What 2,068 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape Gas

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

NHTSA ODI 11746843

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)

NHTSA ODI 11744510

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."

NHTSA ODI 11741471

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.

NHTSA ODI 11738907

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.

NHTSA ODI 11736273

The back up camera goes on and off

NHTSA ODI 11735614

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 for the camera is greater. Service tech has inspected, verified the issue and made mention of the current recall on different year's models.

NHTSA ODI 11725757

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 it goes black. When this happens I have to react immediately and stop the car since I can no longer tell if a person or another vehicle is behind me. This has been happening for over a year. It has now happened so often that I’m scared to put the car in reverse.

NHTSA ODI 11725889

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 emissions over a year The sensor keeps going off and the electrical system is really bad it creates a lot of static I can't play the radio. Here is the codes for the recalls 17S09-and 17v209000. I am making car payments on this vehicle that I cannot drive I've asked Ford in the past could I just have it serviced for the engine coolant system problem and for the purge valve because I can't pass emission test they refuse to help me saying that my VIN is not coming up as a recall but it's the exact same car that they've recalled in the past 2014 Ford escape engine 1.60 I need help!!! This has been going on for weeks with a high engine overheating sensor shutting off the engine stalling me in traffic. This is a safety issue this car belongs to Ford and I think that they should help me get it repaired at a dealership please

NHTSA ODI 11725710

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 important safety feature for me since I am unable to turn my head fully due to a neck injury. I read an article a few days ago on Reuters saying that Ford Escapes, among others, are being recalled because of these issues. When do you expect a recall notice to be issued for my vehicle? Thank you for your time and assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11723360

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 unless I pay for this. There are recalls for other years, and I counted over 100 complaints about this issue on the same year as my vehicle... I am wondering if people actually have to die for Ford to fix this and issue the dang recall.

NHTSA ODI 11722634

Passenger side door will not.lock.

NHTSA ODI 11718038

[XXX] No accidents thank God no accidents have occurred. The vehicle was not starting and the Ford Dealership ultimately diagnostic the issue to be repaired needed an Instrument Cluster Panel. Dealership advised there was no open recall for my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium with the 1.6L was not eligible for the vehicle under the terms of the 15V406- despite the fact the production date noted in the RECALL notification was May 19, 2014 through Feb. 6, 2015. The production timeline for VIN: [XXX] (my Ford Escape) was Feb. 12, 2013 through Sept. 2, 2014. The Instrument Cluster Panel was replaced at a cost of over $3000.00. That service was completed around the first of July 2025. A very expensive repair especially it appeared it should have been cover under RECALL 15V406, although necessary to ensure my college student daughter was driving a safe vehicle. This complaint is to express my concern, however, it is for other 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 1.6L owner's who may be unsafely driving around with a malfunctioning Instrument Cluster Panel that they can not afford to pay out of pocket. When they were unfortunately being denied the repair as required under RECALL 15V406 because the appearance that Ford Motor Company has been negligent in correctly identifying all of the 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 1.6L which increases the risk of a car crash especially the young inexperience drivers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11717862

This vehicle has fuel problems and I'm not able to pass the emissions test for a year. This vehicle has serious electrical problems when I go in reverse the radio starts cracking and popping really loud and it's very annoying and ear splitting. I don't think it's fair that the van is not showing a recall when you issued engine fire recalls for 2014 Ford escapes l feel mine should be included??

NHTSA ODI 11716416

I’ve always had electrical problems and now when I try to drive it, it smells like it’s going to catch on fire. And I’ve had to fix something within the fuel system 3 times.

NHTSA ODI 11712849

My vehicle had no warning lamps, messages or any other symptoms before driving that day. Vehicle was well maintained. Driving on a rural straight paved road that is in excellent condition, at approximately 55 miles per hour, smoke suddenly came through the dash top (defroster along windshield) and bottom (underneath the dash - heavier volume of smoke); almost immediately, the horn started sounding independently, a message appeared that read engine failure, brakes failed simultaneously and could not stop the vehicle. Only possible way to get the vehicle to stop was to remove the ignition key, put lever in park, pulled park break up. Flames now under the dash & smoke was pouring out from under the hood. My safety was at risk and had to exit the vehicle as fast as possible from drivers side with cars approaching. After exit, saw flames in the tire well also; witness saw flames under the car therefore he was yelling "get away from the car, it's on fire". Got away as fast as possible. The witness called the fire department who arrived extremely timely (and police even sooner). FD attempted to put out fire with water first, then needed foam as it ultimately turned into a gas tank fuel fire. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer since there was nothing to speak of left. The Police, Fire Department, Tow Company, and also the Insurance Claim Inspector did view and/or inspect the remnants of the vehicle. The insurance inspector took possession of the remnants of the vehicle from the tow company. My safety was extremely put at risk as I could have died from many factors including brake failure, smoke inhalation, burns from the fire, getting hit from another vehicle upon exit from the burning vehicle, or heart attack.

