VehicleVerdict

2014 Ford Escape electrical system problems

The 2014 Ford Escape has 225 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

225

Electrical System complaints

8%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

26V011000Electrical SystemJanuary 15, 2026 · 116,672 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

15V406000Electrical SystemJune 24, 2015 · 184,519 units

Defect

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. Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights. Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Consequence

If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of may not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.

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.

14V495000Electrical SystemAugust 11, 2014 · 133,227 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Consequence

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, THE BACK UP SENSOR FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY BY THE CONTACT. THE VIN AND FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 8, 2016 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2014 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA has 225 complaints about the 2014 Ford Escape electrical system — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2014 Ford Escape electrical system?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 14V495000, 15V406000, 26V011000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.