Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
360–25K
5425–50K
7750–75K
8975–100K
102100–150K
47150K+
405 reports with mileage · 59 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.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports9 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
464 reports
76,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Power Train
MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW AND STUTTER. WHEN SHE GOT TO WORK SHE WASN'T ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE WITHOUT THE VEHICLE CUTTING OFF. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE ALMOST SHUT DOWN BUT ACCORDING TO HER SLOWED WAY DOWN. AFTER WORK SHE HAD TO CRUISE THROUGH ALL THE STOP SIGNS AND S…
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MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW AND STUTTER. WHEN SHE GOT TO WORK SHE WASN'T ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE WITHOUT THE VEHICLE CUTTING OFF. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE ALMOST SHUT DOWN BUT ACCORDING TO HER SLOWED WAY DOWN. AFTER WORK SHE HAD TO CRUISE THROUGH ALL THE STOP SIGNS AND STOP LIGHTS FOR FEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. SHE MADE IT HOME AND THAT WAS IT. I COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE TO GO FROM NO GEAR TO AND GEAR WITHOUT SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A SHIFT SENSOR. WE ENDED UP CALLING THE FORD HOUSE (ARROW FORD, ABILENE, TX.). THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE AND I GOT A CALL LATER SAYING IT WAS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. IT WAS GOING TO BE $2,400.00 FOR THE REPAIR. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, (A DESIGN FLAW IF YOU WILL). WE TAKE CARE OF THE VEHICLES AND DON'T ABUSE OUR VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662965
92,000 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Power Train
WE PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE FOR OUR DAUGHTER THAT IS IN COLLEGE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD AROUND 92,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE PURCHASED. UPON BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER AND CUT OFF. SHE IS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK, RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE ON. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON BEHIND WHEN THIS OCCURS. SHE LIVES IN AN EXT…
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WE PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE FOR OUR DAUGHTER THAT IS IN COLLEGE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD AROUND 92,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE PURCHASED. UPON BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER AND CUT OFF. SHE IS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK, RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE ON. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON BEHIND WHEN THIS OCCURS. SHE LIVES IN AN EXTREMELY BUSY AREA AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR HER. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. OUR MECHANIC IS TELLING US THAT HE IS ALMOST POSITIVE IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. (OF COURSE, WE HAVE LEFT IT WITH HIM FOR OVER A WEEK AND HE HAS DRIVEN IT EVERYWHERE AND IT WILL NOT MESS UP) AFTER HEARING THIS, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON IT. WHY IS FORD NOT DOING A RECALL ON THIS? THIS SEEMS SO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING INJURED OR WORSE BEFORE THEY TAKE ANY ACTION? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10661903
143,000 miles · Nov 30, 2014
Suspension
THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT FAILED DUE TO RUST. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPES BUILT IN THE YEARS 2005 AND 2006. IT SEEMS THIS FAILURE IS A DESIGN FLAW. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONG OPERABLE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10661333
134,000 miles · Nov 17, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING DOWN WHEN TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS VERY COLD. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10658711
87,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE'S GAS PEDAL CONSTANTLY LOCKS WHEN DRIVING NO MATTER THE CLIMATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654972
72,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT AND THE EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE TRANS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT AND THE EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10654948
125,000 miles · Nov 5, 2014
SuspensionCrashInjury
VEHICLE GOT VERY LOOSE AND LOST CONTROL DUE TO REAR STRUT MOUNT RUSTING ALL THE WAY APART AND NO CONTROL OF REAR SUSPENSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652859
140,000 miles · Nov 1, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHEN IT GETS BELOW 40 DEGREES OR SO MY GAS PEDAL WILL STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION. YOU HAVE TO PRESS VERY HARD ON THE PEDAL FOR IT TO ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE HOWEVER THERE IS A LARGE THRUST FORWARD/BACKWARD DUE TO OPENING THE THROTTLE SO QUICKLY. I HAVE NEARLY HIT 2 CARS AND ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT GO…
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WHEN IT GETS BELOW 40 DEGREES OR SO MY GAS PEDAL WILL STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION. YOU HAVE TO PRESS VERY HARD ON THE PEDAL FOR IT TO ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE HOWEVER THERE IS A LARGE THRUST FORWARD/BACKWARD DUE TO OPENING THE THROTTLE SO QUICKLY. I HAVE NEARLY HIT 2 CARS AND ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT GO. I HAVE SPOKE. WITH FORD AND THEY STATE THAT THERE IS NO RECALLS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST. I DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2001-2004 AND 2007 MODEL OF THE ESCAPE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A FEW OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS HAZARD AND COULD COST SOMEONE A LIFE IF THE PROBLEM ISN'T CORRECTED. IT OBVIOUSLY HAS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE MODEL ITSELF. IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR THIS PAST SPRING FROM MY MOTHER, WHO ALSO SAID SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651765
119,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Engine
I WAS SITTING AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING. HAD TO KEEP FOOT ON GAS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE RUNNING. WHEN I WENT TO PULL OUT ON THE STREET, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. AFTER 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING, IT STARTED ABOUT 20 MIN LATER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651048
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2014
StructureSuspension
I WAS DRIVING HOME GOING ABOUT 45MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THOUGH IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE TIRE, SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THE SHOCK IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND APART. *TR
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.
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
1
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.
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