2014 Ford Escape Latches/locks/linkages Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 9, 2026 · 65 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about latches/locks/linkages problems on the 2014 Ford Escape, 3% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 84,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “side door” (34% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Side door: mentioned in 22 of 65 complaints (34%)
  • Rear driver: mentioned in 14 of 65 complaints (22%)
  • Included latches: mentioned in 5 of 65 complaints (8%)

At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems happen?

Based on 30 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles2 · 7%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles4 · 13%
50k–75k miles7 · 23%
75k–100k miles5 · 17%
100k–150k miles10 · 33%
150k+ miles2 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 65 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 an injury.

Ford Escape latches/locks/linkages complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 65 complaints
2000: 120002001: 302002: 2020022003: 72004: 420042005: 62007: 320072008: 22009: 120092010: 22011: 420112012: 82013: 652013652014: 65652015: 2920152017: 82018: 520182019: 12020: 5420202021: 12022: 120222023: 2

n = 319 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearLatches/locks/linkages complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2023 Escape22%30,000
2022 Escape10%5,000
2021 Escape10%—
2020 Escape543%46,884
2019 Escape10%57,598
2018 Escape50%64,800
2017 Escape80%43,000
2015 Escape293%98,000
2014 Escape653%84,500
2013 Escape652%69,500
2012 Escape81%90,000
2011 Escape40%25,745
2010 Escape20%64,000
2009 Escape10%53,900
2008 Escape20%100,850
2007 Escape31%35,000
2005 Escape60%75,700
2004 Escape41%36,758
2003 Escape71%116,500
2002 Escape202%53,000
2001 Escape303%117,000
2000 Escape120%64,500

When owners reported it

Peak: 2017, with 26 complaints
2016: 112016112017: 262017262018: 2201822019: 3201932020: 3202032021: 2202122022: 4202242023: 5202352024: 4202442025: 4202542026: 120261

n = 65 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (2)

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchJun 8, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · 2,147,323 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchSep 6, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V643000 · 2,046,297 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side door failed to latch or lock as intended. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not…

Received Jul 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11752356

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side door failed to securely close. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of…

Received Sep 2, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11684473

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver's side rear passenger’s door independently opened. The contact drove back to the residence but was unable to securely lock the door. The contact stated that when the door opened, the "Door Open"…

Received Jun 3, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11664654
Ford Escape
2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite photographed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2014 Ford Escapes have latches/locks/linkages problems?

No. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints about latches/locks/linkages for the 2014 Ford Escape (3% of the 2,089 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2014 Ford Escape latches/locks/linkages?

Yes: 2 safety recalls list latches/locks/linkages. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems start?

The median reported mileage is 84,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about latches/locks/linkages problems on the 2014 Ford Escape?

The most frequent phrase is “side door”, in 22 of 65 complaints, followed by “rear driver” (14).

Other 2014 Ford Escape problems

See all 2014 Ford Escape problems or latches/locks/linkages problems across all Escape years.