The Lemon Index2014 Ford Escape.
The 2014 Ford Escape is about average by owner complaints: 358 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 107, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 24 to 26 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2019 Ford Escape, 19.1M views. The 2014 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical1.6M views
2013-2016 Ford Escape Battery Replacement FAST!NNKH 2 · 394K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter1.5M views
2013-2019 Ford Explorer Escape Fusion 6F35 Six Speed Transmission Fluid Change ProcedureFordTechMakuloco · 631K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door1.2M views
2013-2014 Ford Escape Poor A/C Performance Quick FixFordTechMakuloco · 433K views · 6 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring900K views
How To: Change the Headlights in a 2013 to 2019 Ford EscapeO'Reilly Auto Parts · 347K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system624K views
2013-2016 Ford Escape 1.6L Ecoboost P26B7 Coolant Bypass Valve "C" ReplacementFordTechMakuloco · 318K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS537K views
2013-2019 Ford Escape Full Brake Job. (Front & Rear)Repair Geek · 313K views · 3 videos - Steering & suspension407K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearings & Hubs 2013-2019 Ford EscapeTRQ · 140K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors259K views
How To Find The Keypad Door Code On 2013 - 2019 Ford Escape - Driver's Door Key Pad Code LocationPYR Automotive · 130K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford Escape SUV 2013-2019 3rd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 397K views
Ford Escape 2013-2019 Problems, Engines and ReliabilityMaxTheCarGuy · 191K views
TOP 5 Problems with the FORD ESCAPE ( 3rd Generation 2013-2019)Alex The Car Doctor · 79K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 2,089 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Escape year. 2014 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 48K to 102K miles on the car (1,377 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 50K–98K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 67K–113K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 36K–97K miles
Recalls 16
- equipment 2026
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
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.
Show all 16 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission.
- seat belts 2017
Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
- engine 2017
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.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
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.
- electrical 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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2015
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 …
- airbags 2014
The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
- fuel system, gasoline 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.
- electrical 2014
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).
- visibility 2014
The panorama roof glass may not be properly bonded to the attaching bracket.
- body structure 2014
Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may possibly open while driving.
- airbags 2014
In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.
- seats 2014
The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 146 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some vehicles can have a poor ground that causes low voltage in body control module (bcm) that…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape SUV 4x2 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Escape SUV 4x4 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Screen on dash, in front of steering wheel, is just a blank light. I can no longer see my mileage, directional, Compass, etc
2014 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 11035323
More owner reports
When can I expect this recall #17s09 to be settled by Ford?
NHTSA complaint 11057427
Car stalls. Power to engine stops. Engine fault light comes on. Have to pull over turn engine off and restart. This has happened on hiway at speed of 75 and on road sitting at light.
NHTSA complaint 10810961
Quick answers
Is the 2014 Ford Escape reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 107; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (32%), electrical (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Ford Escape have?
16 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Ford Escape get?
24 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Ford Escape safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,000 and 102,000 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 1,377 complaints.
Does the 2014 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2014 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Ford Escape have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works