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2006 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
95,556 miles · Oct 25, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS COULD NOT DRIVE NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549450

55,000 miles · Oct 21, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS IN COOLER WEATHER, I HAD STARTED EXPERIENCING MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING WITH THE THROTTLE CLOSED. IT WAS MAINLY A NUISANCE AT FIRST BUT IT STARTED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD PUT MY ENTIRE WEIGHT ON THE PEDAL WITHOUT IT BUDGING. AT MY SOONEST CONVENIENCE AND MOSTLY BECAUSE I HAD A WARRANTY ON THE …

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THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS IN COOLER WEATHER, I HAD STARTED EXPERIENCING MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING WITH THE THROTTLE CLOSED. IT WAS MAINLY A NUISANCE AT FIRST BUT IT STARTED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD PUT MY ENTIRE WEIGHT ON THE PEDAL WITHOUT IT BUDGING. AT MY SOONEST CONVENIENCE AND MOSTLY BECAUSE I HAD A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS STILL RELATIVELY NEW TO ME, I DROVE TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE DIFFERING METALS OF THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, SO THEY ENDED UP REPLACING IT... IT ONLY COST ME $100 AT THE TIME DUE TO THE WARRANTY. HERE I AM ABOUT THREE YEARS LATER AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY SO I INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE MYSELF AND DISCOVERED THE THROTTLE BODY IS MOSTLY PLASTIC WITH AN ALUMINUM BUTTERFLY... I ALSO DISCOVERED A TAR-LIKE RESIDUE ON THE EDGES OF THE BUTTERFLY. I PROCEEDED TO CLEAN THE ASSEMBLY, THEN REINSTALLED IT AND THERE WAS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT... MY ACCELERATOR FEELS VERY DIFFERENT, IN A VERY GOOD WAY. I'M TIRED OF LARGE COMPANIES HIDING ISSUES LIKE THIS. IT GETS OLD AND CAUSES GOOD PRODUCTS TO CONTINUE TO GET CHEAPER. MY MONEY COULD BE PUT TO BETTER USE THAN REPLACING A PART THAT OBVIOUSLY NEEDED MORE ENGINEERING ATTENTION BEFORE BECOMING PRODUCTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548652

130,000 miles · Oct 3, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

PROBLEMS WITH GAS PEDAL STICKING/ LOCKING UP. WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN IDLE DASH LIGHTS, A/C AND RADIO TURN ON AND OFF, THEN THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND BEFORE THE ACTUAL ENGINE SHUTS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546620

105,000 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Structure

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH EXPOSING THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CORROSION OF THE REAR WHEEL WELL IS NOT A WEARABLE PART AND CANNOT BE CONTROLLED OR CAUSED BY THE END USER. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE CORROSION OF THE REAR WHEEL WELL CAN CAUSE THE SHOCKS AND …

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THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH EXPOSING THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CORROSION OF THE REAR WHEEL WELL IS NOT A WEARABLE PART AND CANNOT BE CONTROLLED OR CAUSED BY THE END USER. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE CORROSION OF THE REAR WHEEL WELL CAN CAUSE THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS TO DISMOUNT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE ROLLOVER RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545203

97,000 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS AN 3:45 IN THE MORNING IN ABOUT 60 DEGREE WEATHER. IN DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BUTTERFLY VALVE IN THE THROTTLE SYSTEM. LUCKILY THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME OF T…

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THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS AN 3:45 IN THE MORNING IN ABOUT 60 DEGREE WEATHER. IN DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BUTTERFLY VALVE IN THE THROTTLE SYSTEM. LUCKILY THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME OF THE MORNING. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, HE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND.

NHTSA ODI #10544266

156,884 miles · Sep 17, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTINUED TO PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED BUT THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CONTINUED TO PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED BUT THE FAILURE SOON RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. THE DEALER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE THROTTLE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,884.

NHTSA ODI #10544066

78,000 miles · Aug 26, 2013
Engine

I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE WITH FREQUENT OIL CHANGES EVERY 2K. I HAVE ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION REBUILD THAT WAS COMPLETED DURING WARRANTY IN 2010. NO MY CAR IS IN A SHOP WITH DIAGNOSIS THAT THE ENGINE IS BURNED OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $4500 FOR A USED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WI…

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I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE WITH FREQUENT OIL CHANGES EVERY 2K. I HAVE ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION REBUILD THAT WAS COMPLETED DURING WARRANTY IN 2010. NO MY CAR IS IN A SHOP WITH DIAGNOSIS THAT THE ENGINE IS BURNED OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $4500 FOR A USED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH A CAR FILLED WITH CHILDREN AND WITH NO INDICATION LIGHTS COMING ON THE MOTOR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE I WAS MOVING 65 MPH. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A CRASH. THE INDICATION LIGHTS ONLY CAME ON AS THE MOTOR WAS DYING. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD START BUT THEN STARTED TO SMOKE IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC HE SAID THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OIL IN THE ENGINE. I HAD JUST ADDED 2 QUARTS OF OIL ABOUT 400 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT AND SAW NO LEAKAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537311

81,000 miles · Aug 18, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING ALONG AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS IN THE UP POSITION. IF YOU NEED TO SPEED UP THE PEDAL WONT MOVE. IT IS LOCKED IN THE IDLE POSITION. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHEN I COULD NOT SPEED UP TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN 18 WHEELER. IT NEARLY RAN OVER ME. THE PEDAL HAS STUCK AT LEAST 15 TIMES SINCE I H…

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DRIVING ALONG AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS IN THE UP POSITION. IF YOU NEED TO SPEED UP THE PEDAL WONT MOVE. IT IS LOCKED IN THE IDLE POSITION. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHEN I COULD NOT SPEED UP TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF AN 18 WHEELER. IT NEARLY RAN OVER ME. THE PEDAL HAS STUCK AT LEAST 15 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 ESCAPE. IF THE PEDAL STICKS AT THE WRONG TIME, SOMEONE SOMEWHERE WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535945

64,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Engine

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. THERE WERE NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND THAT WERE ON PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT OR THAT LIT UP DURING OR AFTER THE EPISODE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO STOP WORKING AND THERE WAS …

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DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. THERE WERE NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND THAT WERE ON PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT OR THAT LIT UP DURING OR AFTER THE EPISODE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO STOP WORKING AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE ENGINE. I RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE DID THIS A SECOND TIME. THERE WERE ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS AT LOWER SPEEDS DRIVING AROUND TOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533914

89,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10532405

Official recalls

3

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 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.

14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

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.

05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

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

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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