One problem related to ball joint has been reported for the 2014 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2014 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2014 Escape.
My wife pulled up driveway, I happened to be outside next to car when she pulled in. We suddenly heard loud crunching sound and she stopped. When we found nothing I asked her to back up. We heard crunching sound again and she said the steering wheel was not controlling car. She immediately stopped. We discovered right front wheel pushed against tire well of body frame. Next day when tow truck lifted car, we discovered the ball joint assembly had come apart. Perry Ford (san diego) confirmed ball joint appears to have come apart without any obvious sign of damage due to impact or driver fault. Note: my wife had just come off freeway, traveling 15 miles from work and 1 mile from off ramp to our home. If she had been just another 5 min on freeway traveling 65-70mph. . . I hate to imagine what would have happened. Please investigate this matter with Ford.