2014 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Head gasket fails or coolant leaks into the engine
- 55owner reports
- 85,000median miles
- $3,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
55 of the 573 reports of overheating on the 2014 Escape describe head gasket failure.
Part of Engine overheats or leaks coolant (573 reports)
Tick what matches of 55 reports
Head gasket failure 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: 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside overheating and coolant leaks for reports that name the head gasket. The difference from the wider sheet is where the coolant goes: instead of dripping onto the driveway, it disappears inside the engine, into the cylinders or the oil.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head gasket (54 reports) and the engine (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 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.
All 16 recalls on the 2014 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Escape
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
7 of the 55 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $230 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 65,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 38 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Head gasket and coolant leak. Burning smell entering cabin. Issue comparable to recall 17S09”
Filed Apr 29, 2024
“Vehicle coolant level sensor failed. This is causing the engine to overheat and broke the head gasket.”
Filed Sep 19, 2023
“I see there was a previous recall on the ford smaller eco boost engines. I am having the same issues with coolant leaks and head gasket. Not only me but hundreds of other owners have having the same exact issue of coolant leaking and head gasket going bad.”
Filed Apr 12, 2023
“Car is losing coolant. Had pressure tested and am told there is no leak but the issue is a blown head gasket. No warning signs were present regarding this issue, posing a huge safety risk. Coolant is leaking into engine due to faulty gasket. I am told that this issue is extremely prevalent with other Ford EcoBoost engine models as well.”
Filed Jun 15, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 55 reports involved a crash. 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- 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
- 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