2014 Ford Escape: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2014 Ford Escape? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 2,044 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2014 Ford Escape Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2014 Ford Escape trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2014 Ford Escape Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2014 Ford Escape SUV 4x2Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
19.1% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
19.1% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2014 Ford Escape has 2,044 owner complaints, 47 crash-related complaints, and 16 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Escape
- Model year
- 2014
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 2,044
- Crash-related complaints
- 47
- Safety recall campaigns
- 16
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 25
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 22 / 29
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2014 Ford Escape Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2014 Ford Escape?
The 2014 Ford Escape shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2014 Ford Escape
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting or engine performance issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting or engine performance issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2014 Ford Escape, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 2044 complaints for the 2014 Ford Escape, issues are heavily concentrated in the engine and transmission/drivetrain. The data suggests potential reliability concerns, but the low confidence level and consumer-submitted nature of the data warrant caution.
- Engine Problems account for the largest share of complaints (893).
- Transmission/Drivetrain issues are the second most reported component (472).
- Crash-related complaints are relatively low at 47 out of 2044 total complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Electrical Faults
All 2014 Ford Escape Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Ford Escape. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 893 | 3 | 83 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 472 | 13 | 4 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 262 | 6 | 23 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 204 | 4 | 17 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 148 | 7 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 119 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 84 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 64 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 50 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 46 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 42 | 3 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 38 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 32 | 17 | 2 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 26 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 19 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 18 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 11 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 10 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Firerelated | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2014 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Engine light repeatedly comes on. Coolant leaks out of engine, onto ground outside and onto the floor inside of the car. Warning lights for engine come on repeatedly. This is a constant battle with this 2014 Ford Escape. It is the Ford company that should have resolved this iss…
#3 cylinder failed and leaked coolant into block and the block has cracked. Costs $8k to replace. It’s a known flaw with this ford engine.
1. My backup cameral 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…
My reverse camera keeps going blank when reversing or it says Contact Dealership. My 2015 Lincoln MKC had the safety recall for that camera. I am wondering why my 2014 Ford Escape does not have this same recall? Almost wrecked into someone as could not see as there are blind spot…
Complaint is related to NHTSA campaign number 17v-209, engine and engine coolant. The 2014 Ford Escape we purchased, leaked coolant into the cylinder. The cylinder head was sent to a machine shop, upon examination the cylinder head was cracked requiring an new cylinder head be i…
I was gifted my vehicle around October 2024 by my parents. It had less than 70k miles and was in great condition. The rear view camera only works intermittently with no recognizable reason or incident in time. I still look behind me but worry about pedestrians who are not readily…
Loss of coolant and engine misfires are occurring. Receiving the the following engine codes P0300, P0302, & P0303
While I was driving, the transmission seemingly stopped working. I was able to coax the car into a parking lot and had it towed to the dealership. I was told the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. I was quoted approximately $7000.00 for this repair. All of its prior s…
My backup camera does not work properly sometimes I get and error messages. Sometimes it shows everything upside down and sometimes nothing at all. It been like this since we got the vehicle from Osborne dealership in [XXX] . They sent us to Ford which across the street to get ch…
Rear back up camera will intermittently lose functionality while in use - blue screen or error message will appear instead of camera feed. Tends to happen more frequently when wipers are in use; can be highly problematic when the weather is causing visibility issues and the need …
My backup camera does not work properly. The video often appears onscreen as upside down or does not appear at all. There are no lights or warnings of any kind when this happens. I’m usually backing up in a parking lot using the backup camera and it suddenly flips upside down or …
I have a 2014 Ford escape 1.6 engine which was clearly on the recall list for engine coolant failure and my vehicle is showing all the signs I repaired some things changed the hoses and it keeps giving me the high engine light oil is mixing into the reservoir. I have not passed e…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust system, the engine overheated, and the coolant level was extremely low hours after the coolant reservoir…
I have been having a lot of problems with the backup camera on my vehicle. For the past 2 years the backup warning beep sounds when there is nothing behind the car. For the last year, the camera sometimes shows inverted and at times it doesn't work at all. This is a very impor…
1. Total transmission failure. Kept up with maintenance, but I changed the transmission fluid and suddenly it just died. Transmission just gave out and it's been a fancy lawn ornament for the last 6 months. 2. God forbid I was anywhere that wasn't inside my neighborhood. If I wa…
While in Reverse, my Back-up Camera usually does not work. I either get a Blue screen, a message saying Back up camera unavailable, or if it does come on, it is upside down and doesn't stay on but for a few seconds. I have called the dealer, and they will not even look at it un…
2014 Ford Escape 1.6L engine with ECO boost. Alarm on dash for High Engine temperature, Stop Safely. Pulled vehicle to side of road and fire was under hood. Attempted to extinguish with standard fire extinguisher; called 911 and fire department had to extinguisher. Vehicle was to…
I was driving down a 25mph road and my car completely stopped. I shut my car off and it had trouble starting. When it would start it would go a couple hundred feet and stop. Took it to the shop and the transmission line was broken. The entire transmission needed replace because …
Coolant leaking into cylinder 4. Code P0304. I’ve been having this problem for months. I’ve gotten numerous repairs on the car and nothing is fixing the problem. It is currently at a Ford dealership again in Durham North Carolina. They are saying it’s an engine block problem. The…
car has 56K miles. went to dealer for the recall on the bushing and cap. left dealer and next couple days the car slid twice in my driveway a few feet even with parking brake on. went back to dealer and they said cant duplicate problem. Drove home and car continues to have…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2014 Ford Escape.
2014 Ford Escape Recalls
16 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2014 Ford Escape. 16 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2014 Ford Escape Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2014 Ford Escape reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 2,044 owner complaints, 47 crash-related complaints, and 16 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2014 Ford Escape shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford Escape?▾
#1: Engine Problems (893 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (472 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (262 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2014 Ford Escape?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2014 Ford Escape?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2014 Ford Escape, NHTSA complaints include 47 crash-related reports and 102 fire reports out of 2,044 total complaints. 41 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2014 Ford Escape have any recalls?▾
Yes. 16 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2014 Ford Escape. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT. 16 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2014 Ford Escape?▾
The 2014 Ford Escape shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2014 Ford Escape based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.