What 1,035 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Ford Escape Gas

My cluster panel went dead and there was a recall for it but the first owner got it fixed and ford wouldn’t do it for me. I couldn’t afford to get it fixed and so it stayed dead. My car eventually broke down on me while driving because I was unable to read the transmission fault warning (because the cluster panel doesn’t work). I just had to buy a whole new transmission and ford is still refusing to fix their failed recall. Had it been taken care of, I would have seen the warning and not drove my car until it broke down.

NHTSA ODI 11583394

I was driving down the road and all of a sudden my vehicle lurched forward despite me depressing the brakes then would not shift into any gear or move at all. I turned the vehicle off waited 10 minutes and attempted to restart the vehicle so that I could move into a safer area out of traffic. The vehicle began shaking and would not go into gear but did roll enough that I was able to move out of the way of incoming traffic. There were no warning lights displayed on the dash and the vehicle was not malfunctioning prior to the event. The other issue has been that the backup camera repeatedly fails to function at all. Instead the screen is either blue or black and no images are visible.

NHTSA ODI 11573782

rack & pinion, and power steering assist fault. I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety issue I recently encountered with my 2015 Ford Escape. I am deeply concerned about the lack of response and accountability from Ford regarding this matter, and I kindly request your assistance in addressing this potentially life-threatening problem. During a recent incident, my vehicle's power steering suddenly failed, rendering the car extremely difficult to maneuver. The lack of power steering made it nearly impossible for me to maintain a straight line, let alone perform any evasive maneuvers to avoid potential hazards on the road. Fortunately, this incident occurred in a drive-thru, and my children were not present in the vehicle at the time. I dread to think of the consequences if this failure had happened while driving at higher speeds or in a more critical situation. Upon taking my car to the Ford dealership for inspection and repair, I was shocked to learn that the power steering issue is not covered under my warranty. The dealership informed me that because my vehicle has exceeded 60,000 miles and is now over four years old, it falls outside the warranty coverage. I find it deeply troubling that Ford refuses to acknowledge the obvious flaw in the design of the car's power steering system, especially when comparable Ford models such as the 2011-2013 Fusion have been recalled for the exact same issue. As a loyal Ford customer, I implore you to thoroughly investigate and address this widespread problem, not only for my own sake but also for the safety and well-being of countless other Ford owners who may be facing similar risks. This dangerous design flaw poses a significant threat to drivers and their passengers, and it is utterly irresponsible for Ford to shirk responsibility and shift the financial burden onto the customers.

NHTSA ODI 11573391

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel was blank. Over several days, the instrument panel screen returned; however, the panel intermittently went blank while driving without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V406000 (Electrical System) which was linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11565727

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster screen became inoperable. The contact stated that the instrument cluster screen displayed a white screen. The contact stated that the instrument cluster screen failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 70,243.

NHTSA ODI 11564868

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the horn was inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the horn could be faulty because it was made from plastic. The vehicle had been repaired three times however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to to NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11555321

The back up camera started appearing upside down at times or black. Then it was constant upside down for a couple weeks so we were co sidering flupping tje camera but it switched to a normal view for about a week or 2 and now it is usually upside down. This can be a safety issue. It's hard to not look at a camera that you're used to using and it's right in front of you. I know other models were re alled so this should also be recalled. I called the dealer and they said they would fix it for around $900 so it's not fixed

NHTSA ODI 11545012

After purchasing suv the back seatbelt buckle popped while holding carseat. Second incident while driving car shut off and radio made a popping noise electrical issues stored happening Radio went out electrical functions won’t stay positioned back camera is blinking on an off upside down

NHTSA ODI 11539188

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop at a traffic light, the vehicle shuddered significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taking to the service station, where an independent mechanic replaced the sparks plugs. The contact stated while reversing out of the service station, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted while reversing and while attempting to drive from a complete stop. The contact stated that she would quickly depress the accelerator pedal after shifting into drive(D) or reverse(R) to prevent the vehicle from shutting off. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring increasingly more. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and attempting to drive, the engine revved, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA ODI 11532230

While driving my vehicle went into limp mode and then caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11531839

I was driving when the car turned off and the display said Transmission is not in park. The car would not turn on until the engine cooled down, I took it to mechanics and they could not figure out why it was turning off. The battery, alternator and started all tested fine. I do not know what happened.

