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2005 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,211 reports with mileage · 183 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 459 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 434 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports20 fire reports20 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

153 reports
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90,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I WAS HEADED HOME FROM WORK AND GOT ON THE FREE WAY I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD START SHAKING. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME WHEN MY CAR DIED TWICE BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN TO MAKE IT HOME. I GOT A DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON IT TO FIND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAD BURNT O…

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I WAS HEADED HOME FROM WORK AND GOT ON THE FREE WAY I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD START SHAKING. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME WHEN MY CAR DIED TWICE BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN TO MAKE IT HOME. I GOT A DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON IT TO FIND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAD BURNT OUT ALONG WITH 4 OF THE 6 COILS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457358

130,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

MARCH 2011. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE ACTED LIKE A HICCUP OR MISFIRE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MILES LATER THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, IT STARTED CHUGGING REALLY BAD AND EVENTUALLY DIED. IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT ON A VERY LOW TRAVELED AREA AND I HAD MY TWO YEAR OLD IN THE CAR WITH ME.…

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MARCH 2011. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE ACTED LIKE A HICCUP OR MISFIRE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MILES LATER THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, IT STARTED CHUGGING REALLY BAD AND EVENTUALLY DIED. IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT ON A VERY LOW TRAVELED AREA AND I HAD MY TWO YEAR OLD IN THE CAR WITH ME. LUCKILY IT STARTED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A FEW MORE MILES (THANK GOD) TO A HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED 45 MINUTES EARLIER. I WOULD HAVE BEEN AN HOUR TO THE NEAREST TOWN! NOT A GREAT FEELING WITH A TODDLER IN THE CAR, AN UNFAMILIAR ROAD, AND AFTER BUSINESS HOURS. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE COIL PACKS AT FIRST, SO WE REPLACED TWO OF THEM LIKE THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED. THEN THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND WE NOW NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER. NOT KNOWING ANY DIFFERENT, WE REPLACED THE COMPUTER. JUST LAST FRIDAY THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME. SO THIS WOULD BE SIX COIL PACKS AND TWO COMPUTERS IN A YEAR. NOT HAPPY! WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP MAKING REPAIRS LIKE THIS. NOT A HUGE FORD FAN AT THIS POINT...AND VERY SICK TO MY STOMACH TO READ SOOOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIMILAR SITUATIONS FROM OTHERS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE A LOT OF HARD WORKING PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS LIKE WE'RE HAVING. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY WITH THIS UNCERTAIN PROBLEM OCCURRING! PLEASE DO SOMETHING! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452396

187,000 miles · Mar 4, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. TOLD BY MECHANIC IT WAS A "FRIED" COMPUTER CAUSED BY INCORRECT SPARK PLUGS (ORIGINAL FACTORY-INSTALLED). WILL HAVE TO REPLACE PCM, COILS AND PLUGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450209

16,800 miles · Mar 2, 2012
Electrical System

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN .THE PROBLEM THE PCM THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE GOES OUT. FORD KNOWS THIS BUT THEY DONT FEEL ITS A SAFTY ISSUE. I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT DRIVING AND HAVING YOUR CAR SHUT OFF SCARES ME. THANK GOD THE TRACTOR TRAILOR WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.THE REPAIR WILL COST 2500 DO…

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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN .THE PROBLEM THE PCM THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE GOES OUT. FORD KNOWS THIS BUT THEY DONT FEEL ITS A SAFTY ISSUE. I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT DRIVING AND HAVING YOUR CAR SHUT OFF SCARES ME. THANK GOD THE TRACTOR TRAILOR WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.THE REPAIR WILL COST 2500 DOES NO GOOD IF NOBODY MAKES THEM FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450094

88,555 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Electrical System

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT ON DASHBOARD,I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER,AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED,FEW MONTHS AGO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY DID A COMPLETE DIAGNOSE AND NOTHING WAS WRONG,I SEARCH ABOUT THIS PROBLEM,AND FOUND OUT THAT SO MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF CAR HAVE EXACTLY…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT ON DASHBOARD,I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER,AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED,FEW MONTHS AGO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY DID A COMPLETE DIAGNOSE AND NOTHING WAS WRONG,I SEARCH ABOUT THIS PROBLEM,AND FOUND OUT THAT SO MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF CAR HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME COMPLAINT,IT SEEMS THAT FORD MOTOR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER TYPE OF CARS ON THE SAME ITEM(FUEL RAIL PRESSURE) AND HAD A RECALL ON THESE CARS,WHY NOT ON FORD ESCAPES??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449895

115,550 miles · Feb 25, 2012
Electrical System

THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE FAILED, ALONG WITH THE COILS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE SITTING IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449292

158,000 miles · Feb 15, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY WIFE WENT TO ON A TRIP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MISFIRE, WENT TO A FORD DEALER, MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM; IGNITION COIL #4 FAILED. SHE ASKED WHAT NEEDED DONE TO FIX PROPERLY SO SHE WOULD BE SAFE AND HAVE NO MORE TROUBLE. HE SAID TO REPLACE COIL, PLUGS, AND WIRES. THAT WAS DONE. ON THE WAY HOME IT HAPPENED AGAIN, CAR …

