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

What owners actually said

1,394 reports

24,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012

Power Train

THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION IN THE POWER TRAIN AROUND THE 45-55 MPH. THE VIBRATION IS PRESENT DAILY AND CAUSES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465222

151,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012

Electrical SystemEngine

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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

96,000 miles · Jun 14, 2012

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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AS I DROVE MY FORD ESCAPE 2005 DOWN A HILL THE BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RUPTURED, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK WHICH QUICKLY RESULTED IN NO BRAKING ABILITY. I MANAGED TO STOP MY CAR BY DOWN SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR AND USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BEFORE GOING THROUGH A STOP SIGN, FORTUNATELY, NO CARS OR PEDESTRIANS WERE IN THE WAY. THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE PROBLEM REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, AS THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS CLOSE TO RUPTURING, TOO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461803

161,000 miles · Jun 14, 2012

StructureSuspension

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER REAR WELL AREA, WHICH WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND CAUSED THE BOLTS AND STRUTS TO CORRODED AND SEPARATE FROM THE WELL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BUT WAS UNAWARE IF THE REPLACEMENT WAS DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WELL WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000. UPDATED 07/27/12 *BF UPDATED 08/02/12

NHTSA ODI #10461788

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

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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

97,600 miles · May 3, 2012

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. JUST GOT INTO THE PASSING LANE AND THE WHOLE THING DIED RIGHT THERE IN THE PASSING LANE. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS VERY CLOSE TO ME AND THAT THERE WAS A POLICEMAN COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND SAW ME. HE PULLED BEHIND ME TO BLOCK THE LANE. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE IN BACK OF ME, THEY WOULD HAVE ASS-ENDED ME OR WOULD HAVE HAD TO QUICKLY GET IN ANOTHER LANE OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE GARAGE. REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, ALL 6 COILS AND THE COMPUTER WAS FRIED. AFTER A BIT OF RESEARCH ONLINE, I SAW THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS UNSAFE ISSUE WITH THE 2005 ESCAPE. SOME SUDDENLY STOPPING ON THE INTERSTATE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, IT IS DUE TO THE SPARK PLUGS FORD INSTALLED IN THE 2005 ESCAPE. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION, THAT FORD CAN STOP BY PUTTING OUT A RECALL. WOULD THEY RATHER HAVE A LAW SUITE WHEN SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE DUE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE THAT CAN BE PREVENTED. THIS WAS A QUITE AN EXPENSIVE BILL THAT I HAD TO PAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF FORD WOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. I WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE BUYING ANOTHER FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457424

90,000 miles · May 3, 2012

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I WAS HEADED HOME FROM WORK AND GOT ON THE FREE WAY I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD START SHAKING. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME WHEN MY CAR DIED TWICE BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN TO MAKE IT HOME. I GOT A DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON IT TO FIND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER HAD BURNT O…

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NHTSA ODI #10457358

115,000 miles · Apr 28, 2012

StructureSuspensionWheels

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2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH A RUSTED OUT RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AROUND THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT. I CHECKED WITH A FORD DEALER ABOUT ANY RECALLS, NONE. FORD MANAGER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH AN ISSUE AT LASCO FORD FENTON MI. (FORD EST. TO REPAIR WAS 3400.00) I STOPPED AT A COUPLE BODYSHOPS IN THE AREA AND THEY (KNEW) OF THIS PROBLEM AND COULD QUOTE ME THE PARTS NEEDED, ALONG WITH THE 25 HOURS TO REPLACE/REPAIR IT. MY ESCAPE IS 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS 115,000 MILES, HOWEVER I DON'T THINK THAT THE BODY STRUCTURE (IN WHEEL WELL) SHOULD HAVE RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY (RIGHT SIDE ONLY?), LEAVING THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT FLAPPING BACK AND FORTH, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND (NOT) DRIVABLE. THIS PROBLEM ENDED UP COSTING 2005.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THIS WAS THERE RESPONSE: I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING RUST ISSUES ON THE RIGHT REAR FENDER AND SHOCK MOUNTS OF YOUR VEHICLE. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED. I CAN ALSO SEE WHY YOU FEEL THIS IS A MIGHT BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE RESEARCH YOU MADE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND, WE SHARE ALL OF OUR VEHICLE CONCERN DOCUMENTATION WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) AND FORD ENGINEERING. TOGETHER, WE WORK TO FURTHER DETERMINE IF A RECALL OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS (CSP) IS NEEDED FOR COMPONENT FAILURES. IF A RECALL OR CSP BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR VEHICLE, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY U.S. MAIL TO THE CURRENT ADDRESS WE HAVE ON FILE. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT NHTSA, WHICH IS THE FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION WITH THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER A RECALL OR CSP. IN ADDITION, I FOUND THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS (RECALLS) / CSPS ON YOUR VEHICLE THAT WOULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR CURRENT CONCERN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456751

140,000 miles · Apr 26, 2012

Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35-40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE NUMBER FOUR SPARK PLUG FAILED TO FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

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NHTSA ODI #10456586

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.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems

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