NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
42 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 28, 2022
Electrical SystemLane DepartureUnknown Or Other
Windows operating intermittently. Repeatedly the dashboard flashes "Cross Traffic System Fault", "Blind Spot System Fault", "Blind Spot Left/Right Sensor Fault" occasionally "Cannot Access Memory While Driving". The lower center display panel on the instrument panel goes completely BLACK, and one cannot operate the defroster or…
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Windows operating intermittently. Repeatedly the dashboard flashes "Cross Traffic System Fault", "Blind Spot System Fault", "Blind Spot Left/Right Sensor Fault" occasionally "Cannot Access Memory While Driving". The lower center display panel on the instrument panel goes completely BLACK, and one cannot operate the defroster or air conditioner. The problem occurs intermittently, but when it starts it is more or less continuous for long periods of time. Ford (DeMontrond Ford) has now worked on the problem at least seven times, but safety issues do not stay fixed. Date below is when most recent series of issues occurred.
NHTSA ODI #11481625
53,000 miles · May 12, 2022
Electrical SystemPower Train
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key fob would not unlock the door. The contact attempted to manually start the vehicle however, there was no electrical power and the engine was not cranking. The contact jump started the vehicle. The contact stated that the failur…
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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the key fob would not unlock the door. The contact attempted to manually start the vehicle however, there was no electrical power and the engine was not cranking. The contact jump started the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the connectors between the battery, the Power Train Control Module (PCM), and the battery needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the battery connectors were wet due to severe weather in the area prior to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
NHTSA ODI #11464425
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid - Battery does not start. Occurrence: twice at 15K and 21K. Total mileage on vehicle: 21K. Turning the ignition key of the Escape Hybrid, the electric motor is supposed to be activated. The electric motor, in turn, starts the gasoline engine. At this point, there is total failure.
NHTSA ODI #11456472
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
My car, at the time was a moving vehicle at a NYC parkway intersection. malfunctioned. Dashboard, navigation radio went black. Navigation panel shows vehicle network communications error. car stopped moving.gear can shift. hazard light or hatch can turn one. Once dealer restarted the car, system generated notification listed pow…
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My car, at the time was a moving vehicle at a NYC parkway intersection. malfunctioned. Dashboard, navigation radio went black. Navigation panel shows vehicle network communications error. car stopped moving.gear can shift. hazard light or hatch can turn one. Once dealer restarted the car, system generated notification listed powertrain to restraint control and four wheel drive failures. But phone still kept connecting to car on Bluetooth. This caused me to have to keep dialing back to 911, AAA, Ford roadside and dealer service because call receiver kept thinking the call was not connecting So they would disconnect the call. hill assist and pre-collision failure reporter in 3/21. Sync failure was reported to sync support and ignored. I was told CRM was down and call back later. Apple product and level 3 had update its software to address it. It is one thing an old car stalls. We have police, roadside and Good Samaritan to help a single woman to pull off the toad. It is abominable that safety features malfunction. It is even more horrid when the paid Ford roadside assist’s response at two calls was “call911” when I asked them to walk me through recovery protocol. When I called my dealer service (queens Ford 7 miles away from incident location), I was told to look for backup key slot, when I could not locate it at the described location, I asked for manual page number, I was told to call roadside or sales department to express my dissatisfaction) I found the manual page. The location identified does not provide a place to insert key. It took almost two hours before Ford contacted me about tow. If NHTSA does not look into this there is no justice. My 2020 escape was purchased in sept 2020 with extended warranty. It has only 9000 mi one it. Dealer offered a loaner. But kept me waiting because “it was too busy”. I refused to sign loaner gsreemtn, they threaten to report car stolen. Auto generated report still says car is healthy
NHTSA ODI #11432634
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2021
Electrical System
When using the ac water drains down whirring harness down to floor near gas petal
NHTSA ODI #11431443
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2021
Electrical System
The Stop Safety Now light came on. Car stopped in a traffic lane. I attempted restart without success. I could also not get the transmission out of park while waiting for tow truck. I was then unable to restart the engine while the visual displays continued working. After about 20 minutes everything powered down and I was the…
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The Stop Safety Now light came on. Car stopped in a traffic lane. I attempted restart without success. I could also not get the transmission out of park while waiting for tow truck. I was then unable to restart the engine while the visual displays continued working. After about 20 minutes everything powered down and I was then able to restart. Very glad no traffic hit me.
NHTSA ODI #11429608
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2021
Electrical System
After 2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid did not start, it was towed to a Ford dealer. They diagnosed battery failure and put in a new one. When we drove away from the dealer, the car was disabled within one mile. They now say it wasn't the battery, it was the battery converter which I understand to be the equivalent to the altern…
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After 2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid did not start, it was towed to a Ford dealer. They diagnosed battery failure and put in a new one. When we drove away from the dealer, the car was disabled within one mile. They now say it wasn't the battery, it was the battery converter which I understand to be the equivalent to the alternator in non-hybrids. The vehicle is under new car warranty. My wife was fortunate she was in the right lane and could pull onto the shoulder with minimal steering control. Some alerts on Ford Plus app: "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power." Also "Charge System Fault." And "Malfunction Indicator Lamp -- Regulatory."
NHTSA ODI #11427172
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2021
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING AND ALERT CAME ACROSS STARED NO GAS TO ENGINE AND THE STOP. I WAS DRIVING ONTO I75 45 MILES PER HOUR THEN THE CAR SPEED DROPPED TO 17 PULLED OUT OF THE LANE TO I75 .WENT ACROSS FRUITVILLE ROAD ONLY GOING 17. BARELY MADE IT A PLACE WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED. IF I WAS ON I75 I …
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I WAS DRIVING AND ALERT CAME ACROSS STARED NO GAS TO ENGINE AND THE STOP. I WAS DRIVING ONTO I75 45 MILES PER HOUR THEN THE CAR SPEED DROPPED TO 17 PULLED OUT OF THE LANE TO I75 .WENT ACROSS FRUITVILLE ROAD ONLY GOING 17. BARELY MADE IT A PLACE WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED. IF I WAS ON I75 I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR IF TBE CAR STOPPED ON EIGHT LANE FRUITVILLE ROAD I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #11408336
28,799 miles · Apr 10, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY CAR HAS SUFFERED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THESE WERE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. EACH TIME IT WAS ONLY THROUGH GOOD LUCK THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT ACROSS TWO LANES OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC IN A CAR WITH NO ENGINE POWER TO PULL…
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MY CAR HAS SUFFERED A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THESE WERE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. EACH TIME IT WAS ONLY THROUGH GOOD LUCK THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT ACROSS TWO LANES OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC IN A CAR WITH NO ENGINE POWER TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THE CAR WAS SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED IN JUNE, 2020, WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILD. I NOTICED RIGHT AFTER THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL/UPDATE NOTICE FOR MY CAR THAT SEEMED TO BE ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER. IT WAS DESCRIBED AS A "20B14 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE UPDATE". I HAD THIS RECALL/UPDATE DONE BY A FORD DEALER ON JULY 24TH, 2020. I ASSUMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A DEFECT IN THE CAR'S OPERATING SYSTEM, BUT THAT THE RECALL/UPDATE HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEN, YESTERDAY, APRIL 9TH, 2020, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, AND IT WAS ONLY THROUGH GOOD LUCK THAT THEY AVOIDED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AND GOT THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I NOTICED THAT NIGHT THAT FORD HAD SENT ME AN AUTOMATIC MESSAGE TO MY PHONE SAYING "THE HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS DISABLED THE GASOLINE ENGINE FUNCTION DUE TO AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN BEING DETECTED." I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALER TODAY AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY UPDATED THE OPERATING CODE OF THE VEHICLE TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH "OPERATION NO. 212080A" TO SUM UP, MY CAR HAS NOW STOPPED DEAD ON THE HIGHWAY AT FULL SPEED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM ERROR. THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN EITHER MY INDIVIDUAL CAR OR IN THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR A PROBLEM THIS SERIOUS TO HAPPEN TWICE.
NHTSA ODI #11407409
6,000 miles · Mar 6, 2021
Electrical SystemLane Departure
PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING IDICATOR IN MIRROR COME ON WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLE IS PRESENT. AT OTHER TIMES, INDICATOR DOES NOT COME ON AT ALL, EVEN IF A VEHICLE IS PRESENT IN THE BLIND SPOT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. INDICATOR CANNOT BE TRUSTED. MANY OWNERS REPORT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON FORUMS. FORD HAS NO SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11399549
NHTSA investigations
2PE23013 · Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
Opened Jul 7, 2023 · Closed Jan 24, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door ; Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure:body:door
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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.
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