FORD ESCAPE · model year

2015 FORD ESCAPE

1196 NHTSA complaints, 37 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2015FORDESCAPE carries 1196 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 37 crashes, 30 fires, 44 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2015 ESCAPE is power train with 259 filings, followed by engine (226) and unknown or other (122). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 9 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 8 investigation files overlapping the 2015 ESCAPE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1196
Complaints
37
Crashes
30
Fires
44
Injuries
0
Deaths
2015 FORD ESCAPE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2015 FORD ESCAPE. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

1196 filings

Crashes Reported

37 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN259
ENGINE226
UNKNOWN OR OTHER122
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM112
STEERING77
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM48
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING37
BACK OVER PREVENTION33
STRUCTURE:BODY31
SERVICE BRAKES22
WHEELS21
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES20
AIR BAGS15
VISIBILITY/WIPER13
SEAT BELTS13

Recalls (9)

17V47200025/07/2017

SEAT BELTS

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.

15V40600024/06/2015

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 incl

26V01100015/01/2026

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.

22V25400014/04/2022

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.

25V69500013/10/2025

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 wh

22V41300010/06/2022

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.

15V43600008/07/2015

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 en

20V33100008/06/2020

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

16V64300006/09/2016

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

Recent Complaints

20260218BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blank screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The message "Rear-view Camera not Available" was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20260217SEAT BELTS

I recently purchased this vehicle. The driver seatbelt does not retract snugly when fastened. The tensioner is not working. I am afraid it will not hold me if I crash. I will fix this. It is a serious safety issue!

20260213BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera was intermittently inoperable, but the failure became permanent. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall part was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was unreachable. The failure mileage was approximately 96,478.

Mileage: 96,478

20260213UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A few months ago I received a letter in the mail concerning my vehicles backup camera being requested for a recall and that a replacement will be sent over. At this time I still don’t have the replacement backup camera.

20260212BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The rearview camera intermittently failed to function properly, and the screen was blank. 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

20260211BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while shifted in reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed a black screen. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260207ENGINE

Service engine warning light came on. When checked, coolant was found to be leaking into cylinder 3 due to the engine block being porous. Service center said they see this a lot in this particular engine.

20260206UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Upon putting car in reverse backup camera screen shows upside picture. Upon putting car in reverse backup camera screen goes completely black Being a senior driver the backup camera system is a huge safety necessity

20260204BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact 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 not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera was inoperable. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20260203BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that occasionally, while shifted in reverse, the rearview camera failed to display as intended and was possibly impacted by severe weather conditions. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that during colder weather, the heater failed to operate as intended while activated. After further inspection, the coolant reservoir was abnormally low. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was determined that the coolant level was extremely low. The coolant reservoir was refilled; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20260203ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that occasionally, while shifted in reverse, the rearview camera failed to display as intended and was possibly impacted by severe weather conditions. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that during colder weather, the heater failed to operate as intended while activated. After further inspection, the coolant reservoir was abnormally low. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was determined that the coolant level was extremely low. The coolant reservoir was refilled; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20260127UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rear view camera on my vehicle has not worked for months. 99% of the time I reverse, camera is blacked out and says to visit dealership. The 1% that it works, half the time it'll show an inverted view. This is related to recall 25SA9/25V695. Parts have been unavailable since October 2025. I explained this to Ford Customer Service and they advised me to take it to a dealership to get it repaired and look for reimbursement once parts are available. This suggests dealers can source replacement cameras when customers pay out of pocket, but Ford is not prioritizing free recall repairs, leaving owners with a known safety defect for months.

20260124SEAT BELTS

Drivers side, front seatbelt buckle is not latching properly without multiple attempts. Release latch seems to stick when depressed to release the belt, so then will not latch the next time it is inserted.

20260122BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

When are the parts available for back up camera and block heater I don’t want my car to start on fire so I want it fixed

20260122EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

When are the parts available for back up camera and block heater I don’t want my car to start on fire so I want it fixed

20260120UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Back up camera and block heater I’m waiting to get it fixed but the parts doesn’t come in how come

20260120BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear-view camera intermittently failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the message "Camera Unavailable" was displayed on the instrument panel, or there was a blank or distorted image on the screen. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260120BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact 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 local dealer was notified about the recall and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera display either a blank or a distorted image. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260112BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not yet made aware of the issue. While reversing, the back over prevention camera screen displayed a black screen. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20260109BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact 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 not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R), the rear-view camera image displayed was distorted. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

Compare 2015FORDESCAPE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2015 FORD ESCAPE have?
The 2015 FORD ESCAPE has 1196 NHTSA complaints, 37 crashes, 30 fires, 44 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 FORD ESCAPE?
The 2015 FORD ESCAPE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 FORD ESCAPE?
Yes, the 2015 FORD ESCAPE has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 FORD ESCAPE?
The most-complained component for the 2015 FORD ESCAPE is POWER TRAIN with 259 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2015 FORD ESCAPE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2015 FORD ESCAPE has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.