- Home
- Ford
- Escape 2014
- Problems
Ford Escape 2014 — Reported problems
Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote. 🇺🇸 Local data
40 owners reported problems with the 2014 Ford Escape to NHTSA, most often about engine.
All reports
40While driving, a message was displayed [Hill Start Assist Not Available] and all mileage figures previously displayed disappered. Additional warning lights were displayed indicating Traction Control, and ABS failures. Electric Power steering assist also stopped. Subsequent testing indicated the EBCM had failed. The part is on National Backorder. While drivable, I'm afraid other issues will arise. This is my only vehicle and I'm within 20,000 miles of needing the timing belt and water pump replaced as well. I could not find a recall for the EBCM (a part not usually prone to failure) for the 2014 Ford Escape SE 1.6L 4-cyl Ecoboost. In 2017, I had the entire transmission replaced @ 70,000 miles, under warranty, but Ford did not honor the warranty terms: coverage for lodging and rental vehicle, so I lost $$$$ that shouldn't have happened.
At first, I just bought it two weeks ago. It was smoke coming from the engine and there was no coolant. The coolant wasn’t holding in the car now I was driving last night. I had coolant in it and there was just flames coming out by where the Oil is
My car warned me via service light that there was low coolant in my car, so I went to go get it topped off but the guys at valvoline said my coolant was almost completely full. I continued to drive it since the service light turned off, but when I drove it a day later, it suddenly warned me that my car was over heating and I needed to stop immediately. A local mechanic said that my head gasket failed and my coolant hose was leaking. My car only warned me once of the coolant being low, then the light turned off until my head gasket blew.
My car warned me via service light that there was low coolant in my car, so I went to go get it topped off but the guys at valvoline said my coolant was almost completely full. I continued to drive it since the service light turned off, but when I drove it a day later, it suddenly warned me that my car was over heating and I needed to stop immediately. A local mechanic said that my head gasket failed and my coolant hose was leaking. My car only warned me once of the coolant being low, then the light turned off until my head gasket blew.
In the ford escape, when the remote start is activated. The car will show as overheating. I was told it was a known issue with ford. This occurred twice resulting in over 1900 in towing and repairs. Those repairs did not fix issue as 4 weeks later it did it again.
Car is eating antifreeze with no visible leaks. The vehicle overheats if not enough antifreeze. I had to use stop leak just to keep the antifreeze from leaking. The vehicle had a recall fix in 2018 for coolant intrusion by the previous owner but problem is occurring again. Have asked multiple ford dealerships to help but they said the warranty is expired but after doing research I saw that even after a recall occurs if the problem was not fixed even after a warranty expires the company is still liable for repairs. I would like to make a complaint because I feel as if Ford is not honoring their recall policy. Even after correct information was given.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine light and low coolant warning light were illuminated. Upon checking the coolant level, the contact discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle; however, the coolant disappeared and gushed back into the reservoir. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start and chugged, with a white sweet-smelling smoke coming from the tailpipe while idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased, and the contact inquired about a free diagnostic test, but the dealer denied assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,353.
am reporting a potential safety defect involving my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 1.6L EcoBoost. While driving, I suddenly heard a pop/burst from under the hood. The vehicle then began producing white smoke/steam. There were no warning lights or temperature warnings before the smoke began. The high-temperature/overheating warning appeared only after the vehicle was already smoking/steaming. I immediately pulled over and stopped the vehicle. Green coolant had sprayed throughout the engine compartment. An independent repair shop confirmed that the plastic return-side heater-hose union/connector broke, causing a severe coolant leak. The shop recommended replacing the connector and coolant, performing a cooling-system pressure test, and a combustion leak test to check for possible engine damage. This failure created a safety risk because the vehicle suddenly lost coolant while being driven and gave almost no advance warning before overheating. The vehicle has not been inspected by Ford for this specific failure. I am concerned because these symptoms appear similar to the coolant-loss/overheating concerns addressed by Ford Safety Recall 17S09 involving certain 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost vehicles. My VIN is not currently listed in that recall. I am reporting this so NHTSA can determine whether similar sudden cooling-system failures are occurring in vehicles outside the original recall population.
