2015 Ford Escape Problems: What to Look Out For If Buying Used
Owners weigh in on the most severe reliability issues, costs to fix, & more
SUVs – in particular, compact SUVs – have seen a meteoric rise in popularity over the last 20 years. Consequently, Ford has been offering the Escape for 20 years. It has become ubiquitous for what consumers expect in their small SUV: copious cargo room, great gas mileage, excellent safety scores, and next-level technology.
If you’re looking into purchasing this popular SUV, you may wonder what problems owners commonly report with the 2015 Ford Escape.
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Owner-Reported Problems With Used 2015 Ford Escapes
Frequent Problems With 2015 Ford Escape
- Transmission problems. Cost To Fix: $3150
- Engine Stalling and Failure. Cost To Fix: $2100 to $6000+
- Brake Failure. Cost To Fix: $360 to $580
- Transfer Case Problems. Cost to Fix: $438 and $530
Most Common Problem With 2015 Ford Escape: Failed Transmission
Cost to fix: $3150
The 6-speed automatic on the 2015 Ford Escape seems a consistent trouble spot for owners who report that the transmission will suddenly fail and leave them stranded.
Symptoms of this issue range from the transmission selector not going into park to the motor’s RPMs drastically increasing with no forward motion. Shuddering and rough shifting are also common symptoms.
This problem is similar to other years of this generation of Escape.
Average replacement costs for severe transmission issues on the 2015 Ford Escape (Model # 6F50 / 6F35) range anywhere from $2,280 up to $3,387 but average out around $3,150.
How to avoid:
The unfortunate nature of this repair is that it shows up rather suddenly. This makes finding this issue difficult before purchasing unless there are transmission failure symptoms during your test drive.
Drive the vehicle as you usually would to ensure there are no hard shifts or stumbling. Put the selector into and out of gear multiple times and try reverse to ensure there are no issues.
This would also be a great time to get a mechanic to look at the transmission to ensure no metal shavings are floating in the fluid. Due diligence is critical here.
Also Common On The 2015 Ford Escape: Engine Stalling And Failure
Cost to fix: $2100 to $6000+
The NHTSA complaints of the Ford Escape this year tell a very interesting story that can be cross-referenced across other internet message boards.
These years of Escapes have an issue with the vacuum pump and coupler that produces a chain reaction of problems. Once the vacuum pump is seized, the bolt and casing break off and throw metal shards into the turbo of the Escape. This causes the loss of brake assist and causes the motor to shred completely.
If you avoid significant damage, you’ll still be in the hole for $2,100.
How to avoid:
Much like the transmission issues, this one will be hard to tell before it happens unless a mechanic has the opportunity to get a good look at it.
There are very few symptoms before the failure, but you should be looking for such as hesitation or stalling while driving.
Your best bet is to have a mechanic run a full diagnostic and mention to them that you would like that specific part checked out. They can see if bolt fatigue or the component is nearly failing.
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Other 2015 Ford Escape Issues: Brake Problems
Cost to fix: $360 to $580
This issue is directly related to the above problem and is the beginning of the failure sequence. The failure of the vacuum pump and coupling leaves owners of the 2015 Escape with no powered brake assist.
Not all escapes with this issue have progressed into breakage and engine failure.
For owners that manage to avoid this, the cost to repair is $360 to $580.
It must be noted, however, that this issue can be extremely dangerous, as owners’ only way of showing it is via the parking brake or emergency brake.
How to avoid:
As noted above, you will need a mechanic to check out the specific pieces related to this issue since the problem will not surface while driving.
In fact, it will usually work until it fails, which will be a significant issue for you as the driver.
Transfer Case Problems
While it’s not as prevalent as the other issues on this list, the Ford Escape’s transfer case was reported prone to problems – particularly with the four-wheel drive models. According to numerous reports, abnormal noise is coming from the Escape’s driveline. Owners claimed that the noise sounded like a bearing howling at first, but it eventually turned into a loud clicking noise at high speeds. There were also accounts stating they experienced vibrations under the vehicle.
Unfortunately, these issues were due to the transfer case of the 2015 Ford Escape – which was proven to be quite problematic. Apparently, the Escape’s transfer case is prone to damage even with regular use. Some owners complained that these issues happened to them after only 3-5 months of use, so the vehicle is practically brand-new.
Therefore, if you hear the noises mentioned above, have your vehicle checked by a mechanic. If the transfer case has significant damage, the only solution is to have it replaced, not just rebuilt. Some Escape owners said that they managed to fix the issue by changing the transfer case fluid.
How To Avoid Buying A Used 2015 Ford Escape With These Problems
Your best defense against a nasty issue with a used car is to do your due diligence. You may see a great deal on a 2015 Escape and drive it with nary an issue, but this does not mean that the problems are nonexistent.
You’ll want to run every car you’re about to buy through a rigorous test drive that includes everything you’d do in typical driving situations.
Your job is to test the car, not baby it, so drive it hard and use every single accessory and all the car’s technology. Apparent problems include vibrations, shuttering, stalling, bumps, or simply not working.
You will need to pull in a professional mechanic for a full inspection of your potential new car for the less obvious issues.
The car you’re interested in could drive great and appear to have no issues, but a mechanic may have a different story. A mechanic can diagnose everything from a warped head to a failing transmission.
These inspections typically run a few hundred bucks, but they are worth it. It could save you thousands by avoiding a potential lemon.
Search All Used 2015 Ford Escapes In Your Area
This may all seem a little overwhelming, but that is why CoPilot is here to help you find the right vehicle for the best possible price. Download CoPilot on your phone right now to see the best deals on the Escape and other similar compact SUVs.
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