Home · 2015 Ford Escape Gas · Complaints

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

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 (1,035)Crash / fire / injury (52)Transmission & drivetrain (283)Engine (235)Electrical system (128)Backup camera & sensors (102)Steering (79)Fuel system (54)Engine & cooling (44)Body & structure (36)Latches & locks (29)Brakes (25)

128 of 1,035 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 3 of 6

Sep 6, 2022Electrical system

The owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to restart the vehicle and the brake pedal felt firm. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal with her two feet but it failed to respond. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal after several attempts. The contact was able to drive to her residence and parked the vehicle. However, the failure reoccurred twice while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the body control module (BCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the failure could be associated with the instrument cluster. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V406000 (Electrical System) that she associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ODI 11483109

Aug 30, 2022Electrical system

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that whenever the START/STOP button was depressed, the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. A message to “Please Shut Off the Engine” to save the battery was displayed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Stuart Powell Ford Lincoln Mazda (225 S Danville Bypass, Danville, KY 40422, (859) 236-8917) but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11481990

Jul 21, 2022Electrical system

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while depressing the START/STOP button to turn off the vehicle, the engine continued running. After the contact was able to turn off the vehicle, the instrument panel and radio remained operational. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,800.

NHTSA ODI 11475175

Jun 22, 2022Electrical systemEngine

The smell of burning wires, engine light on and off

NHTSA ODI 11470416

May 11, 2022Electrical systemEngineFire

I had drove my car to chick fil a. I was inside for less than 5 minutes waiting on my order. When I came back outside my car was on fire. I’ve read articles about many other people having problems with their Ford Escaped catching fire. https://www.fordescape.org/threads/2014-ford-escape-engine-fire.88258/ If I had stayed in my car for a few more minutes I could’ve been inside and I could be dead right now. There seems to be a issue with the 2013 and 2014 model years combusting suddenly but, I think they need to include the 2015 model.

NHTSA ODI 11464296

May 3, 2022Electrical system

The contact's wife owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was then referred to the local dealer to diagnose the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System) and was informed by the manufacturer that the repairs were completed back in April 2016. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463180

Apr 26, 2022Electrical system

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to restart after being parked after an extended driving period. The contact stated that after multiple attempts, the computer system would activate; however, the vehicle would fail to start-up. The contact also stated that only the passenger’s side exterior lights would illuminate while the vehicle was in operation. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that the BCM (Body Control Module) was defective. The mechanic then referred the contact to a dealer since he did not have the equipment to repair the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System). The dealer was notified and the contact was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. An appointment was then scheduled to have the vehicle serviced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11462255

Mar 2, 2022Electrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated after removing the key from the ignition switch, the engine continued to run. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigating, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,282.

NHTSA ODI 11454799

Nov 26, 2021Electrical system

The accessories screen that the camera uses works intermittently. When not working the backup warning signal also does not work causing a safety issue of backing into someone or something

NHTSA ODI 11441750

Oct 15, 2021Electrical system

The instrument panel on my vehicle, where the speed and fuel level and other important informational messages and displays are, have lines spreading horizonatally blocking information and the lighting is completely dimmed. The panel where the backup camera displays has the same lines running horizontally and dimmed . It is unsafe for me to drive my vehicle if I don't know the speed and other important information displayed. I called Ford company and was told that this particular VIN did not have a recall therefore it is my responsibility.

NHTSA ODI 11436893

Aug 26, 2021Electrical system

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the instrument cluster screen was inoperable and the driver was unable to view safety related information regarding the tire pressure monitoring system and air bag warnings. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the instrument cluster display needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA campaign number 15V406000 (Electrical system). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11430605

May 7, 2021Electrical system

THE SHIFTER BUSHING RECALL IS NOT SHOWING FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL.THEVEHICLE IS SAYING THAT IT'S NOT IN PARK BUT IT IS, THE SHIFTER WILL NOT OPERATE, AND ALL GEARS ARE SHOWING IN REVERSE. I WAS DRIVING AND WAS GOING TO STOP AND GO IN REVERSE WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS STUCK.

