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ProblemsByVinFile / 2014-FORD-ESCAPENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2014 Ford Escape problems
The 2014 Ford Escape has 2,072 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 16 active recall campaigns.
The 2014 Ford Escape has 2,072 NHTSA owner complaints and 16 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 661 complaints, typically surfacing around 85,613 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
0
Critical
16
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Escape?
Avoid — the electrical system
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
62 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine
Electrical system: 173 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 43,695–97,000 mi
Body: 63 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 22,430–70,000 mi
Reliability score 3.2/10 — below the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2014 Ford Escape SUV 4x2. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2014 Ford Escape? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 661 owner reports
· tends to show around 85,613 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 468 owner reports
· tends to show around 89,797 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 173 owner reports
· tends to show around 67,369 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 150 owner reports
· tends to show around 67,451 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 85,613 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 16 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 3.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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The 2014 Escape carries forward both engine problems that defined 2013 — and adds a new one. Knowing which engine sits under the hood matters more than the model year on the title.
The 1.6L EcoBoost is still the headline
Carried over from 2013 unchanged. Coolant routes through a head passage that cracks, dumps coolant into the cylinder, and at the worst end of the failure mode the engine catches fire. Ford issued recall 14V-053 (the original cylinder head replacement campaign) plus follow-on campaigns through 2020. If you are looking at a 1.6L 2014 Escape today, the only safe answer is “campaign complete, with paperwork.” No campaign record → walk. A used 1.6L Escape that has not had the coolant-intrusion work is not worth your money at any price.
The new problem: 2.0L EcoBoost wet belt
Ford ran a timing belt in oil on the 2.0L EcoBoost in this generation. The belt degrades, sheds material into the oil pan, plugs the pickup screen, starves the bearings. Failure window is typically 80,000–120,000 miles. There is no user-serviceable interval; the belt requires dealer-level disassembly because it lives inside the engine. Replacement bill at an indy shop is roughly $1,800–2,800 if caught before the bottom end is damaged. After bearings go, it’s a long block.
This is not a recall. Ford did not issue a campaign. It’s just bad engineering you inherit.
6F35 transmission, same story as 2013
Shudder, harsh shifts, delayed engagement — the 6F35 problems carry into 2014. Ford issued reflash TSBs but never redesigned the valve body. See the 6F35 PowerShift research piece for the full picture and the transmission pillar for context on where this fits across the Ford lineup.
What to inspect
VIN check for 14V-053 and follow-on coolant-intrusion campaigns before anything else.
If 2.0L: belt-in-oil age and mileage. Past 80k with no belt work = the clock is running.
Transmission fluid color (should be red/translucent, not brown).
Pull the dipstick on the 1.6L — look for coolant slick on top.
Verdict
Closer-to-buyable than the 2013 if the 1.6L coolant work is documented complete and you are comfortable with the 2.0L wet-belt expense as a known future repair. On an out-of-warranty Escape with either engine, run the warranty math before deciding. This is exactly the math the calculator was built for.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2014 Escape· body
Our Ford Escape 2014 has two safety recalls. My complaint is that they didn't fix it timely. One of the door latches failed and the door was opened by itself on the road in August 2022. I have taken the car to a local FORD dealership and got it inspected. They said they would…
The middle rear seat belt latch dropped below the fold down seat when it was folded down. This made fastening the seat belt impossible. The latch is inaccessible. Cannot bring it back up without completely removing the seat.
I was driving on a city street. I was stopped at a red light and could not accelerate past 33 MPH with the speed limit being 45 MPH. I immediately became concerned for my saftey and pulled off on a side street still going 33 MPH and not able to accelerate any faster. Once…
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…
Had a problem with your 2014 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 3.2 out of 10 based on 2,072 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Ford Escape has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2014 Ford Escape?
On the NHTSA data, the 2014 Ford Escape is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 62 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine; Electrical system: 173 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 43,695–97,000 mi; Body: 63 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 22,430–70,000 mi; Reliability score 3.2/10 — below the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2014 Ford Escape?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 661 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,613 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2014 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
It scores 3.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 2,072 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 85,613 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2014 Ford Escape?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 661 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,613 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 67,369 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Ford Escape?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,072 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Ford/Escape.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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