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: power train
285 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jun 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND BECAME STUCK IN THE DRIVE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DORIAN FORD IN CHARTER TWP OF CLINTON, MICHIGAN WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FRACTURED SHELL CASING AND THE FRACTURED SUPPORT BAR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Power train, Dec 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS AND BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE AS IF METAL PARTS WERE BEING BANGED TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BALDWIN FORD IN POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI WHERE IT WAS INITIALLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Power train, Engine, Nov 13, 2017
I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AND COME TO A STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOP SIGN OR STOP TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN. ALSO IT WILL MAKE A HESITATE NOISE AND A CLUNK NOISE. RIGHT BEFORE IT STOPS. I HAVE TAKEN INTO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH ALL THE TEST THEY DID. SO TODAY 11/13/2017, I AM DROPPING MY CAR OFF AGAIN AT THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION.THIS HAS HAPPENED MAY TIMES SINCE OCT. 2017
Power train, Jul 18, 2017
I PURCHASED MY FORD ESCAPE CERTIFIED USED FROM A DEALERSHIP BACK IN JULY 2016, IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND NO ACCIDENTS REPORTED. IN FEBRUARY 2017 THE VEHICLE STARTS HESITATING WHILE IN MOTION ON A COUNTRY STREET, ACTING AS THOUGH IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL OUT, NO WARNING INDICATORS CAME UP, ABLE TO GET TO OUR DRIVEWAY. WHEN IN OUR DRIVEWAY WE WERE ABLE TO BACK UP BUT WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE THE DASH GAVE A WARNING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD ONLY IN REVERSE. WE GOT IT TOWED BY OUR FORD WARRANTY TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE PAPERWORK LOOKS LIKE THEY DID AN OVERHAUL ON THE TRANSMISSION. NOW IT JULY OF 2017 (56,000 MILES ON IT) WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGINS TO HESITATE AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AN EXIT ON THE HIGHWAY BUT THEN MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED NOTHING HAPPENED. NO WARNING INDICATORS AT ALL PRESENT ON DASH. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO MOVE AN INCH. WHEN PLACED IN THE SPORT DRIVE THE CAR COULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT IN DRIVE AS EVIDENCED BY IT DID NOT EVEN LIGHT UP THE "S" ON THE DASH TO LET YOU KNOW IT WAS IN SPORT DRIVE. FORD AGAIN TOWED MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT IS BEING INSPECTED AS WE SPEAK. I HAVE HAD THE CAR A TOTAL OF 1 YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. UNACCEPTABLE, THANK GOODNESS BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY, I WOULD NOT WANT TO IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS ON A MUCH LARGER HIGHWAY AND THIS OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE. THESE ISSUES ARE MAKING ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY TWO CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR WITH ME.
Steering, Power train, Jul 6, 2017
I PURCHASED A USED 2015 FORD ESCAPE ON MAY 10, 2017. I DROVE IT TO YELLOWSTONE OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TO TEST THE VEHICLE OUT. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT REALLY HARD AND AT 40 MPH IT SEEMED TO HESITATE WHAT GEAR TO SHIFT TO. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SENT IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY RESET THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THE CAR LEARNS A DRIVER'S DRIVING HABITS AND SINCE SOMEONE ELSE OWNED THE CAR IT WASN'T USED TO MY DRIVING HABITS. THE RESET ON THE TRANSMISSION HAS HELP A LITTLE, I STILL DO NOT LIKE THE WAY IT SHIFTS AT 40 MPH AND IT ALSO HESITATES TO GO AND THEN WHEN IT KICKS IN IT IS HARD TO SLOW DOWN. YESTERDAY JULY 5, 2017 I WAS DRIVING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I HAD A WARNING COME ON AT THE SAME TIME I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. I WAS GLAD I WAS ON A BACK ROAD OR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. I COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING REGARDING THE ISSUE YET. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 60 DAYS AND I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED TWICE. I DON'T FEEL I CAN TRUST THIS CAR. MY 10 YEAR OLD VAN WITH 170,000 MILES IS MORE RELIABLE.
