Third generation
2015 Ford Escape
The most reported problem on the 2015 Ford Escape is infotainment, with 226 complaints, usually around 90,000 miles.
- 1,105owner complaints
- 9recalls
- 29involved a crash
- 77,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Escape doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2015 model year.
- Infotainment226 reports
- Overheating145 reports
- Stalling136 reports
- Misfire120 reports
- Transmission failure74 reports
- Transmission shudder68 reports
- Power steering loss52 reports
- Engine failure46 reports
- Transmission warning light39 reports
- Door latch36 reports
- Wheels30 reports
- Dead battery27 reports
- Brake wear26 reports
Is the 2015 Ford Escape reliable?
The 2015 Ford Escape has 1,105 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 3.5 times the median of 314 for 2015 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Escape model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Infotainment leads with 226 of the 1,105 complaints (20%), ahead of overheating at 145. A quarter of the 116 owners who gave a mileage for infotainment saw it by about 67,000 miles, and half by about 90,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 53 of the 1,105 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 29 reports mention a crash, 20 mention a fire and 34 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 11 of 29, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of infotainment, overheating and stalling has a recall on the same system: infotainment, 15V-406, 15V-436 and 26V-011; overheating and stalling, 26V-011. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 142, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 184 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: infotainment, screen or backup camera fails, 226 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
1,105 complaints is 4.0 times the median 2015 model on this site and 3.5 times the median 2015 SUV. Among the 11 Escape model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Ford Escape
Ford filed 128 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Ford Escape. 25 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. 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.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 7 bulletins · 226 complaints
Some 2015-2017 vehicles may experience a no crank concern due to a security access key table error. When attempting to program keys or perform a parameter reset, the procedure may fail and the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool may display an error ...
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.
5 more on this problem
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 ...
In some of the affected vehicles, the front control/display interface module (FCDIM) may have been unintentionally programmed for the European market instead of the North American market
FORD: CLOCK FAILS TO BE SET UNLESS FRONT CONTROL DISPLAY INTERFACE MODULE FCDIM) HAS DATE SET FIRST AND THEN TIME. MODEL 2013-2015 C-MAX, 2014-2015 ESCAPE, 2014 FOCUS. *PE
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 2 bulletins · 145 complaints
Some 2013-2016 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a lack of cooling caused by the A/C inlet line breaking at the compressor. This may be due to the oil cooler coolant lines exerting excess pressure on the A/C inlet line.
2015-2018 Edge, Fusion, Focus, MKZ, MKC, Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit coolant consumption, white smoke and/or a runs rough condition.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 2 bulletins · 136 complaints
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 2015-2016 F-150, C-MAX, EDGE, MKS, TAURUS, AND FLEX AND 2016 EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, ESCAPE, FUSION, MUSTANG, MKZ, MKX, NAVIGATOR, TRANSIT AND TRANSIT CONNECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L, 2.5L, 3.5L OR 3.7L GASOLINE ENGINE AND BUILT ON OR BEFORE ...
Check engine light or misfire 6 bulletins · 120 complaints
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
4 more on this problem
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 2015-2016 ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.6L GASOLINE TURBOCHARGED DIRECT INJECTION (GTDI) ENGINES BUILT ON OR BEFORE 9/30/15 MAY EXHIBIT RUNS ROUGH, LACK OF POWER, SURGE, BUCK/JERK, MISS, LOSS OF RPM, HESITATION AND/OR AN ILLUMINATED MIL WITH DIAGNOSTIC ...
1.6L GTDI Lack of power with MIL Illuminated - DTCS P0234, P0245, P0246 And/Or P0299. Some 2013-2016 Escape 2014-2016 Fiesta ST, and 2013-2014 Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDI) engine may exhibit a lack of power concern ...
FORD: AFTER POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ON WITH SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P06B8, P068A, P2610, IF KEY NOT LEFT FOR 30 SECONDS IN OFF POSITION FOLLOWING PROGRAMMING ON SOME MODEL 2009-15 ...
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 2 bulletins · 68 complaints
MULTIPLE 2014-2016 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6F35 TRANSMISSION AND BUILT ON 1-JAN-2014 AND THROUGH 31-DEC-2015 MAY EXHIBIT HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT AND HARSH/DELAYED 3RD AND 5TH GEAR UP/DOWN SHIFTS WITH NO DTCS PRESENT.
Some 2015-2016 Escape and 2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with a 2.0L GTDI engine may exhibit a rolling reverse to drive engagement shudder on acceleration.
Infotainment screen freezes or goes black 2 bulletins · 48 complaints
Touchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen.
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 1 bulletin · 39 complaints
Some 2013-2015 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or a transmission malfunction service now warning with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0741 and/or P1744 stored in the ...
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 3 bulletins · 30 complaints
Some 2013-2019 Escape and 2015-2019 MKC vehicles may exhibit a vibration attributed to the tires. Prior to performing any road force balancing procedures or related diagnosis, make sure the vehicle tire pressure is correct and is driven a minimum of 24 Km (15 ...
LINCOLN/FORD: SOME VEHICLES WILL EXPERIENCE TIRE VIBRATION AND POSSIBLE FLAT SPOTTING. VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AND DRIVEN, BY WORKSHOP TECH, APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES FOR DIAGNOSIS OF VIBRATIONS AND FLAT SPOTTING. MODEL 2013-16 ESCAPE, 2015-16 MKC. *PE
1 more on this problem
FORD/LINCOLN: VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING VIBRATIONS WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE IS BEING ATTRIBUTED TO TIRES AND PROCEDURE IS DRIVE APPROXIMATE 15 MILES TO ELIMINATE ANY FLAT CONDITION AND MISDIAGNOSIS. MODEL 2013-15 ESCAPE, 2015 MKC. *PE
Complaints filed by year
184 complaints came in 2026. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Door latch failures. Closed feb 7, 2022, led to recall 20V-177.
NHTSA summary
Door latch failure. Closed oct 29, 2016, led to recall 16V-643.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2015 Ford Escape
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
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. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.
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. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available in the fourth quarter of 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S17.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured May 19, 2014, to February 6, 2015, and Transit Connect vehicles manufactured May 11, 2014, to July 2, 2015. 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. Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C03.
All 9 recalls on the 2015 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Ford Escape?
Infotainment, with 226 of the 1,105 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 90,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Ford Escape problems start?
Of the 667 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 50,000 miles and half by about 77,000.
How many 2015 Ford Escape complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
53 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for infotainment on the 2015 Ford Escape?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls on the same system: 15V-406, 15V-436 and 26V-011. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.