2015 Ford Escape: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
1,078 NHTSA owner complaints · 9 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The third-generation Escape (2013–2019) launched with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, and that engine is the reason the 2013 and 2014 model years carry the highest complaint counts of any compact crossover in the dataset: coolant leaks into the cylinders, overheating and engine fires, addressed by a string of recalls that continued for years. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost in the same body is a better engine, but the transmission and electrical complaints of the early years apply to both. Read the full note on the model page. 2015 specifically: 1,078 complaints on record, score 63/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Ford Escape: why 2013 and 2014 are the years to walk past, including 2015 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 1,078 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 98.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed an upside-down image. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The rear-view camera later displayed a black screen and failed to power on. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts wer…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera was intermittently inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was con…
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that they had received notification of notification of NHTSA Campaign Number : 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) the local dealer was contacted however the vehicle was not remedied as the contact was advised that the parts to perform the recall repair were not yet available. The contact had experienced the failure stating that upon reversing the rear view camera …
Recalls: 9 campaigns (4 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 16V643000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 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… |
| 20V331000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 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… |
| 15V436000 | Electrical System:Ignition | 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… |
| 22V413000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 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. |
| 25V695000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 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. |
| 22V254000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 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. |
| 26V011000 | Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater | 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. |
| 15V406000 | 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… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 25 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,450
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Power Train284 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Engine238 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other140 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System134 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Back Over Prevention130 complaints · typical job: Reversing camera or park-sensor replacement (2.0 h labour + parts)$420–$940
- Steering80 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
Other Ford Escape years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Ford Escape?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Power Train (284 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2015 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 63/100, computed from 1,078 NHTSA complaints and 9 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2015 Ford Escape's most common problem?
284 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2015 Ford Escape sit in the Power Train group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is transmission service or clutch-pack repair: about 7.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,290–$4,040 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2015 Ford Escape cost to run per year?
About $6,522 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $32,610 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2015 Ford Escape have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for the 2015 Ford Escape, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 06/09/2016. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2015 Ford Escape really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 1,078 complaints, 9 recalls on record
- 1078 NHTSA complaints on record (98.0/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (92.9/yr)
- 9 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems