Service Brakes. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

443 reports

150,000 miles · Jul 23, 2018

Power Train

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VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I GOT IN TO START THE VEHICLE. UPON REVERSING IT IMMEDIATELY LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL, SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND I SAW THE LETTERS 'SAFELY STOP' APPEAR AS WELL AS THE RED TRIANGLE (PER AUTO MANUAL THE RED TRIANGLE IS DESCRIBED AS 'MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING LAMP' AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AT THAT POINT AT ALL. I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES. OFTEN IT WOULDN'T TURN ON AT ALL, BUT WHEN IT DID THEN THE RED TRIANGLE WOULD APPEAR AGAIN & CAR WOULDN'T BUDGE.

NHTSA ODI #11113204

111,449 miles · Jul 12, 2018

Service Brakes

A.B.S. HCU. PART # 8M6Z2C286A THIS REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE DEALER COST IS $5835.56 THEIR ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM !

NHTSA ODI #11111001

111,449 miles · Jul 11, 2018

Service Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AS THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONLY AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRIECO FORD (1651 NEW STATE HWY, RAYNHAM, MA 02767, 1- 888-680-8818) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,449.

NHTSA ODI #11110746

95,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018

Service Brakes

MY CAR'S ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE COME WITH MESSAGES READING "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKE DISABLED." AT TIMES THE BRAKES WILL APPEEAR TO FAIL AND I HAVE TO SLAM THEM VERY HARD TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI #11110592

139,000 miles · Jul 9, 2018

Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, "THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKE DISABLE" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11110206

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

A SHUT DOWN WARNING LIGHT PULL OVER TO SAFETY NOW INDICATOR TURNS ON . THANK FULLY ON A STREET IN MOTION ,MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. BUT IS SCARY YOU NEVER KNOW IS WHY OR WHEN IT WILL CLICK ON AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WITH KIDS IN THE CAR . TURN CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES

NHTSA ODI #11105049

110,000 miles · Jun 23, 2018

Service Brakes

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WITH FREQUENT BREAKING I GET BREAK LIGHTS WARNING SIGN/SOUND AND OCCASIONAL ABS SIGN/SOUND. IF THAT OCCURS, MY BREAKS SINK TO THE FLOOR NEEDING AN EXTRA EFFORT TO STOP THE CAR. UPON TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN ON, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. HOWEVER THE LIGHT COME AGAIN DURING A FREQUENT BREAKING IN A RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS SITUATION BECOME QUITE SCARY AND I AM AFRAID OF LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VBEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ON PERUSING THRU THE INTERNET, I FOUNT THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF ESCAPE HYBRID 2005 ON EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS AND ARE ADVISED TO CHANGE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WITH A COST IN EXCESS O $7000.00. THAT THE ESTIMATE GIVEN TO ME AN MANY OTHER ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUES BEFORE PEOPLE START DYING, JUST FROM THE DRIVER'S PANIC REACTION ALONE. FORD CO. SO FAR REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM FROM THE TOP MANAGEMENT. SINCE MY INVOICE INCLUDES PERSONAL INFORMATION, I SUGGEST YOU CONTACT LEN STOLER FORD DIRECTLY

NHTSA ODI #11103570

125,000 miles · Jun 20, 2018

Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHT WITH ABS LIGHT COME ON THE DASH AND LOOSE THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE BECOMES TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE .

NHTSA ODI #11102861

185,000 miles · Jun 18, 2018

Service BrakesCrash

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 50+ MPH ON AN POPULATED ROAD. HAD TO STOP USING EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DRIVING ON THE DIVIDER. BRAKE LOSS WAS DUE TO A FAILED MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND HYDOLIC CONTROL UNIT. SIMILAR IF NOT IDENTICAL TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 05-8-5 (AUGUST 5, 2005) (NHTSA ID #10017553)

NHTSA ODI #11102451

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2018

Service Brakes

TAKATA RECALL MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA ODI #11101365

Official recalls

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP22005 · 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.