, seatback, seatbelt buckle, or seatbelt anchor bolts may be improperly tempered and could fracture during a crash, weakening the seat or seatbelt system.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the bolts and replace any that are defective.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors may have been installed with improperly manufactured bolts that could fail to secure these components.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected bolts with proper ones at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
If the engine starts with too little coolant, the cylinder head can overheat, crack, and leak oil.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a coolant level sensor with supporting hardware and software to monitor coolant levels.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A component inside the door latches can break, causing doors to fail to latch or appear closed when they are actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue prevents the instrument panel cluster from displaying information properly, leaving the screen blank and disabling warning chimes, messages, and warning lights.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument panel software at no cost to restore normal cluster operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain fuel pumps have defective nickel plating on internal parts that can contaminate the pump and stop it from working. This may cause the engine to fail to start or stall suddenly while driving.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the Fuel Delivery Module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On some vehicles, fuel pump internal parts may have improper nickel plating that contaminates the pump, causing it to stop working. This can prevent the engine from starting or cause it to stall suddenly without warning.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the Fuel Delivery Module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump may fail due to improper nickel plating on internal components.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The protective coating on the Restraint Control Module can crack. When moisture gets in, electrical circuits inside may short out.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Restraint Control Module with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The adhesive bonding the front panoramic glass roof panel to the vehicle may be weak. This could let water in, cause noise, or allow the glass panel to detach completely while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front panoramic glass roof panel and replace it if the bond is deficient.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The panoramic roof glass may not be properly bonded to its mounting bracket, which could cause it to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and replace the front roof glass if it was manufactured in the affected date range, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The restraint control module software may contain errors that delay deployment of the side-curtain rollover airbag.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the restraint control module at no cost to restore proper airbag deployment function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exterior door handle may be misaligned with the door panel, causing doors to be difficult to close or potentially open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and adjust the door handle mounting as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger seatbacks may have weak welds on the recliner mechanism attachment, causing the seatback to be structurally insufficient.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seatback assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
