2014 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 32owner reports
- 53,000median miles
- $1,450median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Jan 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
32 of the 2,020 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Brake wear on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the booster (7 reports), the ABS module (7 reports) and the pads and rotors (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Escape
Engine compartment fire. Closed feb 29, 2012, led to recall 12V-005.
Engine compartment fire. Closed jan 15, 2010.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 15, 2009.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 17, 2007, led to recall 07V-156.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
What owners paid
7 of the 32 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $350 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 27,000 and 87,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Ford Escape that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
What owners wrote
“Turned in the ignition. I heard air coming from the brake when i turned on the car. I then could feel resistance when pushing the brake after pushing to the floor. Brake booster fixed once and after a month. The air sound started again when not pressing the brake. I had to use my emergency brake to drive home from work.”
Filed Jun 10, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 32 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 573 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 317 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 304 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 139 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 128 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 112 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 107 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 97 reports
- Vehicle fire 97 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 83 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 59 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 51 reports
- Fuel pump failure 33 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
- Engine leaks oil 30 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 28 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
- Turbo failure or loss of boost 27 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 25 reports