NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
130 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 22, 2017
EngineUnknown Or Other
FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MY CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN I COME TO SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 4 TIMES I TOOK IT TO TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS AND ALSO TO A FORD AND THEY RAN IT ON THE COMPUTER AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS REPORTED. AFTER RETRIEVING…
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FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MY CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN I COME TO SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 4 TIMES I TOOK IT TO TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS AND ALSO TO A FORD AND THEY RAN IT ON THE COMPUTER AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS REPORTED. AFTER RETRIEVING MY CAR FROM THE DIAGNOSTICS MY CAR AGAIN CONTINUE TO STALL SIX MORE TIMES AND THEN AFTERWARDS BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO GET IN AND NEAR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11035535
136,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED IN HALF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED IN HALF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. *LN
NHTSA ODI #11025470
156,000 miles · Aug 27, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AT RED LIGHTS OR WHENEVER I AM STOPPED STOPPED. IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR HAS DIED AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T START BACK UP FOR A WHILE. I HAVE TO PRESS HARD AND LONG ON CLUTCH. MY GAS PEDDLE HAD BEEN STICKING IN THE PAST.
NHTSA ODI #11019987
1,224,500 miles · Mar 15, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LTD WITH 122K MILES WITH NO WARNING STALLS WHEN I COME TO A STOP, OR WHEN I'M GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THEN SAME THING WHEN I WAS DRIVING 65 ON MY WAY TO LAX, HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ALMOST SIDE SWIPED AND REAR ENDED BY CARS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, NOR CAN THE M…
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MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LTD WITH 122K MILES WITH NO WARNING STALLS WHEN I COME TO A STOP, OR WHEN I'M GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THEN SAME THING WHEN I WAS DRIVING 65 ON MY WAY TO LAX, HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ALMOST SIDE SWIPED AND REAR ENDED BY CARS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, NOR CAN THE MECHANIC FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I'VE COME TO LEARN THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THIS YEAR AND MODEL, YET FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH A RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS, I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. FORD IS IN THE KNOW. I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION BEING DONE.
NHTSA ODI #10966039
87,000 miles · Jan 20, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING; ALMOST $4,000 IN REPAIRS HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10946569
140,000 miles · Jan 6, 2017
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE, STEERING, AND BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL SIX EMISSION COILS FAILED AND FRACTURED THE PCM. THE SIX EMISSION COILS, POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND SPARK PL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE, STEERING, AND BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL SIX EMISSION COILS FAILED AND FRACTURED THE PCM. THE SIX EMISSION COILS, POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. ..UPDATED 02/09/17 *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #10940146
145,000 miles · Dec 16, 2016
Engine
ENGINE PCM (COMPUTER) FAILS DUE TO A DEFECT, CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO RECALL, REPAIR, OR WARRANTY. FAULTY SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, ALONG WITH DEFICIENT DRIVER TRANSISTORS IN THE PCM, LEAD TO A MALFUNCTION WHICH STALLS THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS …
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ENGINE PCM (COMPUTER) FAILS DUE TO A DEFECT, CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO RECALL, REPAIR, OR WARRANTY. FAULTY SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, ALONG WITH DEFICIENT DRIVER TRANSISTORS IN THE PCM, LEAD TO A MALFUNCTION WHICH STALLS THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT OCCURRED, AND EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10935579
130,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS HOOKED UP TO A H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS HOOKED UP TO A HANDHELD DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND DISPLAYED, "BAD PCM AND BAD COILS". THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10935414
183,000 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
NHTSA ODI #10919010
154,235 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,235.
NHTSA ODI #10904955
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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