2014 Ford Escape electrical system problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

114 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2014 Ford Escape, 10% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 97,272 mi.

Electrical System complaints
114
Crashes
2
Fires
9
Injuries
3
Related recalls
2
Median mileage
97,272 mi

Specific components reported

Electrical System covers: Battery, wiring, infotainment, instrument cluster, communication and software.

ComponentComplaints
Electrical system103
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel8
Electrical system:instrument panel:speedometer/odometer4
Electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge1
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery1

Electrical System complaints across Ford Escape years

72005562007213220092526201171092013114872015721032017482920191583420211941202327620252
Electrical System complaints by model year. The 2014 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k630k–60k1760k–100k18100k–150k4150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 15V406000Jun 24, 2015184,519 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 14V495000Aug 11, 2014133,227 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

    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).

    Risk: 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 say

  1. Filed Oct 2, 2026TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11768433 · source
  2. Filed Oct 1, 2026SCFireElectrical SystemEngine
    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
    NHTSA complaint #11768215 · source
  3. Filed Aug 26, 2026100,194 miFLElectrical System
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11759721 · source
  4. Filed Aug 25, 2026138,000 miILElectrical 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 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.
    NHTSA complaint #11759525 · source
  5. Filed Jul 21, 2026MIElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11751930 · source
  6. Filed Jun 26, 2026NJElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    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
    NHTSA complaint #11746843 · source
  7. Filed Jun 16, 2026NJElectrical SystemOther / UnknownSteering
    My 2014 Ford vehicle the steering wheel began to malfunction, then became worse. I took it to Pep Boys Mechanic, they showed me the recall for this issue. I will include the recall attached. The mechanic told me to call Ford they should fix this problem. I called Ford who said since our vin no was not indicated on the recall, but same year make and model are, cannot repair due to vin no not on recall. Then the Ford Dealer Mechanic recommended I call Ford Corporate. I called…
    NHTSA complaint #11744510 · source
  8. Filed Jun 2, 2026TXElectrical System
    Rear camera will not come on. The issue is intermittent. Ford has had other issues with rear cameras and prompted a recall but not for this vehicle. Screen goes blank when in reverse and message on center display states "Rear Camera not working. Contact dealer."
    NHTSA complaint #11741471 · source
  9. Filed May 19, 2026MIElectrical System
    When in reverse, the rear camera display will often be inverted upside down or will go blank. If there is someone or something below the view through the glass and mirrors, then that person or thin can be run over. Apparently this same issue is present on other Ford Escape models of the same 2014 model year and other model years. Hopefully Ford will design a fix and then issue a recall repair or voluntary repair for this issue without a payment from the affected customers.
    NHTSA complaint #11738907 · source
  10. Filed May 7, 202697,544 miNCTowedElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts without warning. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle using multiple methods but to no avail. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where they discovered that the insulation on the wire that runs from a gearbox in the back of the vehicle to the front driver seat had melted at various parts of the wire. The contact was informed that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11736273 · source
  11. Filed Mar 20, 2026KYElectrical System
    My backup camera does not work properly. The video often appears onscreen as upside down or does not appear at all. There are no lights or warnings of any kind when this happens. I’m usually backing up in a parking lot using the backup camera and it suddenly flips upside down or it goes black. When this happens I have to react immediately and stop the car since I can no longer tell if a person or another vehicle is behind me. This has been happening for over a year. It has…
    NHTSA complaint #11725889 · source
  12. Filed Mar 20, 2026MNElectrical System
    Rear back up camera will intermittently lose functionality while in use - blue screen or error message will appear instead of camera feed. Tends to happen more frequently when wipers are in use; can be highly problematic when the weather is causing visibility issues and the need for the camera is greater. Service tech has inspected, verified the issue and made mention of the current recall on different year's models.
    NHTSA complaint #11725757 · source

Other 2014 Ford Escape problem areas

Back to all 2014 Ford Escape problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology