Problems · by component

2014 Ford Escape electrical system problems

216 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape cite electrical system, 10% of all 2,089 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
216
10% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
18
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While driving, a message was displayed [Hill Start Assist Not Available] and all mileage figures previously displayed disappered. Additional warning lights were displayed indicating Traction Control, and ABS failures. Electric Power steering assist also stopped. Subsequent testing indicated the EBCM had failed. The part is on National Backorder. While drivable, I'm afraid other issues will arise. This is my only vehicle and I'm within 20,000 miles of needing the timing belt and water pump replaced as well. I could not find a recall for the EBCM (a part not usually prone to failure) for the 2014 Ford Escape SE 1.6L 4-cyl Ecoboost. In 2017, I had the entire transmission replaced @ 70,000 miles, under warranty, but Ford did not honor the warranty terms: coverage for lodging and rental vehicle, so I lost $$$$ that shouldn't have happened.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11768433
“At first, I just bought it two weeks ago. It was smoke coming from the engine and there was no coolant. The coolant wasn’t holding in the car now I was driving last night. I had coolant in it and there was just flames coming out by where the Oil is”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11768215
“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 determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced and brake system repair was needed. The contact was informed that the part was no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,194.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11759721
“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 a private sale through Facebook Marketplace. The contact reported the issue to the local Police Department. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 96,105, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 138,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2026Electrical systemODI 11759525
“Rear camera intermittently does not work properly. Multiple incidents of the rear camera flickering off and on when in reverse, image is sometimes upside down, or the rear camera doesn't work at all.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11751930
“Reverse camera keeps cutting or flipping the image. There was a recall on Fords between 2020-2024 for this reason. I called my local Ford and they said my 2014 escape isn't covered. The issue has been ongoing for the past two years”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11746843

Showing 6 of 216 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Jun 24, 2015NHTSA 15V406000

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

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).

Electrical systemReported Aug 11, 2014NHTSA 14V495000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.