NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 1,106 owner complaints for the 2015 Ford Escape.
Recalled components: electrical system, latches, locks and linkages, powertrain, backover prevention and rearview camera, and 2 more. Most-described problems: overheating or coolant loss and backup camera problems (118 complaints, 11% each). Most-reported area: powertrain (286 complaints, 26%; median mileage when it happened: 94,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical Escape year
The 2015 drew 104 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 178 for a typical Escape year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2011 and 2013; best years: 2018, 2019, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Year to avoidBest year
9 safety recalls for the 2015 Ford Escape
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: 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.
Fails federal standard 114 (theft and rollaway protection) · 374,781 vehicles.
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.
Risk: If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of may not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: 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.
Fails federal standard 101 (controls and displays) · 184,519 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
2,147,323 vehicles.
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.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
Fix: 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.
2,046,297 vehicles.
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.
NHTSA listing: ESCAPE. Ford campaign 16S30.
Powertrain 2 recalls
automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Fix: 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.
2,925,968 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018C-Max,2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ESCAPE. Components: Powertrain: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl); Powertrain: shift linkage/cable/rod. Ford campaign 22S43.
automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Fix: 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.
96,015 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines.
NHTSA listing: ESCAPE. Components: Powertrain: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl); Powertrain: shift linkage/cable/rod. Ford campaign 22S25.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Fix: 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.
1,448,655 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Fix: 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.
116,672 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.
Risk: The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
Fix: 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.
94,605 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350,2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles.
NHTSA listing: ESCAPE. Components: Seat belts; Seats. Ford campaign 17S17.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations that name the 2015 Ford Escape; both are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Door latch failures
Recall query RQ19005Closed Feb 7, 2022 (opened Dec 19, 2019)
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 20V-331, listed above.
NHTSA listing: ESCAPE. Components: Latches, locks and linkages; Body structure.
Door latch failure
Preliminary evaluation PE16001Closed Oct 29, 2016 (opened Jan 16, 2016)
In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 16V-643, listed above.
NHTSA listing: ESCAPE. Component: Latches, locks and linkages (doors, latch).
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 1,106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Escape. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Overheating or coolant loss118 · 11%
Median 95,500 miles at failure, from 55 reports with mileage
Backup camera problems118 · 11%
Median 89,900 miles at failure, from 48 reports with mileage
Transmission failure or replacement112 · 10%
Median 97,000 miles at failure, from 61 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off96 · 9%
Median 73,000 miles at failure, from 67 reports with mileage
Check engine light86 · 8%
Median 98,000 miles at failure, from 60 reports with mileage
Engine failure or replacement69 · 6%
Median 94,800 miles at failure, from 36 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode58 · 5%
Median 92,000 miles at failure, from 41 reports with mileage
Hesitation or slow acceleration57 · 5%
Median 87,300 miles at failure, from 39 reports with mileage
Most named: automatic transmission (11) · Median 94,000 miles at failure, from 171 reports with mileage
Engine239 · 22%
Median 74,000 miles at failure, from 122 reports with mileage
Backover prevention and rearview camera152 · 14%
Most named: sensing system, camera (9); rearview system braking (7) · Median 91,000 miles at failure, from 96 reports with mileage
Electrical system135 · 12%
Most named: instrument cluster/panel (8) · Median 61,000 miles at failure, from 86 reports with mileage
Steering81 · 7%
Median 46,100 miles at failure, from 52 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system50 · 5%
Median 51,000 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Engine and cooling44 · 4%
Most named: engine, gasoline, turbo/supercharger (3) · Median 114,000 miles at failure, from 40 reports with mileage
Unknown or other142 · 13%
Median 48,600 miles at failure, from 35 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ford Escape recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2015 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2011 Escape drew the most (451) and the 2015 drew 104.
Owner complaints
2015: 1,106 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford Escape
Model year
Complaints
2010
2,129
2011
1,353
2012
617
2013
2,755
2014
2,086
2015
1,106
2016
1,131
2017
2,689
2018
1,804
2019
588
2020
1,891
2021
492
2022
378
2023
133
2024
87
2025
29
2026
4
Safety recalls
2015: 9 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford Escape
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
2
2012
1
2013
18
2014
16
2015
9
2016
4
2017
4
2018
4
2019
3
2020
25
2021
21
2022
21
2023
13
2024
10
2025
10
2026
3
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 1,106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Ford Escape, the problems described most are overheating or coolant loss (118), backup camera problems (118), and transmission failure or replacement (112). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2015 Ford Escape safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2015 Ford Escape earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2015 Ford Escape?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2015 Ford Escape. It lists 2 closed ones; the most recent closed on Feb 7, 2022.
How do I check if my Escape has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: ESCAPE.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.