2014 Ford Escape engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

538 owners have reported engine problems with the 2014 Ford Escape, 45% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 97,755 mi.

Engine complaints
538
Crashes
2
Fires
32
Injuries
2
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
97,755 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine392
Engine and engine cooling163
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system5
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings2
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm)1
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline1

Engine complaints across Ford Escape years

5200573200713122009111220118650201353822120152031,90520171,40738320191314720213732202314920252
Engine complaints by model year. The 2014 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

5Under 10k210k–30k3430k–60k11560k–100k112100k–150k35150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 17V209000Mar 27, 2017208,584 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    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.

    Risk: 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 say

  1. 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
  2. Filed Sep 28, 2026WIEngine
    My car warned me via service light that there was low coolant in my car, so I went to go get it topped off but the guys at valvoline said my coolant was almost completely full. I continued to drive it since the service light turned off, but when I drove it a day later, it suddenly warned me that my car was over heating and I needed to stop immediately. A local mechanic said that my head gasket failed and my coolant hose was leaking. My car only warned me once of the coolant…
    NHTSA complaint #11767576 · source
  3. Filed Sep 28, 2026WIEngine
    My car warned me via service light that there was low coolant in my car, so I went to go get it topped off but the guys at valvoline said my coolant was almost completely full. I continued to drive it since the service light turned off, but when I drove it a day later, it suddenly warned me that my car was over heating and I needed to stop immediately. A local mechanic said that my head gasket failed and my coolant hose was leaking. My car only warned me once of the coolant…
    NHTSA complaint #11767575 · source
  4. Filed Sep 21, 2026FLEngine
    In the ford escape, when the remote start is activated. The car will show as overheating. I was told it was a known issue with ford. This occurred twice resulting in over $1900 in towing and repairs. Those repairs did not fix issue as 4 weeks later it did it again.
    NHTSA complaint #11765816 · source
  5. Filed Sep 17, 2026MOEngine
    Car is eating antifreeze with no visible leaks. The vehicle overheats if not enough antifreeze. I had to use stop leak just to keep the antifreeze from leaking. The vehicle had a recall fix in 2018 for coolant intrusion by the previous owner but problem is occurring again. Have asked multiple ford dealerships to help but they said the warranty is expired but after doing research I saw that even after a recall occurs if the problem was not fixed even after a warranty expires…
    NHTSA complaint #11765087 · source
  6. Filed Sep 15, 2026104,353 miMNEngine
    The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine light and low coolant warning light were illuminated. Upon checking the coolant level, the contact discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle; however, the coolant disappeared and gushed back into the reservoir. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start and chugged, with a white sweet-smelling smoke coming from the…
    NHTSA complaint #11764342 · source
  7. Filed Sep 14, 2026OKEngine
    am reporting a potential safety defect involving my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 1.6L EcoBoost. While driving, I suddenly heard a pop/burst from under the hood. The vehicle then began producing white smoke/steam. There were no warning lights or temperature warnings before the smoke began. The high-temperature/overheating warning appeared only after the vehicle was already smoking/steaming. I immediately pulled over and stopped the vehicle. Green coolant had sprayed throughout…
    NHTSA complaint #11764180 · source
  8. Filed Sep 9, 2026MOEngine
    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 #11763228 · source
  9. Filed Jul 29, 2026WIEngine
    Coolant leak into the cylinder causing engine failure and need to replace the engine, it is not possible to fix this, must replace engine.
    NHTSA complaint #11753420 · source
  10. Filed Jun 24, 2026CAEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    - Component/ System: (UNKNOWN). Possible Powertrain / Transmission . - YES available for inspection. - My Safety @RISK: mine and my child (passenger) - Problem Confirmed : YES at local mechanic shop and FORD dealer service shop. - Has the vehicle been inspected : YES - Any Warning Lights or Messages prior to Failure: Check Engine (appeared at time of incident) and “Engine Fault: Service now” - When Did the Warning Appear: after it failed (5/2026) NO warning prior to failure.…
    NHTSA complaint #11746255 · source
  11. Filed Jun 19, 2026GAEngine
    2014 Ford Escape. 1.6L ecoboost engine. Bought the car a couple of years ago from a local Ford dealership. The car was immediately using coolant, but never saw where it was leaking. There was never a spot on the ground where it was leaking. Took car to local mechanic and they replaced water pump. Stating possibly leaking. Car continued to use coolant. A few mornings ago, tried to start car, loud pop sound, white smoke, and engine knocking. Car has 124,000 miles on it. What…
    NHTSA complaint #11745191 · source
  12. Filed Jun 9, 2026KYEngineOther / Unknown
    Last month my engine suddenly got hot and the engine light came on and I got a coolant alert. All my coolant was gone. I refilled it a couple of times and the same thing happened. I took it to get it repaired and this is what was fixed: removed and replaced the engine coolant reservoir hose and the overflow bypass heater hose. He said that my engine cylinder head is leaking oil. I have a pdf of the repair that was done.
    NHTSA complaint #11742948 · 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