NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,394 reports132,000 miles · Oct 15, 2017
Structure
EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER THE WHEEL WELL/SHOCK TOWER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHTWAY THE BUMPS CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE RUST TO RIP APART OPENING A GAPING HOLE AND SEPERATING MY SHOCK FROM THE WHEEL WELL. UPON TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND TO PARK IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN TO F…
Read full complaint
EXCESSIVE RUST UNDER THE WHEEL WELL/SHOCK TOWER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHTWAY THE BUMPS CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE RUST TO RIP APART OPENING A GAPING HOLE AND SEPERATING MY SHOCK FROM THE WHEEL WELL. UPON TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND TO PARK IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN TO FORD AND THAT THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.
NHTSA ODI #11033423
165,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS GOING FASTER THAN IT SHOULD AS I WAS HEADING TOWARDS AN EXIT RAMP. I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER AMD THE CAR WAS REVVING UP LIKE 4000 RPM ALL BY ITSELF. I DROVE THE VEHICLE ALTERNATING BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE AS IT WAS REVVING UP TOO HIGH. I PARKED IN A LOT. TURNE…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS GOING FASTER THAN IT SHOULD AS I WAS HEADING TOWARDS AN EXIT RAMP. I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER AMD THE CAR WAS REVVING UP LIKE 4000 RPM ALL BY ITSELF. I DROVE THE VEHICLE ALTERNATING BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE AS IT WAS REVVING UP TOO HIGH. I PARKED IN A LOT. TURNED THE CAR OFF... IT WAS REVVING UP LIKE A RACE CAR... ALL BY ITSELF. VERY SCARY. COULD HAVE DIED. THE FLOOR BOARDS WERE CLEAN. NOTHING COULD HAVE STUCK TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.... NO WAY THIS COULD BE OPERATOR ERROR
NHTSA ODI #11032011
163,000 miles · Sep 29, 2017
StructureSuspensionWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL PROTRUDED OUTWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WENT TO THE SCENE AND DIAG…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL PROTRUDED OUTWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WENT TO THE SCENE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
NHTSA ODI #11030560
104,754 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Unknown Or Other
IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST SATURDAY, I NOTICED WIND NOISE COMING FROM MY SUNROOF. WHEN I OPENED THE SHADE TO LOOK, THE GLASS POPPED OUT AND LANDED WHO KNOWS WHERE. I COULDN'T FIND IT AND IT WAS ALREADY DARK. MY CAR IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH A WEBASTO HOLLANDIA 700 INSTALLED SUNROOF. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING WE…
Read full complaint
IN THE PROCESS OF DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST SATURDAY, I NOTICED WIND NOISE COMING FROM MY SUNROOF. WHEN I OPENED THE SHADE TO LOOK, THE GLASS POPPED OUT AND LANDED WHO KNOWS WHERE. I COULDN'T FIND IT AND IT WAS ALREADY DARK. MY CAR IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH A WEBASTO HOLLANDIA 700 INSTALLED SUNROOF. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING WEBASTO NORTH AMERICA AT THEIR NUMBER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY NEVER RETURN MY CALL.
NHTSA ODI #11030029
136,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED IN HALF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED IN HALF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. *LN
NHTSA ODI #11025470
138,000 miles · Sep 19, 2017
SteeringStructureSuspension
WHEN I WAS DRIVING I HEARD SOME LOUD NOISE AND WHEN I STOPPED I FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER STRUT SHOT UP THRU THE BACK INTERIOR OF THE CAR.THIS WAS DUE TO THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL RUSTING OUT.I ALSO WAS DRIVING ANOTHER TIME WHEN THE FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE.I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND SEEN THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE FACING SIDEWA…
Read full complaint
WHEN I WAS DRIVING I HEARD SOME LOUD NOISE AND WHEN I STOPPED I FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER STRUT SHOT UP THRU THE BACK INTERIOR OF THE CAR.THIS WAS DUE TO THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL RUSTING OUT.I ALSO WAS DRIVING ANOTHER TIME WHEN THE FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE.I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND SEEN THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE FACING SIDEWAYS.THE TIE ROD BROKE.I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #11024159
122,500 miles · Sep 18, 2017
Suspension
FRONT SUBFRAME (CRADLE) RUSTED THROUGH DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE FRONT MOUNTING LOCATION FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. PURCHASED FROM PALLOTTA FORD IN WOOSTER, OHIO. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS AT LOW SPEED AS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL JAMMED INT…
Read full complaint
FRONT SUBFRAME (CRADLE) RUSTED THROUGH DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE FRONT MOUNTING LOCATION FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. PURCHASED FROM PALLOTTA FORD IN WOOSTER, OHIO. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS AT LOW SPEED AS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL JAMMED INTO THE REAR OF THE WHEEL WELL AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT HALT. HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHERE I INSPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THEREBY OBSERVED THE WASTAGE OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME.
NHTSA ODI #11024095
90,000 miles · Sep 12, 2017
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ROCKER PANEL WAS DISENTIGRATED AND A HOLE IN THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT LEGALLY BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ROCKER PANEL WAS DISENTIGRATED AND A HOLE IN THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT LEGALLY BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11022887
79,000 miles · Aug 29, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE MESSAGE CENTER KEEPS SAYING "REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR" AND IT ISNT AND THE ALARM SEEMS TO GO OFF WITHOUT ANY PROVICATION OF ANY KIIND, NO REASON. IT ISN'T SOMETHING I'VE DONE
NHTSA ODI #11020268
156,000 miles · Aug 27, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AT RED LIGHTS OR WHENEVER I AM STOPPED STOPPED. IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR HAS DIED AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T START BACK UP FOR A WHILE. I HAVE TO PRESS HARD AND LONG ON CLUTCH. MY GAS PEDDLE HAD BEEN STICKING IN THE PAST.
NHTSA ODI #11019987
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.
Illustration