2015 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,102 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 29 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 34 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraOct 13, 2025
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 25V695000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Jun 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 22V413000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Apr 14, 2022
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 22V254000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJun 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.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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.
Campaign 20V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsJul 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V472000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchSep 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.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
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.
Campaign 16V643000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionJul 8, 2015
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 15V436000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelJun 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 15V406000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
135 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2016
6-4-15 PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW 8-7-15 CAR'S BATTERY DRAINED COMPLETELY AND HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER 7-8-16 CAR'S BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED. JUMP STARTED GOT NEW BATTERY AT FORD DEALER 7-29-16 BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED, JUMPED STARTED. STOPPED AT FORD DEALER AND GOT AN APPT. ON 8-8-16 7-30-16 DROVE CAR OUT OF GARAGE APPROXIMATELY 7:30 AM AT 3:30 PM, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. JUMP STARTED THE CAR TO PUT BACK INTO GARAGE. CALLED FORD DEALER AND GOT AN EARLIER APPT. ON 8-1-16 (CHARGED BATTERY 6 HRS WITH BATTERY CHARGER) EACH TIME, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED TO START THE CAR. SOMETHING IN THE SYSTEM IS DRAINING THE BATTERY COMPLETELY. THE CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE EACH TIME THAT THIS OCCURRED. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED IN THE AM WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR WITH THE EXCEPTION ON 7-30-16, IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND DIED THERE DURING MID DAY. PURCHASED A PORTABLE BATTERY JUMP STARTER FROM SEARS ($125.00) TO STAY IN THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 3, 2016, crash, fire
I WAS DRIVING IN MAINE. I'M NOT SURE IF I HIT A PATCH OF ICE OR IF THE STEERING FROZE UP. I WAS TRAVELING 35 IN A 40 MPH ZONE AND ON A CURVE, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A BOG. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SINK AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR A FEW MINUTES. THEN I NOTICED A FLAME COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH BUT I PUSHED THE DOOR OPEN AND BEGAN SWIMMING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS ABOUT 20 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE, IT EXPLODED. I WAS IN THE WATER AND ICE FOR APPROX. 10 MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPT, POLICE, AND EMT'S ARRIVED AND PULLED ME FROM THE WATER AND TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAVE 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON MY ARM AND LEGS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS AND THE ADJUSTER SAID THE ONLY THING THAT COULD BE SALVAGED WAS 1/2 OF MY LICENSE PLATE. I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS AND THE ADJUSTER SAID THAT PERHAPS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND WATER MIXED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. ALTHOUGH HE DID STATE THAT HE WAS SPECULATING AND HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE IS SITTING AND I HAVE ASKED THAT IT NOT BE DESTROYED (WHAT'S LEFT OF IT) UNTIL THE CAUSE CAN BE DETERMINED. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. I BELIEVE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD BEEN IN THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TIME TO ESCAPE. THERE WAS NO SMOKE - ONLY FIRE AND THEN THE EXPLOSION. THE SHOCK IS STARTING TO WEAR OFF AND I KEEP ASKING MYSELF HOW IN THE WORLD A CAR COULD "JUST EXPLODE". PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ANY PROBLEM LIKE THIS OR IF ANYONE CAN SUGGEST WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS CATASTROPHE. THANK YOU. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 29, 2016, crash, fire