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MY WIFE WENT TO ON A TRIP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MISFIRE, WENT TO A FORD DEALER, MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM; IGNITION COIL #4 FAILED. SHE ASKED WHAT NEEDED DONE TO FIX PROPERLY SO SHE WOULD BE SAFE AND HAVE NO MORE TROUBLE. HE SAID TO REPLACE COIL, PLUGS, AND WIRES. THAT WAS DONE. ON THE WAY HOME IT HAPPENED AGAIN, CAR SHUT OFF W/O WARNING ON I95 @65 MPH. PROBLEM PERSISTED AND FINALLY WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED. MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED FORD SRB 09-2-6. A PROBLEM IDENTIFIED BY FORD BUT NOT MADE PUBLIC. I CONTACTED DEALER; HE WAS AWARE OF SRB BUT DID NOT ACT ON IT OR INFORM US ABOUT IT. WE ARE NOW FACED WITH A BILL 2X LARGER THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF DEALER WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED SRB. HE PUT MY WIFE AT RISK (NEARLY HAD A FEW ACCIDENTS) AND FORD AND THE NHTSA ARE PUTTING PEOPLE AT UNDUE RISK BY NOT MAKING THIS INFO. PUBLIC AND SPECIFIC TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. A FAILURE OF THIS MAGNITUDE, IDENTIFIED AS A PROBLEM FROM THE FACTORY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD SHOULD COMPLETE REPAIRS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448012

95,000 miles · Jan 19, 2012
Electrical System

MY WIFE GOT INTO HER ESCAPE TO RETURN HOME AND IT WOULD NOT RUN PROPERLY. IT WAS MISSING BADLY AND LACKED ADEQUATE POWER TO PULL ITSELF. I TOOK MY ESCAPE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS APPAULED BY THEIR FINDINGS. I AM GOING TO QUOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT I RECEIVED. "SOME ESCAPE/MARINER VEHICLES BUILT ON OR BEFORE …

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MY WIFE GOT INTO HER ESCAPE TO RETURN HOME AND IT WOULD NOT RUN PROPERLY. IT WAS MISSING BADLY AND LACKED ADEQUATE POWER TO PULL ITSELF. I TOOK MY ESCAPE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS APPAULED BY THEIR FINDINGS. I AM GOING TO QUOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT I RECEIVED. "SOME ESCAPE/MARINER VEHICLES BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/3/2005 , EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) FOR COIL ON PLUG (COP) PRIMARY CIRCUIT FAULTS (P0351-P0356). THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE COP AND POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) REACTING TO RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE FROM THE SPARK PLUGS." MY REPAIR TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VEHICLES LIKE MINE. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB, I FOUND ONE PERSON WHOSE ESCAPE DIED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND PLENTY OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. I SUPPOSE I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE MY PROBLEM HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT. I HAD TO REPLACE MY POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND ALL SIX COILS AT A COST OF OVER $1200. I SAVED LABOR COSTS BY DOING THE WORK MYSELF, BUT OTHERS I READ ABOUT DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME FATE. MY TECHNICIAN ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES AND THAT I SHOULD SAVE MY RECEIPTS BECAUSE FORD MAY ISSUE A RECALL. MY VEHICLE WENT FROM RUNNING PERFECTLY TO NOT RUNNING AT ALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS SAME VEHICLE AT ONLY 37000 MILES, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM EXTREMELY DISSAPPOINTED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10444492

110,000 miles · Jan 14, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THE FIRST ISSUE I HAD WITH MY CAR WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2010. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COILS AND THE PLUGS WERE OUT AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS JUST TIME TO GET THIS REPAIRED BECAUSE MY CAR WAS RIGHT OVER THE 100,000 MILE MARK. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTI…

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THE FIRST ISSUE I HAD WITH MY CAR WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2010. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COILS AND THE PLUGS WERE OUT AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS JUST TIME TO GET THIS REPAIRED BECAUSE MY CAR WAS RIGHT OVER THE 100,000 MILE MARK. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL MAY OF 2011 WHEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THIS TIME I TOOK MY CAR TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER. THIS TIME I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD RUN OK UP TO ABOUT 35 MPH AND THEN AFTER THAT SPEED IT WOULD START JERKING. IF I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IT STOPS, BUT IF I LEAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. I HAVEN'T TAKEN MY CAR ANYWHERE THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE OVER 45MPH BUT RECENTLY I NOTICED THAT IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE PAST 35, THAT INSTEAD OF JERKING TO TURN MY CAR OFF, THE HARDER I PUSH THE GAS, IT FEELS LIKE I AM PUSHING THE BRAKE WITH THAT SAME INTENSITY WHEN I HAVEN'T EVEN TOUCHED THE BRAKE. IM AFRAID THAT WHILE PUSHING THE GAS, THE CAR IS GOING TO BRAKE AND THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS GOING TO SLAM INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR AND HURT MY 2 YR OLD SON IN HIS CARSEAT IN THE BACK. I AVOID DRIVING THIS CAR UNLESS I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS. IT SEEMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR I HAVE ARE HAVING THE SAME OR A SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE CHECKED INTO BECAUSE FORD IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT BEFORE THE ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443788

58,000 miles · Jan 9, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO SMOKE AND STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SPARK PLUGS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO SMOKE AND STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SPARK PLUGS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,200. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REAIRED. UPDATED 02/13/12

NHTSA ODI #10443171

Official recalls

4

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 29, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Sep 3, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

06V111000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Apr 7, 2006

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Dec 20, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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

2

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.

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

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