Home · 2014 Ford Escape Hev · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,067)Crash / fire / injury (159)Engine (717)Transmission & drivetrain (479)Electrical system (210)Engine & cooling (186)Steering (150)Fuel system (136)Body & structure (84)Latches & locks (64)Backup camera & sensors (50)Wheels (46)

18 of 2,067 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Oct 18, 2025Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureEngineCrash

see attached documents: Subject: Ongoing Unresolved Recall Issues and Safety Concerns with My Ford Vehicle I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding my Ford vehicle, which currently has 15 open recalls that have gone unresolved for nearly two years. During this time, I have contacted every Ford dealership within a 50-mile radius of my home in repeated attempts to have these recalls addressed. Each dealership has provided a different excuse for not completing the necessary repairs. Some initially allowed me to schedule service appointments, only to cancel them once they realized the work involved recall issues. In several cases, I was never notified that my appointment had been canceled—I only discovered this when no one showed up. Other dealerships claimed they did not have the required parts and assured me they would contact me once the parts became available. To date, none have followed up. One dealership required that I speak with a supervisor before scheduling any recall work, but despite multiple messages, my calls were never returned. On one dealership’s website, I attempted to schedule the recall repairs online. The system showed numerous open appointment dates until I selected “recall service,” at which point all availability disappeared, and I was unable to proceed. Each dealership I contacted referred me elsewhere, passing responsibility without resolution. Ford has been fully aware of the potential safety risks—including the risk of serious injury or death—associated with these recalls, yet I was repeatedly told it was “safe to continue driving.” This was clearly not the case. Recently, while driving, my vehicle suddenly lost all power and stopped moving. I managed to pull over to the side of the road and called for a tow truck. As the tow truck driver prepared to load my car, it unexpectedly lurched forward on its own and crashed into the tow truck. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident caused significant front-end damage to my vehicle. It could have easily resulted in a fatal accident. My vehicle has been inoperable since the incident. When I reported the matter to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), I was told to contact my insurance company to cover the damages. However, I do not believe I should bear the financial burden for Ford’s negligence in failing to repair known defects. Ford’s continued delay and lack of accountability have not only caused extreme inconvenience but also placed my safety—and the safety of others—at serious risk. I am requesting immediate action to resolve all recall issues and full compensation for the damage caused by Ford’s failure to act. Sincerely,

NHTSA ODI 11694223

Oct 13, 2025Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFire1 injury

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

Oct 3, 2025Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureSpeed controlCrash

MY CAR HAS 15 RECALLS AND 3 different FORD dealerships REFUSES TO do recall work This has gone on for more than 2 years. They claim to have done recall work that has not been done. It has a defective transmission. It took off while in park and hit a tow truck.

NHTSA ODI 11691261

Mar 14, 2025Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlCrash1 injury

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

Jun 10, 2023Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsFire

Unknown- I purchased my Car in 2021 and I’ve had ongoing transmission issues since I purchased it. As of now the issues have gotten worse. I had the transmission recall repair done, but it did not fix the jerking way my car was driving. The repairs keep getting more costly and I don’t believe there’s an actual fix, but rather that this vehicle was sold with a faulty transmission. As of now I can’t drive my vehicle because last month there was a fire under my hood and it’s totally unsafe for me and my family to be in. Ford won’t take any responsibility but they’ve already had to buy back vehicles for settling them with bad transmissions. This is not new for them.

NHTSA ODI 11526373

Mar 6, 2023Transmission & drivetrainSteeringCrash

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where they repaired the bushing shifter cable. The failure recurred and the steering wheel became stiff. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately causing the contact the steering wheel became stiff. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately causing the contact to side swiped another vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510331

Aug 3, 2022Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after driving into a parking space and switching the transmission to the park position, the vehicle suddenly jolted forward and crashed into a brick wall. During the crash, the vehicle experienced significant damage to the front end but no air bag was deployed. The driver sustained neck and back injuries but no medical treatment was required. The vehicle was not towed. No police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11477370

Jun 21, 2022Transmission & drivetrainCrash

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while parking the vehicle in the garage, the vehicle unintended accelerated causing the vehicle to damage the garage wall, garage freezer, and into the next room which was a bedroom. The vehicle was taken to a collision center for repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that there were no recalls and the vehicle did not have an extended warranty. The failure mileage was 55,465. The consumer stated the vehicle is not repaired as of yet, presently waiting for the parts.

