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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

What owners actually said

1,394 reports
100,000 miles · Dec 20, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE COILS AND PCM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE COILS AND PCM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10440569

35,000 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT MY ESCAPE IN JUNE 2004. AROUND/APPROXIMATELY 2006 MY GAS PEDAL STARTED TO STICK AS I WAS DRIVING FROM TIME TO TIME. I GOT STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION ONE MORNING AND COULDN'T GET THE PEDAL UNSTUCK. WHEN I FINALLY DID I DROVE THE CAR OVER THE CAPITOL FORD IN SAN JOSE, CA. AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN FORD TEST DR…

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I BOUGHT MY ESCAPE IN JUNE 2004. AROUND/APPROXIMATELY 2006 MY GAS PEDAL STARTED TO STICK AS I WAS DRIVING FROM TIME TO TIME. I GOT STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION ONE MORNING AND COULDN'T GET THE PEDAL UNSTUCK. WHEN I FINALLY DID I DROVE THE CAR OVER THE CAPITOL FORD IN SAN JOSE, CA. AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN FORD TEST DROVE THE CAR, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I TOLD THEM SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE GAS PEDAL AND I WAS NOT DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT UNTIL THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND SAID THE PEDAL WAS STICKING AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. FORD COVERED BECAUSE I WAS UNDER WARRANTY. ON 12/6/2011, MY PEDAL STARTED TO STICK AGAIN THIS TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. STUCK 4 TIMES. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME FORD AND TOLD THEM MY PEDAL WAS GETTING STUCK I HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2006 AND THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AND THEY NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I GOT THE SONG AND DANCE OF HOW THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE AND I COULD PAY TO GET IT FIXED. AFTER INSPECTING FORD SAID THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AGAIN. AFTER STATING MY CASE WITH THEM THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THEY GOT FORD INVOLVED TO SEE IT THEY WOULD COVER. FORD CAME BACK AND SAID NO. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AGAIN I EXPLAINED THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. FORD DIDN'T WANT TO BUDGE AND KEPT USING THE WARRANTY EXCUSE. SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY AND GET THIS FIXED. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CARS AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440147

42,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN TO OPERATE AS NORMAL AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN TO OPERATE AS NORMAL AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 01/24/12*LJ UPDATED 01/27/12

NHTSA ODI #10439030

60,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DASHBOARD BACK LIGHTING FAILED CAUSING LEFT SIDE DASH BLACKOUT OF TEMPERATURE GAUGE & LEFT SIDE OF SPEEDOMETER. RADIO BACK LIGHTING FAILED CAUSING A BLACKOUT OF THE LEFT SIDE RADIO BUTTONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439005

112,670 miles · Dec 7, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

IN MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6 3.0L ON 11/16/11, I WAS DRIVING EAST BOUND ON I55 TOWARDS CHICAGO AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED BAD MISFIRING AND THE COMPLETELY DIED (NO POWER OR ENGINE). WITH NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES, I ATTEMPTED TO STEERED TOWARD THE SHOULDER. I WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND TRIED TO RESTA…

