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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

76 reports
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170,000 miles · Dec 2, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE MY 05 ESCAPE BEGAN TO SKIP,STALL & DIED, ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE FOR 20 MILES SLOW WITH IT SKIPPING AND STALLING. WHEN I LEFT OFF ON GAS IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL I MADE IT TO SAFE PLACE. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FOR REPAIR ON STATE HWY IT STALLED AND WENT DEAD. FORD DEALERSHIP REPROG KE…

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DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE MY 05 ESCAPE BEGAN TO SKIP,STALL & DIED, ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE FOR 20 MILES SLOW WITH IT SKIPPING AND STALLING. WHEN I LEFT OFF ON GAS IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL I MADE IT TO SAFE PLACE. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FOR REPAIR ON STATE HWY IT STALLED AND WENT DEAD. FORD DEALERSHIP REPROG KEYS- REPAIRED DRIVE OFF, BARELY OFF THE LOT AND IT QUIT AGAIN. NOW I SEE THIS IS A MANUFACTURES ISSUE WITH 05 ESCAPES AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH. NEW FORD DIAGNOSIS- NEW PLUGS & COIL PACK, INTAKE GASKET. 170,000 MILES. MY ALARM RANDOMLY GOES OFF TOO WHICH COULD BE RELATED TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FORD MOTOR IS LIABLE IF SOMEONE'S VEHICLE STALLS AND IS KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THEY KNOW ABOUT BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED OR RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11155410

90,000 miles · Nov 30, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FLEX PIPE AT EXACTLY ONCE A YEAR, EVERY OCTOBER FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS. I THINK THIS MAY BE SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO. ALSO THE REAR WHEEL WELLS RUSTING OUT ALONG WITH SHOCKS. I ONCE AGAIN HAVE HOLES IN THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL

NHTSA ODI #11155268

120,000 miles · Nov 15, 2018
SteeringStructureUnknown Or Other

LAST YEAR I NOTICED THE RUST AROUND DOORS AND WHEELS, IM RETIRED & A DISABLED 77 YR OLD MAN SO I DRIVE IT ONCE A WEEK. OVER THE SUMMER I NOTICE IT HANDLING FUNNY, HAD IT SERVICED AND INSPECTED. I WAS ON ROUTE 30 A MILE FROM MY HOUSE IT STARTED SHAKING & MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING, I BARELY MANAGED…

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LAST YEAR I NOTICED THE RUST AROUND DOORS AND WHEELS, IM RETIRED & A DISABLED 77 YR OLD MAN SO I DRIVE IT ONCE A WEEK. OVER THE SUMMER I NOTICE IT HANDLING FUNNY, HAD IT SERVICED AND INSPECTED. I WAS ON ROUTE 30 A MILE FROM MY HOUSE IT STARTED SHAKING & MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING, I BARELY MANAGED GETTING WHEELS TO TURN IT OFF THE HWY, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, THIS [XXX] THING FEELS LIKE IT'S GONNA FALL APART, HOME WAS 1/4 MILE, NOISE & VIBRATING CONTINUED, STRUGGLED TURNING WHEEL INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PARKED IT, GOT OUT AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL IS TILTED WAY OUT. MY SON JACKED IT UP AND SAID MY LOWER CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT OR THRU AND BROKEN OFF AND IT IS ALL RUSTED BAD UNDERNEATH & SAID IT'S SCRAPE. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11151815

144,000 miles · Sep 5, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or OtherWheels

HIT A POTHOLE AND MY SHOCK/STRUT PUNCHED THRU THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND DETACHED OTAELF...IT IS NP LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND IVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. AND HERE THE 2001-2004 ESCAPES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR JUST THIS REASON? WHY NOT THE 2005 WHEN THE WHOLE BODY DESIGN IS THE SAME... I HAD A 2001 ESCAPE BEFORE THIS THAT WAS…

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HIT A POTHOLE AND MY SHOCK/STRUT PUNCHED THRU THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND DETACHED OTAELF...IT IS NP LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND IVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. AND HERE THE 2001-2004 ESCAPES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR JUST THIS REASON? WHY NOT THE 2005 WHEN THE WHOLE BODY DESIGN IS THE SAME... I HAD A 2001 ESCAPE BEFORE THIS THAT WAS RUSTING ON THE OUTSIDE WHEEL WELLS AND BEGINNING TO RUST INSIDE AS WELL... DUE TO THIS I DONT BELIEVE I WILL BE BUYING FORDS ANYMORE... I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY KIDS WHEN THIS HAPPENED! AND NOW IM STUCK WITH A GIANT PIECE OF METAL SITTING IN MY PARKING SPOT AS NO ONE WILL TAKE ON THE JOB AND IF THEY DO IT WOULD BE A MIN OF $2000 OR MORE!

