2014 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Ford Escape ranks 4th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 2,084 complaints, 103 fires, 16 recall campaigns, and a median failure mileage of 75,000, with Engine problems the top complaint area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,084
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 16
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 47
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 103
- Injuries
- 41
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 41 / 4
Top 2014 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine902 (43%)
- Transmission & Powertrain481 (23%)
- Other279 (13%)
- Electrical System224 (11%)
- Structure & Body152 (7%)
- Steering151 (7%)
- Fuel System137 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires70 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras51 (2%)
- Brakes47 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-to-moderate speed crashes, including rear-end and head-on impacts near 40 mph.
- Owners describe brake pedals going to the floor with no response while descending hills at low speed.
- Some drivers report a front or rear wheel separating or a tire blowing out while turning or stopped, causing loss of control.
- Electrical complaints include a burning rubber odor coming through the vents that persisted despite dealer inspections.
- Backup sensors were reported to fail during low-speed reversing, leading to collisions with other vehicles.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to restrain occupants during a rear-end collision at highway speed.
2014 Ford Escape recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 20V331000Jun 8, 2020Structure & Body2,147,323 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
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.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: 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.
2014 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Ford Escape reliable?
- Compared with other Escape model years, 2014 ranks poorly: it sits 4th worst out of 21 years with a complaint index of 85 and carries an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the top problem area for the 2014 Ford Escape?
- Engine complaints make up 43% of all reports (902 of 2,084), with a median failure mileage of 79,464 and 82 fires linked to this system.
- How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Escape have?
- NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2014 Escape, covering issues such as engine block heaters, transmission shifter cable bushings, door latches, seat bolts, and instrument panel software.
- Are there any do-not-drive recalls on the 2014 Ford Escape?
- No. NHTSA records zero do-not-drive recalls for the 2014 Escape among its 16 total campaigns.
- How does the 2014 Escape compare to the 2013 and 2015 model years?
- The 2013 Escape scores worse with a complaint index of 90 and 18 recalls, while the 2015 Escape scores better at 50 and Caution, making 2014 sit between them but still rated Avoid.