My coolant mixing with the oil cause a severe overage. This is what I understood my recall to be about but the FORD dealership refused to fix it on June 1st. Now I’m subject to a very expensive car repair.
I have been sending email for 2 years. I did not know I could use this form. The back up camera that helps me back up does not operate. Sometimes it show upside down or is not available at all. This is a safety issue for me to operate my vehicle.
When I was about to park, the transmission failed. I couldn’t reverse, and it got stuck in Neutral. I wasn’t able to shift it into Park. When the mechanic came, he said the shifter cable bushing was faulty, which was exactly the part covered by the recall they had previously done.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost ABS functionality, and the instrument panel was blank. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced and brake system repair was needed. The contact was informed that the part was no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,194.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to register the vehicle, he discovered a mileage discrepancy on the title of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale through Facebook Marketplace. The contact reported the issue to the local Police Department. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 96,105, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 138,000.
When im driving sometimes it stalls. I give it gas and car wount go. It only idles.
1. My backup camera is malfunctioning. 2. I use it for visual safety when I put my car in reverse. 3. The back up camera either does not work or it shows the image upside down. It has not been confirmed by a dealership because it is easy to identify by me. 4. No, it has not been inspected by anyone else. On line, the 2014 Ford Escape Titanium has been identified with these issues however, for some reason my VIN (vehicle) is not on the list for recall. 5. My camera first started malfunctioning IN 2024. I can not have it looked at except at my expense which does not seem appropriate since others of the same year, make and model have been recalled due to the same issue.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine service, and the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the back-over prevention camera had failed. The mechanic stated that the screen displayed a reversed, inverted, or distorted image. The certified mechanic also became aware that the camera intermittently displayed a black screen before showing an inverted image. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,355.
Coolant leak into the cylinder causing engine failure and need to replace the engine, it is not possible to fix this, must replace engine.
While driving the steering wheel stopped returning to center when in turns and also would occasionally get "stuck" in the turn. A few days after this began, was out driving, notice flashed "power steering failure" and then the steering wheel was not able to be turned. Turned off and restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel would not budge. Had it towed to a nearby mechanic, told me that it was not the power steering but that something inside the steering rack had broken. He stated that he had never seen that before, where the wheel would not budge at all. $1,750 later and it's fixed and running fine. Why was this issue not looked into for safety purposes? Thankfully I was on a straight road and not needing to turn going 45mph.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side door failed to latch or lock as intended. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Rear camera intermittently does not work properly. Multiple incidents of the rear camera flickering off and on when in reverse, image is sometimes upside down, or the rear camera doesn't work at all.
Coolant is leaking and overheats all the time. It has the 1.6l engine and is being grouped with the 2.0 engine.
Reverse camera keeps cutting or flipping the image. There was a recall on Fords between 2020-2024 for this reason. I called my local Ford and they said my 2014 escape isn't covered. The issue has been ongoing for the past two years
- Component/ System: (UNKNOWN). Possible Powertrain / Transmission . - YES available for inspection. - My Safety @RISK: mine and my child (passenger) - Problem Confirmed : YES at local mechanic shop and FORD dealer service shop. - Has the vehicle been inspected : YES - Any Warning Lights or Messages prior to Failure: Check Engine (appeared at time of incident) and “Engine Fault: Service now” - When Did the Warning Appear: after it failed (5/2026) NO warning prior to failure. - Vehicle attempts from start to find the proper gear (like a bicycle chain that has come off) - clunky - NO power from first gear up. NO city driving - DANGEROUS to OPERATE
2014 Ford Escape. 1.6L ecoboost engine. Bought the car a couple of years ago from a local Ford dealership. The car was immediately using coolant, but never saw where it was leaking. There was never a spot on the ground where it was leaking. Took car to local mechanic and they replaced water pump. Stating possibly leaking. Car continued to use coolant. A few mornings ago, tried to start car, loud pop sound, white smoke, and engine knocking. Car has 124,000 miles on it. What Now?
