2014 Ford Escape: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Electrical · WI

Electrical issue for headlight having to replace the socket and lightblub everytime the light blub goes out. Every 2 months. Back up camera not working, blue screen, glitches, upside down, or says rearview camera not working.

Filed Aug 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster screen malfunctioned and turned black or flickered off and on. Additionally, the headlights, turn signals, and brake lights intermittently failed to operate as needed. The transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted regarding the failures, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · 48,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH at night, the center information console failed to display an image as well as pertinent vehicle safety information. The contact then became aware that the headlights were not functioning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 48,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 24, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MA

I have maintained my vehicle as I always have with previous autos in the past. In 11/22 I had to replace the transmission, which left me 6k+ in debt. My auto is now seemingly going into limp mode for no reason whatsoever and just shutting off while driving. This almost caused an accident, there was NO forewarning of any mechanical issues prior to it doing this. The check engine light came on, rpm’s declined, tried to move to side of the road by pressing gas pedal with no acceleration. Shut car off, called a tow truck mechanic could not diagnose any problem. Since this first incident it has happened almost everytime I’ve driven it. This last time left me and my dog on side of road, unable to move to safe place due to no acceleration with gas pedal. My car is now leaking oil once parked, there’s oil all over hood and internal parts of car, auto is now spuddering with intermittent bursts of power. I’ve never had as many issues with a vehicle as I have with my ‘14 Ford escape ecoboost titanium suv. Upon researching common problems with this year and make this is a MAJOR COMMON ISSUE. For an auto to be “known” for these mechanical issues, these should be ALL covered by the manufacturer!! Transmission is a known issue, the deacceleration and oil leak issue once this issue starts are all known issues. Every mechanic I’ve either brought it to or discussed my issues tell me the same thing, “ oh yeah, that year is known for these issues” so what does one do, when they can’t afford a new vehicle , they owe more on the car due to the repairs? I’ve also needed to replace minimum of 5 headlight bulbs and tail light bulbs within the last 6 months. That’s not normal. Please advise

Filed Jan 6, 2023 · Engine · CT

My 2014 Ford Escape titanium model has been diagnosed by Stamford Ford in Stamford CT as basically being totaled due to coolant which leaked into the engine. The cost they quoted to replace the engine is $10-11k. But no one would put that kind of money into an 8 year old Ford. The car has only ever been serviced at Stamford Ford Lincoln where it was purchased. Every oil change. Every service Every maintenance was done at this dealership. I had just paid them $1500 for new tires and new spark plugs. Interestingly they told me to replace the spark plugs on the recommended maintenance schedule but there was absolutely nothing wrong in the spark plug system. A mont later the front passenger side bulb went out so I took it right in and they said changing the bulb didn’t solve it so they had to replace the entire modular piece for about $600. I paid that. The next morning there was fluid leaking from my car. I drove right back and was told the soonest they could get me in to evaluate that was Jan 9. I had no choice but to take that appointment. In retrospect it was prob an engine coolant leak The coolant container/system is right behind that large modular headlight part which they said took a lot of labor and time to get in and out. Best explanation is that they damaged it or loosened some connection in the coolant system which caused a leak and then totaled my engine. However Stamford Ford owner Dominick Franchella is not taking any responsibility and instead says Ford 2014 Escapes are notoriously prone to coolant leaks and engine destruction for many years now. Ford takes no responsibility for their design/failure and has never issued any solutions. A recall of some cars (not mine) simply installed a coolant level reader so owners would know that their coolant level was dangerous. No fix.Ford was able to persist in selling these flawed cars which are extremely dangerous. And the incredible expense. So I just spent $2000+ and I now have NO CAR. Ford needs to reimburs

Filed Dec 7, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · IL

The wipers became slow and erratic, then stopped when headlights were turned on. The lights also were affected as they became dim or out depending on the selection of Hi, Low or Driving. The wipers could have failed during a storm, or the headlights could have become inoperative with no warning. The problem was reproduced at the dealer and inspected as well. There was no indication that there was a problem until the wipers and lights were operated. There could have been more systems that were failing we did not notice as the problem was all of the grounding wires were on painted surfaces. There are several Service Bulletins on this car and the Ford Focus in the same model year range. I have correspondence from the dealer that indicates the problem. Although our car did not fall under these bulletins, I feel this should be a recall since any electric component could fail with no warning by the design of these cars.

