10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,292 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

May 092018

Escape

  • 48,000 miles
I have owned my 2015 Escape since March 2016. Beginning 6 weeks ago the car failed to recognize the Ford key. Had car towed. Told battery needed to be replaced. Replaced both car and key fob batteries. Within 7 days the car refused to start after sitting in the garage for 3 days. Had to get it towed and the battery recharged. Third time the car refused to start it had been driven and then left sitting for 5 days. Once again had to have a jump start. Took into dealership and told diagnostic info states no issues. Technician is unable to duplicate car refusing to recognize key fob or not starting. Explained that car once jumped started runs fine as long as I drive it day to day. Once it has been sitting for 2 or more days does it again refuse to start. Appears that something somewhere within the electrical system is pulling all the juice out of the battery regardless of what the onboard computer says. Second issue with this car has been the rear hatch. Technician inspected the rear hinges and said they are bent so when you close the hatch using the button on the hatch or key fob, hatch comes down but won't latch tight and goes back open. If you manually slam the hatch shut, the latch seemed to be tight however my hatch is not square anymore. It is tight to the passenger side but has a 1/4 gap on the right side which lets in air and water into the car. Told that I'd need to have a body shop take the hatch off and replace both hinges. This car has never had an accident nor has it been treated roughly so explain to me how the hatch got out of alignment to the point it is causing issues with shutting tightly? this seems to be a design flaw where the hinges installed are too light weight to stand up to normal wear and usage. Living in the upper midwest this car is exposed to winter weather including salt and road sand which in turn can get into open spaces and rust.

- Fall Creek, WI, USA

problem #16

Aug 312015

Escape

  • 23,477 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to operate. After removing the key from the ignition, the vehicle operated independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (coggin Ford in jacksonville, 9650 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V436000 (electrical system). The manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was manufactured in December of 2014, but the recall was for 2015. The failure mileage was 23,477.

- Atlantic Beach, FL, USA

problem #15

Apr 052018

Escape

  • 36,000 miles
36,000 miles and the digital dashboard display goes completely blank and cannot be rebooted. Dealer advises that entire unit must be replaced at a cost of approx. $1000! unbelievable. Some models 2014-2015 were recalled due to this exact problem, but apparently mine was not according to the VIN

- Sewanee, TN, USA

problem #14

Apr 112018

Escape

  • 25,316 miles
The engine continue to run after the key is turned to off. I had the key in my hand and the car continue turned on. I had to disconnect the battery to turn off the car. I tested the car in drive without the key and it was in motion like normal, just without the key.

- Ponce, PR, USA

problem #13

Nov 242017

Escape

  • 49,000 miles
Car starts/stops intermittently. Will continue to run at times with the engine switched off and key removed. Instrument cluster will completely blackout at anytime without notice. Starter will stay engaged after starting. Stationary and moving without warning on the interstate, doesn't matter where it may be it has become dangerous to drive.

- Manchester, GA, USA

problem #12

Jan 022017

Escape

  • 17,414 miles
Squirrels got into the electrical wiring causing the park assist, hood latch warning, front lights, front, left, right, and rear proximity warning sensors to not operate properly. Vehicle was parked in my driveway next to my truck which did not receive any damage. I have become aware of three other incidents of the same problem. Research indicates Ford has switch to a sucrose based insulation which attracts rodents. I have also seen a advertisement for duct tape with rodent repellent to stick over the insulation.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #11

Dec 092016

Escape

  • 5,500 miles
Purchased 2015 Ford Escape on May 1, 2015. In February of 2016 the windshield wiper fluid and pump stopped working. Took to Ford dealer who said that rodents had chewed through the windshield wiper lines and pump area electrical. Made repair. Now, December 2016 I tried to use the windshield wiper fluid to find that it had once again been chewed. I have been parking multiple vehicles (new and used) in the same driveway since 1989 with no issues. Rodents have chewed the sound barrier material in the front wheel wells as well as the wiper fluid lines, etc. And made a nest in the wheel well.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #10

Jul 292016

Escape

  • miles
6-4-15 purchased the car brand new 8-7-15 car's battery drained completely and had it towed to Ford dealer 7-8-16 car's battery completely drained. Jump started got new battery at Ford dealer 7-29-16 battery completely drained, jumped started. Stopped at Ford dealer and got an appt. On 8-8-16 7-30-16 drove car out of garage approximately 7:30 am at 3:30 pm, the battery was dead. Jump started the car to put back into garage. Called Ford dealer and got an earlier appt. On 8-1-16 (charged battery 6 hrs with battery charger) each time, the battery had to be jumped to start the car. Something in the system is draining the battery completely. The car was parked inside my garage each time that this occurred. It always happened in the am when I went to start the car with the exception on 7-30-16, it was parked outside in the driveway and died there during mid day. Purchased a portable battery jump starter from sears ($125) to stay in the vehicle.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #9

