Is the 2015 Ford ESCAPE reliable?

The 2015 Ford ESCAPE has 1283 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Ford ESCAPE?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (284 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (277 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (133 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Ford ESCAPE?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): SEAT BELTS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Ford ESCAPE?

The 2015 Ford ESCAPE gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Ford ESCAPE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Ford ESCAPE is approximately $1,585/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Ford ESCAPE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Ford ESCAPE has 1283 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 1283. The most common issue is transmission problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: purchased vehicle 1/30/2015 and drove off lot with 3 miles on it. less than a week later vehicle started stalling at traffic lights and hesitating upon acceleration. vehicle was in ford repair shop for 12 days with 1200 worth of parts replaced on transmission. picked up vehicle with 810 miles on it . There are 9 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 29 fire reports filed.

29 fire reports 19 crash reports 20 injuries

1283

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

284 complaints

22%

• PURCHASED VEHICLE 1/30/2015 AND DROVE OFF LOT WITH 3 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND HESITATING UPON ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WAS IN FORD REPAIR SHOP FOR 12 DAYS WITH 1200 WORTH OF PARTS REPLACED ON TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP VEHICLE WITH 810 MILES ON IT
• I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING OR FROM A FULL STOP. THE HESITATION VARIES FROM ABOUT TWO SECONDS OR LONGER. WHEN THE CAR DOES ACCELERATE IT SURGES FORWARD AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED. WHILE TRY
• A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR, IT STARTED STALLING AFTER DRIVING IT HOME FROM WORK.TOOK TO DEALER PUT ON THE COMPUTER, NOTHING SHOWED UP AS BEING WRONG? THEY TOLD ME TO PUT SEAFOAM GAS TREATMENT IN DIDN'T WORK. THE STALLING KEPT HAPPENING AFTER DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE. AFTER MANY TIMES TO TH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“PURCHASED VEHICLE 1/30/2015 AND DROVE OFF LOT WITH 3 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND HESITATING UPON ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WAS IN FORD REPAIR SHOP FOR 12 DAYS WITH 1200 WORTH OF PARTS REPLACED ON TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP VEHICLE WITH 810 MILES ON IT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Ford ESCAPE

Based on 739 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 75K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

115

30-60K

157

60-100K

245

100-150K

187

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Earlier than typicalmedian 51K mi · 36 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 56K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Earlier than typicalmedian 53K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 46K mi · 52 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (9)

SEAT BELTS25/07/2017

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Ford ESCAPE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Ford ESCAPE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,585

Full coverage / month

$132

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

-5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford ESCAPE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2015 ESCAPE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1283 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: PURCHASED VEHICLE 1/30/2015 AND DROVE OFF LOT WITH 3 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND HESITATING UPON ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WAS IN FORD REPAIR SHOP FOR 12 DAYS WITH 1200 WORTH OF PARTS REPLACED ON TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP VEHICLE WITH 810 MILES ON IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE ADDED REMOTE START WORKS. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU OPEN ANY DOOR TO GET IN THE ESCAPE...THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS WOULD INCREASE THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ENGINE, STARTER, AND THE IGNITION DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOUR HAVING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AGAIN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A NOISE(I DESCRIBED THE NOISE LIKE A ROCK HITTING THE GLASS) LOOKED AT MY WINDSHIELD AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. WENT HOME AND PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. GOT IN THE CAR A COUPLE DAYS LATER AND GOT IN THE CAR, STARTED THE CAR AND MY SUNROOF WENT BACK ABOUT AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 MIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)