Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's mother owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for the recall repair, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer failed to display an accurate reading and remained at 0. Several unknown warning lights started flashing. The contact then stated that the electrical system started to malfunction, and the warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that he veered off the road to park the vehicle and then had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the diagnostic result indicated several unknown failures, and it was suggested that the vehicle be taken to the dealer for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the local dealer sent a mobile mechanic to the residence to repair a bushing on the vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired, but the mechanic had forgotten to replace a tubing on the vehicle. The vehicle failed to start, and the contact's husband noticed that the tubing was disconnected. The contact's husband was able to attach the tubing, and the vehicle restarted. While her husband was driving the vehicle and making a turn, the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping. Roadside Assistance was contacted and left the parking brake activated during towing. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and several DTC were retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
I was driving on I95 southbound with my 3.5 month old daughter when my cars engine failed, my brakes and acceleration failed, and my car started being engulfed in smoke. I had to veer off of I95 as far as I could with my breaks or gas working. Within 2 minutes my car was in complete flames. I was able to get my daughter and I out in time but everything in the car was demolished. Ford has refused to reimburse for any value of the car as well as any value of the items that were in the car. The value of the items in the car totaled more than $5,000. My husband and I were forced to sell our other car in order to afford to buy a new car. Both of our cars were paid off.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the braking system malfunctioned, and the brake pedal was very hard while pressed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to slow or stop as needed. The contact used the parking brake to slow and eventually stop the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the cam shaft vacuum pump had detached, causing the braking system to fail. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 108,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, the 4WD and Hill Assist messages were displayed, and the functionality was disabled. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,000.
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the brake pads were overlapping the top of the rotors. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The mechanical brake booster is connected to the overhead cam on Fords Ecoboost engine. This part is a vacuum pump that is powered by the overhead cam shaft. Over time the vacuum pump begins to have issues and becomes increasingly harder for the cam to turn. As the vacuum pump slows, it causes the brakes to be less efficient and increases stopping distance. As the pump degrades, it eventually will fail and freeze up. When this happens, the internal connection to the overhead cam shaft shears off. This cause a complete loss of breaking power leaving only the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. It also drops the internal connectors from the vacuum pump into the motor which damages the motor to the point where the motor must be replaced at a very high cost (it exceeds $10,000). Fords warranty does not cover this design failure. …
My vehicle had no warning lamps, messages or any other symptoms before driving that day. Vehicle was well maintained. Driving on a rural straight paved road that is in excellent condition, at approximately 55 miles per hour, smoke suddenly came through the dash top (defroster along windshield) and bottom (underneath the dash - heavier volume of smoke); almost immediately, the horn started sounding independently, a message appeared that read engine failure, brakes failed simultaneously and could not stop the vehicle. Only possible way to get the vehicle to stop was to remove the ignition key, put lever in park, pulled park break up. Flames now under the dash & smoke was pouring out from under the hood. My safety was at risk and had to exit the vehicle as fast as possible from drivers side with cars approaching. …
ABS braking not functioning, Power steering failure , speedometer and odometer failure, Air Bag indication of non function. Warning indications on dash illuminated at once when failures occured The loss of functioning Air bags, Power Steering, ABS Braking are all possible safety risks, most especially when combined at once. Vehicle has been diagnosed by a registered Ford Dealership. Problems diagnosed as a Failure of the electrical ABS system module by the Ford dealership. Dealership expressed that this was a known issue and all repair parts are currently out of stock and on national back order with no ETA for availability. This leaves the vehicle in a condition that makes it a safety hazard to be driven , for myself and others. Documentation unavailable at this time from dealership, verbal conversation, still awaiting repair options. Vehicle has been in dealership since 11/03/2025.
While driving, a message was displayed [Hill Start Assist Not Available] and all mileage figures previously displayed disappered. Additional warning lights were displayed indicating Traction Control, and ABS failures. Electric Power steering assist also stopped. Subsequent testing indicated the EBCM had failed. The part is on National Backorder. While drivable, I'm afraid other issues will arise. This is my only vehicle and I'm within 20,000 miles of needing the timing belt and water pump replaced as well. I could not find a recall for the EBCM (a part not usually prone to failure) for the 2014 Ford Escape SE 1.6L 4-cyl Ecoboost. In 2017, I had the entire transmission replaced @ 70,000 miles, under warranty, but Ford did not honor the warranty terms: coverage for lodging and rental vehicle, so I lost $$$$ that shouldn't have happened.
Brake complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2014 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2014 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 2,089 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Escape brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2014 Ford Escape, though it has 16 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Escape brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.