Feb 212016

Escape 4WD 4-cyl

  • 3,400 miles
I was driving in Maine. I'm not sure if I hit a patch of ice or if the steering froze up. I was traveling 35 in a 40 mph zone and on a curve, the vehicle veered off the road into a bog. The vehicle started to sink and I was unable to open the door for a few minutes. Then I noticed a flame coming from the back of the vehicle. It took all of my strength but I pushed the door open and began swimming away from the vehicle. As I was about 20 feet from the vehicle, it exploded. I was in the water and ice for approx. 10 minutes. The fire dept, police, and emt's arrived and pulled me from the water and took me to the hospital. I have 2nd degree burns on my arm and legs. My insurance company has deemed the vehicle a total loss and the adjuster said the only thing that could be salvaged was 1/2 of my license plate. I asked what could have caused this and the adjuster said that perhaps it was an electrical problem and water mixed with the electrical problem may have caused the fire. Although he did state that he was speculating and he did not know what caused the fire and explosion. The vehicle is sitting and I have asked that it not be destroyed (what's left of it) until the cause can be determined. This concerns me greatly because I do not want this to happen to anyone else. I believe if anyone else had been in the vehicle, they would not have had time to Escape. There was no smoke - only fire and then the explosion. The shock is starting to wear off and I keep asking myself how in the world a car could "just explode". please let me know if anyone else has had any problem like this or if anyone can suggest what may have caused this catastrophe. Thank you.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #8

Feb 212016

Escape 4-cyl

  • 3,400 miles
I was driving and I'm not sure if I hit a patch of ice or steering froze up. I was traveling 35 in a 40 mph zone and on a curve, the vehicle veered off the road into a bog. The vehicle started to sink and I was unable to open the door for a few minutes. I tried putting the vehicle in reverse to get out of the water and ice. Then I noticed a flame coming from the back of the vehicle. I pushed the door open and began swimming away from the vehicle. As I was about 30 feet from the vehicle, it exploded. I was in the water and ice for approx. 10 minutes. The fire dept, police, and emt's arrived and pulled me from the water and took me to the hospital. I have 2nd degree burns on my arm and legs. My insurance company has deemed the vehicle a total loss and the adjuster said the only thing that could be salvaged was 1/2 of my license plate. I asked what could have caused this and the adjuster said that perhaps it was an electrical problem and water mixed with the electrical problem may have caused the fire. He did state that he did not know what caused the fire and explosion. The vehicle is sitting and I have asked that it not be destroyed (what's left of it) until the cause can be determined. This concerns me greatly because I do not want this to happen to anyone else. The shock is starting to wear off and I keep asking myself how in the world a car could "just explode". please let me know if anyone else has had any problem like this or if anyone can suggest what may have caused this catastrophe. Thank you.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #7

Jan 142015

Escape

  • 17,355 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shut off even when the key was not in the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle without the key being inserted into the ignition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,355.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #6

Sep 172015

Escape

  • 19,125 miles
Symptom: Fuse for interior lights, including gear indicator on shift, controls in steering wheel, fails. Issue began 2nd month of ownership 2/2015. 4th incident on 9/17/15 brought my attention to the circumstances pertaining to all instances leading to failure of the interior lights fuse. Incident: Traveling at 55 mph while merging into traffic from the left side of a 5 lane highway, I removed my foot from accelerator. I stepped on the accelerator within a few seconds and the engine shut off, all electrical components, dash board, gauges, everything shut themselves off and then every gauge and warning light lit up, but no engine. I moved the gear selector into neutral and turned the key to off without locking the steering wheel, and tried to restart the vehicle. It did not restart. I made my across 4 lanes of traffic to the right shoulder, stopped the car, put into park and turned the car all the way off and restarted the vehicle, the interior lights no longer worked. The car restarted and I drove on. I realized that every time the fuse for the interior lights has failed, it was after the car had shut itself off, all electrical lights and warning lights had gone off and then all warning lights and lights, except interior lights came back on, requiring turning the key to off engaging the steering wheel lock and restarting the car. It is currently in the shop for evaluation. The 3 previous times, the Ford dealers' (2 different dealers) service department technicians have not found a cause for the fuse failure.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #5

Jul 302015

Escape

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. While driving at 5 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after 10 seconds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the electrical fuse number 60 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.

- Garden City, MI, USA

problem #4

May 152015

Escape

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 65 mph, the automatic door lock was applied, however, when the driver grabbed the door handle, the front driver side door opened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

- Garden Prarie, IL, USA

problem #3

May 192015

Escape

  • 1,200 miles
My Ford Escape 2015 wouldn't shut off after turning. I didn't realize that car was on after I had park, without the keys in the ignition. I drove home when I tried to shut the engine; it didn't. the car was tow to the nearest Ford. The motor was still running when it was being tow. Ford couldn't find anything wrong with the car. Mine you I still haven't made my first payment.

- Centereach, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 052015

Escape

  • 1,069 miles
Started car and the alarm went off on the dash saying the front passenger door was ajar. We opened the door and looked at the door to make sure no one had hit the car. No damage could be found. Shut car off and restarted. Alarm continued with dash reading front passenger door ajar. Drove car home with constant alarm and over head light on. Let car sit in driveway for hours to see if something would reset. It did not work. Unplugged battery and let car sit another 30 minutes. Did not reset. Tomorrow the car goes back to the dealership again to fix this problem. I am very disappointed with the new 2015 Ford Escape titanium 4 wheel drive 1.6 only 1069 miles and I am having lemon issues! should have kept my 2013 Escape with the bigger motor, didn't have dumb problems like this one. Ford step up please and make this right!!

- Canton, NC, USA

problem #1

Mar 092015

Escape

  • 30 miles
Warning on screen. Take car to dealer immediately. I took the car to the dealer and after sitting there for over 3 hours I was told the issue was the cooling temperature sensor. When they came to tell me the car was finished I was told they did not do anything but unplug the sensor and wait 5 minutes the reconnect to clear the code. Since then the car takes a long time to heat up for the heater. It will blow cold air. I am disappointed with this car. I should not have had to wait over 3 hours at the dealer either for just unplugging the sensor. Not a good way to keep customers.

- Canton, NC, USA