I WAS DRIVING AND I'M NOT SURE IF I HIT A PATCH OF ICE OR STEERING FROZE UP. I WAS TRAVELING 35 IN A 40 MPH ZONE AND ON A CURVE, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A BOG. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SINK AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR A FEW MINUTES. I TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE WATER AND ICE. THEN I NOTICED A FLAME COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I PUSHED THE DOOR OPEN AND BEGAN SWIMMING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS ABOUT 30 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE, IT EXPLODED. I WAS IN THE WATER AND ICE FOR APPROX. 10 MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPT, POLICE, AND EMT'S ARRIVED AND PULLED ME FROM THE WATER AND TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAVE 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON MY ARM AND LEGS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS AND THE ADJUSTER SAID THE ONLY THING THAT COULD BE SALVAGED WAS 1/2 OF MY LICENSE PLATE. I ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS AND THE ADJUSTER SAID THAT PERHAPS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND WATER MIXED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. HE DID STATE THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE IS SITTING AND I HAVE ASKED THAT IT NOT BE DESTROYED (WHAT'S LEFT OF IT) UNTIL THE CAUSE CAN BE DETERMINED. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THE SHOCK IS STARTING TO WEAR OFF AND I KEEP ASKING MYSELF HOW IN THE WORLD A CAR COULD "JUST EXPLODE". PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ANY PROBLEM LIKE THIS OR IF ANYONE CAN SUGGEST WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS CATASTROPHE. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE KEY BEING INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,355.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 19, 2015
SYMPTOM: FUSE FOR INTERIOR LIGHTS, INCLUDING GEAR INDICATOR ON SHIFT, CONTROLS IN STEERING WHEEL, FAILS. ISSUE BEGAN 2ND MONTH OF OWNERSHIP 2/2015. 4TH INCIDENT ON 9/17/15 BROUGHT MY ATTENTION TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO ALL INSTANCES LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FUSE. INCIDENT: TRAVELING AT 55 MPH WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF A 5 LANE HIGHWAY, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR. I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR WITHIN A FEW SECONDS AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, DASH BOARD, GAUGES, EVERYTHING SHUT THEMSELVES OFF AND THEN EVERY GAUGE AND WARNING LIGHT LIT UP, BUT NO ENGINE. I MOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE KEY TO OFF WITHOUT LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL, AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT DID NOT RESTART. I MADE MY ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, STOPPED THE CAR, PUT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE CAR ALL THE WAY OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED. THE CAR RESTARTED AND I DROVE ON. I REALIZED THAT EVERY TIME THE FUSE FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAS FAILED, IT WAS AFTER THE CAR HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF, ALL ELECTRICAL LIGHTS AND WARNING LIGHTS HAD GONE OFF AND THEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS AND LIGHTS, EXCEPT INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, REQUIRING TURNING THE KEY TO OFF ENGAGING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK AND RESTARTING THE CAR. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR EVALUATION. THE 3 PREVIOUS TIMES, THE FORD DEALERS' (2 DIFFERENT DEALERS) SERVICE DEPARTMENT TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT FOUND A CAUSE FOR THE FUSE FAILURE.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER 10 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUSE NUMBER 60 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WAS APPLIED, HOWEVER, WHEN THE DRIVER GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Electrical system, May 27, 2015
MY FORD ESCAPE 2015 WOULDN'T SHUT OFF AFTER TURNING. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT CAR WAS ON AFTER I HAD PARK,WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. I DROVE HOME WHEN I TRIED TO SHUT THE ENGINE; IT DIDN'T. THE CAR WAS TOW TO THE NEAREST FORD. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN IT WAS BEING TOW. FORD COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. MINE YOU I STILL HAVEN'T MADE MY FIRST PAYMENT.
Electrical system, Apr 5, 2015
STARTED CAR AND THE ALARM WENT OFF ON THE DASH SAYING THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS AJAR. WE OPENED THE DOOR AND LOOKED AT THE DOOR TO MAKE SURE NO ONE HAD HIT THE CAR. NO DAMAGE COULD BE FOUND. SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. ALARM CONTINUED WITH DASH READING FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AJAR. DROVE CAR HOME WITH CONSTANT ALARM AND OVER HEAD LIGHT ON. LET CAR SIT IN DRIVEWAY FOR HOURS TO SEE IF SOMETHING WOULD RESET. IT DID NOT WORK. UNPLUGGED BATTERY AND LET CAR SIT ANOTHER 30 MINUTES. DID NOT RESET. TOMORROW THE CAR GOES BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NEW 2015 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM 4 WHEEL DRIVE 1.6 ONLY 1069 MILES AND I AM HAVING LEMON ISSUES! SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY 2013 ESCAPE WITH THE BIGGER MOTOR, DIDN'T HAVE DUMB PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE. FORD STEP UP PLEASE AND MAKE THIS RIGHT!! *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 5, 2015
WARNING ON SCREEN. TAKE CAR TO DEALER IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER SITTING THERE FOR OVER 3 HOURS I WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS THE COOLING TEMPERATURE SENSOR. WHEN THEY CAME TO TELL ME THE CAR WAS FINISHED I WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING BUT UNPLUG THE SENSOR AND WAIT 5 MINUTES THE RECONNECT TO CLEAR THE CODE. SINCE THEN THE CAR TAKES A LONG TIME TO HEAT UP FOR THE HEATER. IT WILL BLOW COLD AIR. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO WAIT OVER 3 HOURS AT THE DEALER EITHER FOR JUST UNPLUGGING THE SENSOR. NOT A GOOD WAY TO KEEP CUSTOMERS. *TR