2015 Ford Escape Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2015 Ford Escape. Part of Generation 3 — 2013–2019.

20142016
Complaints
1,230
per 10K Sold
40.1
US Sales
306,492
Crashes
37
Fires
32
Injuries
44
Fatalities
Recalls
9

Worst 2015 Ford Escape Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1262 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:91,973 mi
Crash-related:3
#2230 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:77,734 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:8
#3112 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:63,558 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:10
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2015 Ford Escape.

Transmission / Drivetrain
262
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
91,973
Engine Problems
230
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
8
Avg Miles
77,734
Electrical Faults
112
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
10
Avg Miles
63,558
Steering Defects
77
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Avg Miles
52,467
Backup Camera
51
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
95,626
Fuel System
48
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
47,758
Engine & Cooling
37
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
113,393
Body Structure
31
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
47,548
Brakes
23
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
52,262
Latches / Locks
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
77,588
Wheel Issues
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,533
Airbags
15
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
Avg Miles
57,999
Seat Belt Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
62,200
Wipers & Visibility
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
44,493
Headlight/Taillight Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
34,563
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
367,959
Suspension Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,300
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
70,431
Electronic Stability Control
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
52,940
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
35,727
Instrument Cluster
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,266
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
113,808
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
31,850
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,683
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
6,306
Sunroof/Moonroof
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
58,938
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2015 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2015 Ford Escape

9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~9,434,835 vehicles.

26V011000Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
~116,672 affected

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.

25V695000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~1,448,655 affected

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.

22V413000Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~2,925,968 affected

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.

22V254000Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~96,015 affected

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.

20V331000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,147,323 affected

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.

17V472000Seats · Seat Belts
~94,605 affected

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.

16V643000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~2,046,297 affected

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.

15V436000Electrical System:ignition
~374,781 affected

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."

15V406000Instrument Cluster
~184,519 affected

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."

Other Ford Escape Years

2015 Ford Escape — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2015 Ford Escape reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2015 Ford Escape has 1,230 NHTSA complaints, 37 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 262 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2015 Ford Escape?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (262 complaints, avg 91,973 mi); Engine Problems (230 complaints, avg 77,734 mi); Electrical Faults (112 complaints, avg 63,558 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2015 Ford Escape?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 76,790 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2015 Ford Escape?
NHTSA complaints for the 2015 Ford Escape include 37 crash-related reports, 32 fire reports, 44 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2015 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 9,434,835 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2015 Ford Escape?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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