NHTSA ODI 11415578

Apr 12, 2021Electrical systemEngine

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY TIRES SLIPPED AND TRIED TO KICK ON TRACTION CONTROL BUT INSTEAD DISABLED MY DRIVING UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER AND STOP. TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A COUPLE SECONDS THEN RESTARTED IT BACK ON. DID THAT 3 TIME IN MY WAY INTO WORK. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THE TRACTION CONTROL UNTIL I GOOGLED WHAT HAPPENED AND LOT OF RESPONSES SAID THE TRACTION CONTROL GETS FAULTY. SO NOW EVERY TIME I DRIVE I HAVE TO GO INTO THE SETTINGS AND TURN OFF MY TRACTION CONTROL OR IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ODI 11407756

Apr 9, 2021Electrical systemEngine

ON THE DATE OF 04/07/21 I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK, HAD PULLED OUT OF DUNKIN DONUTS AND WENT UP A SMALL HILL TO A STOP SIGN I HAD THE AC ON, AND MY WINDOW ROLLED DOWN AS I JUST LEFT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT AND AS I GET TO THE TOP OF THE SMALL HILL, MY AC TURNS OFF AND MY CAR DISPLAYS A MESSAGE SAYING TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK AND IT COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED RESTARTING IT AND NOTHING I HAD DASH LIGHTS EVERYTHING BUT DIDN'T START. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN A 2 WEEK PERIOD, THE FIRST TIME IT SHUT OFF AND DISPLAYED A STARTING SYSTEM FAIL MESSAGE TOOK IT TO DEALER AND CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. COULD THIS BE RELATED TO A RECALL!

NHTSA ODI 11407327

Feb 9, 2021Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE THE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER CROSSROAD FORD OF PRINCE GEORGE LOCATED AT 4500 WHITEHILL BLVD, PRINCE GEORGE, VA 23875 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V436000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 11395361

Dec 31, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemDriver assistance

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL THE VEHICLE WAS REVVING UP TO ALMOST 5RPMS WHILE BREAKING... WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO LOWER GEAR.. PULLED IN TO GET GAS.. WENT TO BACK UP WITH REVERSE.. THEN SHIFTED GEAR INTO DRIVE .. AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN REVERSE... PUSHED THE SHIFTER TO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVER AND CAR WAS STILL DRIVING IN RESERVE...PUSHED BACK INTO PARK ... SWITCHED SEATS WITH MY HUSBAND ... HE GOT INTO DRIVER SEAT AND THE SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN PARK.. BUT WAS NOT REGISTERING ON DASH BOARD.. ACCORDING TO THE DASHBOARD IT WAS IN REVERSE ... HUSBAND REVERSED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPOT .. HE KEPT TRYING TO PULL THE SHIFTER TO GO INTO DRIVE... BUT IT WAS LOCKED ON PARK... SO HE MANUALLY WENT IN TO SHIFT THE GEARS AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER MANUALLY ... BUT IT STILL WAS NOT RECOGNIZING IT ON THE DASHBOARD... THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN ... NO ALERTS ON THE DASH.... WHILE HUSBAND WAS TRYING TO GET THE SHIFTER TO REGISTER ON DASH... ALL LIGHTS ON DASH STARTED FLICKERING... SO THEN WE THOUGHT IT WAS REFERRING TO THE BATTERY... BECAUSE SOON AFTER THERE WAS NO POWERED AT ALL TO THE VEHICLE... BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING IN REVERSE.. WE PUT E BRAKE ON CALLED A FRIEND AND HAD HIM JUMP US .. DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ... SO NOW CAR IS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT UNTIL TOMORROW... ALL THIS GOING ON WITH AN INFANT AND 5 YEAR OLD .. IN FREEZING COLD WEATHER... SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THESE FORD ESCAPES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! FOR THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS I AM SEEING ON THIS FEATURE WITH THE 2015.. YOU WOULD THINK SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE... THIS IS DANGEROUS AND. ABSOLUTELY UNCALLED FOR... GET THESE [XXX] CARS OFF THE MARKET! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11385718

Dec 20, 2020Electrical systemEngineFuel system

I LEFT THE CAR ON SINCE MY DAUGHTER AND HUSBAND WERE IN THE CAR. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT FROM THE STORE, I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE BUT IT WOULD NOT LET ME. SO I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR BUT IT WILL STILL STAYED ON. AFTER ABOUT 1 HR THE CAR STARTED TO TURN OFF SLOWLY. IT IS COMPLETELY OFF NOW BUT WONT TURN BACK ON. LUCKILY WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT OF A DOLLAR TREE.

NHTSA ODI 11384283

Dec 15, 2020Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD LINES SPREADING HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THAT BLOCKED THE INFORMATIONAL MESSAGES AND DISPLAYS BEHIND THE LINES. THE CONTACT SAID AFTER TWO WEEKS THE PANEL SCREEN WENT TOTALLY BLACK. IRON CITY FORD DELIVERS (9924 PKWY E, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35215, (205) 854-2222) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.

