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

Service Brakes complaints

40 reports

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105,852 miles · Nov 1, 2013

Service Brakes

ABS LIGHT CAME ON. 4WD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL/BRAKE AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON BUT THE 4WD FLASHED AND THEN TURNED OFF. IT CAME BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY AND FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE SEEMED TO BE NO FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OR WHEELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550572

150,000 miles · Oct 28, 2013

Service Brakes

HAD CAR IN THE SHOP FOR OIL CHANGE AND IT WAS NOTED BY THE MECHANIC THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE LINES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING AND DETERIORATION. IN DANGER OF FAILING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY PREVALENT AND DANGEROUS, WHY HAVE YOU NOT INSTITUTED A RECALL OR FORCED FORD MOTOR CO. TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549829

110,000 miles · Sep 25, 2013

Service Brakes

ABS LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON AND I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP, THERE WAS NO ABS LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR. MECHANIC SAID THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND POSSIBLY THE HCU. BUT THEY DON'T KNOW …

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NHTSA ODI #10545383

105,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013

Service Brakes

THE FRONT BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, WAS PULLED IN TO GARAGE. NOW TODAY 6/17/2013 THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE BLEW OUT LOSING BRAKES COMPLETELY, BOTH TIMES VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520153

140,000 miles · Feb 24, 2013

Service Brakes

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MY DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND LEFT ME WITHOUT BRAKES. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED IN MY GARAGE, SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I INSPECTED THE OTHER 3 BRAKE LINES AND THEY WERE ON THE VERGE OF RUPTURING. I REPLACED ALL 4 LINES. I REALIZE THE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY ANYMORE, BUT REPLACING BRAKE LINES AFTER 7 YEARS IS MUCH SOONER THAN I WOULD EXPECT. BRAKE LINES SHOULD NOT BE A NORMAL SERVICE ITEM LIKE SPARK PLUGS. I LIKE MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I DON'T WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT, BUT I NEED TO REPORT THIS DANGEROUS INCIDENT. IT APPEARS TO ME THERE IS A QUALITY DEFECT WITH THE BRAKE LINES. OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. THEY NEED TO CHECK THEIR BRAKE LINES AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. I'M AFRAID SOMEONE'S BRAKE LINE WILL RUPTURE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499884

124,560 miles · Jan 20, 2013

Service Brakes

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I RETURNED HOME FROM A LOCAL TRIP. PARKED MY FORD ESCAPE IN THE GARAGE. WHEN MY SON ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE WITH THE CAR ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS LITTLE BRAKING POWER. HE RETURNED THE CAR TO THE GARAGE AND WE NOTICED A LEAK AROUND THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN I INSPECTED THE LEAK UNDERNEATH THE CAR, AND HAD MY WIFE PUMP THE BRAKES, I SAW THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKE LINE CONNECTION OF RUBBER TO METAL UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. I LOOKED ONLINE AND READ SEVERAL ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME ISSUE, WITH THE BRAKE LINE FAILING ON THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I WILL BE HAVING MY ESCAPE BRAKE LINE ISSUE REPAIRED THIS WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493568

90,000 miles · Jan 13, 2013

Service Brakes

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IN AUG 2012 WE WERE ON OUR WAY BACK FROM A VACATION AND OUR ABS LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH A FLASHING 4X4 LIGHT. WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS OR WHAT TO DO. THE VEHICLE DROVE FINE AND STOPPED FINE, EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF TIMES IT FELT AS IF THE ABS ENGAGED ON DRY CEMENT. WE STOPPED TO EAT AND SHOP FOR A FEW HOURS AND THE LIGHTS WERE OFF WHEN WE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE. THEY DIDN'T COME ON AGAIN UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO (JAN 2013). HOWEVER, I HAD BEEN COMPLAINING TO MY HUSBAND RECENTLY THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK RIGHT. I HIT ICE AND THE ABS DIDN'T ENGAGE ..NO LIGHT EITHER..BUT THE GRINDING SOUND ONCE IN AWHILE WAS STILL THERE. SO WE TOOK IT IN AND PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. CAME BACK WITH 2 CODES U2023 AND C1234. WHICH MEANS THE RIGHT FRONT TONE RING IS BAD. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO GOT UNDER THE TRUCK AND SURE ENOUGH THE TONE RING IS CRACKED AND SPINNING AROUND LOOSELY. THE SAFETY ISSUE HERE IS THE ABS WILL LOCK UP RANDOMLY ON DRY CEMENT WHEN YOU START TO APPLY YOUR BRAKES. WHICH THEN YOU CAN'T COMPLETELY CONTROL YOUR VEHICLES DIRECTION AND IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BREAK TO CONTROL YOUR VEHICLE, THEN YOU MAY HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL THE INFO I HAVE FOUND SO WHEN IT GETS REPAIRED THEY CAN'T SCREW ME OVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492395

160,000 miles · Dec 31, 2012

Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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I WAS DRIVING UP TO A STOP LIGHT SO I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND TO THE BRAKE, BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE RED LIGHT IT CHANGED TO GREEN, I WENT TO PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE PEDAL WAS STUCK. IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN NOTHING. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY KEPT TRYING TO PRESS IT AND IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINS OF JUST SITTING THERE I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT WENT DOWN WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN THE PRIOR YEARS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE 2004 AND BELOW. HOWEVER MY 2005 IS NOT RECALLED. IT IS NOW AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND I AM WAITING ON A COST ESTIMATE. THE VEHCILE DID TEND TO DO THIS FROM TIME TO TIME ONLY WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO BE REPAIRD AND WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT, IT WOUDN'T STICK FOR THEM SO NO ISSUE WAS FOUND FOR THEM TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490548

88,545 miles · Aug 29, 2012

Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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ON AUGUST 18TH 2012 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM GROCERY SHOPPING IN DOWNTOWN HAMILTON MT WHEN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND WOULD NOT STOP. I MANAGED TO DODGE TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE AND PUT IT IN PARK AND HOLD MY FOOT DOWN ON THE BRAKE BUT IT KEPT SPEEDING. IT CONTINUED TO RACE DOWN THE STREET ABOUT MILE OR MORE UNTIL I CAME TO A PLACE I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE STREET INTO A PARKING AREA WITH A CORRAL WHICH HAD AN IRON GATE ON THE FENCE THAT I FELT WOULD STOP ME. IT FINALLY SLOWED DOWN AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE KEY AND STOP; THANK GOD WITHOUT HITTING OR HARMING ANYONE STILL IT WAS A TERRIFYING EVENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472945

53,290 miles · Jul 28, 2012

Service Brakes

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HAD LIGHT WARNING OF BRAKE FAILURE. INVESTIGATION DISCOVERED BROKEN RING WITH TEETH ON FRONT AXLE THAT SENSES WHEEL ROTATION. PART IS CALLED "TONE RING" FORD PART #7L8Z-2C182-B. THIS CAUSES A FAILURE OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED THIS AS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL YEAR FORD ESCAPES AND IS A VERY BAD DESIGN. THIS $32 PART CAUSES A $300 PARTS AND LABOR COST SINCE RECOMMENDED FIX IS TO REPLACE A PERFECTLY GOOD AXLE. IT APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE RING AND RUST BETWEEN THE AXLE AND THE PRESSED ON RING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468062

Official recalls

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

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)

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

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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