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CarComplaints.com Notes: The top problem trend for the 2014 Escape is transmission failure at around 70k miles.

This is relatively low mileage for an expensive transmission failure ($4,500 average to fix), but unless the trend becomes more established, we are only awarding the 2014 Escape our "Beware of the Clunker" badge for now.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,584 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Ford Escape electrical problems

electrical problem

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2014 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 5 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #82

Apr 172019

Escape

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The informational screen has gone black. It has been recalled in the 2015 and 2016 Ford Escapes, but not in the 2014 models. There is no mileage, no tire pressure, no gas gauge, no oil pressure. Needs to be recalled like the later years.

- Rolesville, NC, USA

problem #81

Apr 162019

Escape

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the air conditioner and heater blew out insulation inside the vehicle through the vents. Additionally, the push to start button failed to work and an abnormal noise was heard. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000.

- Farmersburg, IN, USA

problem #80

Apr 112018

Escape

  • miles
I got into the truck and crank it up as I was leaving work one afternoon and when I turned the radio on the display screen for the rear back up camera and radio went out.. its was flashing white and black and then black with a white line thru it after it kelly flashing turning red green orange with lime just running thru the screen.then about 10 minutes tops it was gone out.. it only takes me 12 minutes to get home from work and it didn't last that long so took it back to my dealership and they don't know what wrong with it. But I have no radio and no camera. I continued to drive around not knowing what was wrong with the truck and one night it make a spark as I was sitting with it running at a fast food drive thru. The smoke was coming from the front vents so it parked it and called the tow truck. Quick towed it back to the dealer who still couldn't figure out a problem they just disconnected the wiring completely so I'm worse off as far as it goes to figure out the problem. I don't see any fixes for these issues but I've seen lots of the same complaints please help

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #79

Jan 102019

Escape

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. On several occasions, while driving 10-45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. Cloninger Ford (located at 1241 us hwy 70 SE, hickory, nc 28602, (828) 615-8653) was called and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V495000 (electrical system). The failure recurred approximately 8-10 times. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Taylorsville, NC, USA

problem #78

Mar 072019

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
The vehicle was parked stationary while I went inside the office building to run an errand. When I came out, my daughter opened the passenger side door first as I was opening mine and she screamed and smoke and fire came bursting out of the car and all the windows blew out and knocked us both off our feet. The fire department said it was electrical as the engine was still intact.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #77

Nov 092018

Escape

  • 49,000 miles
Car occasionally died at stop lights, signs and once on the exit ramp while exiting a highway. Occasional to often rough running especially at low speed and odd shifts from the transmission. Surging in the engine while at highway speed and when slowing to stop. Engine fault message would come up in display and I took a picture, showed it to service manager with no success. Computer would not store codes when these problems occurred so on 4 separate trips to the dealership I was told there was nothing that could be done and to continue to drive it and bring it in if it happened again. Vehicle finally died and check engine light came on and stayed on. Had it towed to the dealership and a signal return for map wiring problem was diagnosed and repaired. After some reading I believe there have been service advisories and possibly a recall for certain VIN's. I told the dealership I did not feel safe driving the vehicle with the problems it was having but it made no difference.

- Tequesta, FL, USA

problem #76

Nov 012018

Escape

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The fan blower motor works intermittently. That is, it doesn't always work when activated. Moreover, it has now completely stopped working. This causes extreme safety issue when windows are fogged up inside vehicle, preventing driver from seeing. Happens when vehicle is driven and when stationary.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #75

Dec 282018

Escape

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the instrument cluster panel failed to work and went completely black. The dealer (richmond Ford Lincoln, 4600 w broad St, richmond, va 23230) stated that the contact would have to pay for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V406000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #74

Nov 012018

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster was inoperable and no information would display. The contact indicated that the instrument panel display initially began to flicker, but then went completely out. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer (autonation Ford miami, 16800 nw. 57th ave, miami, fl) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V406000 (electrical system), although the failure was similar to what was listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Miami Gardens, FL, USA

problem #73

Nov 222018

Escape

  • 105,450 miles
While having to replace the coolant at least twice a week and after having 2 recall repairs completed on the coolant system, then after 10000 miles after the recall repairs were completed, ie replace overflow bottle, sensors, etc. The car still is losing coolant and now the "engine has reached high temp please stop car safely". warning is showing on panel and the car will go into drive but will not move. The car had not been driven when this "warning" occurred in my driveway, there was no way engine could have overheated as it had not been driven. This would appear to be a defect in the recall repairs that were done or that there is another problem.. I have the car currently at the dealership and am told that it could take up to 3 weeks for repairs.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #72

Oct 202018

Escape

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Failure at 80,000 miles, however the engine was replaced with a new engine at 76,000 due to problems from the coolant recall; this time the vehicle would stall when coming to a stop or while driving. Computer screen would show "system shutting down"; vehicle would go into "limp" mode, reduce speed and car would shut off without notice. Vehicle was towed in after issue occuring 4X in a 2 mile drive. Vehicle was towed in. Advised by the dealership that they could not duplicate the problem. After 30 days they returned the car with 75 miles test driven and showed that the tech reset the computer module prior to duplicating the issue. The service manager had me "reset" the vehicle by driving it. While driving 55mph the issue reoccurred at 100 miles after the system reset. The vehicle would not restart and was towed into the dealership. After a week they were able to duplicate "some" but not all of the issues. After speaking with the general manager of the dealership they decided to purchase the vehicle back by paying off the existing loan in exchange for purchasing a 2018 Ford Escape.