NHTSA ODI 11470222

Jun 20, 2022Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

Car rolled backwards down driveway dragging driver, car was in park and keys were out of ignition. I have the entire incident on video, it was recorded by a security camera.

NHTSA ODI 11470080

Mar 6, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE "SERVICE THE ENGINE" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 AND TWO POLICE VEHICLES AND A FIRE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V209000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 18V471000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11184560

Feb 13, 2019Transmission & drivetrainCrash

WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN VEHICLE RPM SUDDENLY REDLINED AND VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. VEHICLE STEERING WAS HARD AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH.

NHTSA ODI 11179879

Oct 29, 2018Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE ROLLAWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR CLIPPED ONTO THE CAR PORT HOUSING, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER, AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR HINGE FRACTURED. UPON IMPACT WITH THE REAR SPARE TIRE MOUNT OF THE NEIGHBOR'S VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED, AS THE CONTACT WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND NEITHER WAS THE NEIGHBOR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND REMAINED IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE THEREAFTER. IN ADDITION, AN AUTOBODY REPAIR SHOP WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ROLLAWAY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND/OR REPAIRS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11143745

Oct 10, 2018Transmission & drivetrain1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ON A SECOND OCCASION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AGAIN AND PINNED THE CONTACT'S FRIEND, WHO SUFFERED AN INJURED LEG. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT CALLED AIRPORT MARINA FORD (5880 W CENTINELA AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90045, (310) 574-2641) AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PLACED IN PARK PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE BUSHING MAY HAVE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION CABLE AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXISTING POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FOR FIVE YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 11139440

Sep 27, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V471000 (POWER TRAIN). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND OVER A CURB. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BODY AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING FORD (2450 E U.S. HIGHWAY 64 ALT, MURPHY, NC 28906, (828) 837-2121). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11131874

Aug 14, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

PARKED CAR ON DRIVEWAY FACING HOME. DRIVEWAY IS UPHILL FROM STREET TO HOUSE. PUT CAR IN "PARK" AND UPON GETTING OUT THE CAR IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP CAR AND IT ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVE & PART OF THE YARD, KNOCKING DOWN A TELEPHONE POLE GUIDE WIRE, CROSSED THE STREET & STOPPED WITH HALF OVER THE OPPOSITE CURB & DAMAGING A MAIL BOX.

NHTSA ODI 11119905

Jul 23, 2018Transmission & drivetrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SYNC SYSTEM DISPLAYED 'DO YOU WANT TO RUN A VEHICLE HEALTH REPORT?' TO WHICH THE CONTACT INDICATED "YES". THE MESSAGE 'DO NOT STOP KEEP ENGINE RUNNING IN ORDER TO RUN THE HEALTH REPORT' WAS DISPLAYED AS THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB UTTER FORD-LINCOLN (2525 TEXOMA PKWY, SHERMAN, TX 75090, 903-892-3555) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11113163

Jul 19, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

ON 6/6/2017 MY WIFE'S ESCAPE WAS IN PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT IT NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. NOW WE HEAR ABOUT A RECALL ON THE ESCAPE AND FORD IS SAYING THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE WHEN EVERYTHING I FIND ONLINE IT IS UNDER THE TIME THAT FORD HAD BAD PARTS. YOU ARE MY ONLY HELP WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE.

NHTSA ODI 11112485

Jul 18, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT INADVERTENTLY REVERSED DOWN A DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT STRUCK A STOP SIGN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED BELL FORD LINCOLN AT (517) 265-8187 (LOCATED AT 4510 US-223, ADRIAN, MI 49221), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11112206

Working with the data? Download all 2,067 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Ford Escape Hev verdict →