Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2014 Ford Escape
The 2014 Ford Escape has several recall and complaint listings, mainly focused on transmission, door latches, and engine cooling issues. While some problems are serious, such as potential engine overheating, addressing known recalls can mitigate these risks, making it a potentially viable used vehicle option if properly inspected and maintained.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2014 Ford Escape has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,090 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V011000 Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V413000 Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V331000 Doors May Open While Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V471000 Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V472000 Seat and Seat Belt Mounting Bolts may Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V209000 Engine Cylinder Head may Leak Oil NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V643000 Doors may Unexpectedly Open NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V406000 Instrument Cluster may be Inoperative/FMVSS 101 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V005000 Improper Plating on Fuel Pump may Result in Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V597000 Air Bags may not Deploy as Intended NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V525000 Fuel Delivery Module may Crack NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V495000 Engine Wiring Splices may cause Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V403000 Panorama Roof Glass Assembly Bond NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V239000 Doors may Open while Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V237000 Side-Curtain Rollover Air Bag Deployment Delay NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V164000 Welds on Seat Assemblies may Fail/FMVSS 207 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 728 complaints
- Power Train 481 complaints
- Unknown or Other 272 complaints
- Electrical System 216 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 187 complaints
- Steering 151 complaints
Of the 2,090 complaints on file, 47 report a crash and 104 a fire; across all 2,090 complaints, owners report 41 injuries and 4 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Engine block heater cracks
How to check: Look for coolant leaks or electrical shorting signs.
Shifter cable detachment
How to check: Check if the shift lever feels loose or misaligned.
Improper door latching
How to check: Verify all doors latch securely and check lock functionality.
Engine cylinder head overheating
How to check: Inspect for coolant level and any oil leaks near the cylinder head.
Instrument panel failures
How to check: Ensure all dashboard displays and warning chimes are functional.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Engine starts smoothly without unusual sounds.
Red flag: Rough idling or unusual noises.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for any dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights.
- 03
Low-speed driving
What to check: Listen for unusual transmission noises when shifting.
Red flag: Clunky or delayed gear shifts.
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Accurate dashboard readings and smooth pickup.
Red flag: Lag in acceleration or jerking.
- 05
Braking
What to check: Responsive braking and no pulling to sides.
Red flag: Vibrations or significant pulling.
- 06
Final parking
What to check: Ensure a secure park with proper gear indication.
Red flag: Shift lever feels loose.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Any pending recalls on this vehicle?
- Has the engine block heater been inspected?
- Are all door latches functioning properly?
- Has the shifter cable been replaced recently?
- Any dashboard warning lights issues?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Vehicle recall history
- Service and maintenance records
- Engine repair invoices
- Transmission work documentation
- Recent inspection report
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2014 Ford Escape at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2014 Ford Escape? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.