- Fletcher, NC, USA

problem #71

Nov 152018

Escape

  • 45,000 miles
I purchased my 2014 Ford Escape in April 2017. I also purchased the Ford protect 75000 mile extended warranty. From time to time I would notice a hard shift or slip. I was getting close to my warranties end and brang the vechile in to the dealership from which it I had purchased it from. They said they updated the pcu (which after researching is Ford recommended fix). Couple weeks past and its still doing the same thing. Warranties over not my problem is what im told. Both from the dealership and Ford. I have a recall from Ford do to shifter cable bushings being faultly. Were your car could roll away due to being in the wrong gear. But the kicker is they have not yet provided a part and you can get it fixed and be reimbursed or always use your parking brake. Which im sure is great for hot rotors and breakpads. And this is not the only problem I have. My vechile now has quite a few issues. Which include stalling when backing up shifter stuck in park (finally when it does release slams into reverse) randomly draining battery because car is in power saving mode not starting because if hill assist mode? backup cam intermittently not working touchscreen displaynot working or black. All these problems seem to be common among 2014 Escape owners when reading online forums for both owners and mechanics. Yet Ford states that even with the recalled issue. No consumer complaints or injuries have been filed. I will be document every occurrence from this day forward.

- Howard City, MI, USA

problem #70

Nov 152018

Escape

  • 89,000 miles
This is now the 4th time my car has stalled on the road without warning. They've all revolved around some type of electrical failure that either caused the vehicle not to start, overheat or lose power all together and come to a complete stop. Three times this happened while on the highway and once on surface streets. In this most recent one. Some of the repairs were covered under a recall but there's something about this model that is just wrong. I had a Ford Explorer for over 10 years and 200,000 miles and it never broke down on me the way this one has. I do not feel safe with this car.

- Diamond Bar,, CA, USA

problem #69

Nov 052018

Escape

  • 53,000 miles
While on highway. RPM scdropped to 0. all lights on dash lit up. Smell burning. Car stopped working rolled to side of highway exit ramp. Towed to kuhlmanns's automotive on meridenrd wolcott ct 06716

- Wolcott, CT, USA

problem #68

Oct 012018

Escape

  • miles
Back seats buckles with not fasten. Wiring system trips multiple sensors sometimes shutting off the engine completely in the middle of traffic

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #67

Oct 062018

Escape

  • 96,000 miles
I was parked in a large parking lot of a grocery store. When leaving my vehicle was being put into drive, transmission went into reverse and shifter was in park. The key was able to be removed but unable to keep car secure w/O leaving parking brake on. There was no way to crank the car since it was not in park. Car was completely non working. My vehicle had to be left in the parking lot and towed to a dealership for repairs. In sitting in the parking lot, with a non-functioning car waiting for a tow truck, I searched online and found the exact description of what was going on under recall 18S20. Informed the dealership of this when the car was delivered to them. That was the only part that was fixed, since it was the only faulty part. Ford refused to pay for the repairs since, apparently, my car was manufactured at a different plant. Same make, model, etc. Same part, others are paid for, just not mine. Ford was not willing to compensate because the VIN was not in the system for this recall at the time of my repairs. This was a safety issue and lot of wasted time, services and money. If I had known and been informed of this I could have had it fixed prior to a breakdown and would not have had to have my children with me, in a hot car, in a busy parking lot very upset. Unnecessary stress for sure.

- Jefferson, GA, USA

problem #66

Jul 072018

Escape

  • miles
I have had to replace my battery twice in this car already, it continuously shows corrosion on the battery terminals. I have been told that it appears that there is something that is constantly pulling energy but there is nothing left on and no added extras at anytime.

- Thomasville, GA, USA

problem #65

Sep 092018

Escape

  • 9,800 miles
The nut connecting the battery cable to the solenoid was cross threaded at the factory causing the vehicle not to start.I feel this is a safety issue and Ford does not agree.

- Villas, NJ, USA

problem #64

Aug 132018

Escape

  • 64,400 miles
On 13 August 2018 my fiance was driving to our new home we're buying when smoke started coming out of the engine compartment. I told her to pull over and grab her purse and get away from the vehicle. By now flames were coming from the engine compartment. Luckily she had cracked open the door before stopping because before she stopped all the doors automatically locked and could not be opened. I had arrived at the scene and the cars front end had virtually melted within 5 minutes. If my fiance had not cracked opened the door she most assuredly would have burned to death. If I had been driving I would definitely have had a difficult time escaping as I am a disabled veteran with several mobility problems. Our car was less than 4 years old with only 64000 miles on it. We never expected we might possibly be injured or die from a newer vehicle. I really hope that Ford Motor Company wasn't aware of this issue as we never received any notice of any problems whatsoever with this vehicle.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #63

Sep 012018

Escape

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the instrument panel failed to illuminate and the digital odometer failed to function. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recalls were associated with the VIN. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Arlington, VA, USA

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