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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

90 reports
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96,500 miles · Oct 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

OVER THE PAST YEAR, MY VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY SHAKE, STUTTER, AND HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED AND I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO BE SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP, IT REQUIRED A NEW COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUG. DEPENDING ON WHICH ONE OF 6 FAILED, THE COST FOR REPAIR VARIED GREATLY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S NOT WOR…

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OVER THE PAST YEAR, MY VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY SHAKE, STUTTER, AND HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED AND I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO BE SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP, IT REQUIRED A NEW COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUG. DEPENDING ON WHICH ONE OF 6 FAILED, THE COST FOR REPAIR VARIED GREATLY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S NOT WORTH REPLACING ALL 6 AT ONCE, TO WAIT UNTIL EACH INDIVIDUAL ONE SHOWED SIGNS OF HAVING AN ISSUE OR NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THEN, ONE DAY, I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE POSTED SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH PEP OR PICK-UP AS USUAL. AS I WAS EXITING FROM THE LEFT LANE ONTO AN ON-RAMP FOR A TOLL, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. WITH NO WARNING, NO INDICATIONS, NO STUTTERING AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, NOTHING - IT JUST DIED. THIS REQUIRED ALL 6 COILS AND PLUGS TO BE REPLACED (INCLUDING THE 3 NEW WITHIN THE PAST YEAR) IN ADDITION TO THE PCM (POWER CONTROL MODULE). I AM TOLD ONE OF THE COILS/PLUGS FAILED, SENT OUT A RADIO FREQUENCY, AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289478

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT THAT HAS 46000 MILES ON IT AND I HAD BOTH TONE RINGS REPLACED AND I THINK THE ONE IS BAD AGAIN AND IT IS ONLY A YEAR OLD. I ONLY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE PAVED ROADS AND MY SHORT DIRT ROAD. I AM NOT HARD ON THE VEHICLE AT ALL. THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM FOR ALMOST $400 PARTS/LABOR. THE P…

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I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT THAT HAS 46000 MILES ON IT AND I HAD BOTH TONE RINGS REPLACED AND I THINK THE ONE IS BAD AGAIN AND IT IS ONLY A YEAR OLD. I ONLY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE PAVED ROADS AND MY SHORT DIRT ROAD. I AM NOT HARD ON THE VEHICLE AT ALL. THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM FOR ALMOST $400 PARTS/LABOR. THE PART IS ONLY $55 AND THE REST IS LABOR. RIDICULOUS! OF COURSE THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS A 6YR/75000. AM I GOING TO HAVE TO FORK OUT THIS MONEY EVERY YEAR, BECAUSE THESE THINGS BREAK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? I THINK THE FOR COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED, BECAUSE APPARENTLY THEY ARE CHEAPLY MADE AND LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM... THE 1ST ONE WAS REPLACED ON 8/4/08 WITH 36735 MILES AND THE SECOND ONE WAS REPLACED ON 1/8/09 WITH 40560 MILES AND I THINK ONE IS BAD AGAIN, BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND IS FLASHING SERVICE BRAKES/4X4. APPARENTLY THESE THINGS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED THE ABS SENSING RING ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT AXLES..ALOT OF GOOD THAT DID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281465

43,000 miles · Aug 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH 43,000 MILES AND THE ENGINE HAS A BAD PISTON,LIFTER OR VALVE KNOCKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280528

62,000 miles · Jun 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD, HORRIBLE NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE ENGINE WOULD FALL APART. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD, HORRIBLE NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE ENGINE WOULD FALL APART. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE CONNECTION ROD SHATTERED IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS CONVINCED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WELL MAINTAINED; THEREFORE, THEY DID NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED BY HER HUSBAND AND REPLACED WITH A NEW ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000. UPDATED 6/22/09 *CN THE ENGINE FAILED. UPDATED 06/25/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10273222

94,100 miles · Sep 22, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 FORD ESCAPE 94,000 MILES, CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLUGGED, OUT OF 8YR 80,000 MILE WARRANTY, ABOUT $2000 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243052

100,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON FREEWAY ON WAY TO HOSPITAL, GETTING OFF FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ROAD TO AVOID GETTING HIT. IF STILL ON FREEWAY, WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND UNABLE TO RESTART. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP DUE TO COMPUTER SHUTDOWN AFFECTING SPARK PL…

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WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON FREEWAY ON WAY TO HOSPITAL, GETTING OFF FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ROAD TO AVOID GETTING HIT. IF STILL ON FREEWAY, WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND UNABLE TO RESTART. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP DUE TO COMPUTER SHUTDOWN AFFECTING SPARK PLUGS AND COILS. COST TO ME FROM DEALERSHIP IS $2200. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242198

39,000 miles · Jun 6, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO, MY WIFE CALLED ME AT WORK TO REPORT HER 2005 ESCAPE "MADE A FUNNY NOISE" WHEN SHE TRIED TO START IT. WHEN I GOT HOME THAT AFTERNOON, I WENT TO INVESTIGATE IT. WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN AND TURNED IT ON, IT EXPLODED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DISENTERGRATED AND SCHRAPNEL FROM IT SEVERED WIRING HARNESS, KNOCKED PARTS OFF…

