VehicleVerdict

2014 Ford Escape engine problems

The 2014 Ford Escape has 903 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 34% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

903

Engine complaints

34%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Escape engine complaints by model year2,012 complaints2001: 325 complaints2002: 333 complaints2003: 73 complaints2004: 49 complaints2005: 221 complaints2006: 68 complaints2007: 31 complaints2008: 121 complaints2009: 292 complaints2010: 528 complaints2011: 265 complaints2012: 78 complaints2013: 1,435 complaints2014: 903 complaints2015: 277 complaints2016: 247 complaints2017: 2,012 complaints2018: 1,419 complaints2019: 376 complaints2020: 117 complaints2021: 41 complaints2022: 34 complaints2023: 31 complaints2024: 14 complaints2025: 8 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Escape engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

17V209000EngineMarch 27, 2017 · 208,584 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.

Consequence

If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

What owners report

“A CAR TOOK THE RED LIGHT AS WE HAD THE GREEN LIGHT SHE RAN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THEN FISH TALED AND HER REAR CAR SMASHED INTO MY FRONT... NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL BUT THE OTHER 2 CAR DID AND MY FRONT END DAMAGES ARE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ACCIDENT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 28, 2021 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2014 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA has 903 complaints about the 2014 Ford Escape engine — 34% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2014 Ford Escape engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 17V209000.

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.