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.
Back over prevention, Nov 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display a rearview image. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention), which included the VIN, but the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,910.
Power train, Engine, Nov 5, 2025
Purchased my 2015 escape in Aug. of 2023 used knowing that the head gaskets needed to be replaced. Took it to a certified mechanic and had everything fixed on it. Fast forward to October of 2024 - Transmission went out had to purchase a brand new transmission had it installed at the certified mechanic. Then in July of 2025 all of the sudden it overheated. Took it back to the same mechanic and once again the head gaskets are blown. They stated that coolant had leaked into the motor and now it all needs replaced. How is this not a recall yet with everything that I have been reading. A recall has been issued for a back up camera but not this. We have been driving without back up cameras forever but we cannot drive a vehicle when every few months we need to dump thousands of dollars in it.
Back over prevention, Nov 4, 2025
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 rearview camera displayed a blue 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. The message "Rear Camera Inoperable" was displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact almost struck a tree while reversing. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. Most recently, the rearview camera no longer functioned as intended and failed to activate as designed. 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 failure mileage was unknown.
Back over prevention, Nov 3, 2025
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 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. The VIN was not available
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Oct 30, 2025
The back up camera I just picked the date I don’t know what the date was
Engine, Oct 8, 2025
There appears to be coolant leaking into/into the engine that compromised the seals and created oil leak/burn issues with the engine.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2025
My stereo screen went blank and I had a new stereo installed but was told the rear camera in my vehicle is defective and was under recall. When I checked with Ford, I was advised my particular vehicle did not qualify. Also, my instrument panel just went blank. This is a serious safety issue as I cannot see my milage or what gear I'm in. This vehicle needs to be a part of the ongoing recall for rear view camera and the dash should be looked into further as well
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2025
Backup camera - this vehicle not included in the recall as is having all the same issues blank screen - inverted screen - works sometimes - this has been an issue for some time and I contacted the ford dealer I use who states the repair is over 400. and do not know why this vehicle has not been included in the recall.
Power train, Oct 5, 2025
Been having shifting problems since I got the vehicle at a dealership, the car will hang onto the rpm’s for a couple seconds then slam into gear, mostly while shifting up. Had the recall taken care of for the bushing a shifter cable problem, the hanging and slamming shifting issue still persists. Took the car to a Ford dealership and was told that my clutch is disintegrating and that an entire new transmission was needing, quoting me at LEAST $5000. Now I don’t know about yall, but I don’t have that type of money to just throw away into a car. If the car was designed and released to the public with a crappy transmission and known to be a problem, then Ford Motor Company needs to no longer exist.
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2025
The rear camera goes in and out all the time. Sometimes it doesn't work at all! Such a safety concern that needs to be addressed!
Tires, Oct 2, 2025
My Ford Escape was fitted with two Cooper tires (235/55 R 17) that had to be replaced with less than 20k miles on them. After using the tires in normal city/highway situations, both tires started to bulge causing vibration when driving the vehicle. This was due to the belts breaking within the tire. While this specific tire is not currently under recall, I believe it should be. There is no reason these tires should've worn out so quickly and it sounds like the exact same issue many of their other tires currently under recall have. They are well under their warranty of 80k miles, but I will not put another Cooper tire on my car. I've only included the TIN from one tire, because I do not have the TIN for the first one that bulged. It has already been removed and disposed of. This happened to both of my Coopers in each rear position of my car.
Engine, Sep 29, 2025
I am having a issue that is not new to ford, my ford escape is having the coolant leak issue, I already have spend more than 2k on it, still engine is over heating, Ford Escape reps and almost all the mechanic know the issue is very known, I hope this issue is addressed.
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2025
The backup camera constantly inverts when in use.
Back over prevention, Sep 29, 2025
The rear camera has increasing failures. It goes to black multiple times while in reverse and takes a few seconds to get the image back. It is available for inspection upon request. It has put my safety and the safety at others at risk due to the sudden changes. There is a recall for other Ford models for the same thing. I think this recall needs to be expanded to include Escapes. There are no warning lights. It first happened a few years ago, but is increasing in frequency.
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2025
This complaint form is in regards to the backup camera. In the last six months I had intermittent loss of its function while backing up. However the problem in the last month is now a persistent loss of the image when backing up. It may function at the start of going in reverse, then all of the sudden it will go out. This is scary for the first thought is you hit something, even if you didn't hear any noise. I greatly rely on the camera for I always try to back into parking spots. It will happen in any type weather, sometimes the screen just does not change, other times it may just be black, and other times will have a yellow triangle warning that it is not working properly. I have not had any incidents or accidents which may have caused the camera to malfunction.
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the instrument panel turned off and failed to display pertinent vehicle information. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the instrument panel. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V406000 (Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 127,000. The VIN was not available.
Back over prevention, Sep 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse(R), the back over prevention camera display was black with the message "Camera Unavailable" displayed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the hatchback was closed with force, and the camera was not functioning as needed while shifted into reverse(R). The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN nor the model vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Suspension, Seats, Engine, Sep 17, 2025
DRIVER'S SEAT STOP WORKING AND THE ENGINE LEAKS AND THE SUSPENSION WENT BAD AND TRANSMISSION STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON FOULK ROAD IN WILMINGTON DELAWARE APRIL 18, 2025 AND WAS VERY SCARED AND NERVOUS..
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Sep 16, 2025
The rear back up camera is malfunctioning/not working intermittently. Sometimes it works, and then glitches out and is gone, other times it is a completely black screen. This started approximately 4-6 weeks ago. It says "Camera is unavailable. Please contact your dealership". I have since seen that 1.5M Ford vehicles are being recalled for this exact issue, but my car is not on the list. I've called Ford and the Dealership, and they've said I will have to have it diagnosed and pay out of pocket. It's oddly peculiar that this would be the same issue, and it just started at the same time of the recall. This has put others at risk because I cannot see them behind me, the car is not alerting me to people behind me, and I have gotten used to that function. I have to check to see if the camera is working, and then make sure to look behind, but even then it is hard to see. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone just yet. I am hesitant to take to dealer, as I will be without car for 2 days and have to pay the diagnostic fee, and potentially repair fee. There were no warning messages or other symptoms. One day it just started glitching.
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2025
The back up camera is not functioning. It’s very distorted. Very difficult to see what is behind me when backing up. I took the car to a mechanic and he said he wasn’t able to fix it.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2025
Back up camera does not work at times screen is black when vehicle is in reverse, other times camera display is working. This problem started around June 0f 2025
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2025
The backup camera in my vehicle displays an inverted and distorted image, identical to the defect described in Ford’s existing recall. However, my vehicle has been excluded from that recall, and Ford has refused to repair the issue. This defect creates a significant safety hazard by impairing rear visibility and making backing up more dangerous. Because federal law requires a functional backup camera in this type of vehicle, I believe my vehicle should be included in the recall and repaired by Ford.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2025
Rear view camera image is inverted and as I've been driving over 40 years, it's a nice feature, but after seeing all the recalls for this issue and mine is not included yet has failed in a similar way.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2025
The back up assist camera only works part of the time. It will come on for a few seconds and then go off.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2025
Rear backup camera malfunctioning. Inverts image and sometimes blanks out. Dangerous in parking lots. Have not contacted dealer since warranty is expired. Has not been inspected. No warnings or messages before problem started. Started several months ago.