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2015 Ford Escape: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists nine recall campaigns for the 2015 Ford Escape: two for the powertrain (filed 2022), two for latches (filed 2016 and 2020), two for electrical parts (filed 2015) and three more for other parts. Owners have filed 1,106 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train and the engine. For comparison, owners filed 2,088 for the 2014 and 1,139 for the 2016 Escape. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall, with a 19.1% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 9campaigns 2 power train · 2 latch · 2 electrical Source: NHTSA Complaints 1,106filed Owner reports, 2011–2020 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 4★overall ★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 26mpg combined $2,512/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 1.6 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic 5 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (9)

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2015 Ford Escape. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 26V011000 Filed Jan 15, 2026

Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire

Equipment · electrical · engine block heater
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Repair progress not yet reported116,672 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 26V011000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 25V695000 Filed Oct 13, 2025

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
1.1% repairedof 1,448,655 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V695000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V413000 Filed Jun 10, 2022

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
70.3% repairedof 2,925,968 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V413000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V254000 Filed Apr 14, 2022

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Escape vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.
74% repairedof 96,015 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V254000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V331000 Filed Jun 8, 2020

Doors May Open While Driving

Latches/locks/linkages · doors · latch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
58.4% repairedof 2,147,323 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V331000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 17V472000 Filed Jul 25, 2017

Seat and Seat Belt Mounting Bolts may Fracture

Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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 the event of a crash.
Remedy
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 notice when remedy parts become available in the fourth quarter of 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S17.
58.2% repairedof 94,605 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V472000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V643000 Filed Sep 6, 2016

Doors may Unexpectedly Open

Latches/locks/linkages · doors · latch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
61.8% repairedof 2,046,297 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V643000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V436000 Filed Jul 8, 2015

Engine may Continue to Run/FMVSS 114

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence
If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.
86.3% repairedof 374,781 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V436000
Listed for 2015 Ford Escape. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V406000 Filed Jun 24, 2015

Instrument Cluster may be Inoperative/FMVSS 101

Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
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.
84.7% repairedof 184,519 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V406000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Escape years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford EscapeAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (1,106)

1,106 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

29involved a crash
20involved a fire
34injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Ford Escape, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1,106.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2015 compares with other Escape years

Best and worst Escape years →
1,316 602 2,750 2,088 1,106 1,139 2,692 1,807 590 1,604
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
This year (2015)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 19.1%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2015 Ford Escape suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined

26
mpg combined
23
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,600
CO₂ tailpipe
345 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,512per year
$209per month
577gallons a year

Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2015 Ford Escape configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26$2,600345
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 25$2,700360
1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25$2,700360
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800365
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 23$2,900382

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2015 Escape for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Escape years

Where to next

Which Escape years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2016 Ford Escape report1,139 complaints · 4 campaigns →2014 Ford Escape report2,088 complaints · 16 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2015 Ford Escape FAQ

How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns: 26V011000 (engine), 25V695000 (rear camera), 22V413000 (power train), 22V254000 (power train), 20V331000 (latch), 17V472000 (seat belt), 16V643000 (latch), 15V436000 (electrical), 15V406000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2015 Ford Escape problems?

Owners filed 1,106 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (286), Engine (239), Back over prevention (152) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2015 Ford Escape get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 23 city, 31 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2015 Ford Escape get?

NHTSA rated the 2015 Ford Escape suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.1% rollover risk).

How does the 2015 Escape compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Ford Escape model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (590) and the 2013 the most (2,750). The 2015 drew 1,106. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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