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.

2015 Ford Escape

● Typical for this model

2015 Ford Escape
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 1,083
Recalls: 9
Investigations: 2
Top problem: Power train

Complaints per year

2015: 1,083 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2000	5
2001	996
2002	1,027
2003	558
2004	499
2005	1,394
2006	464
2007	254
2008	1,974
2009	1,692
2010	2,070
2011	1,316
2012	602
2013	2,748
2014	2,086
2015	1,083
2016	1,116
2017	2,688
2018	1,806
2019	590
2020	1,600
2021	346
2022	233
2023	99
2024	76
2025	25
2026	3

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

27% · 287 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and bearings/bushings.

CRASHINJURY

Engine

22% · 238 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show 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, 2023-09-25

Electrical system

13% · 138 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Back over prevention

12% · 131 reports

Most commonly citing camera and rearview system braking.

CRASH

Show 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, 2026-07-23

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, 2026-07-22

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, 2026-07-21

Steering

7% · 81 reports

Most commonly citing column.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show 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, 2023-09-13

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, 2018-01-16

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, 2026-07-09

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2015-07-27Electrical system15V436000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2015-08-04Electrical system15V406000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2016-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2016-10-29 Door Latch Failure
R

2017-01-27Latches/locks/linkages16V643000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2017-10-25Seat belts, seats17V472000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2019-12-19Recall queryClosed 2022-02-07 Door Latch Failures
R

2020-07-27Latches/locks/linkages20V331000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-05-27Power train22V254000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-10-27Power train22V413000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2026-01-02Back over prevention25V695000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

Date not on fileEquipment26V011000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2015 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Power train: 287 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 238 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 138 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V011000 · Equipment
Recall 15V436000 · Electrical system
Recall 15V406000 · Electrical system
Recall 16V643000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Recall 17V472000 · Seat belts, seats
Recall 20V331000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Recall 22V254000 · Power train
Recall 22V413000 · Power train
Recall 25V695000 · Back over prevention

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2015 Ford Escape

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Power train

Engine

Electrical system

Back over prevention

Steering

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years