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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:
4 / 22
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 2
Average Mileage:
40,420 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2014 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 7 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #102

Dec 022019

Escape

  • 68,038 miles

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

The speedometer indicates I am going faster than I am and the mileage shows that I have traveled further than I have. I have checked this against my garmin and highway departments radar signs that tell how fast you are driving. This makes my warranty run out sooner than it should. I have taken it into the dealer and they say there is no problem. This happens when the car is in motion on both city streets and on the highway. My second car confirms what the garmin shows for speed and miles driven. This is an ongoing problem. It is off by about 7 %. the odometer shows about 68,000 miles. The actual, as I see it, is about 63,000 miles. That is 5,000 miles more than the car actually has on it and the 100,000 mile warranty will run out at 93,000 miles. The car shows 65 mph and the garmin and roadside radar indicate my speed at 60 mph.

- Napa, CA, USA

problem #101

Nov 082019

Escape

  • 104 miles
2 months ago, my car died in as I was exiting the interstate. Transmission issues - repaired after 2 months. Drove it out of town and second day being out of town engine light on. Brought it back to mechanic and transmission mechanic said there was no trans code present, but following codes present P1116 and P0234. Unable to drive car again until light engine light is off and this repair is out of pocket again.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #100

Nov 012019

Escape

  • 119,000 miles
We were merging into a very busy intersection and the car wouldn't move suddenly. The engine would rev, but would not move. We put the car in park, shut off the engine, started again and it would lurch forward and go for a couple hundred feet and then die again. We had cars swerving around us at high rates of speed. My wife was crying and terrified. It turns out to be the transmission. I looked online this morning and saw endless complaints about the 2014 Escape but no recall.

- Souderton, PA, USA

problem #99

Sep 102019

Escape

  • 34,897 miles

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

After starting ignition and car idols/driven heavy gas/emissions smell fills cabin when using heat/A/C or defrost systems. Engine light sometimes goes on. Car has 35,100 mi. Took car to queens NY Ford service center 4 hours later $400 later, changed cabin filter and sprayed fragrance on it. Told must use cabin recycle air function. Ford owners manual doesnt say must use and in no other car have had to must use this function. I have a case# cas24667125 and appt for 11/6/19. Ford built this car tech's should know how to fix this!

- Jamaica, NY, USA

problem #98

Oct 252019

Escape

  • 120,255 miles
Car was running fine when it just caught fire. No warning signs. Driver lucky to be alive

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #97

Oct 182019

Escape

  • 33,335 miles
When driving straight ahead on a smooth highway 215 outside salt lake city, the forward moveable sunroof panel blew out. It sounded like a loud explosion or gunshot in the car. We were not near an overpass, nor were any other cars in the vicinity - rock or debris did not cause this. Car is garaged and well maintained. 5 years old with 33,334 miles.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #96

Oct 152019

Escape

  • 98,500 miles

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

Broken flywheel on 2014 Ford Escape. Auto shop believes this should of been a recall since the new flywheel had a completely new look. So they believe it was changed due to others having this issue and did this to avoid a recall.

- Stoughton, WI, USA

problem #95

Aug 222019

Escape

  • 73,000 miles
I was told 6 months ago by the tire & lube place by the Ford dealership (they work with the Ford dealership) that it looked like my coolant tank was possibly cracked, but wasn't a big issue since it still held "enough" anti-freeze. However my engine light ended up coming on later and I found out that it was the coolant sensor that was bad. This is already a recall with the 2014 Escape, but I keep getting told that is "is not for my VIN number!" also, the fuel pump was bad, so I had to replace that at the exact same time. And again, that is already a recall and I am being told "it is not for my VIN number!"

- Smyrna, TN, USA

problem #94

Oct 092019

Escape

  • 68,023 miles
My 2014 Ford Escape with close to 69K miles on it started running rough, felt and sounded like it had to do with timing is the vehicle. Check engine light came on days later and around the same time noticed low coolant alerts. Topped off coolant but also noticed coolant would be returned to reservoir when removing the cap to refill. Car continues to run rough so I take it in to my local mechanic. Code comes back saying it's a coil package. Repairs are made, car runs great and check engine light is off. A day later the light comes back on and so does the low coolant warning. Top off coolant and decide to take it into a dealer. I do my research online and find this is is quite a common problem with these vehicles. Dealer tells me I have a coolant leak in cylinder 3 much like other reports I read. They claim it's a different issue from the coolant recall Ford issued. I have a hard time believing this is the case and am mindblown Ford doesn't have a remedy for this issue.

- Trabuco Canyon, CA, USA

problem #93

Sep 182019

Escape

  • 1 miles
I'll be driving, the it will stop and throw up the oil light, battery light and the airbag light. I took it to the Ford dealership on 122nd St in portland, they said they couldn't find anything wrong because it wasn't throwing any codes. Now I'm sitting on the side of the road and the error code says engine fault service now. I've had regular maintenance on the car so not sure why this is happening. Cars/SUVS shouldn't just stop working while you're driving them.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #92

Aug 202019

Escape

  • 90,000 miles

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

The vehicle started to slow down and became hot quickly. A warning was seen on the dash that vehicle was reducing power. Within a short time (less than a mile) a warning stated: "pull to safety and stop driving". the vehicle has been maintained according to schedule. When I googled similar situations I came upon a recall that listed exactly what took place. Https://media.Ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2017/03/29/Ford-issues-three-safety-recalls-and-one-safety-compliance-recal.html my vehicle was manufactured in louisville ky during that the time period listed (July 2014) and has the same engine noted in the article. I believe that my vehicle would have caught fire, it was that hot. After it was towed to a Ford dealer, we were told that the coolant hose and bottle cracked but that it was not covered under this recall. (my VIN was not included) it seems that my car is affected by the recall because of the symptoms of what happened. It was in perfect order before this.

