Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
880–25K
7425–50K
11950–75K
23375–100K
488100–150K
209150K+
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
86,709 miles · Mar 17, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE BREAKDOWN. THE CAR SIMPLY QUIT RUNNING. IT HAD FIRE BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WE HAD NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER. THE FIRST PROBLEM THEY TOLD US WAS THAT THE CHIP IN THE KEY WAS BAD. THE HAD A NEW KEY MADE. FROM THERE, IT WAS THE PCM COMPUTER AND THEN A…
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THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE BREAKDOWN. THE CAR SIMPLY QUIT RUNNING. IT HAD FIRE BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WE HAD NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER. THE FIRST PROBLEM THEY TOLD US WAS THAT THE CHIP IN THE KEY WAS BAD. THE HAD A NEW KEY MADE. FROM THERE, IT WAS THE PCM COMPUTER AND THEN A SECOND COMPUTER AND THEN 3 POWER PACKS. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE PLUGS AND WIRES AND MISC. OTHER PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262131
40,000 miles · Mar 16, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE ABS SPONTANEOUSLY MALFUNCTIONED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE ABS SPONTANEOUSLY MALFUNCTIONED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10261964
57,315 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Seat Belts
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SEIZES IN FULLY RETRACTED POSITION, PRECLUDING CENTER SEAT PASSENGER FROM SECURING SEATBELT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261507
66,000 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Power Train
TRANSMISSION. 2005 MY ESCAPE WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION'S DIRECT CYLINDER BROKE AND IT COST $1600 TO REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260866
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD ESCAPE GAS PEDAL STICKING, TO THE POINT WHERE I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR AND DRIVE AND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT BUDGE. HAD THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AND EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. TRIED WD-40 TO NO AVAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260746
51,150 miles · Feb 26, 2009
Power Train
NO MAJOR EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE INCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DISCOVERED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE PLANETARY GEAR WAS DESTROYED, AND IS ATTRIBUTED TO CAUSING ALL OTHER ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TRUCK, AND NOW, THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. OLD PARTS ARE AV…
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NO MAJOR EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE INCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DISCOVERED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE PLANETARY GEAR WAS DESTROYED, AND IS ATTRIBUTED TO CAUSING ALL OTHER ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TRUCK, AND NOW, THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260011
55,000 miles · Feb 20, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR MORE THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH PUTTING GAS IN THE VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY PUT IN APPROX. $2 AT A TIME IF NOT LESS BEFORE THE NOZZLE CLICKS OFF. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT OTHER OWNERS OF MY VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE PERSON POSTED THAT FORD INFORME…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR MORE THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH PUTTING GAS IN THE VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY PUT IN APPROX. $2 AT A TIME IF NOT LESS BEFORE THE NOZZLE CLICKS OFF. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT OTHER OWNERS OF MY VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE PERSON POSTED THAT FORD INFORMED HIM THAT THERE COULD BE A SPIDER IN THE GAS LINE AMONGST OTHER EXCUSES. IN THE END, HE POSTED THAT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION TO HIS PROBLEM AND IT STILL TAKES APPROX. 15 MINUTES TO FILL THE TANK. WHEN I CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING ABOUT THE SPIDER AND INFORMED ME THAT THERE WOULD BE A $106 CHARGE TO SIMPLY LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. KNOWING THIS CHARGE AND THE FACT THAT OTHERS HAVE POSTED THAT EVEN AFTER THEIR VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT IT STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM, I DECIDED TO NOT HAVE IT LOOKED AT. TODAY, AGAIN, IT TOOK ME OVER 10 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK AND GAS CONTINUOUSLY SPILLS OUT ONTO THE CAR AND IT CONSTANTLY CLICKS OFF. IT IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259422
67,000 miles · Feb 14, 2009
Visibility
I WAS DRIVING HOME THE TEMP WAS ABOUT 25 DEGREES AND MY BACK WINDOW EXPLODED , NOTHING HIT IT JUST SHATTERED INTO 1000 PIECES. THE SOUND SCARE THE PROVERBIAL .... OUT OF ME . THE REAR DEFROST HAD BEEN ON EARLIER BUT I HAD SHUT IT OFF 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT. I HAD GLASS REPLACED, WHICH WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE , BUT I HA…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME THE TEMP WAS ABOUT 25 DEGREES AND MY BACK WINDOW EXPLODED , NOTHING HIT IT JUST SHATTERED INTO 1000 PIECES. THE SOUND SCARE THE PROVERBIAL .... OUT OF ME . THE REAR DEFROST HAD BEEN ON EARLIER BUT I HAD SHUT IT OFF 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT. I HAD GLASS REPLACED, WHICH WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE , BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE COST OF WIPER MOTOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258638
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2009
Power Train
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHICH HAS 45,200 MILES AND IN NEED OF A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *NJ
NHTSA ODI #10257928
28,000 miles · Dec 19, 2008
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT DEFROST AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE DEFROST SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER FOR OVER A YEAR. THE VEHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT DEFROST AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE DEFROST SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER FOR OVER A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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