NHTSA ODI 11530385

while driving car shit off and displayed message “transmission not in park” once coasted to a stop car unable to turn back on with steering wheel, gear shift, and brakes locked. inside lights and screens, brake lights, and fog lights will turn on, but car will not turn over or attempt to start

NHTSA ODI 11529405

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the instrument panel failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11525659

2015 Ford Escape, on several occasions after fueling, when pushing start, the car cranks but no start and shuts off. It took several attempts, with revving it up and, sputtering and shutting off before it cranked. No check engine indicator illuminated. There have been instances where the car parked in driveway and the same occurrence with it sputtering and shutting off. Currently at Ford dealership, diagnosed as canister purge valve. I contacted Ford reference recall, there are over a million recalls on Ford Focus for this same issue-canister purge valve, but none for Ford Escape.

NHTSA ODI 11518695

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) was previously performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that upon locking the vehicle with the key fob, the horn engaged as confirmation that the vehicle was locked securely. However, after his daughter became aware that someone had broken into the vehicle, she discovered that the vehicle could be opened by pulling the door handle after it had been locked with the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side door latch and lock assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515551

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear back up camera failed to operate as needed with a blank on the display screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was then notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V406000 (Electrical System); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515142

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after driving for approximately 20 minutes, the vehicle was parked the key was removed from the ignition, but it sounded as if the engine was still running. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the engine started revving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be turned off for 10-minutes. The vehicle was able to be restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 102,500.

NHTSA ODI 11514581

My car caught on fire While it was parked. I contacted ford ford had no knowledge of fires in the car. Come to find out. It's all over the internet that there are fires in the ecoboost fuel system. They are refusing to fix the car. I am disabled and I feel like they are taking advantage of me because of that. I had an extended warranty even at the same time which obviously meant nothing. This is a great injustice and I really really really really really need help. I have tried everywhere. Please help me.

NHTSA ODI 11512573

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle she became aware that the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact who is an amputee and physically disabled stated that she needed all the instrument cluster gauges to be operable in the event of an emergency because she had no phone service or ability to reach Emergency Services. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the APIM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online a related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 20- 2255 (Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11510605

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the instrument panel had gone blank. The contact stated that due to the failure, the tachometer, speedometer, tire pressure, and check engine warning light features were made inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11510326

Rack and pinion went out at 66,000 miles. I have send reviews on this make and model that this is a problem. I have talked to multiple mechanics who have adv this is an electric problem in these cars and with different years.

NHTSA ODI 11507770

The Sync system in my vehicle no longer works properly. This makes me unable to connect my phone to the bluetooth and use my phone handsfree. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent center. I did however replace the fuse that powers the sync system and even disconnected my battery to perform a hard restart on the system and it still does not work. The sync first failed about 3 weeks ago.

NHTSA ODI 11497496

I was driving on the highway 3 weeks ago and the dashboard turned off including the radio and there was no electricity inside the vehicle. Then a couple of minutes the power came back on. On 10/15/22 I got stranded at the border of San Ysidro because I had to turn off the car, I had to be pushed by the CBP Officers, since it was pass midnight (Sunday 10/16/22) I was waiting to be towed (magically the power came back on after almost 3hrs) and I was able to drive home. I took my car to Firestone, and they couldn't fix the problem, my car has been at the Ford dealership since Monday and finally after 4 days they know what the problem is, there is an issue in the network wiring to the BCM (Body Control Module). They still going to figure out the root of the problem. The dashboard turned off w/o warning no lights, no problems before.

NHTSA ODI 11491192

2015 Ford Escape. Electronic automatic power steering failed in traffic taking 90year old to the doctor. Had it towed. After restarting car the steering worked. Been happening randomly but last week 3times in one afternoon. Ford dealer replaced defective parts. Said there is a recall for older models. Why not 2015? It was a moving safety hazard that Ford should have rectified before we were put at risk. The repair cost us $3100. Been reading other 2015 Escape owners have had similar incidents.

NHTSA ODI 11485764

I went to start my vehicle and the digital screen on the dash does not work. This is the screen with the digital speedometer, odometer, miles driven and many other digital readouts connected to a “cluster” of wiring within the dash. This is a problem that could not be prevented by me, and is the fault of a faulty manufacturing piece. There is a blank space in the dash where the readouts were. This piece is definitely a safety hazard and should be replaced by Ford. Local dealer told me it was out of warranty therefore my responsibility.

NHTSA ODI 11483433