NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
130 reportsClear category filter104,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND CAR BEGAN TO LURCH AND BUCK. CAR SHUT OFF 3 TIMES IN BUSY INTERSECTION WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND LEARNED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO MANUFACTURERS USING INCORRECT SPARK PLUGS. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE. THIS IS A…
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DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND CAR BEGAN TO LURCH AND BUCK. CAR SHUT OFF 3 TIMES IN BUSY INTERSECTION WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND LEARNED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO MANUFACTURERS USING INCORRECT SPARK PLUGS. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AND CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE, DOING ANY SPEED! THE COMPUTER SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479800
92,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10475925
82,000 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10472059
141,300 miles · Jul 29, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
WAS ON AN ACCESS ROAD ONTO INTERSTATE 4 IN TAMPA, CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I WAS ABLE TO BARELY STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SINCE IT WAS A LARGE OVERPASS I HAD MORE THAN TYPICAL ROOM TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. LATER I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT COILS WERE DAMAGED AND PCM COMPUTER WENT OUT. I CHECKED CARCOMPLAI…
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WAS ON AN ACCESS ROAD ONTO INTERSTATE 4 IN TAMPA, CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I WAS ABLE TO BARELY STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SINCE IT WAS A LARGE OVERPASS I HAD MORE THAN TYPICAL ROOM TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. LATER I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT COILS WERE DAMAGED AND PCM COMPUTER WENT OUT. I CHECKED CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WITH COST TO FIX IT FROM $1300 TO $2700. EVIDENTLY FORD IS AWARE OF THIS TOTAL ENGINE SHUT DOWN PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSED BY A COMPUTER FAILURE. IN MOST CASES PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THE CAR AND IT COMPLETELY STALLS WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING AND MINIMAL MANEUVERABILITY. I WAS FORTUNATE IT HAPPENED ON THE OVERPASS AND NOT ON THE BUSY INTERSTATE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10468145
129,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I WENT TO ACCELERATE. UPON REACHING 40. I HEARD A SUBSTANTIAL BACKFIRE NOISE, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD CAUSING ME TO BLOCK TRAFFIC AS I COASTED ALMOST INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER COASTING FOR 100+ FEET. AFTER WHIC…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I WENT TO ACCELERATE. UPON REACHING 40. I HEARD A SUBSTANTIAL BACKFIRE NOISE, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD CAUSING ME TO BLOCK TRAFFIC AS I COASTED ALMOST INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER COASTING FOR 100+ FEET. AFTER WHICH, THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND RUGGED NEVER BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOUT 30 MPH AND CAUSING MAJOR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP (VARSITY FORD IN ANN ARBOR, MI) AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS IN TROUBLE. APPARENTLY, MY SPARK PLUG AFTER BEING CLOGGED, CAUSED A BACKFIRE WHICH BLEW MY IGNITION COILS AND SPARKPLUGS AND MY PCM. I AM BEING QUOTED $2,200. AT MY LAST OIL CHANGE (3 MONTHS AGO) VARSITY FORD TOLD ME I WAS GETTING CLOSE TO NEEDING A TUNE UP BUT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY THAT DAY AND THAT I COULD WAIT UNTIL MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. I WAS PLANNING ON GOING THIS WEEKEND BECAUSE I WAS HEADING OUT OF TOWN. HAD I BEEN TOLD THE RISK WAS A $400 TUNE UP VS. A $2,200 BLOWN ENGINE, MAYBE I WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS. I'M VERY DISTRAUGHT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND NOW AM QUESTIONING WHETHER I WILL EVER BUY A FORD OR WORK WITH A FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467100
150,000 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY GAS PEDAL SNAPPED FORWARD BY ITSELF AND ACCELERATED MY CAR. THEN SNAPPED BACK AND HIT MY FOOT IN THE POSITION IT WAS ALREADY IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. (I BOUGHT IT NEW) I IGNORED IT THE FIRST FEW TIMES BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WA…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY GAS PEDAL SNAPPED FORWARD BY ITSELF AND ACCELERATED MY CAR. THEN SNAPPED BACK AND HIT MY FOOT IN THE POSITION IT WAS ALREADY IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. (I BOUGHT IT NEW) I IGNORED IT THE FIRST FEW TIMES BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO BEING ON CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THIS WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. I SAW ON FOX NEWS THAT THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION; AND CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPAIR MY CAR AND THEY SAID NO. I AM HOPING THEY WILL HAVE A RECALL, BECAUSE I PLAN ON KEEPING THIS CAR FOR AWHILE, AND DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466640
