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, Aug 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle jerked would not accelerate properly. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Power train, Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Jul 27, 2022
Customer was driving vehicle up a hill and noticed that the shifter indicated the car was in neutral. Customer moved the shifter into park and stopped the car, because she could not put it in drive. Customer then applied the parking brake to stop the car from rolling backwards and turned the car off, then tried to restart it . And the car would no longer start. The dashboard indicated that the car was in reverse, even though the shifter said the car was in park. Customer had to have the car towed to the nearest Ford dealer for repairs. Customer had no prior warnings about this problem. Customer could have been placed at serious risk if she had been on a busier road.
Power train, Jul 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he attempted to shift it into gear; however, the shifter failed to select the desired gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the shifter cable bushing was defective. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
Power train, Jul 21, 2022
The contact called on behalf of her husband who owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her husband was driving approximately 5 MPH, when the vehicle stalled. The gear shifter failed to move. After several attempts, the gear shifter moved into drive. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the cable bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Jul 20, 2022
My Vehicle had no issues prior to the date of 6/02/2022. On this date I was driving in a large city when my transmission kept switching gears by itself slipping. Eventually my transmission went out in whole. It was towed day of and was told that my transmission needed to be replaced fully. I had checked online to make sure no recalls were on my vehicle at that time. This happened to be false information. On 7/15/22 after 6 weeks of being in the shop I received my vehicle back. It is now 7/20/22 and I have received a recall in the mail for my transmission. I have done my research and am I aware that there is compensation involved in the incident that happened with my vehicle. I should have been told 60 days ago that there was a recall before such incident happened like I should have been. I will have a lawyer involved if no contact is made. I have gone through too much stress and turmoil to not have my case filed and looked at.
Power train, Jul 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P) however, the computer did not recognize the intended gear with the "Transmission Gear in Reverse" message displayed. The contact used the parking brake to park the vehicle. The dealer and Johnson Brothers Ford (7455 S General Bruce Dr, Temple, TX 76502) were made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Power train, Jul 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle rolled forward while the gear shifter was in park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while cold starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Engine, Jul 19, 2022
Vehicle while driving seemed to not shift gears properly.took to dealer 4 months after purchased.they said could not find anything.but did find coolant hose needed replaced.i paid for that.still had the same problem.took vehicle to second dealer found turbo boost loosing power.they fixed that I paid for but still not shifting properly.now my engine started knocking I took to mechanic he said it's the transmission and now the engine block cracked where it connects to transmission.i feel this shifting issue has caused engine issues.ford will not help me.
Power train, Jul 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V254000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 16, 2022
Was driving and came to a stop and vehicle said transmission not in park and shut off. Tried to restart and it did even attempt to turn over so I was stuck in the lane of traffic on the road.
Power train, Jul 13, 2022
Called the dealer on 7/13/2022 about NHTSA Safety Recall 22V254 and was told parts are on a national back order and only if vehicle failed or malfunctioned would the parts be sent to dealer so vehicle can be repaired. Dealer stated parts could not be obtained otherwise. Tried to call Ford on 7/13/2022 and was unable to get an answer. This in not acceptable.
Power train, Jul 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred with the gear shifter seizing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the transmission modulator; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Jul 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration and then lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Engine, Jul 11, 2022
While driving, the vehicle’s transmission starting coming out of gear, then lose of power, go back into gear for a moment, then go out of gear causing coasting and lose maneuverability. After being shut down immediately and towed to a mechanic, diagnostic is transmission out for some reason and misfires in two cylinders. Vehicle has less than 80K miles. Can’t really tell as the digital screen also went out. Vehicle has had regular service by a Ford dealership.
Power train, Jul 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V254000 (Power Train) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Jul 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the engine revving loudly prior to the vehicle stalling. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence where it was observed that after shifting into park(P), the vehicle rolled forward. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later researched online and related the roll away failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). Additionally, the vehicle had begun to rev up when the accelerator was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle had not been taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Power train, Jul 5, 2022
Transmission failure. I took the vehicle into a local Ford dealer for a recall on the shifter cable bushing and days later I experienced transmission failure for the first time, while driving. I returned to the dealer to have this checked and they insisted there was no issue with the cable bushing but the problem was inside the transmission. I decided to research issues with the transmission of these vehicles and I have found testimonies of hundreds of people online who have experienced the exact same issue with Ford Escapes of multiple years and the transmissions failing in the midst of driving, putting them in dangerous situations. Others claim to have contacted Ford and they are unwilling to do anything to fix this. I have tried to contact Ford myself and experienced the same response. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed before serious accidents are caused if they have not been already. Unable to upload an image of the recent service note on this form, not working for some reason.
Power train, Jun 29, 2022
I have been trying to schedule an appointment for the following recall. The dealership tells me that Ford does not have a fix for the shifter cable bushing. How long do they have to come up with a fix. Jan 01,2001 Manufacturer Recall Number22S25 NHTSA Recall Number22V254 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete Summary IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING IS DAMAGED OR MISSING.
Power train, Jun 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had previously been serviced at Mac Haik Ford (10333 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024) where the brackets and mounts for the engine and housing and mounts for the transmission were replaced due to rattling sounds coming from underneath the hood while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 154,499.
Power train, Jun 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and then shuddered. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Power train, Jun 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to move and the gear shifter seized in drive(D). There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V254000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that parts were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect. The approximate failure mileage was 150,780.
Power train, Jun 17, 2022
I was on my way to work, going about 40 mph, when all of the sudden my car slipped out of gear and a service transmission light came on. I pulled off the road and put the car in park, after that I tried to put the car and drive and it would only go in reverse. There were no warning lights or problems prior to this incident. I had the car towed to my home.
Power train, Jun 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after reversing at approximately 3 MPH, the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the contact depressed the accelerator and the engine started making a loud revving sound. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact said that the service transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to accelerate to approximately 30 MPH and driven to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Power train, Jun 15, 2022
Though the vehicle indicated that it was in park, both by the VIC and the shift being all the way in the forward position, the vehicle was still rolling after my daughter turned the vehicle off. This incident nearly caused my 16 year old daughter to hit a fence. It caused her to fear driving for a period of time. I had to have the vehicle towed to Jimmy Granger Ford in Stonewall, Louisiana to have it repaired. They informed me that the vehicle required the transmission cable assembly to be replaced, part number; CJ5Z-7E395-A. The total cost of the repair was, $1075.94. This issue is eerily similar to the issues that are in the recalls of earlier model Ford Escapes and Manufacturer Recall Number 22S43.