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IN MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6 3.0L ON 11/16/11, I WAS DRIVING EAST BOUND ON I55 TOWARDS CHICAGO AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED BAD MISFIRING AND THE COMPLETELY DIED (NO POWER OR ENGINE). WITH NO POWER STEERING AND NO BRAKES, I ATTEMPTED TO STEERED TOWARD THE SHOULDER. I WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND TRIED TO RESTART AND WAS UNABLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ROESCH FORD 333 W GRAND AVE BENSENVILLE, IL 60106. I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING ON 4 OF THE 6 CYLINDERS AND THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE PCM, 6 COILS, 6 PLUGS AND CALIBRATE, TOTAL $2,114.21. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE MULTIPLE TSB: TSB 05-11-1,TSB 09-02-06 TSB 09-02-06 AND TSB 10-18-10. THE PROBLEM IS: THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS COMBO OF WRONG PLUGS CAUSES THE COILS TO SEND EMI/RFI BACK TO THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) BURNING OUT THE PCM.EMI/RFI IS EMITTED FROM SPARKING DEVICE,IN THIS CASE A SET OF BAD SPARK PLUGS. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO MISS-FIRE, LOSE POWER, OR IN MANY CASES, HAVE TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. WRONG SPARK PLUGS/BAD COP'S/UN-SHIELDED PCM BOX/POORLY ENGINEERED & UN-TESTED, MULTI-CHANGED, RARE PCM AND IT'S THE $12.50 RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE DEVICE. MULTIPLE ONLINE COMPLAINTS/PROBLEMS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2005/ELECTRICAL/POWERTRAIN_CONTROL_MODULE_PCM_FAILURE.SHTML HTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMSONLINE.COM/FORUM/FORD-ESCAPE/643-2005-FORD-ESCAPE-PCM-ECM-COMPUTER-FAILURE.HTML HTTP://WWW.YELLOWBULLET.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=199403 REPAIRED. THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOW IT NEEDS 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS $2,500 BECAUSE OF PCM/COIL. TOTAL $4,500 NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438938

55,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438579

94,000 miles · Dec 2, 2011
Visibility

DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH DOWN THE STREET WITH MY MOTHER AND HEARD A VERY LOUD CRASH ALMOST LIKE A TREE LIMB FALLING ONTO THE CAR. THE REAR WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THERE WAS SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438173

55,000 miles · Nov 27, 2011
Electrical System

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS BOUGHT NEW. THE FIRST SITUATION OCCURRED IN 2007. CAR STARTED MISFIRING ON MAJOR NYC HIGHWAY AT 50 MILES AN HOUR AT NIGHT AND FINALLY STALLED OUT. MADE IT TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK. THAT SITUATION COST ME A NEW COMPUTER COILS AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REPAIR CAR ADDING …

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MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS BOUGHT NEW. THE FIRST SITUATION OCCURRED IN 2007. CAR STARTED MISFIRING ON MAJOR NYC HIGHWAY AT 50 MILES AN HOUR AT NIGHT AND FINALLY STALLED OUT. MADE IT TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK. THAT SITUATION COST ME A NEW COMPUTER COILS AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REPAIR CAR ADDING UP TO 1300. AFTER THAT AND AT THE PRESENT TIME, NOVEMBER 20011 I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL STALLINGS ON HIGHWAYS LEAVING ME IN UNSAFE SCENARIOS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE REPLACED COUNTLESS COILS, PLUGS, HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES, ALONG WITH ALARM TRIPPING, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON AND NOW AFTER A TRIP FROM NY TO VA MY CAR LET ME DOWN AGAIN. DELAYING MY TRAVEL HOME AND HAVING TO STAY IN VA FOR REPAIR FINDING OUT I NEED ANOTHER COMPUTER. MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT AND A MONEY PIT. ATTENTION HAS TO BE BROUGHT TO THIS MATTER AND THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION. FORD HAS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS AND MOVE IN A DIRECTION TO REMEDY THEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT'S NOT ONE CAR FAILING ON THE HIGHWAY IT'S MULTIPLE AND THE EVIDENCE IS IN THE REVIEWS. THE CAR HAS 92,000 MILES AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I HAVE DUMPED INTO IT I SHOULD HAVE A LUXURY AUTOMOBILE SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY. I CAN NO LONGER PUT UP WITH THIS AND HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO ESCAPE FROM MY FORD ESCAPE. IT'S NOT SAFE! AND I DEMAND ACTION BE TAKEN AND WANT TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONTACTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10437356

50,000 miles · Nov 22, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS SENSOR RINGS ON MY FRONT BRAKES KEEP GETTING CRACKS IN THEM. THIS IS DISABLING THE ABS ON MY VEHICLE. I GET IT FIXED AND THEN A YEAR AND 2 MONTHS LATER IT CRACKS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436754

103,000 miles · Nov 22, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND HE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND HE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10436750

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