94,587 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
WE WERE ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED WITHOUT WARNING. NO TELLING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE WERE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WE COASTED TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER WHO STATED THE COMPUTER (PCM), ALL THE COIL OVER PLUGS (COP) AND SPARK PLUGS WERE DA…
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WE WERE ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED WITHOUT WARNING. NO TELLING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE WERE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WE COASTED TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER WHO STATED THE COMPUTER (PCM), ALL THE COIL OVER PLUGS (COP) AND SPARK PLUGS WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AS IT IS DESCRIBED EXACTLY IN FORD SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 09-2-6. THE SPARK PLUGS IN THE 2005 AND 2006 CAUSE RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE WITH THE PCM WHICH DAMAGES THE PCM AND THE OTHER COMPONENTS. THE LEAST FORD COULD HAVE DONE WAS NOTIFY US THAT REPLACING THE SPARK PLUGS COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE PROBLEMS DON'T END THERE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR WE WERE AGAIN ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 50MPH. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WHO STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (THERE ARE 3 OF THEM) WERE CLOGGED DUE TO RAW FUEL COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE CONVERTERS PROBABLY DUE TO THE PREVIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE COST TO FIX THE CONVERTERS IS EVEN MORE THAN THE COST OF THE INITIAL REPAIR. WE'VE DECIDED TO NOT HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS THE TOTAL COST OF ALL THE REPAIRS WOULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP IN THIS SITUATION. I THINK FORD SHOULD COVER THE COSTS OF THESE REPAIRS FOR AN ISSUE KNEW EXISTED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS I SEE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF OTHER 2005 ESCAPES LISTED IN YOUR DATABASE. I IMAGINE WE WILL MORE OF THESE FAILURES AS THESE VEHICLES AGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465328
151,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAR JUST QUIT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ONLY TO FIND OUT THE COMPUTER SHORTED OUT WHICH ALSO DESTROYED ALL THE COILS. I JUST PRINTED OUT 13 PAGES OF THIS HAVING HAPPENED TO OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS AND THAT A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN (09-2-6) WAS AT ONE TIME ISSUED--- THIS WILL COST A TON OF MONEY TO CORRECT FOR A…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAR JUST QUIT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ONLY TO FIND OUT THE COMPUTER SHORTED OUT WHICH ALSO DESTROYED ALL THE COILS. I JUST PRINTED OUT 13 PAGES OF THIS HAVING HAPPENED TO OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS AND THAT A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN (09-2-6) WAS AT ONE TIME ISSUED--- THIS WILL COST A TON OF MONEY TO CORRECT FOR A PROBLEM FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME. WHEN MINE QUIT I HAD SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD SO THERE WAS A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE AND JUST QUITTING WITH NO WARNING-- WHY HAS FORD NOT HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10462364
75,000 miles · Jun 1, 2012
EnginePower Train
MY CAR STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE PCM. FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460239
26,000 miles · May 15, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MORE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE COILS WERE REPLACED. THE PCM MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED DRIVING 55MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. TWO CARS THAT WERE BEHIND SWERVED INTO A DITCH IN ORDER TO AVOID COLLISION. UPDATED 10/15/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10458526
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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.
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.
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
2DP12006 · 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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