Power train, Dec 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,479. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON DECEMBER 8, 2016
Power train, Engine, Jul 10, 2016, crash
THE CAR ACCELERATED AFTER SLOWED DOWN TO PARK. IT SURGED TOWARD A CEMENT WALL AND ONLY SCRAPED IT BY ME TURNING WHEEL BUT WENT BETWEEN TWO CEMENT PILLARS AND KNOCKING OVER A CEMENT BENCH. DAMAGE ON THE CAR AND RECEIVED A CITATION . I AM JUST AFRAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN I WON'T BE SO LUCKY. SO NOW I HAVE TO HAVE THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVOLVED AND IT IS COSTING ME PLUS THE CITATION . I THINK FORD MOTOR SHOULD TAKE OF THIS AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FIX THE PROBLEM
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 19, 2016
A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR, IT STARTED STALLING AFTER DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK.TOOK TO DEALER PUT ON THE COMPUTER, NOTHING SHOWED UP AS BEING WRONG? THEY TOLD ME TO PUT SEAFOAM GAS TREATMENT IN DIDN'T WORK. THE STALLING KEPT HAPPENING AFTER DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE. AFTER MANY TIMES TO THE DEALER (1TIME THEY KEPT IT 2 WEEKS) THEY STILL COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM? DEALER DECIDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASY THE ONLY THING THAT CONTROLS THE IDLE. IT STILL CONTINUED TO STALL ON AND OFF AFTER A LONG RIDE. THEN IN FEB. 2016 IT STALLED ON I-75 SEVERAL TIMES THIS TIME NOT EVEN 10 MILES FROM WORK. WE WERE GOING SLOW DUE TO ICY ROADS HAVING TO PUT IN NEUTRAL JUST TO KEEP FROM STALLING. BACK TO DEALER, NOTHING SHOWED UP ON COMPUTER. MY WIFE THEN CALLED DEALER CONCERNED THAT IT COULD STALL WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE DEALER DECIDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASY AGAIN. STUMPED ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM GOT THE CAR BACK SATURDAY. WENT TO WORK ON MONDAY AFTER WORK STOPPED TO GET GAS SHUT OFF RESTARTED CAR AND IT STALLED?? THERE SEEMS TO BE NO SPECIFIC REASON OR CONDITION THAT IT KEEPS STALLING. IT STALLS WHILE IN GEAR OR PARK? THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE BODILY HARM. DO I HAVE A LEMON?
Power train, Engine, Jan 18, 2016
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING OR FROM A FULL STOP. THE HESITATION VARIES FROM ABOUT TWO SECONDS OR LONGER. WHEN THE CAR DOES ACCELERATE IT SURGES FORWARD AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED. WHILE TRYING TO TURN LEFT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH SUFFICIENT TIME MY CAR HESITATED UPON ACCELERATING CAUSING THE ONCOMING CAR TO BRAKE HARD IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS CAR ALSO HESITATES AFTER PULLING OFF A ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT, IE., STORE, SCHOOL, AND, AT RANDOM, WILL HESITATE UPON ACCELERATING FOR A SEVERAL SECOND DELAY ONLY TO SURGE IN SPEED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO INITIALLY CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER SIX TIMES AND ONCE TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER. ALL SAY THE BECAUSE THERE IS NO FAULT CODE THEY CANNOT FIX IT. I CALLED FORD ENG. AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THE LAST TIME I HAD THIS CAR TO THE DEALER THE INVOICE STATED, "NO CODES" AND ROAD TESTED BUT THE MILEAGE IN WAS THE SAME AS THE MILEAGE OUT INDICATION THAT NOTHING WAS DONE. IT HAS BECOME OBVIOUS THAT FORD DEALER I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM IS NOW PATRONIZING ME. THEREFORE IT HAS BECOME A WASTE OF TIME TO KEEP BRINGING THIS CAR BACK. I HAVE FOUND A MULTITUDE OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD VEHICLES ON THE INTERNET. MANY WERE BEING PUT OFF WITH THE SAME EXCUSE, "NO CODE." I AM A FORD RETIREE AND HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED THAT BOTH A FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD ITSELF HAVE PATRONIZE ME TO THE POINT I BELIEVE I AM BEING PLAYED BECAUSE OF MY SENIOR AGE. I BELIEVE THIS "HESITATION" DEFECT TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. THANK YOU. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2015
PURCHASED VEHICLE 1/30/2015 AND DROVE OFF LOT WITH 3 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND HESITATING UPON ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WAS IN FORD REPAIR SHOP FOR 12 DAYS WITH 1200 WORTH OF PARTS REPLACED ON TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP VEHICLE WITH 810 MILES ON IT AND LESS THAN A WEEK AND 150 MILES LATER THE VEHICLE IS AGAIN STALLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE! *TR