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#BS-2014-FORESC-75812014 Ford EscapeProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 2,679 owners and 16 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 2,679 complaints, 78 crashes, 150 fires, and 16 recalls. Complaint rate is 6.3x the class average. This is the worst model year for this vehicle.
Top reported problems
stopped working
64 complaints • Severity 9/10
transmission fault warning
30 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
windshield cracked
15 complaints • Severity 7.3/10
not shifting properly
13 complaints • Severity 8.2/10
dealer found lug nuts swollen
13 complaints • Severity 8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
901 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 75K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 60–90K miles (498 reports) • Median: 75K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (901 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2014 Ford Escape: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 34% of all reports filed for the 2014 Ford Escape, with 901 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 74,904 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 75K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 17% of all reports filed for the 2014 Ford Escape, with 452 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2014 Ford Escape, with 200 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2014 Ford Escape, with 149 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2014 Ford Escape. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (16 recalls)
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through April 10, 2014. Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may possibly open while driving.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 15, 2013, through October 22, 2013. The panorama roof glass may not be properly bonded to the attaching bracket.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
+ 11 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2014 Ford Escape NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (2)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Door Latch Failure
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Door Latch Failures
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
This is the worst model year for the Ford Escape according to owner complaint data. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2014 Ford Escape vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
2,679
Class avg
423
6.3x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 2,679 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 16 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Ford Escape Model Years
2014 Ford Escape: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2014 Ford Escape Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 2,679 owner reports. Know before you buy.