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ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO, MY WIFE CALLED ME AT WORK TO REPORT HER 2005 ESCAPE "MADE A FUNNY NOISE" WHEN SHE TRIED TO START IT. WHEN I GOT HOME THAT AFTERNOON, I WENT TO INVESTIGATE IT. WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN AND TURNED IT ON, IT EXPLODED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DISENTERGRATED AND SCHRAPNEL FROM IT SEVERED WIRING HARNESS, KNOCKED PARTS OFF ETC. HAVING 39K MILES ON IT I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL TOP RATED MECHANIC. AFTER THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE MECHANICAL DAMAGE, HE SENT IT TO BEACH FORD FOR A PCM ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE PCM (UNDER FORD WARRANTY, ADMITTING THAT THE COMPUTER WAS ?FRIED? AND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER ESCAPES) BUT ABSOLVES ANY KNOWLEDGE OR RESPONSIBILITY AS TO WHY THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE A ?THIRD PARTY PERSON? REPAIRED THE CAR BEFORE BEACH FORD SAW IT. A ?MIKE? AT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WITH BEACH FORD, SAID THAT REPAIRS BY A THIRD PARTY PRECLUDES FORD FROM ANY RESPONSIBILITY AS TO WHY THE CAR EXPLODED IN THE FIRST PLACE. MY MECHANIC HAS DONE INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND OTHER REPORTS OF PCM ISSUES WITH THE ESCAPES CAUSING PROBLEMS FROM FAILURES TO EXPLOSIONS. A TECH AT THE FORD DEALER SAID IT HAS TO DO WITH STRAY VOLTAGE BEING INDUCED INTO THE WIRING AND GOING BACK UP INTO THE PCM, BUT THEN FORD AND THE SERVICE DIRECTOR DENIED ANY KNOWLDEGE OF THIS. FORD SAID THE CAR IS REPAIRED (AT MY EXPENSE) AND WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THIS SITUATION LEAVING ME WITH A CAR THAT HAS ONLY 39,000 MILES ON IT AND EXPLODED IN MY DRIVEWAY CAUSING SEVER DAMAGE, AND NO ATTEMPT TO INVESTIGATE WHY IT HAPPENED. I HAVE ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED AND TOLD FORD THAT. NO ONE WILL ADDRESS WHY IT EXPLODED IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED AT 55 MPH VICE IN MY DRIVEWAY, OR MY WIFE WAS HOME AND I OPENED THE HOOD AND HAD HER START THE CAR SO I COULD LISTEN FOR THAT NOISE SHE SAID? PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230091

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS MISSING BAD. FORD REPLACED CAP AND PLUG, THEN CALLED ME TO SAY THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM IT WAS "LACK OF MAINTENANCE" AND WANTS ME TO PAY 400.00 TO FIX IT. FIRST OF ALL, MY HUSBAND USED TO WORK FOR FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE TAKES CARE OF ALL MAINTENANCE FOR ME. WHAT GOOD IS A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY THEN? ALSO …

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MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS MISSING BAD. FORD REPLACED CAP AND PLUG, THEN CALLED ME TO SAY THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM IT WAS "LACK OF MAINTENANCE" AND WANTS ME TO PAY 400.00 TO FIX IT. FIRST OF ALL, MY HUSBAND USED TO WORK FOR FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE TAKES CARE OF ALL MAINTENANCE FOR ME. WHAT GOOD IS A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY THEN? ALSO IT WILL BE A WEEK OR MORE BEFORE I RECEIVE MY VEHICLE BACK. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS" THIS IS RIDICULOUS" THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A LOANER CAR WHILE MINE IS BEING FIXED AND MY VEHICLE WASN'T THAT BAD UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED IT. I FEEL THEY MESSED UP MY CAR AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT WHEN I HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219625

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A USED 2005 ESCAPE WITH 40K MILES. IT HAS BEEN PAMPERED AND NOW HAD JUST OVER 50K ON IT. I WENT TO START IT ON A COLD MORNING AND IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER IT WARMED UP I TRIED AGAIN AND IT FIRED, BUT NOT RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS. IT TURNS OUT THE IGNITION COILS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AN…

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I BOUGHT A USED 2005 ESCAPE WITH 40K MILES. IT HAS BEEN PAMPERED AND NOW HAD JUST OVER 50K ON IT. I WENT TO START IT ON A COLD MORNING AND IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER IT WARMED UP I TRIED AGAIN AND IT FIRED, BUT NOT RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS. IT TURNS OUT THE IGNITION COILS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND I NEED TO REPLACE THREE OF THE SIX IGNITION COILS? THIS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR KEPT STALLING AND HAD A TOP SPEED OF AROUND 30MPH ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. I AM DISGUSTED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214409

50,000 miles · Jul 19, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10196816

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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