2015 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 11th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It carries 9 recall campaigns and 1,100 owner complaints, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 26% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,100
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 29
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 19
- Injuries
- 32
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 0
Top 2015 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain286 (26%)
- Engine278 (25%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras149 (14%)
- Electrical System144 (13%)
- Other144 (13%)
- Steering81 (7%)
- Structure & Body68 (6%)
- Fuel System57 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires42 (4%)
- Brakes35 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power or races without a corresponding speed increase, sometimes accompanied by a red oil indicator light.
- Blown head gaskets are reported on the 1.6L EcoBoost engine, with blue smoke from the exhaust and check engine light illumination.
- ABS and traction control lights flash with audible warnings while the vehicle shakes and brakes fail to respond, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Airbags fail to deploy during crashes, including one where the vehicle slid off an icy road and another involving a T-bone collision.
- Sudden loss of steering occurs at low speed, sometimes repeating multiple times within a short distance and causing curb impacts.
- Rear-end collisions cause front seats to collapse backward, contributing to occupant injuries.
2015 Ford Escape recalls
9 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 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- 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.
2015 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 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.
2015 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Ford Escape reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 Escape a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years of the Escape. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 26% of its 1,100 complaints.
- Does the 2015 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
- Yes. Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area, accounting for 286 complaints (26% share) with a median failure mileage of 94,500 miles. It was also the subject of a 2022 recall covering a shifter cable bushing that could degrade or detach.
- What recalls affect the 2015 Ford Escape?
- The 2015 Escape has 9 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA, covering issues including a shifter cable bushing, door latches, seat bolts, a rearview camera, an engine block heater, and a body control module software update.
- How does the 2015 Ford Escape compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 50, the 2015 model year is less problematic than 2013 (90), 2014 (85), 2017 (100), and 2020 (95), all rated Avoid, but worse than Good-rated years like 2012 (35) and 2019 (40).