2015 Ford Escape
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 996 |
| 2002 | 1027 |
| 2003 | 558 |
| 2004 | 499 |
| 2005 | 1394 |
| 2006 | 464 |
| 2007 | 254 |
| 2008 | 1973 |
| 2009 | 1692 |
| 2010 | 2068 |
| 2011 | 1316 |
| 2012 | 598 |
| 2013 | 2744 |
| 2014 | 2077 |
| 2015 | 1073 |
| 2016 | 1092 |
| 2017 | 2664 |
| 2018 | 1774 |
| 2019 | 578 |
| 2020 | 1586 |
| 2021 | 335 |
| 2022 | 228 |
| 2023 | 95 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
27% of complaints: power train — 286 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and bearings/bushings.
CRASH INJURY22% of complaints: engine — 238 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
While my family and I were returning from lunch and pulling into a parking space at my moms apartment complex, my 2015 Ford escape SE eco-boost, had a sudden unintentional acceleration where it basically accelerated forward and we hit a building.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230925
Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER
13% of complaints: electrical system — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and speedometer/odometer.
CRASH FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: back over prevention — 126 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing camera and rearview system braking.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the back-over-prevent camera turned on and off independently. The rear-view camera eventually became inoperable. The message to contact the service company was displayed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260723
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rear-view camera was inoperative and depicted objects farther away than normal. No warning lights were illuminated.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260722
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the camera image was blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention).
NHTSA ODI report, 20260721
7% of complaints: steering — 80 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Electric power steering intermittently loses communication with module. It's very dangerous. Just driving straight down the road or making a turn it cuts out and it's like a ghost grabs the wheels and jerks you off the road or into oncoming traffic.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230913
SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A CURB. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO LOWER CONTROL ARM AND OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION. I DROVE CAR HOME 4 MILES, ALTHOUGH I SHOULDN'T HAVE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180116
The vehicle currently has 119,000 miles. While driving, I received a service steering assist fault on my dashboard and immediately lost all power steering. There was no previous signs of any sort of power steering failure whatsoever.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260709
SAFETY TIMELINE
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,...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V436000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V406000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failure
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V643000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V472000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failures
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V331000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V254000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V413000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 25V695000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Campaign 26V011000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2015 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (286 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (238 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (137 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V011000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V436000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V406000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V472000 (seat belts, seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V254000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V413000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V695000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2015 Ford Escape reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Ford Escape is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford Escape?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Escape have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.