NHTSA ODI 11710410

Environmental Contributing Circumstances (Select Up to 3):

NHTSA ODI 11709233

ABS braking not functioning, Power steering failure , speedometer and odometer failure, Air Bag indication of non function. Warning indications on dash illuminated at once when failures occured The loss of functioning Air bags, Power Steering, ABS Braking are all possible safety risks, most especially when combined at once. Vehicle has been diagnosed by a registered Ford Dealership. Problems diagnosed as a Failure of the electrical ABS system module by the Ford dealership. Dealership expressed that this was a known issue and all repair parts are currently out of stock and on national back order with no ETA for availability. This leaves the vehicle in a condition that makes it a safety hazard to be driven , for myself and others. Documentation unavailable at this time from dealership, verbal conversation, still awaiting repair options. Vehicle has been in dealership since 11/03/2025.

NHTSA ODI 11701320

Engine caught fire at the coolant reservoir

NHTSA ODI 11700958

This vehicle has had a bad electrical problem where it makes a real bad clicking noise and sometimes it doesn't turn off the radio also the radio doesn't turn on at times. The major problem is it has not passed emissions for almost a year it gives out bad sensor readings and clearing the code so I can pass emissions don't help it comes back on. I have tried to let Ford know that this car is having recall issues . I have had a purge valve put on it but it's still it's not capable of passing the emissions because the sensors at all Ford dealerships said they can reset the sensors but they want me to pay I don't think that is fair to me because these are recall issues that I'm having! even though it's older .I think it's only fair to have it analyzed at a Ford dealership free of charge.. I'm paying car notes and I cannot even drive the vehicle safely now it's leaking antifreeze if you check the past recalls on 2014 Ford escapes there were fuel injector problems and that's probably why it cannot pass emissions so I need this recall handled properly thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11697516

The back up camera goes out at times.it says report too ford.tranmission issues and turbo issues.

NHTSA ODI 11696899

Electrical issue for headlight having to replace the socket and lightblub everytime the light blub goes out. Every 2 months. Back up camera not working, blue screen, glitches, upside down, or says rearview camera not working.

NHTSA ODI 11696099

Whenever I got the vehicle at the middle of 2025 I had issues with the shocks hub assembly axle motor mount electrical issues trunk was opening and closing by itself. Recent recently I drive it to Savannah and the vehicle started to skip and would not switch gears while I was driving down a 70 mph Road. I almost wrecked due to an issue with the vehicle I have looked up the recalls that hasn't been repaired on the vehicle and I believe it has something to do with unrepair recalls or maybe there is a recall that wasn't found or reported because I've seen a lot of recall information about the transmission. I also had a incident with the door unlocking and locking while my nephew was in the vehicle after stepping out the doors automatically locked but I still had the driver door open. My nephew freaked out cuz he can't get out the vehicle. The vehicle has some other issues that I do not know how to explain and if there is any possible way that the unrepared recalls has something to do with the repairs that the vehicle need now then I would like something done immediately. There is 19 recalls on a 2014 Ford escape. Now out of those 19 only two have been reported for my VIN number but I believe due to the car being sold five different times within a short period of time no one had the time to actually report the issues wrong with the vehicle I think people were just trying to get rid of it because they knew something was wrong with it.

NHTSA ODI 11693012

For years the rear back up camera has failed to engage or turns on and off intermittently when the vehicle is put in reverse. This can lead to a potentially hazardous driving issue which could lead to property damage or potentially in the extreme loss of life. There are recalls for exactly this same issue on literally millions of similar Ford vehicles, but they refuse to acknowledge this issue and fix it for the 2014 Ford Escape Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11689680

2014 Ford Escape. Shortly after the warrant period ended the back-up camera stopped working properly. The picture is Intermittent, upside down, and stops working completely. No accident yet but very unsafe. Ford is aware of problem and conducting a recall, but my vehicle is not part of the recall. The dealer is aware of this problem and tried to fix it. Please require ford to expand the back-up camera recall to ALL vehicles with malfunctioning cameras.

NHTSA ODI 11689511