NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Wheels complaints
15 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 23, 2024
StructureSuspensionWheels
Both rear shocks, mounts, wheel wells, entire length of body door panels passenger seats are just absolutely rusted beyond repair. I've gone to a couple different shops and each one said that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue. Now the vehicle when ridden in just bounces horribly wearing out bearing springs and tires …
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Both rear shocks, mounts, wheel wells, entire length of body door panels passenger seats are just absolutely rusted beyond repair. I've gone to a couple different shops and each one said that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue. Now the vehicle when ridden in just bounces horribly wearing out bearing springs and tires are being worn out. There is only 110759 miles on it and bought this for my wife/ kids cause I've had 3 other escapes in the past so since I work on the road this is prefect sized for then not to big or too small. I've had so many issues this last year with repairs parts and now worried about safety issues.
NHTSA ODI #11579065
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2022
Service BrakesSuspensionWheels
About a week after i bought this car and i bought it used but the abs light came on i took it to have it check out and was told the complete suspendtion system front and back was shot and that it all had to be fix i don't have the money for that i am a disabled veteran and i am scraping by as it is
NHTSA ODI #11499472
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2022
StructureSuspensionWheels
THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT RUSTS OUT NOT LONG AFTER MANUFACTURE AND WE THE CONSUMER ARE LEFT WITH THE PILE OF POOP. FORD IS HIGHLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND AS I TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN DAILY I WONDER IF THIS WILL BE THE DAY WE DIE. UPON THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTING OUT, HOPE YOURE RELIGIOUS AND GOD IS YOUR CO PILOT BECAUSE AS THAT POINT T…
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THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT RUSTS OUT NOT LONG AFTER MANUFACTURE AND WE THE CONSUMER ARE LEFT WITH THE PILE OF POOP. FORD IS HIGHLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND AS I TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN DAILY I WONDER IF THIS WILL BE THE DAY WE DIE. UPON THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTING OUT, HOPE YOURE RELIGIOUS AND GOD IS YOUR CO PILOT BECAUSE AS THAT POINT THE SPRING IS WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH! ITS SO HORSE [XXX] FORD LEAVES THIS TO THE LITTLE GUY (THE CONSUMERS) TO RECTIFY THEIR PROBLEM DUE TO THEIR INFERIOR MANUFACTURING. I WAS GOING OVER THE I280 BRIDGE IN OREGON OHIO WHEN IT DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO FAIL. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11495034
100,000 miles · Jul 17, 2018
StructureSuspensionWheels
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL TOTALLY RUSTED OUT, NO REPAIR SHOP WILL FIX. LOUD KNOCKING WHEN DRIVING, CAN NOT DRIVE AFRAID WHEEL WILL FALL OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11111914
13 miles · Jul 9, 2018
SteeringSuspensionWheels
ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE I ALMOST DIED ON HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FORD BROKE. UPON LOOKING UP INFORMATION I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR FORD ESCAPES 00 _04 BUT THAT ESCAPE IS THE SAME FRAME AND STRUCTURE. I NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT THE FRAME WAS SUPPOSE TO BRAKE LIKE THAT. I HOPE NOBODY EVER GET…
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ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE I ALMOST DIED ON HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FORD BROKE. UPON LOOKING UP INFORMATION I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR FORD ESCAPES 00 _04 BUT THAT ESCAPE IS THE SAME FRAME AND STRUCTURE. I NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT THE FRAME WAS SUPPOSE TO BRAKE LIKE THAT. I HOPE NOBODY EVER GETS HURT BUT THIS.PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSES BECAUSE THAT CAR IS VERY POPULAR.
NHTSA ODI #11110376
98,000 miles · Apr 5, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels
WHEN DRIVING I STARTED NOTICING A LOUD BANGING SOUND STARTING WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WE HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE SOUND THAT I HEARD. THEY POINTED OUT THE RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR WAS N…
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WHEN DRIVING I STARTED NOTICING A LOUD BANGING SOUND STARTING WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WE HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE SOUND THAT I HEARD. THEY POINTED OUT THE RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR WAS NOT AN IMMEDIATE REPAIR THAT WAS NEEDED BUT WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. WE PLANNED TO WAIT UNTIL THE LOCAL ROADS WERE REPAIRED FROM THE POT HOLES DEVELOPED THROUGH WINTER. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, ON MARCH 20, 2015 THE SOUND HAD BECOME EXTREMELY WORSE AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SUSPENSION IS BARELY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM THROUGH SEVERAL YEAR MODELS NOT JUST THE 2005. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE I WAS TOLD FORD WAS UNAWARE AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM DESPITE THE NUMEROUS LISTINGS OF PEOPLE ONLINE SAYING THEY HAVE REPORTED THE SAME KIND OF ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703786
120,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels
WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN SHORTLY AFTER HEARD SOMETHING RUBBING THEN VERY SHORTLY AFTER MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. I STOPPED TO LOOK AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE AREA WHERE THE REAR STRUT ATTACHED TO THE BODY COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE CAR IS MOST LIKELY NOT REPAIRABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683400
114,000 miles · Jan 10, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY, WHERE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT IS CAUSING A CONSTANT RATTLING AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP.CHECKING ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THE SHOCK HAS COMPLETELY…
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THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY, WHERE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT IS CAUSING A CONSTANT RATTLING AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP.CHECKING ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THE SHOCK HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COMPANY TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES, SO I IMAGINE IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS NOW BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES INVOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671574
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels
MY RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT IS NOW OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE. THERE IS A TERRIBLE, CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671573
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2015
StructureSuspensionWheels
THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AROUND THE SHOCK.I CAN SEE INTO THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE IS A LOUD RATTLE CONSTANTLY AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671568
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
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
1DP12006 · 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.
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