2014 Ford Escape Problems
What owners have reported about the 2014 Ford Escape, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2014 Ford Escape a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the Escape. Owners have filed 2,089 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 18 Escape model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and electrical system.
2,089 complaints 16 recalls, 2 fire risk 3rd worst of 18 Escape years
Top 2014 Ford Escape problems
Engine problems
885 complaints (42%) name the engine, most often the cooling system and exhaust system.
Transmission problems
481 complaints (23%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and shift linkage / cable / rod.
Electrical problems
216 complaints (10%) name the electrical system, most often the instrument cluster / panel and speedometer / odometer.
Steering problems
151 complaints (7%) name the steering, most often the rack and pinion and column.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (1,356 of 2,089). The amber line is the middle value, about 77,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2014 Ford Escape recalls
Engine block heater
Fire risk0L engine. 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.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Recall 26V011000 · Jan 2026Gear position indication (PRNDL), Shift linkage / cable / rod
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. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022.
Recall 22V413000 · Jun 2022Latch
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. 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. 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.
Recall 20V331000 · Jun 2020Floor shift
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. 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. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
Recall 18V471000 · Jul 2018Seat Belts, Seats
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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Recall 17V472000 · Jul 2017Engine
Fire risk6L 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. 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.
Recall 17V209000 · Mar 2017Latch
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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge.
Recall 16V643000 · Sep 2016Instrument cluster / panel
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." 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.
Recall 15V406000 · Jun 2015Fuel pump
Can stallOn 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. 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.
Recall 15V005000 · Jan 2015Side / window
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. 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. Parts are not currently available.
Recall 14V597000 · Sep 2014Delivery
Can stallIn the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure. 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.
Recall 14V525000 · Sep 2014Wiring
Can stall0 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). 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.
Recall 14V495000 · Aug 2014Sun / moon roof assembly
The panorama roof glass may not be properly bonded to the attaching bracket. 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. 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.
Recall 14V403000 · Jul 2014Sensor / control module-inactive, Side / window
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. 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.
Recall 14V237000 · May 2014Door
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. 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.
Recall 14V239000 · May 2014Recliner
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." 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.
Recall 14V164000 · Apr 2014Get an email when your 2014 Ford Escape gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2014 Ford Escape, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Escape years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2014 Ford Escape problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2014 Ford Escape a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the Escape. Owners have filed 2,089 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 18 Escape model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and electrical system.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Escape problems?
Owners most often report problems with the engine, transmission, electrical system and steering. 885 complaints (42%) name the engine, most often the cooling system and exhaust system.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Escape engine problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 56,000–106,000 miles, with a middle value near 80,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Escape have?
16. Engine block heater (26V011000); Gear position indication (PRNDL), Shift linkage / cable / rod (22V413000); Latch (20V331000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2014 Ford Escape?
Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2024 and 2023 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.