NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,394 reportsMileage unknown · May 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6. SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE IN 2005 WE HAVE HAD PROBLEM REFUELING. VEHICLE TAKES FUEL SLOWLY WITH FREQUENT SHUTOFFS PRIOR TO FULL. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW THAT IT SHOOT THE FUEL BACK OUT OF THE NECK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU TURN ON THE PUMP, EVEN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN RUN THE PUMP. IN THE PA…
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2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6. SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE IN 2005 WE HAVE HAD PROBLEM REFUELING. VEHICLE TAKES FUEL SLOWLY WITH FREQUENT SHUTOFFS PRIOR TO FULL. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW THAT IT SHOOT THE FUEL BACK OUT OF THE NECK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU TURN ON THE PUMP, EVEN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN RUN THE PUMP. IN THE PAST WHEN I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER THEY HAVE TOLD ME SLOW FILLING IS NORMAL FOR THESE CARS. IT HAS REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE AND PROBABLY INJURY IF NOT A FATALITY. WHAT CAN I DO IF THE DEALER WON'T OR CAN'T FIX IT? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330091
104,000 miles · Apr 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD ESCAPE V-6 4WD STUTTERS AND STALLS WHEN IT SLOWS TO A STOP. AT THIS TIME, ABLE TO RESTART AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT. RECENT PROBLEM, APPEARS TO BE WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327340
32,390 miles · Apr 24, 2010
Suspension
HAS BEEN A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF VIBRATION ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE CAR. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND I NEEDED A NEW WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 32,393 MILES ON IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A 2005. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT HARD. …
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HAS BEEN A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF VIBRATION ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE CAR. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND I NEEDED A NEW WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 32,393 MILES ON IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A 2005. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT HARD. WARRANTY, OF COURSE, RAN OUT 2 YEARS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327280
76,000 miles · Apr 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION IN THE MORNING ON A COLD START, AND WHEN ACCELERATING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH COULD CAUSE SPEED CONTROL FAILURE SUCH AS A STUCK T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION IN THE MORNING ON A COLD START, AND WHEN ACCELERATING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH COULD CAUSE SPEED CONTROL FAILURE SUCH AS A STUCK THROTTLE. THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVING A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER UNDER ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A COMPLAINT PREVIOUSLY FILED WITH THE IDENTICAL FAILURES.
NHTSA ODI #10325129
98,460 miles · Apr 2, 2010
Unknown Or Other
MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. IT USED TO ONLY STICK IN COLD WEATHER RIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, BUT NOW IT DOES IT REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE, AND EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I WENT FROM HAVING THIS PROBLEM MAYBE ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS (APPROX 3 YEARS AGO WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE), TO IT HAPPENING A…
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MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. IT USED TO ONLY STICK IN COLD WEATHER RIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, BUT NOW IT DOES IT REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE, AND EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I WENT FROM HAVING THIS PROBLEM MAYBE ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS (APPROX 3 YEARS AGO WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE), TO IT HAPPENING ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. WHEN IT STICKS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I WILL USE BOTH FEET TO TRY AND DEPRESS THE GAS, BUT IT IS LIKE PUSHING AGAINST A WALL. SOMETIMES SIMPLY RESTARTING THE CAR FIXES IT, BUT I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION YESTERDAY WHEN IT FROZE UP HALF-WAY THROUGH THE TURN. I HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SHOULDER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT TOO MUCH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT WOULD HAVE RISKED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE, AND MANY OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS DISCUSS THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL, BUT IT VERY MUCH SHOULD BE. I AM TAKING IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT, AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIX IT, BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IF SO MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. FORD DOES NOT WANT THE SAME REPUTATION AS TOYOTA RIGHT NOW, AND THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT PROACTIVELY. THE ESCAPE IS A MID-SIZE SUV THAT MANY FAMILIES OWN. BY THE TIME A MOTHER AND HER TWO CHILDREN ARE KILLED SIMPLY TURNING ACROSS A STREET, IT WILL BE TOO LATE.
NHTSA ODI #10323464
147,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED ACROSS THE ROAD WITHOUT ASSISTANCE; AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE RO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED ACROSS THE ROAD WITHOUT ASSISTANCE; AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME TRAVEL NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A NEW WATER PUMP AND A TIMING CHAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,089.
