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
1,102 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2022
The owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to restart the vehicle and the brake pedal felt firm. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal with her two feet but it failed to respond. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal after several attempts. The contact was able to drive to her residence and parked the vehicle. However, the failure reoccurred twice while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the body control module (BCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the failure could be associated with the instrument cluster. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V406000 (Electrical System) that she associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to close the door, the door failed to latch securely. The driver's side rear door ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with door latch failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
Power train, Sep 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 contact stated that while shifting from park(P) to drive(D), the vehicle emitted an abnormal loud sound. The contact shifted back to park(P) and upon shifting to drive (D), the failure reoccurred. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Aug 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that whenever the START/STOP button was depressed, the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. A message to “Please Shut Off the Engine” to save the battery was displayed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Stuart Powell Ford Lincoln Mazda (225 S Danville Bypass, Danville, KY 40422, (859) 236-8917) but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Power train, Aug 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while at a stop light the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle in the morning, the transmission failure warning illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 131,000.
Power train, Aug 26, 2022
2015 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR EPAIRS MADE RELATED TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL22V-413. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSISTION. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.
Tires, Aug 25, 2022
All four of my 235/55R17 103V XL tires are dry rotting. They are separating and creating a crack all along the tire shoulder. I bought these tires brand new in January 2020, they are not even 3 years old yet. The tires can blow due to the dry rotting causing me to crash, getting them replaced ASAP. No warning to them getting worse, until I did a tire check early this month.
Power train, Aug 25, 2022
2015 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THEIR SHIFTER NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND LOCKING UP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR RECALL 22S25/22V254.
Power train, Aug 23, 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 the dealer had previously replaced the transmission shifter cable bushing; however, the failure recurred with the gear shifter not recognizing the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2022
Shifter is stuck, not able to maneuver safely. I will take my car tomorrow to an auto center to fix it.
Power train, Aug 18, 2022
2015 FORD EDGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Aug 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle was slipping gears. The transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
Power train, Aug 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while he and his wife were driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle also was not shifting into gear and had unusual noise from the engine. There was a service transmission warning light illuminated. The contact also stated the transmission was slipping when attempted to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was currently being diagnosed. The dealer did a test drive and indicated was not sure if the failure was related to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000 .
Engine, Aug 11, 2022
The engine in the car has a cracked engine block. It first showed up as engine issues and the the spark plug could not be removed. The engine was reviewed by an independent garage and then a Ford Dealership and was verified as a cracked engine block that was allowed coolant into the cylinders. The dealership has another escape in with the same problem. We have been told that the VIN number does not indicate this engine as an issue, but it is as the block is cracked. The independent shop told us that the issue is a manufacturing defect in the block due to a soft material used in creating the engine. Once the engine light came on we brought the car to the shop and it was diagnosed as an issue. The car sat at the Ford dealership for 3 months and we were told the engine was on backorder and corporate was giving us the run around that the engine kept get putting on backorder. We are very frustrated with Ford as they are not stepping up to the problem with a manufacturing defect.
Power train, Aug 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifting from the drive position to reverse the transmission malfunctioned and became stuck in the neutral position. The local mechanic examined the vehicle and diagnosed that the transmission shift cable bushing had failed. The mechanic provided a temporary fix for the failure by reattaching the bushing. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Power train, Aug 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into park(P), the vehicle would continue to roll forward without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000(Power Train) which she linked to her failure. The contact called the dealer and was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Power train, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle out of the driveway, the transmission seized in reverse. The vehicle was unable to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed a failure with the shifter cable bushing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the warning message “Engine overheating pull off safely and stop” illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the road safely and turn off the vehicle. The contact waited for the vehicle to cool down, restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was notified of a coolant leak inside cylinder #4. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,208.
Power train, Aug 5, 2022
2015 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BEING REIMBURSED FOR NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-413.
Power train, Aug 3, 2022
2015 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO A SAFETY RECALL 22S43/22V413.
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.
Wheels, Jul 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the rear passenger’s side wheel, the contact’s son-in-law discovered that the lug nuts were swollen and the supplied lug nut wrench could not be properly fit over the lug nuts. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who replaced the lug nuts. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 61,510.
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.
Service brakes, Jul 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact forcefully depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving to his residence while using the parking brake. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.