2014 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 139owner reports
- 78,000median miles
- $750median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
492 of the 2,020 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 139 of those describe infotainment.
Narrower sheets: Backup camera goes black or freezes (69 reports) · Infotainment screen freezes or goes black (26 reports)
Tick what matches of 139 reports
Infotainment 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: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Screen complaints read like a list of small betrayals. The display goes black or freezes, the backup camera shows nothing when you shift into reverse, CarPlay or Android Auto keeps dropping, or the radio changes volume on its own. Many owners had a software update that didn't fix it. A narrower sheet covers backup camera failures on their own, and another covers screens that freeze.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the camera (91 reports), the head unit or screen (60 reports), the software (7 reports) and the module (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the electrical system 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.
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.
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).
The panorama roof glass may not be properly bonded to the attaching bracket.
All 16 recalls on the 2014 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Escape
Rearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance. Open.
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit. Closed dec 28, 2015.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
What owners paid
12 of the 139 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $1,600.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,100 and 100,000 miles, from the 64 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 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 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 and 2016 Focus, Transit and Transit Connect vehicles equipped with a front control display interface module (FCDIM) may exhibit the inability to store AM/FM presets, select AM/FM presets and/or erratic preset button operation.
Some owners of 2013-2018 Escape vehicles may complain of the rear license plate viewed in the lower portion of the display screen when using the parking aid camera. This is due to the convex camera lens to provide as much viewing angle as possible.
SOME 2013-2016 FUSION/ESCAPE/MKT/FLEX/MKS/TAURUS, 2015-2016 MKZ/MKC/EDGE AND 2016 MKX VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS RADIO CONCERNS INCLUDING: SPEAKER STATIC WITH KEY-OFF, NO AUDIO AFTER VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) U0184, NO ...
5 more on the 2014 Ford Escape page.
What owners wrote
“Transmission failed after only 83k miles. Also needed entire engine rebuilt. Sunroof liner also became loose, as well as Backup camera failed.”
Filed Feb 21, 2025 · 83,000 miles
“Anytime car is shifted out of Park or into Reverse, it pops up with a message on the dash saying the Parking Collision isnt working and the back up camera doesnt come on and the backup sensors no longer work either.”
Filed May 5, 2023
“The back up camera workâsometime doesnât work. When it will not work it will all the sudden go black screen, or reverse the image on the screen (Everything is upside down) or will go black with glitching lines.”
Filed Jan 30, 2023
“Backup camera fails intermittently. Sometimes there will be a significant delay after shifting into reverse before the camera will appear. Camera may appear for a moment then the screen will go black and say Camera not available - contact your dealership. I have not been able to determine cause or related variables.”
Filed Jan 11, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 139 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
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
- 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