2014 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 317owner reports
- 88,000median miles
- $4,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1082 of the 2,020 complaints on this car are about the engine. 317 of those describe misfire. Only overheating is reported more often on this car.
Narrower sheets: Engine misfire (50 reports)
Tick what matches of 317 reports
Misfire 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: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (46 reports), the spark plugs (27 reports) and the ignition coils (9 reports).
Recalls and investigations
6 recalls on the engine cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights.
On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014.
In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.
Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).
All 16 recalls on the 2014 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Escape
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak. Closed oct 30, 2025, led to recall 25V-467.
Healey brothers ford / open recall sale. Open.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 27, 2024.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 21, 2013.
Engine stalling. Closed aug 31, 2004.
Engine stalling. Closed apr 15, 2004, led to recall 04V-165.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 10, 2002.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
What owners paid
48 of the 317 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,230 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 64,400 and 112,000 miles, from the 231 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 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 2013-2015 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC with a 1.6L GTDI, 1.5L GTDI, or 2.0L GTDI may exhibit a lack of power, loss of power, or stall when placed in gear with DTCs P00C6, P0087, P008A, P008B, P018C, or P018D.
Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2014-2015 Escape, 2015 C-Max and Focus vehicles equipped with integrated remote start may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0116 in the powertrain control module (PCM) immediately following a remote start event.
SOME 2013-2016 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A ROUGH IDLE, LOW RPM AT IDLE OR A STALL ON HOT RESTART WITH NO DTCS IN SELF TEST. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE A/C COMPRESSOR CLUTCH BEING SEIZED.
4 more on the 2014 Ford Escape page.
What owners wrote
“Coolant leak into the cylinder causing engine failure and need to replace the engine, it is not possible to fix this, must replace engine.”
Filed Jul 29, 2026
“Our ford escape has been leaking coolant excessively and is experiencing intermittent over-heating of the cylinder head. Ford has a recall for this matter however our local ford dealership refuses to service our vehicle, there are also two other recalls that they are refusing to acknowledge.”
Filed Sep 9, 2023
“Motor coolant went into engine cylinders and over heats and now my vehicle won't run.”
Filed Aug 2, 2023
“While driving 30 minutes home from work, High Engine Temperature Warning popped up and stuck car in Limp Mode 20+ times. Had to use a Code Reader to clear the code P1299 that says Cylinder Head Overtemperature Protection Active in order to get car to drive home. Meanwhile it was leaking coolant, car went thru 1.5 gallons of coolant during that time frame.”
Filed May 5, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 317 reports involved a crash and 1 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 573 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 32 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