NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
443 reports22,000 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
FORD ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) ISSUE MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES RELATED TO AN ILL-DESIGNED ETB SINCE 2010 (WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE). IN THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE FREQUENCY OF ISSUE OCCURRENCE HAS PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED. CURRENT RATE OF OCCURRENCE IS 3 - 6 TIMES PER WEEK. RA…
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FORD ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) ISSUE MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES RELATED TO AN ILL-DESIGNED ETB SINCE 2010 (WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE). IN THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE FREQUENCY OF ISSUE OCCURRENCE HAS PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED. CURRENT RATE OF OCCURRENCE IS 3 - 6 TIMES PER WEEK. RANDOMLY THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" WHILE DRIVING, WHERE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN TO NEARLY ZERO POWER. DASHBOARD DISPLAYS "PULL OVER SAFELY". IF THIS OCCURS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (WHICH IS MANY TIMES THE CASE ON OUR LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS), THERE IS NO WAY TO PULL OVER SAFELY WITH NEARLY ZERO ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE IS LITERALLY STRANDED IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC UNTIL THE ETB IS RESET. THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION MUST BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE ETB. THIS FAULTY ETB PART ACROSS MANY FORD MODELS FOR 10+ YEARS IS PUTTING VEHICLE OWNERS' SAFETY AT HIGH RISK. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES WITH THESE ILL-DESIGNED, FAULTY ETBS. VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT OF A PART WHICH IS CLEARLY FAULTY IN ITS DESIGN.
NHTSA ODI #11174800
75,000 miles · Jan 30, 2019
Service Brakes
CHECK BRAKES LIGHT COMES ON WHEN REACHING 40 MPH, AND STAYS ON. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THAT. FORD DEALER INDICATES ENTIRE FRONT LEFT AXLE SHAFT NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO BROKEN TONE RINGS. VERY EXPENSIVE. OTHER REPAIR PROFESSIONALS SUGGEST THAT TONE RINGS CAN BE REPLACED SEPARATELY; MUCH LESS EXPENSE. FORD DEALER WON'T DO WIT…
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CHECK BRAKES LIGHT COMES ON WHEN REACHING 40 MPH, AND STAYS ON. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THAT. FORD DEALER INDICATES ENTIRE FRONT LEFT AXLE SHAFT NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO BROKEN TONE RINGS. VERY EXPENSIVE. OTHER REPAIR PROFESSIONALS SUGGEST THAT TONE RINGS CAN BE REPLACED SEPARATELY; MUCH LESS EXPENSE. FORD DEALER WON'T DO WITHOUT ENTIRE AXLE BEING REPLACED. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES AND IS DIFFICULT TO APPLY BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #11173016
102,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019
Service Brakes
ABS LIGHT / BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WITH A MESSAGE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM - REGEN BRAKES DISABLED - REPLACED BROKEN TONE RING, NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON - SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS UNSAFE ISSUE WITH THE 08 HYBRID - FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI #11166397
165,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019
Service Brakes
BREAKS PERIODICALLY JUST WON'T WORK...GO OUT...THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS LISTED ON THE INTERNET. ITS SAYS YOU CAN REPLACE A 4000 PART...HOWEVER THE CAR REALLY ISN'T WORTH THAT MUCH. NOW IT WILL SAY REGEN BREAKS DISABLED
NHTSA ODI #11166295
133,588 miles · Jan 2, 2019
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SEVERELY AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SEVERELY AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO MATTHEWS CURRIE FORD (LOCATED AT 130 N TAMIAMI TRAIL, NOKOMIS, FL 34275, (800) 248-2378) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,588.
NHTSA ODI #11164608
150,000 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Steering
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. FORD HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL MODELS. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON THE SAME MODELS BUT LIMITED BY VIN #. THIS COULD…
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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. FORD HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL MODELS. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON THE SAME MODELS BUT LIMITED BY VIN #. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR THREAT TO HUMAN LIFE HAD THE OPERATOR NOT HAD THE STRENGTH TO OVER COME THE LACK OF POWER STEERING. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ESCAPE/MARINER STEERING SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11164579
113,000 miles · Dec 29, 2018
Service Brakes
I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH 113,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT I WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT FROM A SPEED OF 50MPH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST ALL BRAKE POWER. I WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER AND ALMOST INTO A DITCH TO PREVENT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DASH REA…
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I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH 113,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT I WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT FROM A SPEED OF 50MPH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST ALL BRAKE POWER. I WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER AND ALMOST INTO A DITCH TO PREVENT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DASH READ "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AND I AM BEING TOLD IT IS LIKELY A FAILED HYDRAULIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND VERY EXPENSIVE. HOW HAS FORD NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND KNOWN PROBLEM?
NHTSA ODI #11163965
78,000 miles · Dec 18, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE FORD REPAIR SERVICE CENTER HAS INFORMED ME THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT MEC PUMP ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS FAILED. THE MEC WAS PART OF A RECALL ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 FOR 2005-2008 FORD ESCPAES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # IS 14V526000. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT …
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THE FORD REPAIR SERVICE CENTER HAS INFORMED ME THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT MEC PUMP ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS FAILED. THE MEC WAS PART OF A RECALL ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 FOR 2005-2008 FORD ESCPAES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # IS 14V526000. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT TELL MY WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE ADDED TO THE RECALL AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING SO. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11162337
144,000 miles · Dec 11, 2018
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, JERKED, AND LOST POWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG VALLEY FORD LINCOLN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, JERKED, AND LOST POWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG VALLEY FORD LINCOLN (3282 AUTO CENTER CIR, STOCKTON, CA 95212, (800) 867-1516) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #11160823
140,000 miles · Dec 8, 2018
Steering
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN PARKED/IDLE AND WILD STOP AFTER EXCEEDING 10MPH. ISSUE ESCALATED AND NOW HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN NOT TURNING (TRAVELING STRAIGHT). SHAKING HAS BECOME MORE VIOLENT IN WHEEL. FIRST MECHANIC DETERMINE CODES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL #14S05. FORD CLAIMS THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND CLOSED IN 2…
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STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN PARKED/IDLE AND WILD STOP AFTER EXCEEDING 10MPH. ISSUE ESCALATED AND NOW HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN NOT TURNING (TRAVELING STRAIGHT). SHAKING HAS BECOME MORE VIOLENT IN WHEEL. FIRST MECHANIC DETERMINE CODES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL #14S05. FORD CLAIMS THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND CLOSED IN 2015. NOW, ISSUE HAS RESURFACED, AND ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SECOND MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL AND WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT FORD AGAIN. STEERING POWER ASSIST FAILURE DISPLAYED.
NHTSA ODI #11157055
NHTSA investigations
3DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.