NHTSA ODI 11383541

Dec 10, 2020Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE TOOK A FEW SECONDS TO START-UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 1,200 RPM AND THEN RETURNED TO 1,000 RPM. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND MOVED A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE STALLING. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP ROTATING THEN THE IGNITION WAS PLACED IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE PROCEDURE HAD TO BE REPEATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATIONS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE OIL, BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOGGUS FORD MCALLEN (1400 E EXPRESSWAY 83, MCALLEN, TX 78501) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11382879

Nov 3, 2020Electrical system

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAS FAILED. FORD RECALLED CERTAIN 2014-2015 ESCAPES BUT NOT MINE. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO THIS FAILED UNIT CAN BE REPACED.

NHTSA ODI 11372806

Sep 17, 2020Electrical system

THE SHIFTER OF MY 2015 FORD ESCAPE WAS STUCK IN 'S' POSITION TWO DAYS AGO WHEN I JUST STARTED MY CAR. THE SHIFTER HANDLE WAS ACTUALLY IN P POSITION. I HAD TO CALL TOWING COMPANY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT IS MY SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING DETERIORATED AND UNABLE TO ALLOW SHIFT CABLE TO COME LOOSE TO CHANGE SHIFT. FORD PREVIOUSLY HAD A RECALL FOR 2013-2014 ESCAPE MODEL FOR THE SAME BUSHING PROBLEMS NOT INCLUDING 2015 MODELS. BUT A LOT PEOPLE POSTED THREADS ONLINE SAYING THEIR 2015 MODEL ALSO HAVE THAT PROBLEMS. SOME CUSTOMER GOT IT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE AND MOST CUSTOMERS DID NOT. I CONTACTED WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS UP TO THE DEALER WHETHER TO ALLOW REIMBURSEMENT BUT THIS SHOULD BE DEFINITELY BE RECALLED BECAUSE THIS CAN BE A BIG SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11355602

Aug 4, 2020Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GEM CITY FORD INC LOCATED AT 5101 BROADWAY ST, QUINCY, IL 62305, (877) 571-7953, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAMSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.*DT *AS

NHTSA ODI 11343164

Jul 14, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

WITHIN LAST WEEK, TWICE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON A CITY HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. LIGHTS, RADIO, DASHBOARD, ETC. ALL CONTINUED TO WORK. NOTIFICATION CAME ON DASHBOARD STATING "WARNING, VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK." FORTUNATELY, IN BOTH INSTANCES I WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER INTO A PARKING LOT AND AVOID CAUSING A WRECK OR BEING WRECKED INTO. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! WITH CAR SAFELY IN A PARKING LOT, I MOVED MY TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. I TURNED MY KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION. I REMOVED MY KEY. I REINSERTED THE KEY AND TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. LIGHTS, RADIO, DASH, ETC. ALL CAME ON. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS NOT A "CLICK" AS IF THE ENGINE WAS TRYING TO TURN OVER. THERE WAS ONLY A NOTIFICATION OF "SYSTEM START FAULT." I TRIED OUR SPARE KEY, AND RECEIVED SAME NOTIFICATION. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO MOVE TRANSMISSION FROM PARK INTO NEUTRAL TO BE TOWED. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. ABANDONED VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS, RETURNED TO VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE STARTED. TO CLARIFY, EVERYTHING LISTED HERE HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES AND ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS SO FAR. TESTS AT BOTH AUTOZONE AND O'REILY AUTO PARTS CONFIRM - AS I SUSPECTED, SINCE LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC. WOULD TURN ON - THAT THE BATTERY AND THE TRANSMISSION ARE WORKING JUST FINE. THIS IS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF!

NHTSA ODI 11339370

Jun 19, 2020Electrical system

FAULTY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - INOPERATIVE DISPLAY - BLANK MULTIPLE FUNCTION DISPLAY (MFD) AND NON-FUNCTIONING WARNING CHIMES. MESSAGES AND WARNING LIGHTS. UNABLE TO READ SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, DOOR AJAR, TIRES LOW ETC ON DISPLAY PANEL. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SIMILAR FORD RECALL - ADVISED UPDATING INSTRUMENT PANEL - THIS RECALL FOR CARS MANUFACTURED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO MY ESCAPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329696

Jun 15, 2020Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH THE RADIO AND BACK-UP CAMERA SCREEN AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLICKERED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE TPMS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. BOMMARITO FORD (675 DUNN RD, HAZELWOOD, MO 63042, (314) 895-0600) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V406000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11328886

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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 2015 Ford Escape Gas verdict →