NHTSA ODI #10323210
117,000 miles · Mar 30, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
VEHICLE FIRE ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE (VIN [XXX]) ON 3/23/2010, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY (WHEN DRIVING) BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. (LIKE A SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED). WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (FOR BROKEN BELTS AND THE LIKE) NO OBVIOUS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE…
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VEHICLE FIRE ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE (VIN [XXX]) ON 3/23/2010, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY (WHEN DRIVING) BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. (LIKE A SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED). WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (FOR BROKEN BELTS AND THE LIKE) NO OBVIOUS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. IMMEDIATELY I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND CONTACTED A SERVICE GARAGE. I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO SERVICE WHEN I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SMELL. I PULLED INTO THE NEXT GAS STATION, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED A SMALL FIRE LOCATED AT THE #1 CYLINDER COIL PACK. I USED THE GAS STATION FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR WAS TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE GARAGE. CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN NO MORE THAN 10 MILES AFTER FIRST SIGN OF FAILURE. FIRE WAS SMALL ENOUGH TO NOT INVOLVE POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS, SO NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. GARAGE SAID THAT IF I HAD LIMITED THE DAMAGE BY EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE WHEN I DID. GARAGE REPLACED COIL PACK, WIRE PIGTAIL (MELTED), AND INTAKE MANIFOLD (ALSO MELTED BY FIRE). OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. CAR WAS REPAIRED BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER 50 MILES. CARE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND WILL BE TOWED BACK TO GARAGE. FAILURE CODE IS P0351. (SAME COIL THAT WAS REPLACED IS SHOWING BAD AGAIN) CAR HAD APPROX 117,000 MILES ON IT WHEN FIRE TOOK PLACE. NO OTHER MAJOR SERVICE EVENTS IN ITS LIFETIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10322780
63,000 miles · Mar 24, 2010
Electrical System
CAR WAS DRIVING FINE, PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN IT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO A SHOP AND ALL COILS WERE OUT. AFTER MORE DIAGNOSIS, THE SPARK PLUGS, THE COILS (POCS) AND THE POWERTRAIN COMPUTER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $2600 ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT. MOST LIKELY THE SPARK PLUG RF …
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CAR WAS DRIVING FINE, PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN IT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO A SHOP AND ALL COILS WERE OUT. AFTER MORE DIAGNOSIS, THE SPARK PLUGS, THE COILS (POCS) AND THE POWERTRAIN COMPUTER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $2600 ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT. MOST LIKELY THE SPARK PLUG RF CAUSED THE PCM TO CRASH. HAD TO REPLACE THE PLUGS, COILS AND PCM INCLUDING SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMMING. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL COMPLAINT BLOGS THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEMS (DEFECTIVE PLUGS) AND HAS ISSUED 2 TSB, 05111 AND 0926. PROBLEM SHOULD BE UNDER THE EMISSION WARRANTY, BUT FORD SAYS IT IS A IGNITION PROBLEM. I THINK IT IS FORD'S PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON BLOGS FOR THIS PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY OR IN YOUR DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #10321887
92,217 miles · Mar 21, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I LIVE IN VIRGINIA AND FRIDAY MORNING GOT UP AND THERE WAS FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD. I GOT IN THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE LET IT WARM UP FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. DROVE APPROX 1 & 1/2 MILES STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN TO TURN OUT ON A MAIN ROAD AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I LET IT ROLL BACKWARDS TO A SAFE PLACE AND TURN…
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I LIVE IN VIRGINIA AND FRIDAY MORNING GOT UP AND THERE WAS FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD. I GOT IN THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE LET IT WARM UP FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. DROVE APPROX 1 & 1/2 MILES STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN TO TURN OUT ON A MAIN ROAD AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I LET IT ROLL BACKWARDS TO A SAFE PLACE AND TURNED IT OFF. I TRIED IT MANY TIMES FOR OVER 30 MINUTES AND IT FINALLY WORKED. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER BUT USUALLY AFTER 5 MINS. IT WILL WORK. THIS TIME WAS DIFFERENT AND MORE SCARY AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT ON TO A MAIN ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10321263
40,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FORD ESCAPE 2005 4 CYLINDER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, BOUGHT NEW. AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND WILL NOT DEPRESS UNLESS PUSHING IT SEVERAL TIMES. LASTED ABOUT A MONTH AND WENT AWAY. NOW AT 74,000 MILES IT HAS COME BACK. HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. WHILE SHIFTING PEDAL WILL STICK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317708
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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