NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 1,135 owner complaints for the 2015 Ford Escape. Most complaints involve power train (286) and engine (239). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Escape model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,027 |
| 2002 | 1,070 |
| 2003 | 598 |
| 2004 | 499 |
| 2005 | 1,584 |
| 2006 | 720 |
| 2007 | 393 |
| 2008 | 2,417 |
| 2009 | 1,693 |
| 2010 | 2,129 |
| 2011 | 1,318 |
| 2012 | 604 |
| 2013 | 2,757 |
| 2014 | 2,089 |
| 2015 | 1,135 |
| 2016 | 1,178 |
| 2017 | 2,701 |
| 2018 | 1,823 |
| 2019 | 599 |
| 2020 | 1,548 |
| 2021 | 353 |
| 2022 | 238 |
| 2023 | 102 |
| 2024 | 77 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 3 |
“I replaced my transmission around 156000 miles the repair shop replaced my transmission with a brand new transmission from a ford dealer. Less than 6000 miles on my new transmission it needed to be replaced again. My transmission is having issues again with less then 20000 miles on the second transmission.”
“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 contact’s daughter owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the remedy to be available. While the owner was reversing, the back over prevention camera displayed a blue screen with the message “Rear-view Camera Unavailable”. During the failure the vehicle crashed into a vehicle behind. The other vehicle was damaged.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 345 |
| Escape AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,550 | 360 |
| Escape FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 25 | $2,550 | 360 |
| Escape FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 365 |
| Escape AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 382 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
9 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1,135 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (286), engine (239), back over prevention (171). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2015 Ford Escape at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Ford Escape 4 out of 5 stars overall.