NHTSA ODI #11124667

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2018
StructureUnknown Or OtherWheels

I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD BUMPING NOISE... MY BACK PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY, WHICH HAS AFFECTED MY SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET. EVERY LITTLE BUMP CAUSES IT TO SHAKE AND ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE BRACKET ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE PLASTIC AND THERE IS A HOLE INSIDE THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I SEE SO MAN…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD BUMPING NOISE... MY BACK PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY, WHICH HAS AFFECTED MY SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET. EVERY LITTLE BUMP CAUSES IT TO SHAKE AND ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE BRACKET ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE PLASTIC AND THERE IS A HOLE INSIDE THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I SEE SO MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AND ITS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I KNOW THAT THE FORD ESCAPE 2001- 2004 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND ITS DISCONCERTING THAT THEY ARE IGNORING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2005-2008 ESCAPE. HOW MANY MORE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THEM TO AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS UNSAFE, REOCCURRING ISSUE?! HOPEFULLY , SOMETHING WILL BE DONE SOON BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #11100665

98 miles · Mar 2, 2018
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS..MY SUV HAS A VIBRATION WHEN I EXCEL RATE AND LET OFF IT WHICH SHAKES THE WHEEL.I HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING..WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM,I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 17..TY

NHTSA ODI #11075960

5 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR JOLTED. AFTER 3-5 MORE MILES THE CAR KEPPED JOLTING AS IF IT WANTED TO DIE THEN LOST ALL POWER, EVEN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDNT COME ON. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT TURNED BACK ON FINE THEN CONTINUED THE PROCESS. THE CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON DIED ON THE FREEWAY AND I COULD HAVE B…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR JOLTED. AFTER 3-5 MORE MILES THE CAR KEPPED JOLTING AS IF IT WANTED TO DIE THEN LOST ALL POWER, EVEN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDNT COME ON. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT TURNED BACK ON FINE THEN CONTINUED THE PROCESS. THE CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON DIED ON THE FREEWAY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT TO WHERE MY LIFE WAS ALMOST LOST. I MADE IT TO MY MECHANIC SHOP THEY RAN THE CARE FOR CODES AND NO CODES CAME UP AT ALL. MY MECHANIC HAS DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SOME 2005-2008 FORED ESCAPES HAVE RECALLS. HE FEELS AS MY CAR IS ONE BECAUSE MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL. IN THIS ARTICLE I HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE ISSUES.THE 2005 ESCAPE HAS PROBLEMS WHERE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. FORD FINALLY ISSUED A SEPTEMBER 2014 RECALL. TIME WILL TELL IF THE RECALL FIX REALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE 2005 ESCAPE ALSO HAS A DEFECT WHERE THE PCM (POWER CONTROL MODULE) FRIES AT AROUND 100K MILES. FORD EXTENDED THE PCM WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES, BUT ONLY AFTER MOST OWNERS WERE PAST THE MILEAGE LIMIT. NOW OWNERS ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THE AVERAGE REPAIR COST OF OVER $2,000 (!!)

NHTSA ODI #11073748

200 miles · Feb 16, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

I HAVE THE SAME OIL LEAK PROBLEMS OTHER CUSTOMERS IS EXPERIENCING WHAT THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE OIL LEAK AROUND IN A COOLING SENSOR CRANKSHAFT VALVE COVER GASKETS OR SEAL SEAT AS WELL AS I'M EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM WITH THE STALLING GAS PEDAL STICKING AND WON'T MOVE IT JUST STIFF AND I CAN'T PRESS IT AT TIMES I AM SPIRITS THE SAME …

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I HAVE THE SAME OIL LEAK PROBLEMS OTHER CUSTOMERS IS EXPERIENCING WHAT THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE OIL LEAK AROUND IN A COOLING SENSOR CRANKSHAFT VALVE COVER GASKETS OR SEAL SEAT AS WELL AS I'M EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM WITH THE STALLING GAS PEDAL STICKING AND WON'T MOVE IT JUST STIFF AND I CAN'T PRESS IT AT TIMES I AM SPIRITS THE SAME BECAUSE THE OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD ON HIS VEHICLE FOR THESE ISSUES THAT I'M HAVING AND I WAS WONDERING WHY MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PULLING UP THESE RECALLS FOR MY VIN NUMBER AS WELL AS THE OIL LEAK HEAVEN TO DO THE OVERHEATING OVER THE PRESSURE PUSHING THROUGH THE CRANKSHAFT AND MAKING A OIL PRESSURE WEEK AS WELL AS THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH THE RECALL SO GO TO CUSTOMERS HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THE STICK AND GAS PEDAL WON'T LET YOU GO NOWHERE IS STUCK

NHTSA ODI #11073282

Mileage 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

104,754 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Unknown Or Other

IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST SATURDAY, I NOTICED WIND NOISE COMING FROM MY SUNROOF. WHEN I OPENED THE SHADE TO LOOK, THE GLASS POPPED OUT AND LANDED WHO KNOWS WHERE. I COULDN'T FIND IT AND IT WAS ALREADY DARK. MY CAR IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH A WEBASTO HOLLANDIA 700 INSTALLED SUNROOF. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING WE…

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IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST SATURDAY, I NOTICED WIND NOISE COMING FROM MY SUNROOF. WHEN I OPENED THE SHADE TO LOOK, THE GLASS POPPED OUT AND LANDED WHO KNOWS WHERE. I COULDN'T FIND IT AND IT WAS ALREADY DARK. MY CAR IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH A WEBASTO HOLLANDIA 700 INSTALLED SUNROOF. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING WEBASTO NORTH AMERICA AT THEIR NUMBER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY NEVER RETURN MY CALL.

NHTSA ODI #11030029

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.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems