NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,394 reports151,000 miles · Nov 21, 2011
Power Train
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE FAILED, LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET RESTARTED & DRIVE INTO TOWN 10 MILES. ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 40 MPH WHILE MOTOR SPUTTERED & TRIED TO DIE WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT. TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR LOT & TOLD HAD 3 IGNITION COILS BAD. COMPUTER CHECK LATER REVEALED PCM BAD IN 3 SPOTS & WILL COST $700 TO REPAIR. OTHER…
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DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE FAILED, LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET RESTARTED & DRIVE INTO TOWN 10 MILES. ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 40 MPH WHILE MOTOR SPUTTERED & TRIED TO DIE WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT. TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR LOT & TOLD HAD 3 IGNITION COILS BAD. COMPUTER CHECK LATER REVEALED PCM BAD IN 3 SPOTS & WILL COST $700 TO REPAIR. OTHER MODELS HAVE HAD RECALLS & SO SHOULD THE 2005 FOR THE PCM. OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO HAVE SUCH EXPENSE, IF PART IS KNOWN TO FAIL.....NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED ON-LINE ABOUT 2005 FORD ESCAPES. WITH 2 MINOR CHILDREN, I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, OR WILL HAVE A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY IN THIS CASE & WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD. IF FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, PLEASE HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!! IT WILL TAKE OVER A MONTH TO GET THE PCM REMANUFACTURED & RE-INSTALLED. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DRIVE IN THE MEAN TIME? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436671
75,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LEFT FORWARD RUBBER BRAKE LINE FAILED. MECHANIC HAD TO RPLACE THEM ALL DUE TO SEVERE WEAR. IMMENANT FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436002
91,855 miles · Nov 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THIS 2005 ESCAPE FAILED WHEN DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. FORD HAS DOCUMENTED THAT SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED BY FORD AT THE FACTORY CAN CAUSE ALL COILS AND THE PCM TO FAIL AS THEY DID IN THIS CASE. THREE TSB'S HAVE BEEN GENERATED RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT APPROXIMATELY …
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THIS 2005 ESCAPE FAILED WHEN DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. FORD HAS DOCUMENTED THAT SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED BY FORD AT THE FACTORY CAN CAUSE ALL COILS AND THE PCM TO FAIL AS THEY DID IN THIS CASE. THREE TSB'S HAVE BEEN GENERATED RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT APPROXIMATELY 60000 MILES AND THE PLUGS WERE NOT CHECKED AND REPLACED AS REQUIRED IN THE FORD TSB'S. THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE $2300 + REPAIR THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. GOOD FAITH WAS NOT DEMONSTRATED IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM AND FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435367
80,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
STICKING GAS PEDAL. SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT IN THE COOLER WEATHER. THE PEDAL WILL LOCK UP AND NO AMOUNT OF FORCE WILL MAKE IT DEPRESS. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN A BIG TRUCK IS BARRELING DOWN YOU. HAVE LUBRICATED THE ASSEMBLY BUT THIS DOES NOT HELP. ONLY WAY TO FIX ( AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY ) IS TO MANIPULATE T…
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STICKING GAS PEDAL. SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT IN THE COOLER WEATHER. THE PEDAL WILL LOCK UP AND NO AMOUNT OF FORCE WILL MAKE IT DEPRESS. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN A BIG TRUCK IS BARRELING DOWN YOU. HAVE LUBRICATED THE ASSEMBLY BUT THIS DOES NOT HELP. ONLY WAY TO FIX ( AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY ) IS TO MANIPULATE THE PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND TRY DIFFERENT PRESSURE POINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435052
79,500 miles · Nov 8, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND WOULD SPORADICALLY SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND WOULD SPORADICALLY SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 203,481 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500.
NHTSA ODI #10434855
29,987 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. IT CAN NOT BE PUSHED. AT FIRST, IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD & THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD. NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE BROKEN TONE RINGS …
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THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. IT CAN NOT BE PUSHED. AT FIRST, IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD & THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD. NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE BROKEN TONE RINGS AND OIL LEAKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433981
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. *TGW
NHTSA ODI #10433381
84,503 miles · Oct 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20MPH, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY CLOGGED, NUMBER 2 CONVERTER PARTIALLY CLOGGED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 80,000 MILES FOR EXHAUST. REPAIR SHOP THIS HAPPENS A LOT FOR…
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DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20MPH, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY CLOGGED, NUMBER 2 CONVERTER PARTIALLY CLOGGED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 80,000 MILES FOR EXHAUST. REPAIR SHOP THIS HAPPENS A LOT FOR THESE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433588
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE I COULD NOT MOVE AT THE STOP LIGHT. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, STOMPED IT, AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. I COULD NOT PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND MAKE IT WORK. EVENTUALLY IT UNFROZEN AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, IT HAS DONE IT AT TIMES WHEN I WAS O…
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ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE I COULD NOT MOVE AT THE STOP LIGHT. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, STOMPED IT, AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. I COULD NOT PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND MAKE IT WORK. EVENTUALLY IT UNFROZEN AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, IT HAS DONE IT AT TIMES WHEN I WAS ON THE ROAD AND I COULDN'T MOVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430839
107,741 miles · Sep 27, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A PCM FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,741 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,743.
NHTSA ODI #10427611
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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.
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.
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
2DP12006 · 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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