Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 2,080 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape, and it carries 16 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 456 | 22% |
| Power train | 352 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 147 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 147 | 7% |
| Steering | 124 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 77 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 57 | 3% |
| Structure | 51 | 2% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 49 | 2% |
| Power train | 47 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My coolant mixing with the oil cause a severe overage. This is what I understood my recall to be about but the FORD dealership refused to fix it on June 1st. Now I’m subject to a very expensive car repair.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I have been sending email for 2 years. I did not know I could use this form. The back up camera that helps me back up does not operate. Sometimes it show upside down or is not available at all. This is a safety issue fo
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
When I was about to park, the transmission failed. I couldn’t reverse, and it got stuck in Neutral. I wasn’t able to shift it into Park. When the mechanic came, he said the shifter cable bushing was faulty, which was exa
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost ABS functionality, and the instrument panel was blank. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and dete
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to register the vehicle, he discovered a mileage discrepancy on the title of the vehicle. The vehicle was
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
When im driving sometimes it stalls. I give it gas and car wount go. It only idles.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
1. My backup camera is malfunctioning. 2. I use it for visual safety when I put my car in reverse. 3. The back up camera either does not work or it shows the image upside down. It has not been confirmed by a dealership b
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine service, and the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the back-over prevention camera had failed. The mechanic st
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2014 Ford Escape. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the tran
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through April 10, 2014. Due to an assembly misalignment between the exterior door handle and the door outer panel, the affected vehicles have doors that may be difficult to close or may
Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly may result in an unrestrained occupant falling from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the door handles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer servi
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
Risk: The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in
Fix: 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. Owners will receive a second
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. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: 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-
| Reliability | 35 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 54 | average |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 2,080 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 456 of them (22%). There are 16 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 35/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 54/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.