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Airbags, Lights · 8,000 miles · PA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford escape. While driving 5 MPH, the headlights are dim and the vehicle crashed into a large landscaping stone. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000. Updated 06/21/16*lj

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Lights · 20,000 miles · NY

After 3 visits to the dealership beginning in october 2015 complaining that the dashboard lights including radio will brighten and dim on an erratic basis. The ford dealership identified the problem as a defective sun load sensor cv6z19e663a and ordered the part under warranty on 1/18/16 at the time I was told that the part would be available in a couple of days. 4 weeks passed no part filed complaint with ford case # cas-8813513 now it is 6+ weeks still no part. I consider the erratic dimming and brightening of the dashboard lights when the headlights are on as a safety issue as the erratic behavior causes a distraction. The inability of ford to provide a replacement part on a prompt basis under warranty when the part in question continues to be used in current production vehicles does not make sense to me.

Filed Mar 25, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 12,698 miles · TX

Vehicle would not start after being parked for approximately one hour. Tried several times to start, headlights and dash lights would illuminate, but there was no indication of any power going to engine to start. No clicking (as with a dead battery - all lights were functioning properly). Waited 10 minutes and it started. Turned it off briefly to go inside to tell shop owner that car had started. Came back out, it would not start again. Tried several times to restart and it would not. Left car where parked and called a tow truck to take car to dealer in the morning. Dealer was unable to recreate the problem and was able to get the car to start each time. I was told that there was nothing they could do and to pick up my car. Which I did.

Filed Mar 25, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 12,790 miles · TX

Once again vehicle would not start after being parked for over an hour. Tried several times to start. All dash lights and headlights, radio, windows, etc. Would function, but no indication of ignition when key was turned. Tried both keys to make sure it was not a bad key. Neither key worked. Left car where parked overnight and returned in the morning. Car started. Called dealer and it was suggested that I drive the car in, rather than have it towed in. I did. I left the car at the dealer and was informed later that day that they had been able to verify my compliant. They indicated that it was a build up of resistance in a wire then the engine was hot. It was wrapped and I was assured the I would no longer have the problem. I did some research and found that some 2013-14 ford escapes have been recalled for insufficient compression of casing around the wiring, causing exactly the problems I have been having. All the potential problems listed in the recall, short of a possible crash have been experienced to date! My vehicle was manufactured at one of the affected assembly plants during the affected dates. However, the recall indicates 2.0 liter engines. Mine is a 1.6 liter engine. Therefore, dealer said they could not do anything for me and assured me the problem had been solved. I requested that the wiring harness be replaced because I felt unsafe in my vehicle and was afraid that it would stop suddenly and I could crash. I was told that repair was not possible, because my specific VIN was not recalled. I was assured that I should have no further problems. I accepted the return of my vehicle, with the assurance that if it happened again, we would escalate my request for replacement of the wiring harness. The dealer had my car for over a week.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 13,000 miles · NY

The wipers stopped working correctly. With the headlights not on, the wipers would work erratically and not efficiently, causing an unsafe drive during rain. Additionally, when the headlights were turned on, the wipers stopped working altogether. Trying to ride home in the dark with no lights, nor wipers functioning correctly caused an unsafe situation. Additionally, the signals and parking lights are dimming and not working properly. The car is presently at the dealer for two days- has not been looked at yet.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 150 miles · OK

The dash lights will not dim automatically as described in the manual as well as from ford technicians. They are on full bright all the time. An analogy would be like having an oncoming car having its headlights on high beam at night and therefore be blinding. There is a manual override to adjust but this must be done every time the car is started. I talked to a ford rep and was told, "nothing is perfect, deal with it". The local service department has no knowledge on how to repair it as ford has yet to issue an advisory. I would think ford would want its sophisticated cars to work correctly. We will see.