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

The trim around the windshield is dry rotted and falling off. Pieces fly off driving down the road which could be dangerous to other drivers and damage their vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11739801

The door panel falls off the door very easily and then becomes stuck. The door cannot open due to the panel catching on the floor of the car. This is dangerous to have a door that does not work. I brought my car to Ford to get this fixed and after having my car for 6 days, the next time I drove on the freeway it fell off again and has the same problem. I've seen multiple reports of this

NHTSA ODI 11650944

Rear passenger door won’t latch. Appears to be a problem with the mechanism in the door. It remains stationary when the door handle is pulled. Door doesn’t stay closed when driving. No accidents, no injuries. Initial occurrence happened when parked.

NHTSA ODI 11589467

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated upon entering the rear passenger’s door, the contact became aware that the door failed to securely latch closed. The door-ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: RQ19005 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11574251

For the second time, the plastic retaining nuts have come off of the splash shield underneath to come lose and almost causing an incident. No warning prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11470247

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle was vibrating. A bystander informed the contact that a part had detached and was dragging underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road and noticed that the skid plate or engine splash guard had detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the skid plate and inserts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact purchased the skid plate and screws from the dealer and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic replaced the skid plate and the screws; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that the skid plate was replaced two more times and the screws were replaced 3 more times by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11459527

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE HATCH FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER FIVE STAR FORD (6618 NE LOOP 820, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180, (817)500-0096) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.*DT CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE INFORMED OTHER DEALERS OF THE FAILURE AND WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11404451

AFTER HEAVY RAIN, MY HEADLINER HAS WATER THAT SEEPS UP FROM THE PLASTIC MOLDING IN THE A-PILLAR UP TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR. THE PANORAMIC ROOF DRAIN WAS CLEARED BY THE TECHNICIANS. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD READ ABOUT ROOF RACK ISSUES WITH THE ESCAPE WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED. IT STILL IS LEAKING AFTER RAIN. IT HAPPENS IN THE RAIN WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A COVERED ITEM; HOWEVER, THERE IS NO "WEAR AND TEAR" AS I HAVE NEVER USED THE ROOF RACK AND HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. THIS HAS COME UP AS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SO FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL/SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING IT ALREADY.

NHTSA ODI 11389944

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME ENGINE SAFETY SHIELD HAD LOOSENED AND WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REMOVED THE SAFETY SHIELD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. INVALID VIN.

NHTSA ODI 11363151

DRIVING TO WORK. HEARD AN EXPLOSION, GLASS SHATTERED... PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED!

NHTSA ODI 11339884

TO WHOM MAY CONCERN: I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL 16V643000_RECALL 16S30. DOOR LATCHES MAY BREAK IN RESULT PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM SECURELY CLOSED WHEN, IN FACT, IT IS NOT. AS A MATTER FACT, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOTION ALL OF THE REAR DOORS OPEN UP. I HAD TO TIE IT UP WITH ROPE AS I TAKING INTO THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE VIN:[XXX] FORD OF KENDALL S DIXIE HWY, PALMETTO BAY, FL 33157 NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT I NEED A CASE NUMBER IN ORDER TO FIX THE MATTER AT HAND. I ALSO CONCERN ABOUT OTHER RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE LISTED BELOW: 15V436000_RECALL 15C06-IGNITION SWITCH (KEYS/BUTTON) 15V406000_RECALL 15C03-BLANK DISPLAY ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL 17V472000_RECALL 17S17-IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BOLTS FOR SEAT BELTS/ BUCKLES OR SEATBELT ANCHORS COULD HAVE BEEN USED. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP AT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325599

THE DOOR LATCH FAILED. THIS RESULTS IN A DOOR THAT WILL FLY OPEN AND WON'T CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11322866

BLACK PAINT FADE-ING TO WHITE ABOVE FRONT WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI 11302493

PROFUSELY LEAKING WATER INTO CABIN SOAKING REAR HEADLINER ABOVE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS. COMING FROM ROOF RACKS OR SUNROOF, NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. CONCERNED LEAKING WATER WILL CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO VEHICLE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND A TSB ON ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11297679

DURING MY LAST OIL CHANGE, 12/23/2019, I WAS TOLD THE TECHNICIAN TOLD HE COULD NOT RE-ATTACH MY "SPLASH SHIELD" DUE EXCESSIVE RUST WHERE THE SHIELD FASTENERS ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE SHIELD IN PLACE. APPROXIMATELY 10 SCREWS CANNOT BE RE-INSTALLED DUE TO RUST. THIS SHIELD IF RE-ATTACHED COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF DURING OPERATION CAUSING UNKNOWN MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING CAUSING A CRASH. MY PROBLEM OCCURRED DURING AN OIL CHANGE, SO I WAS STATIONARY IN THE OIL CHANGE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 11291869

THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING PARKED UNDER A CARPORT FOR ALMOST 24 HRS. WHEN IT INEXPLICABLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENSUING FIRE BURNED THE CARPORT AND SPREAD TO THE STRUCTURE CAUSING EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE RESIDENCE. A PASSERBY MADE THE ELDERLY OCCUPANTS OF HOME AWARE OF THE FIRE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GET OUT. THE AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME OTHER EVIDENCE AND/OR INSTANCES OF FIRES IN THESE VEHICLES OCCURRING THE SAME WAY.

