2014 Ford Escape: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2014 Ford Escape: 16 recalls, 2088 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
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Recalls
16 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #14V164000 · 2014 · 43,135 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: The back of the subject seats May become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #14V239000 · 2014 · 581,986 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A door that opens unexpectedly May result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #14V237000 · 2014 · 594,785 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the rcm, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #14V403000 · 2014 · 1,867 vehicles
What's wrong: The panorama roof glass May not be properly bonded to the attaching bracket.
Why it matters: If the glass panel is improperly bonded, the glass May separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Ford has notified owners. Dealers will inspect each vehicle and replace the front roof glass if its production date and sequence number falls within the affected range, free of charge. The recall is began on July 14, 2014.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V495000 · 2014 · 133,227 vehicles
What's wrong: 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).
Why it matters: The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #14V525000 · 2014 · 301 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module (fdm) May crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.
Why it matters: A reduction in fuel pressure May result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fdm, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014.
Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #14V597000 · 2014 · 746,842 vehicles
What's wrong: The coating on portions of the restraint control module (rcm) May crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board May short.
Why it matters: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rcm, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #15V005000 · 2015 · 54,543 vehicles
What's wrong: On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford transit connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump May…
Why it matters: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle May stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015.
Electrical Vehicle recall #15V406000 · 2015 · 184,519 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (mfd), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights. Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 101, "control and displays."
Why it matters: If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of May not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #16V643000 · 2016 · 2,046,297 vehicles
What's wrong: A component within the door latches May break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Why it matters: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #17V209000 · 2017 · 208,584 vehicles
What's wrong: 6l gtdi engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head May overheat, crack and leak oil.
Why it matters: If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil May contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018.
Seats, Seat belts Vehicle recall #17V472000 · 2017 · 94,605 vehicles
What's wrong: Improperly manufactured bolts May have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
Why it matters: The improperly manufactured bolts May fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component May not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #18V471000 · 2018 · 504,182 vehicles
What's wrong: The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission May degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission May not be in park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Why it matters: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle May unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #20V331000 · 2020 · 2,147,323 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix: 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…
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #22V413000 · 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles
What's wrong: The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission May degrade or detach.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Equipment Vehicle recall #26V011000 · 2026 · 116,672 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 104 mention a fire, 41 injuries and 4 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (726): the most common themes are leaks (264), warning light on (207), stalls / loses power (176).
- Transmission & drivetrain (481): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (216), warning light on (123), stalls / loses power (83).
- Other / unknown (272): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (40), leaks (38).
- Electrical (216): the most common themes are electrical failure (79), stalls / loses power (48), warning light on (47).
The 2014 Ford Escape has 2088 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 27 Escape model years for complaints (2.1× the average Escape year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (286 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 75,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2013 (2750 complaints, 18 recalls), 2015 (1111 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2014 Ford Escape.
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FAQ
Does the 2014 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 16 vehicle recalls for the 2014 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Escape problems?
Owners have filed 2088 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (726), transmission & drivetrain (481), other / unknown (272).
What gas mileage does the 2014 Ford Escape get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2014 Ford Escape repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.