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.
Air bags, Apr 17, 2026, crash
On 4-13-26 an unknown subject hit my wife head on causing significant damage to our vehicle. None of the airbags deployed causing injury to my wife’s forehead, right foot and left knee
Back over prevention, Apr 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera displayed a distorted or upside-down image. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); and was informed by the local dealer that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Back over prevention, Apr 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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. The contact stated that the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
Engine, Apr 11, 2026, fire
My 2015 Ford Escape is diagnosed with a coolant intrusion due to flawed design issues by Ford. Coolant is slowly leaking into valve 2 and causing white smoke upon startup. The engine block is cracked due to faulty coolant system by per the designed of Ford. Only remedy is a new engine which is quoted at $8000. As this problem is entirely caused by Ford, it is unfair to expect the consumers to pay such a price.
Back over prevention, Apr 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blank image while in reverse(R). Due to the rear-view camera failure, the contact had bumped into various objects or vehicles while in reverse(R). The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair might be available the following day. The contact called and was informed that the part was for another model vehicle. 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. The failure mileage was unknown.
Back over prevention, Apr 2, 2026
See attached document for complaint. I am writing regarding the above-referenced recall for my 2015 Ford Escape. In October 2025, I received notice of the recall related to my vehicle. However, prior to receiving this notice, in September 2025, I opted to have my local Ford Dealership replace the camera because I felt very unsafe without the feature after becoming accustomed to it. At the time of service, the dealership informed me that there were no recalls posted for my vehicle, so I paid a total of $531.39 out of pocket for the replacement. I would like to inquire if it is possible to receive a refund for some or all of the charges I paid for the replacement. The dealership advised me that they were unable to process this request and that I needed to contact you directly. I have attached a copy of my invoice for your review. Thank you in advance for your consideration of my request. Contact
Engine, Mar 27, 2026
MIL activated, reported misfire in cylinder 2. Attempted to replace spark plugs but they had seized. Took to dealership: was told coolant leaked into cylinder and entire engine needed to be replaced. Technician said this was common with Ecoboost engines for this model year, but not enough to merit a recall. Cost to replace engine more than the vehicle is worth
Equipment, Engine, Back over prevention, Mar 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle due to a potential fire risk. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V011000 (Equipment). An appointment was scheduled with the local dealer who confirmed that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the local dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Back over prevention, Mar 25, 2026
The back up/rear view camera display a blank or distorted image while in reverse and has reduced and distorted my view of what is behind in not one, but on both my 2015 Fords which have been recalled. I have come close on several occasions to having an accident. I got a letter from Ford confirming both cars are in a recall in October of 2025. We are now 6 months later and the service department at my Ford dealer has no answers. This is insane - 6 moths for both cars and they have no answers!! This is dangerous and it is infuriating that there is still no fix?!?!?!?!? This problem has been going on in both cars now at least 24 months. I want to dump them and never drive a Ford again, but I cannot afford to at this time. HELP!!!
Power train, Mar 24, 2026
Took care & kept up with car maintenance quite regularly, including oil and transmission fluid drain & fills. No signs of any issues. Going uphill and suddenly transmission starts slipping and pump is suddenly whirring loud. No urgent lights or dash messages. Drove it a little further (i was already super close to my destination) and within a minute the car is violently jerking. Loud metal bangs and clank sounds and lost power. RPMs up but can’t get into gear. It will jerk & move by itself at idle because can’t stay in park either. Still no warning message. Got it towed—dealership found NO transmission codes, but found one code, p0219, engine over speed; most likely from the RPMs spiking due to the slippage. The trans fluid level was ok but it was black and burnt, despite being serviced months ago. They confirmed it will need a total replacement transmission.
Back over prevention, Mar 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in reverse(R) the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank screen. The failure later became a permanent failure, and the camera was inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 2569V5000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2026, fire
THE FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND THEN APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.
Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2026
(1) What happened? Suddenly the rear camera screen went blank. It took me half a second to realize the problem and to react and automatically stepping the breaks. Luckily, there was no one behind the car. (2) What component or system failed or malfunctioned? Rear Camera View/Screen. (3) Is it available for inspection upon request? Yes. (4) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Other people and my self was in very high risk! (5) Has the problem been reproduced? Yes, many times after the first incident! (6) Confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? There is an open recall for this problem already, but Ford dealer refuses to fixed it! (7) Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings, no messages. Rear camera view/screen goes blue and then a warning is shown on the screen.
Back over prevention, Mar 20, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse(R), the rear-view camera became inoperable. The rear-view camera intermittently failed, with the image fluctuating and failing to properly operate. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Back over prevention, Mar 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image or a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. 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. The failure mileage was unknown.
Back over prevention, Mar 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera was intermittently distorted or was inoperative. The failure had occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 2569V5000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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. The failure mileage was unknown.
Back over prevention, Mar 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed an upside-down image. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Back over prevention, Mar 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The rearview camera image failed to function properly and intermittently failed to display. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that parts were only distributed to repair Ford Mustangs associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
Back over prevention, Mar 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Back over prevention, Mar 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable and the image appeared blank. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the remedy parts required to complete the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Back over prevention, Mar 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V436000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 22V413000 (POWER TRAIN), and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair for the back over prevention camera was not yet available. The contact stated that the rear-view camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. In addition, an alarm alerting the driver of a person or an object behind the vehicle failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. 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. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Engine, Mar 10, 2026
- The car loses coolant while the engine is running. This coolant loss is nearly imperceptible, except that the car's heat stopped working reliably. If the car is left idling with the heat on, it does not become warm. It only begins to become warm at higher speeds, then loses heat after slowing down.There are no easily visible coolant leaks. - If I had not caught it in time, the car could have overheated, causing a breakdown and emergency stop. - I have reproduced the problem, but it has not been brought to a dealer. - It has not yet been inspected. -There were no warning lights, I only noticed the coolant loss because I observed the radiator not working and checked under the hood. - The car is still available to be inspected, and is safe to drive short distances if the coolant is topped off.
Back over prevention, Mar 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); 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 contact stated that while in reverse(R), the screen failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. The message "Contact Dealer" was displayed. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Back over prevention, Mar 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blurry image. The contact stated that the image was foggy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Power train, Feb 27, 2026
Transmission failure in traffic. Just stopped engaging the gears. Transmission has failed and needs to be replaced.