NHTSA ODI 11270440

MY LEFT BACK PASSENGER DOOR PANEL KEEPS PULLING OFF THE DOOR AND PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM OPENING. I LITERALLY HAVE TO EITHER PULL THE DOOR SO HARD FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET IT OPEN OR CLIMB IN THE BACK FROM THE RIGHT BACK PASSENGER DOOR TO PULL THE PANEL UP SLOWLY AS SOMEONE IS SLOWLY OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE UP TO THE LOU FUSZ FORD DEALERSHIP IN CHESTERFIELD, MO., WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TWICE ALREADY AND THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME! THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PANELS CLIPS. THE SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD THE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PANEL. NOW, I AM NOT SURE WHY THE PANEL KEEPS PULLING OFF AND PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM OPENING. I FEEL IT IS A HAZARD TO MY CHILDREN. WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF WE WERE IN A CRASH AND THEY COULD NOT GET OUT OF THEIR DOOR?

NHTSA ODI 11266677

REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR BECOMES STUCK. ON AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE CLIPS ATTACHING THE PLASTIC PANEL TO THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR BREAK, CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO STICK AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME AND RESULTING IN THE DOOR NOT OPENING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! EACH TIME, THE CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY WHEN I HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE DOOR WILL BECOME DIFFICULT TO OPEN ("STICKY") OR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO BE FIXED AT 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS, BOTH OF WHICH WILL ONLY REPLACE THE CLIPS AND ADD EXTRA SCREWS TO HOLD THE PLASTIC ON THE DOOR. WITH ONLY REPLACEMENT OF CLIPS, THE DOOR WORKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS. WITH THE ADDITIONAL SCREWS, THE DOOR WORKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS. HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS CHARGED $140.77 TO REPLACE A FEW PLASTIC CLIPS. NEITHER DEALER HAS OFFERED A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, ONLY THIS "BAND-AID." ADDITIONALLY, AFTER HAVING SO MUCH REPEATED DIFFICULTY OPENING THIS DOOR, THE PLASTIC HAS NOW CRACKED SIGNIFICANTLY AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIX OR REPLACE IT. BUT THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THE DOOR IS "FIXED" BECAUSE IT CAN OPEN AT THE MOMENT. I HAVE 2 CARSEATS IN THE BACK OF THIS VEHICLE AND WANT A FIX TO THIS PROBLEM. I CANNOT RISK A DOOR NOT OPENING WHEN THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT!

NHTSA ODI 11265630

WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN MOTION, THE REAR DOORS LOCK. ONCE LOCKED, THE PERSONS IN THE REAR SEATS CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE ON THEIR OWN. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CHILD LOCKS. THE REAR PASSENGERS CAN ONLY EXIT IF THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED FROM THE FRONT SEAT AREA OR IF A PERSON WITH THE KEY FOB PLACES A HAND ON THE OUTSIDE FRONT HANDLES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. FOR EXAMPLE , IF THE FRONT PASSENGERS ARE INCAPACITATED AND THE VEHICLE IS ON FIRE OR SINKING IN WATER, THE REAR PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED WITH NO WAY TO ESCAPE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY MUST ADDRESS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 11231492

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH I HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE TRACKS FLEW OFF THE ROOF OF MY CAR. WATER BEGAN LEAKING IN THROUGH THE ROOF, SO I THOUGHT THE SUNROOF MAY NOT BE CLOSED ALL THE WAY. I OPENED THE FABRIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE SUNROOF TO SEE WHERE AND IF IT WAS LEAKING AND WHEN I DID SHATTERED GLASS BEGAN FALLING IN ON ME. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO CLOSE THE FABRIC PORTION AGAIN, BUT I COULDN'T GET IT CLOSED. IT KEPT CRUMBLING UNTIL THE MAJORITY OF THE SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I NEARLY SWERVED INTO THE OTHER LANE ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO MANAGE THE SITUATION. I WASN'T PASSING UNDER ANY OVERPASSES AND I WASN'T FOLLOWING ANYONE TOO CLOSELY.

NHTSA ODI 11219632

THE LIFTGATE LATCH FAILED CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO NOT PROPERLY CLOSE AND BE SECURED. WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE GATE OPEN AS IT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR THE DOOR LATCHES WHICH ARE SIMILAR. THE LIFT GATE LATCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER ACCORDING TO OLATHE FORD 913-325-4360, THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND IS A COST TO ME OF OVER $350.00 REFER TO RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 WHICH DOES NOT SPECIFY JUST THE 4 DOORS, JUST "DOORS" HOWEVER THE REAR LIFT DOOR PER THE DEALER IS NOT INCLUDED

NHTSA ODI 11115528

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE ON THE VEHICLE KEPT COMING DOWN AND WOULD NOT STAY SUSPENDED. THE DEALER (JIM NAVARRE FORD, 2051 W MONROE RD, ALMA, MI 48801) WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES, BUT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 11075655

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PARTS DO TO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED LONG MCARTHUR FORD (3450 S 9TH ST, SALINA, KS 67401 (785) 823-2237) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11071725

1 MES QUE COMPR Y ME DI CUENTA QUE YA NO CIERRA LO E TRADO EN MOVIMIENTO NO A PASADO NINGN ACCIDENTE.SOLO QUE ENTRE MS MS SE ABRE

NHTSA ODI 11057661

INDEX FINGER OF ADULT FEMALE SLAMMED IN DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR RESULTED IN LACERATION REQUIRING THREE STITCHES, CRUSHING THAT TURNED TIP OF FINGER GRAY AND EVENTUALLY WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE ENTIRE LAYER OF EPIDERMIS (OUTER SKIN) CONTAINING FINGER PRINTS AND NERVE ENDINGS DIED AND PEELED AWAY AND TOOK NEARLY A YEAR TO REGAIN FINE TACTILE SENSATION TO FINGER TIP (AMAZINGLY FINGER PRINTS WILL REGROW GIVEN TIME). I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED AS I SAW ONLINE ANOTHER COMPLAINT OF A 2013 MODEL RESULTED IN AMPUTATION, AND BECAUSE OFTEN IT IS CHILDREN WITH SMALLER FINGERS WHO USE THE BACK DOORS.

NHTSA ODI 11032622