What 2,067 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape Hev

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera screen had displayed the message “Rear View Camera Not Available” on a blue screen while attempting to reverse. The contact stated that while shifting into park, the vehicle intermittently displayed a message that the vehicle was not in park. Additionally, while shifting into drive, the RPM increased, and the transmission felt like it was stuck between gears. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V159000 (Back Over Prevention) and 22V413000 (Power Train), and the repairs were completed. The vehicle was not repaired a second time because the VIN was no longer under recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,100.

NHTSA ODI 11652030

The vehicle make model and year has had recalls in the past with regard to the transmission and I recently purchased the vehicle a few months ago and the transmission started slipping and is now not operational.

NHTSA ODI 11651023

Initially diagnosed as a coolant leak due to requirement to constantly add coolant. There was no evidence of a leak. Shortly thereafter the car began experiencing hard starts and illumination of the check engine light (CEL). Code showed number 3 cylinder misfire. Subsequent starts had white smoke in conjunction with rough idle and CEL. Took to my mechanic and he said this is a known issue with this Engine and quoted me 9K for repairs. I did some searching online and found that this issue is VERY well known and Ford is currently in litigation over it.

NHTSA ODI 11648438

Driving along at 60 mph suddenly my car stops going in heavy traffic and won't move,, then it accelerated to high RPMS and was stuck, then it hard shifted into gear and it lundged forward fast and went about 5 feet then it wouldn't move. Almost got killed on a busy hwy. because of it accelerating on its on out into traffic while it was in park, then just came to a dead stop. The only way I can describe is it was not moving in park, then it was like it shifted by itself and lundged forward and stoped like it was slammed into park from a high speed but it did it this on it's own while the shifter was in park. It took off again and I drove it to the side of the hwy, and turned it off. Called and got a friend who has a trailer to come tow me. I Cranked my car to see if it would move to get it on the trailer. I Slowly drove it up on the ramps and got about half way up, then it stopped wouldn't move again, still in drive it rolled back down the ramps on its own, I was just sitting there and it was idling was like the rpms were higher than normal so I shut it off for a minute. Got back in it cranked it up put it in drive and it wouldn't move, put in in reverse it backed up but it was revved up and shifted hard, so I put it back in park and it spit and spuddered so I shifted to neutral an then car just shifted into drive and took off on it's on and drove up missing the ramps and ran into the back of his trailer, crushing my front end. Then it wouldn't move again. Winched it on the trailer, got home and it drove to get it off the trailer, but I'm terrified to drive it.

NHTSA ODI 11648260

Transmission failed after only 83k miles. Also needed entire engine rebuilt. Sunroof liner also became loose, as well as Backup camera failed.

NHTSA ODI 11644101

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the transmission was jerking abnormally while shifting gears. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11642836

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated with the message "Pull Over Engine Overheating" displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred and had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure the transmission failed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

NHTSA ODI 11642696

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park(P), the vehicle unintendedly shifted into reverse. The contact stated that several times the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639271

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved a DTC code for an engine misfire in cylinder #3. The contact cleared the code; however, the check engine warning light returned. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes and the engine. Due to the failure, the contact immediately shut off the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that there was a coolant intrusion in cylinder #3, resulting in engine failure. The engine was replaced. The contact stated that shortly after the engine repair, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact reversed the vehicle into a parking spot and then had the vehicle towed back to the dealer. While at the dealer, a mechanic discovered metal shavings inside the transmission fluid, causing transmission failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was 113,081.

NHTSA ODI 11633229

I have a 2014 Ford Escape that is leaking antifreeze from the reservoir. I see that 2013-2015 Ford Escapes had a recall 17V209000 but I'm being told it is not my vehicle. I would like to know why if my 2014 is having the same issue?

NHTSA ODI 11630884

At 104,000 miles the cars ability to shift gears was gone. Engine Light comes on dash. Took to certified mechanic and they confirmed it was a TRANSMISSION failure and I needed a new transmission. There were no warning lights on prior to the failure. Vehicle has had one owner and has been serviced regularly. All records to prove it. Cost of repair, $6000!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11623238

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the message "Transmission Fault - Service Now" was displayed. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, however, the engine only revved, and the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle however, after shifting to drive(D) the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ODI 11623081

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power and failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and discovered that there was fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. No further information was provided. The manufacturer and the local dealer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 163,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620579

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a whining type noise was present coming from the transmission, the vehicle would not properly accelerate when pressing the accelerator pedal, and the message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620354

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 45 MPH the vehicle began to make a loud winding and roaring coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The contact put a new set of tires and replenished the rear end grease, however the vehicle continued to make this abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed. The contact was informed that they would need to replace the rear drive unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620366

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, while preparing to make a left turn at an intersection, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11615542

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted hard from third and fourth gear, and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the contact stated that while pulling out of a gas station, the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was shifted into reverse and steered out of the spot by a gentleman passing by. He steering wheel was adjusted and placed in the vehicle was shifted into drive(D). The contact also stated that the "Steering Assist Fault - Service Required" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

NHTSA ODI 11614149

The transmission on my 2014 Ford Escape went totally bad at 91,000 miles. I had to replace the transmission at a cost of $6,780. I have read that this has happened to many 2014 Ford Escapes with low mileage. There should be a recall on this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11613958

Vehicle is have coolant intrusion through cylinder walls. Car is overheating and burning coolant, large amounts of white smoke coming from tailpipe.

NHTSA ODI 11611066

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle downshifted unexpectedly. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11605599

The low coolant level came on the car. We were told that they sensor needed to be replaced. We paid $1500 to replace that. The low coolant level light has back on 5 times, then the check engine light comes on and the car shuts off. It has left me, and my daughter stranded on the side of the road and in the middle of the highway. We were told they are not sure what else to do, here is a bottle of coolant from the dealership and keep bringing it back in. Next issues are it won't go over 20 MPG, my daughter was crossing a major highway, she lost power and the car started to shake. We are now told that it is the transmission. There was a recall replaced on it back in 2023. Not happy at all with ford and very unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11601509

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle briefly jerked and hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11597506

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to decelerate and failed to exceed 70 MPH. The transmission service required message was displayed. The contact stated while shifting gear, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11584427

The transmission is slipping. When you try to get it up to forty forty-five it jerks and boggs down almost stops in it place. Have to slowly press the exceradtir to get it moving again almost causing be rear ended there is a noise and ive carried it to a couple ford dealers me they honestly weren't sure whats going . Also the washer motor went out for no reason . But mostly my concern. Is the transmission issues. There is a light that comes one it's like the two tires on the back lights up

NHTSA ODI 11583107

veh running hot and low on coolant; took nearly a gallon to set coolant level when checked. after cycling coolant & getting heat into engine found coolant entering the combustion chamber cracked head or gasket. engine misfire upon start up; white exhaust smoke. check egine light also on.

NHTSA ODI 11582727