I park the car, it is park. Remove key fob, get out of the car, shut the door, push the lock on the fob, it will auto start, open door punch on the brake , it then turns off and I can lock the car. If I push the break several times before getting out this does not happen. This vehicle was purchased about 2 years ago, used.
My 2014 Ford vehicle the steering wheel began to malfunction, then became worse. I took it to Pep Boys Mechanic, they showed me the recall for this issue. I will include the recall attached. The mechanic told me to call Ford they should fix this problem. I called Ford who said since our vin no was not indicated on the recall, but same year make and model are, cannot repair due to vin no not on recall. Then the Ford Dealer Mechanic recommended I call Ford Corporate. I called Ford Corporate who advised not covered since the vin no for this Ford is not in recall, but acknowledged that year make and model is. The recall attached states this recall does not need to be vin no specific. I told both Ford Dealer mechanic and Ford corporate this, and offered to email the recall to them, yet they refused for me to send this. I asked speak to a manager multiple times at Ford Corporate and was told one would call back, but no one ever called me back. After multiple calls I finally got a manager on the phone [XXX] who provided me case no XXX and she denied my claim too, since my vin. No. for vehicle not included in recall. If you read the attached recall my car matches all the criteria for this recall, except the vin no. As per the recall the steering wheel is a safety hazard, that can cause a crash, as stated in the attached recall. Additionally, the other year I had another issue with the bushing, when I went to park in front a store, but the car kept driving almost ran into the store that had all glass windows. Because I pumped the brake and slammed on the emergency brake it stopped. Had it not stopped would have hurt myself, little daughter in my car, and whomever else was in the store. At the time, this bushing was not on recall. Several months later, I received a notice of this recall. I contacted Ford and provided receipts and they reimbursed me. This vehicle has only been inspected by a mechanic at Pep Boys who informed us of this recall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Last month my engine suddenly got hot and the engine light came on and I got a coolant alert. All my coolant was gone. I refilled it a couple of times and the same thing happened. I took it to get it repaired and this is what was fixed: removed and replaced the engine coolant reservoir hose and the overflow bypass heater hose. He said that my engine cylinder head is leaking oil. I have a pdf of the repair that was done.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated and experienced a coolant leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a heater hose failure. Although the heater hose was repaired, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
My in city driving car has had it's transmission fail and continues to not be drivable. I am the only owner of this car and have completed all repairs and upkeep according to schedule. In October 2025, my 2014 Escape "slipped" out of gear while in drive and would not engage again. Had it towed to Mel Hamilton Ford where I was informed my transmission had failed. I was given the option to overhaul it or replace with a new at almost $8000-$10000. The overhaul was the more economical solution at the time for us. They repaired the broken transmission parts and returned it to me. After receiving the car back, it never "felt" right again and continued to have issues with shifting between gears, especially around the 40 mph mark. In April 2026, the transmission failed again while driving to work. It "fell out of gear" and had to have the car towed again to the dealership. They found the Front Pump had gone out this time as well as more metal shavings in the transmission causing damage again inside. They replaced the affected parts again. Two weeks later, the transmission has failed again. When shifting from park to reverse, the car would shift very hard and the whole car would "hop" before settling into gear. Same issue happened as before where it fell out of gear and could not get it to go back into gear. It has been towed back into the shop and currently still waiting to hear what's wrong this time (May 2026). As of right now, there is no current recall on my vehicle. Clearly there is an issue that needs addressed!
