NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,394 reports206,194 miles · Jun 30, 2016
Power TrainWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL, BUT DECLINED TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL, BUT DECLINED TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,194.
NHTSA ODI #10881714
15,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Suspension
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH; LEAVING THE STRUT BOUNCING FREELY. THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AT THIS TIME. AT THE TIME IT BROKE, IT ALMOST BOUNCED ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT HAPPENS TO ALL 2004-2006 ESCAPES. ....UPDATED 07/11/16 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10881193
130,000 miles · Jun 24, 2016
StructureSuspension
ENTIRE RIGHT WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING AWAY. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS MOUNTED TO THIS SHEET METAL, SO IT IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO COMPENSATE ME. CURRENTLY HEARING A LOUD THUMPING AT EVERY BUMP, DUE TO …
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ENTIRE RIGHT WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING AWAY. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS MOUNTED TO THIS SHEET METAL, SO IT IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO COMPENSATE ME. CURRENTLY HEARING A LOUD THUMPING AT EVERY BUMP, DUE TO THE SHOCK BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10876354
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
HI I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE & UP INTO ABOUT AND YEAR I STARTED HAD HAVING ENGINE FAILURE, MY VEHICLE WOULD START & STOP, TO SUM THIS UP, IM AFFAID TO DRIVE WHEN THIS ACCURES PRAYING THAT KNOW 1 RUNS INTO THE BACK OF ME...IVE TOOKEN IT TO THE AUTO PLACE TO GET A READING & IVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT IT READ IGNITION COILS (TWIC…
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HI I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE & UP INTO ABOUT AND YEAR I STARTED HAD HAVING ENGINE FAILURE, MY VEHICLE WOULD START & STOP, TO SUM THIS UP, IM AFFAID TO DRIVE WHEN THIS ACCURES PRAYING THAT KNOW 1 RUNS INTO THE BACK OF ME...IVE TOOKEN IT TO THE AUTO PLACE TO GET A READING & IVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT IT READ IGNITION COILS (TWICE), FUEL FILTERS, TUNE A/C COMPRESSOR, WOULDNT COME ON ETC....I CAN GO ON & ON..& IM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS & FINALLY IVE DECIDED TO GOOGLE THESE ACCURANCES, TO FIND THAT THERE'S OTHER VIC..THAT HAS OCCURRED THESES SAME INCIDENTS....THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER, THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS / RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DOESN'T MAKE IT. VIC. JUST SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC....& IT ALSO ACCURES WHILE STATIONARY & WHILE TURNING, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE OCT. OF 2015 & IN BETWEEN REPLACEING PARTS IT STALLED FOR A WHILE OF THE KILLING & NOW IT HAS STARTED BACK UP FULL FORCE ABOUT A WEEK AGO. 6/13/2016 & TODAY IS THE 6/21/2016
NHTSA ODI #10875589
5 miles · Jun 19, 2016
EngineService Brakes
AFTER DRIVING EVEN SHORT DISTANCES, THE VEHICLE IS REAL REAL HOT.HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON AND THEY STILL SQUEEL
NHTSA ODI #10875080
120,000 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Suspension
THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE SHOCK MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL TOTALLY RUSTED AND HANGING ON BY A THREAD. MY 18 YEAR OLD SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD WE NOT DISCOVERED IT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS WHICH IS HOW WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME NOISE WE WERE HEARING AND DECIDED TO LOOK AT RIGHT SIDE BACK DOOR PASSENGER WHE…
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THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE SHOCK MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL TOTALLY RUSTED AND HANGING ON BY A THREAD. MY 18 YEAR OLD SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD WE NOT DISCOVERED IT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS WHICH IS HOW WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME NOISE WE WERE HEARING AND DECIDED TO LOOK AT RIGHT SIDE BACK DOOR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. WE CAN LITERALLY MOVE IT UP AND DOWN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED FROM THIS BECAUSE THE WHEEL CAN FALL OFF!!!! THANK GOODNESS WE HEARD THE NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND INVESTIGATED IT.
NHTSA ODI #10874922
164,000 miles · Jun 12, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
BOUGHT USED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STALL, PUT IN NEUTRAL IT WOULD CRANK RIGHT UP AND IDLE FINE, UNTIL YOU PUT IN GEAR AND IT WOULD STALL OUT, WAIT AWHILE AND IT WOULD RUN FINE, AND IT MIGHT GO 2,3 OR 4 WEEKS AND NOT STALL. NOW IT WILL NOT GO AT ALL, CRANKS UP PUT IT IN GEAR AND IT IS LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL AND STA…
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
NHTSA ODI #10873770
7,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
StructureSuspension
RUST AROUND QUARTER PANEL BACK END, RUST THROUGH PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AREA. TO THE PUT THE IT IS RUSTING AND EVENTUALLY THE WHEEL WELL WILL NO LONGER WHOLE THE STRUT IN. WHICH PUTS ME AT RISK OF GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT. THIS SUV IS LOCATED IN A SOUTHERN STATE NO REASON FOR IT TO RUST LIKE THAT. I'VE SEEN AND OWNED OLDER VEHICLES …
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RUST AROUND QUARTER PANEL BACK END, RUST THROUGH PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AREA. TO THE PUT THE IT IS RUSTING AND EVENTUALLY THE WHEEL WELL WILL NO LONGER WHOLE THE STRUT IN. WHICH PUTS ME AT RISK OF GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT. THIS SUV IS LOCATED IN A SOUTHERN STATE NO REASON FOR IT TO RUST LIKE THAT. I'VE SEEN AND OWNED OLDER VEHICLES THAT DIDN'T RUST .BAD METAL OR RUST PROTECTION. TO GET FIXED I'M LOOKING AT 1000.00 TO 4000.00 WHO HAS THAT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHEN FORD KNOWS THERE IS A ISSUE AND HASN'T FIXED IT YET.
NHTSA ODI #10873436
120,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
StructureSuspension
RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER MOUNT IS COMPLETED RUSTED AWAY CAUSING THE SHOCK TO TRAVEL UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL
NHTSA ODI #10873419
125,000 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK MOUNT BRACKET RUSTED AND DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10872123
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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