2015 Ford Escape Electrical Problems

135 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2015 Ford Escape to NHTSA — 12% of all 1,125 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 62,000 miles. That ranks #10 of 27 Escape model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 57). 2 related recalls have been issued.

135complaints
62ktypical miles
2related recalls
2crashes
10fires
3injuries

Which parts fail

  • Instrument cluster/panel
    8
  • Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
    2
  • Ignition › Module
    1
  • Body control module/BCM
    1
  • Horn
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1619%
  • 25k–50k
    1922%
  • 50k–75k
    1720%
  • 75k–100k
    1416%
  • 100k–150k
    1922%
  • 150k+
    11%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while coming to a complete stop at a traffic light, the vehicle shuddered significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taking to the service station, where an independent mechanic replaced the sparks plugs. The contact stated while reversing out of the service station, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted while reversing and while attempting to drive from a complete stop. The contact stated that she would quickly depress the accelerator pedal after shifting into drive(D) or reverse(R) to prevent the vehicle from shutting off. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring increasingly more. …

103,000 miles · Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, when the accelerator pedal was depressed there was an abnormal sound and the vehicle independently shut down. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled. The failures occurred on several different occasions. The "Electrical Malfunction" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after waiting for an hour, the vehicle restarted. The failure occurred on several different occasions; the infotainment screen had to be reset whenever the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound whenever the vehicle was in reverse. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. …

110,000 miles · Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to restart after being parked after an extended driving period. The contact stated that after multiple attempts, the computer system would activate; however, the vehicle would fail to start-up. The contact also stated that only the passenger's side exterior lights would illuminate while the vehicle was in operation. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that the BCM (Body Control Module) was defective. The mechanic then referred the contact to a dealer since he did not have the equipment to repair the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System). The dealer was notified and the contact was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. …

100,000 miles · Apr 2022

The owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal to restart the vehicle and the brake pedal felt firm. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal with her two feet but it failed to respond. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal after several attempts. The contact was able to drive to her residence and parked the vehicle. However, the failure reoccurred twice while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the body control module (BCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the failure could be associated with the instrument cluster. The vehicle was not repaired. …

Body control module/BCM · 133,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) was previously performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that upon locking the vehicle with the key fob, the horn engaged as confirmation that the vehicle was locked securely. However, after his daughter became aware that someone had broken into the vehicle, she discovered that the vehicle could be opened by pulling the door handle after it had been locked with the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side door latch and lock assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). …

81,000 miles · Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image would intermittently fail, flicker on and off, and at times display would appear upside down. The contact also stated that the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts required to complete the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide a remedy for the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

160,000 miles · May 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle she became aware that the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact who is an amputee and physically disabled stated that she needed all the instrument cluster gauges to be operable in the event of an emergency because she had no phone service or ability to reach Emergency Services. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the APIM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online a related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 20- 2255 (Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Instrument cluster/panel · 100,000 miles · Jan 2023

The contact's wife owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was then referred to the local dealer to diagnose the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System) and was informed by the manufacturer that the repairs were completed back in April 2016. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

96,000 miles · Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that whenever the START/STOP button was depressed, the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. A message to "Please Shut Off the Engine" to save the battery was displayed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Stuart Powell Ford Lincoln Mazda (225 S Danville Bypass, Danville, KY 40422, [phone]) but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V436000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

30,000 miles · Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the instrument cluster screen was inoperable and the driver was unable to view safety related information regarding the tire pressure monitoring system and air bag warnings. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the instrument cluster display needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA campaign number 15V406000 (Electrical system). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Instrument cluster/panel · 77,000 miles · Aug 2021

Related recalls

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 15V-436 · Jul 8, 2015 · 374,781 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 15V-406 · Jun 24, 2015 · 184,519 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical complaints in other Escape years

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Electrical complaints per model year, Ford Escape.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2015 Ford Escape?

NHTSA has 135 complaints about the electrical system of the 2015 Ford Escape, 12% of the model year's 1,125 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (8 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2015 Ford Escape electrical problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-436 (ignition, Jul 8, 2015); NHTSA recall 15V-406 (instrument cluster/panel, Jun 24, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2015 Ford Escape electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 10 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.