2015 Ford Escape Complaints
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
1110
Total
30
Crashes
20
Fires
35
Injuries
0
Deaths
Most Reported Components
Owner Complaint Reports
Showing 25 of 1,110 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.
AIR BAGS — Filed 09/19/2026
I was driving on US highway 221B I got a cramp pain in my left leg and I grabbed it and looked down. When I looked up I hit the guard rail on the right side of the road and then it bounced me to the left side and hit it . No air bags deployed !
ENGINE — Filed 09/11/2026
The contact owned a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, her husband became aware that there was fire coming from under the hood. The fire was three feet high. The contact's husband attempted to extinguish the fire. The Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. The fire inspector informed the contact that the source of the fire was inconclusive. The contact stated that the fire caused damage to the garage. The contact and husband sustained smoke inhalation. The contact stated that the fire had occurred immediately after the vehicle was parked and the contact's husband had exited the vehicle and entered the residence. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. A Police report was filed. In addition, after researching, the VIN had an unrepaired recall repair, NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased in 2015, the check engine warning light was illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 06/15/2026
Breaks suddenly failed with no warning.
BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 05/21/2026
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing, the rear view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was reversing out of the residential driveway. The contact's vehicle crashed into the contact's nephew's vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The nephew's vehicle was damaged to the driver's rear door and driver's rear quarter panel. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) however the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
AIR BAGS — Filed 04/13/2026
On 4-13-26 an unknown subject hit my wife head on causing significant damage to our vehicle. None of the airbags deployed causing injury to my wife’s forehead, right foot and left knee
ENGINE — Filed 01/01/2025
My 2015 Ford Escape is diagnosed with a coolant intrusion due to flawed design issues by Ford. Coolant is slowly leaking into valve 2 and causing white smoke upon startup. The engine block is cracked due to faulty coolant system by per the designed of Ford. Only remedy is a new engine which is quoted at $8000. As this problem is entirely caused by Ford, it is unfair to expect the consumers to pay such a price.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/19/2026
THE FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND THEN APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.
BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 06/06/2025
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact was in reverse (R) and backing into her driveway at approximately 4 MPH when the rear view camera failed. The contact stated that she crashed into her mailbox. The contact stated that there were dents and scratches on the rear bumper on the driver's side under the left tail light assembly. The contact stated that before the crash, she had had intermittent loss of the rear view image, but now there was no image at all, and the screen was black. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to call the Safety Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/20/2025
Older man pulled out in front of me, I t-boned his truck going 47 mph. His insurance totaled it. The airbags never deployed.
POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS — Filed 08/05/2024
The contact owned a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle died without warning. Due to the failure, the contact was left stranded in the middle of the highway. While the contact was on the phone with 911, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle from behind. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact sustained mental trauma due to the accident, but no physical injuries. The police arrived at the scene and a police report was filed. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. No medical attention was rendered at the scene. No property damage was reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/01/2024
My Ford Escape ecoboost engine had a coolant leak. It gave no warning and suddenly stopped running in the middle of the road while I was driving. I opened the engine and there was a small piece of metal that looked like it was about to catch fire. I have visited the ford dealership multi times asking for them to repair car and fix any known issues and they ignored this well known problem with the 1.6 engines and racked up unrelated charges on unnecessary fixes (I believe) to get the most money out of me before catastrophic engine failure. If I had driven 100 yards or more I'm sure my engine would have completely caught fire.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 04/25/2024
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON APRIL 25, 2024. THE ENGINE IGNITED AND CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE I HAD NO PROBLEMS OR COLLISIONS NO CONCERNS NO MAJOR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE ON APRIL 25, 2024
AIR BAGS — Filed 10/24/2023
The contact owned a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the front of the vehicle collided with two trees. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back, chest, and abdomen injuries and received medical attention. The vehcile was towed to a lot where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 09/23/2023
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. During this, the brakes were unresponsive, and there was building and vehicle damage. Luckily, the post to the building prevented us from driving through the entire building. I have read several reports of the Ford escape experiencing this exact problem. We are lucky we were not killed. Ford has had no recalls for this very deadly issue.
STEERING — Filed 09/13/2023
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. I've hit guardrails and many curbs, luckily no oncoming traffic. This should be a serious recall if I've ever seen one. One of the most dangerous malfunctions I've ever experienced and I'm a technician.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/15/2023
While putting the vehicle in park, the vehicle continued to roll and accelerate in an unintended direction, forward. This caused the vehicle to crash into and through a house, causing around $15,000 worth of damage. The vehicle remained difficult to control for the driver.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/11/2023
While driving my vehicle went into limp mode and then caught on fire.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/24/2017
My car caught on fire While it was parked. I contacted ford ford had no knowledge of fires in the car. Come to find out. It's all over the internet that there are fires in the ecoboost fuel system. They are refusing to fix the car. I am disabled and I feel like they are taking advantage of me because of that. I had an extended warranty even at the same time which obviously meant nothing. This is a great injustice and I really really really really really need help. I have tried everywhere. Please help me.
ENGINE — Filed 11/10/2022
While driving the vehicle, I received a notice on the dash screen stating that the engine was overheated and to pull over as soon as possible. I followed the instructions (within 30 seconds) and shut the engine off but before I could exit the vehicle, there was a large amount smoke/steam coming from the engine area and it had also gotten into the inside of the vehicle. I began coughing and had a hard time catching my breath. I exited the vehicle. Once I was able, I raised the hood and found that the coolant reservoir was empty. I went up to the local parts store and purchased some coolant and once the engine had cooled off, I added it to the coolant tank. The temperature gauge returned to normal and I was able to drive it to my mechanic's shop. Upon inspection, it was found that the engine head was cracked and warped as well as the engine block. I will need to replace thye engine.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/30/2022
The contact's wife owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was on and parked, the vehicle rolled forward about 3MPH and crashed into the house. The air bags did not deploy and no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not destroyed and the house was slightly damaged. The police was not called. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle will be towed to a dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,082.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 05/10/2022
I had drove my car to chick fil a. I was inside for less than 5 minutes waiting on my order. When I came back outside my car was on fire. I’ve read articles about many other people having problems with their Ford Escaped catching fire. https://www.fordescape.org/threads/2014-ford-escape-engine-fire.88258/ If I had stayed in my car for a few more minutes I could’ve been inside and I could be dead right now. There seems to be a issue with the 2013 and 2014 model years combusting suddenly but, I think they need to include the 2015 model.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/19/2021
I have been in two accidents since my purchase of the vehicle. I haven’t even had a year. When it’s an emergency and breaks need to be applied suddenly the breaks are locking up and will not go down. It eventually does once I start pumping them. But I was recently in two accident BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR HAS BECOME MY NIGHTMARE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/01/2020
CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHEN I WAS NOT IN IT PERIOD FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THERE WAS A CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK IN THE FRONT CABIN IN MANY OF THESE CARS THAT COULD SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/26/2020
CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF AFTER A 10 MINUTE TRIP. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE.
AIR BAGS — Filed 07/01/2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A CRASH. THE CONTACT REMEMBERED THAT THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN A DITCH. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER FRONT AND THE WHOLE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD CONCUSSION, NECK, BACK AND MOUTH INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FINALIZE BUT WILL BE SOON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHAWNEE MISSION FORD (11501 SHAWNEE MISSION PKWY, SHAWNEE, KS 66203) WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT HOW THE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOYED DEPENDING ON HOW THE VEHICLE WAS CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE AIR BAGS AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *DT*DT*JB*DT*DT*AS *TR
About This Data
Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.
View on NHTSA.gov