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
146,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
SuspensionWheels
EXCESSIVE WHEEL HUB CORROSION, SHOCK FREED AND DAMAGING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WHEEL HUB AREA. NOT DRIVING VEHICLE AT THIS POINT, TOO DANGEROUS. ADVISED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR WITH COMPLAINT. FORD MOTOR CALL CENTER TOOK INFORMATION AND HUNG UP ON ME. WOULD NOT DIRECT ME TO SUPERVISOR. NO RECALL AT THIS POINT F…
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EXCESSIVE WHEEL HUB CORROSION, SHOCK FREED AND DAMAGING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WHEEL HUB AREA. NOT DRIVING VEHICLE AT THIS POINT, TOO DANGEROUS. ADVISED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR WITH COMPLAINT. FORD MOTOR CALL CENTER TOOK INFORMATION AND HUNG UP ON ME. WOULD NOT DIRECT ME TO SUPERVISOR. NO RECALL AT THIS POINT FOR 2006, BUT MANY COMPLAINTS IN FORMER YEARS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MAY HAVE CAUSED A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. IF AGENCY WOULD LIKE PICTURES, PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596545
172,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Electrical System
PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER AND DAUGHTER WHEN MY CAR STALLED. THINKING QUICK, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL SO I COULD STEER AND RESTART.MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE 4 TIMES AND A $1000.00 OF WORK PUT INTO IT TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM, TO THIS DAY IT STILL STALLS!!!!!! NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG …
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PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER AND DAUGHTER WHEN MY CAR STALLED. THINKING QUICK, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL SO I COULD STEER AND RESTART.MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE 4 TIMES AND A $1000.00 OF WORK PUT INTO IT TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM, TO THIS DAY IT STILL STALLS!!!!!! NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596392
109,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Suspension
RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL RUSTED THREW THE WALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595913
107,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
StructureWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #10595662
128,400 miles · May 23, 2014
StructureSuspension
BEGAN TO NOTICE A RATTLING NOISE/CLUNKING IN RIGHT REAR CORNER OF VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SHOCKS WERE EXPOSED. ONLY THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTED. INFORMED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WE WOULD NEED …
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BEGAN TO NOTICE A RATTLING NOISE/CLUNKING IN RIGHT REAR CORNER OF VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SHOCKS WERE EXPOSED. ONLY THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTED. INFORMED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE BODY SHOP AND SAID WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE UNDER BODY ON OUR FORD ESCAPE HE NEW IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL BECAUSE IT WAS THE 3RD FORD ESCAPE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE ONLY HAD TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR THE PART AS WE WERE TOLD THAT THE LAST 2 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAD TO WAIT 6 WEEKS BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER FROM FORD. LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR FORD ESCAPE WITH EXACT ISSUE (ALWAYS ONLY THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL) FROM 2004 ON. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESS BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593774
110,000 miles · May 18, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
STARTED TO WORK ONE MORNING, HAVE A MANUAL TRANS AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 13 MILES WENT TO SHIFT INTO 4TH THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY BROKE FREE AND I CONTINUED TO WORK W/O INCIDENT. SINCE THEN IT HAPPENS ON A WEEKLY BASIS DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY AND DIFF TEMPS NO RHYME OR REASON. RESEARCHED A…
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STARTED TO WORK ONE MORNING, HAVE A MANUAL TRANS AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 13 MILES WENT TO SHIFT INTO 4TH THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY BROKE FREE AND I CONTINUED TO WORK W/O INCIDENT. SINCE THEN IT HAPPENS ON A WEEKLY BASIS DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY AND DIFF TEMPS NO RHYME OR REASON. RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY OTHER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS MORNING WAS DIFFERENT. I WAS ONLY 4 MILES FROM HOME AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AGAIN. I WAS ONLY IN 2ND GEAR, I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD IT BROKE LOOSE BUT THIS TIME IT GOT STUCK WHILE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR TOOK OFF SPINNING TIRES. THERE WAS NOT MUCH I COULD DO BUT PUT THE CLUTCH IN SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. WHEN I FINALLY STOPPED THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AGAIN SO THAT I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND NOW MY CLUTCH WAS GONE. IT IS NOW NOT DRIVABLE. SO VERY VERY DANGEROUS. DOES THERE NEED TO BE A FATALITY FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592289
150,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Service Brakes
I HAVE THE HYBRID VERSION OF ESCAPE. I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY WHEN THE ABS YELLOW LIGHT AND BRAKE RED LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I THEN PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN AS IT SHOULD THAT'S WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE CAR SLOW DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE …
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I HAVE THE HYBRID VERSION OF ESCAPE. I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY WHEN THE ABS YELLOW LIGHT AND BRAKE RED LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I THEN PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN AS IT SHOULD THAT'S WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE CAR SLOW DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD READ REGEN BRAKES DISABLE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT. THE CAR WORKED LIKE IT DID BEFORE BUT WHEN I RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR IT STILL READ THE REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. THE CAR WORKED FINE WITH THE WARNING BUT EVENTUALLY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE WARNING WENT AWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584767
63,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER CORRODED AND FRACTURED AND BUSTED THROUGH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK ABSORBE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER CORRODED AND FRACTURED AND BUSTED THROUGH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10578835
156,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Wheels
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT BOTH WHEEL WELLS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE F…
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TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT BOTH WHEEL WELLS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000. RK
NHTSA ODI #10578194
115,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
StructureSuspension
ON MARCH 12,2014 I WAS DRIVING TO THE POST OFFICE WHEN MY CAR MADE A LOUD "THUNK" AND BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY. FEELING UNSAFE AND BEING A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY HOME I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THERE. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD ROTTED OUT AND THE SHOCK HAD PENETRATED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE …
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ON MARCH 12,2014 I WAS DRIVING TO THE POST OFFICE WHEN MY CAR MADE A LOUD "THUNK" AND BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY. FEELING UNSAFE AND BEING A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY HOME I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THERE. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD ROTTED OUT AND THE SHOCK HAD PENETRATED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR BEHIND THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR IS 5/2005. *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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