Today, my turbocharger was diagnosed as damaged and leaking coolant into the cylinders and visibly leaking throughout the undercarriage. Additionally, my cylinder 4 is misfiring. My mechanic said they've seen this problem many times and while the turbocharger can be replaced, it often fails or other parts of the engine are damaged beyond repair. I had sluggish performance, mainly with acceleration over the last month, but saw smoke late last week that I thought was just exhaust from a truck idling next to me while stopped, but then I saw it at home later that week when the check engine light turned on. At the same time, my idling was excessively rough and felt dangerous to drive, as was later confirmed by my mechanic. I have not taken this into a Ford dealership, nor do I want to because they have refused to help others in the same situation. I am considering contacting my insurance to figure out if they will do an evaluation that is less biased than Ford. I definitely think this is a fire risk as it has happened for many other owners of the same model and year range.
Rear camera will not come on. The issue is intermittent. Ford has had other issues with rear cameras and prompted a recall but not for this vehicle. Screen goes blank when in reverse and message on center display states "Rear Camera not working. Contact dealer."
Component failed 1.6L Escoboost engine coolant intrusión into cylinders causing misfire and white exhaust smoke vehicle available for inspection upon request .safety risk:engine misfire and coolant loss cause sudden of power or ingine fire while driving. Recall 17S09 was issude for this exact defect .Ford SSM 46433 states this requires new engine assemby . Problem confirmed multiple repair shops confirmed cooland in cylindres. I have spent S5000 on repairs including used transmisión Trying to fix this defect. Manufacturer inspection called ford customer service 05/22/2026. Agent refused supervisor and stated we cannot help no case number probided Ford is refusing to honor federal safety recall 17S09.warning symptoms: check ingine light, ingine misfire , white exhaust smoke , coolant loss. First appeared approximately 6 months ago and has worsened. Requesting NHTSA compel Ford to provide engine replacement per SSM 46433.
Apparent coolant leak identified in my 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L (Ecoboost). The car loses approx. 500mL of coolant each time I drive it, and I need to refill the coolant tank before every time I need to use it. I traced the coolant leak back to the blockheater, which has a failed seal. There is currently a recall for leaking block heaters on the 2.0L Escape motors, but this problem appears to extend to the 1.6L Ecoboost engine as well.
My car caught on fire while I was driving it pulled over got out of car and car imploded in flames
When in reverse, the rear camera display will often be inverted upside down or will go blank. If there is someone or something below the view through the glass and mirrors, then that person or thin can be run over. Apparently this same issue is present on other Ford Escape models of the same 2014 model year and other model years. Hopefully Ford will design a fix and then issue a recall repair or voluntary repair for this issue without a payment from the affected customers.
I was driving in a parking lot and my car went completely dead while I was still in drive. And then when I finally got it back home, it would only go in reverse while I was in drive. And I was stuck in the middle of the road only being able to go in park and reverse. I had it towed to the dealer and it is going to cost me $6,000 to fix the transmission.
Car started to pull moving out of 1st gear into 2nd. Took to a shop to have the issue diagnosed, shop states torque converter is failing and taking the transmission with it. This car has just over 80,000, it should NOT be having transmission problems. There should be a recall or something for this. This is unacceptable.
The engine was replaced at 50,000 miles for a known coolant intrusion issue. The problem reappeared at 72000 miles. This widely known issue should have been a recall and won't be because of the financial impact to Ford.
When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel was impossible to turn. A message on the dash showed “Steering assist fault, Service required”. After shutting the vehicle off and restarting, the power steering was restored. The problem persisted on 2 more vehicle starts on the same day.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts without warning. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle using multiple methods but to no avail. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where they discovered that the insulation on the wire that runs from a gearbox in the back of the vehicle to the front driver seat had melted at various parts of the wire. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, the wiring harness was no longer in production. The contact with the help of a friend had the vehicle towed back to his home where the contact replaced the wire himself. Despite the repair, the failure persisted and the vehicle was towed to another dealer where they inspected the contact's work where they discovered that a fuse was not fully connected; once the dealer fully connected the fuse, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 97,544.
Questions
- What do owners report most on the 2014 Ford Escape?
- Problems with engine: 17 reports of 40 on record at NHTSA.
- How many owner reports mention a crash or a fire?
- Out of 40 reports: a crash is mentioned in 0 and a fire in 2. These are what owners wrote, not confirmed findings.