- Quakertown, PA, USA

problem #91

Jun 072019

Escape

  • 68,000 miles
This vehicle should have been included in a 2017 safety recall related to overheating and coolant leaks, but it was not. In February 2019, it overheated with little warning on the freeway, blowing a hole in the motor (at 62K miles). Ford rejected request for assistance, so repair was done by independent mechanic (motor replaced). Three months later, during freeway drive, message appeared several times stating power was being cut to keep engine from overheating (no indication engine actually was overheating). Ultimately, message appeared warning to pull off the road immediately. Overheated engine completely melted a bracket. Mechanic identified a burnt-out sensor but could not say why it happened. I secured two dealership diagnostics. First conducted comprehensive diagnostic and concluded a waste gate was stuck open; no mention of damaged sensor. Second said the degas bottle was cracked and declined to perform pressure test; no mention of damaged sensor or waste gate issue. I cannot afford all these random repairs and in any case, do not feel this car can be put into a safe condition for driving.

- Davis, CA, USA

problem #90

Jul 302019

Escape

  • miles
Rear driver door latch will not latch causing the door to fly open when driving.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #89

Jul 012019

Escape

  • miles
The center instrument panel has stopped working on our 2014 Ford Escape.the vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "control and displays. I have contacted Ford, although they recalled some vehicles for this issue, my specific VIN was not included.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #88

Jul 182019

Escape

  • 77,000 miles
I purchased my 2014 Ford Escape ecoboost brand new, sole owner. I have been having issues with losing coolant for approx 2 years and taking it back and forth to the Ford dealer. The dealer ran multiple tests on multiple occasions and found nothing, even calling it "one of those Ford mysteries". today, 7/18/19 on the way to work, my SUV lost the ability to accelerate. I was stopped at a traffic light and when the light changed and I hit the gas, my SUV barely moved. After approx 10 secs, my SUV jerked and accelerated to an almost normal speed. That lasted only for a few seconds, when it started to barely move again. I was able to drive slowly to the side of the road, out of traffic. There I waited for a tow truck, who took the SUV to the Ford dealer. I have gotten all my maintenance and oil changes done at the Ford dealer since I purchased the car, so of course I'm shocked to hear that after only 77,000 miles, I have a transmission failure. I'm even more shocked to find endless complaints online about the same issues and Ford has done nothing. I owned my previous car for 13 years, with no major issues. It was still running when I purchased my Ford escspe. I can't afford to pay thousands of dollars to fix a major issue that shouldn't have failed within 5 years. This is sad and Ford should be ashamed that they are stealing, by putting out such a poor product to the working class people and refusing to take accountability.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #87

Jun 102019

Escape

  • 92,000 miles
Coolant issues similar to those included in the part 573 safety recall 17V-209, though my vehicle was manufactured a few weeks later and not included in that recall, as well as electrical issues that were similar to other recalls that didn't include my VIN. In June 2019, it started with the vehicle not turning on or shifting out of park intermittently.. work was performed and then a week later P0303 cylinder misfire.. again work was completed, the code came back, and now Ford is recommending replacing the engine but will not cover the costs due to being 5 years and in excess of 60K miles. Took for 2nd opinion and ran out of coolant and overheated less than 5 miles away from Ford dealership, even though they just replaced the coolant overflow tank and filled it.. continues need coolant every few miles. Seems crazy that a vehicle that stayed on top of routine maintenance and has not been involved in an accident or excessive conditions would need a new engine at less than 94K miles and is the consumer's responsibility to foot the bill. I've already spent almost $3K on this issue and Ford verbally told me just the engine would be around $7-8K without labor. They also had their sales department call me and offer to "take a couple hundred off a new vehicle" for my current one. Very disheartening to hear that when I've taken care of the vehicle as the sole owner, less a few recommended tire rotations.

- Groveland, MA, USA

problem #86

Jun 012019

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
Intermittently when you start your vehicle, the instrument cluster gauges and information display may be inoperative. In addition, all warning lamps and indicators, and audible warnings may also not function. Intermittent stalling, and increases of speed without user interference

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

problem #85

Jun 182019

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
The transmission went out the first few weeks I had the vehicle. Then the rearview camera went out now my radio has gone out the back windshield doesn't work. It has been one thing after another and I haven't had the vehicle a year. Some of the thing happened in motion and in park. Mostly in motion.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #84

Jun 252019

Escape

  • 75,500 miles
Takata recall-2014 Ford Escape transmission stopped working while driving on highway. No lights no notice instant failure. Get all regular oil changes and maintenance

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #83

Jun 192019

Escape

  • 84,000 miles
While driving through the city my car overheated to the point where the engine shut down it broke down. It all happened within 5-10 seconds.. I never had overheating issues with my car. I had it serviced with Ford for an oil change and they topped off my fluids a week prior this accident. Luckily my car broke down not too far away from the dealership so I was able to get to the dealership service quick. After 2 days later the dealership called me and told me they would need to install a coolant level sensor system kit and it would cost me $1300 plus tax. That happened on Friday and I needed a weekend to think about it. Over the weekend I found out that Ford Escape has a recall for this exact issue but my VIN number is not reflecting that. Upon more research about my vehicle I found out that it was assembled in the factory and on the date that the recall states it. The recall number for this issue is 17S09. My local Ford in North charleston, SC says that this car should have been recalled for this issue because my car was missing the sensor that would have alarmed me if my car was overheating days or weeks before.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

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