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
74,758 miles · Oct 3, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS LIGHT THEN CAME ON. MY CHILD WAS BEING TRANSPORTED IN THE CAR AND AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED. TOWED CAR TO MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, YET WHEN I CHECKED THERE WAS NO ACTIVE…
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VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND WITHOUT WARNING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS LIGHT THEN CAME ON. MY CHILD WAS BEING TRANSPORTED IN THE CAR AND AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED. TOWED CAR TO MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, YET WHEN I CHECKED THERE WAS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS ITEM. SHOP SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW FORD OEM ABS MODULE ASSEMBLY 3F2Z2C219AB. *TT UPDATED 7/24/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11031554
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2017
Service Brakes
2006 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR DRIVER SIDE TONE RING REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED ON THE VEHICLE THE TONE RINGS WERE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. THIS MAKES THEM PRONE TO BREAKAGE. UPDATED 09/27/2017*JS
NHTSA ODI #11029812
150,000 miles · Aug 23, 2017
Service BrakesCrash
BRAKE PEDDLE WENT SOFT AND FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE IN REASONABLE DISTANCE FOR SPEED, LESS THAN 10 MILES/HOUR. THIS WAS ON A CITY STREET STARTING LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 10 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11019247
173,000 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Structure
DRIVING THIS MORNING WHEN I HEARD A BANGING NOISE WHEN I HIT ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I WAS FIMILIAR WITH THE ESCAPES WHEELWELL RUST ISSUE. I LIKED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FOUND THE UNDERCOATING WAS FALLING OFF AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS BARELY HANGING ON. I HAVE A 173000 MILES ON IT. I KNOW FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT TH…
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DRIVING THIS MORNING WHEN I HEARD A BANGING NOISE WHEN I HIT ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I WAS FIMILIAR WITH THE ESCAPES WHEELWELL RUST ISSUE. I LIKED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FOUND THE UNDERCOATING WAS FALLING OFF AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS BARELY HANGING ON. I HAVE A 173000 MILES ON IT. I KNOW FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ON THEIR OWN. FIXES ARE EXPENSIVE, LIKE A NEW WHEELHOUSE , WHICH HAS TO BE WELDED IN, ACCORDING TO DORMAN OR AN L BRACKET FOR ABOUT 200 DOLLARS, OR COB SOMETHING UP MYSELF. I'M 60 AND LIVE HERE IN UPSTATE NY, AND NO WAY SHOULD THIS BE HAPPPENING. SALT OR RAIN, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING TO PREVENT THIS. SOMETHING CHANGED AFTER 2006 BY FORD. UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL , NO ONE IS GOING TO HELP YOU. YOU KNOW THE TERM...S.O.L.....
NHTSA ODI #11018716
130,000 miles · Jul 21, 2017
Service Brakes
I HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE WITH A DEEP CONCERN AND ISSUES WITH THE ABS (BRAKING) SYSTEM. THE ABS INSTRUMENTATION LIGHT PERIODICALLY COMES ON INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE WHILE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS "ON". THE EXPERIENCE IS A SLIDING …
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE WITH A DEEP CONCERN AND ISSUES WITH THE ABS (BRAKING) SYSTEM. THE ABS INSTRUMENTATION LIGHT PERIODICALLY COMES ON INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE WHILE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS "ON". THE EXPERIENCE IS A SLIDING AND/OR JERKING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SEARCHING THE INTERNET THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS SURROUNDING THIS BRAKING ISSUE FOR THE FORD ESCAPE. THIS IS APPARENT IN SEVERAL MODEL YEARS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE CONCERNING BRAKE FAILURE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND MANY DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #11006681
123,736 miles · Jun 16, 2017
StructureSuspension
MY DAUGHTER WAS ALERTED TO A PROBLEM WHEN LOUD BANGING NOISES STARTED RECENTLY WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELLS BODY PARTS AND SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE. OUR VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED ACC…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS ALERTED TO A PROBLEM WHEN LOUD BANGING NOISES STARTED RECENTLY WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELLS BODY PARTS AND SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE. OUR VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURE'S SCHEDULE AND AS RECOMMENDED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW WE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF A POTENTIAL ISSUE BEFORE DURING PREVIOUS TIRE REPLACEMENTS, SHOCK REPLACEMENTS, AND OTHER SERVICES THAT WOULD HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE PROBLEM. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS SO BAD THAT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND REFERRED US TO THEIR BODY SHOP. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE CABIN IS NOW EXPOSED. I ALSO HAVE AN AUDIO RECORDING OF THE NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. MY DAUGHTER WAS ALSO CAUTIONED BY THE MECHANIC ABOUT AN IMMINENT FAILURE OF THE SUSPENSION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. THERE WAS A RECALL BY FORD FOR 2001-2004 FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME MODEL. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR OUR VEHICLE. BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE AND THE ISSUES REPORTED BY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FOR LATER MODEL YEARS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND ACTION BY FORD TO REPAIR THESE LATER YEAR MODELS SUCH AS OURS AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10995616
120,000 miles · May 31, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE BODY CONTINUOUSLY STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT MOVE IN TRAFFIC OR WHEN DRIVING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU TRY TO MAKE A TURN AND VEHICLES ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK CAUSING AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI #10992396
141,000 miles · May 11, 2017
Suspension
THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER IS RUSTING AWAY AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE FRAME I READ ONLINE THAT FORD RECALLED ALMOST 400,00 VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10985005
82,000 miles · Apr 11, 2017
Service Brakes
BRAKES FAILED AT 10 MPH. ALL BRAKE LIGHTS SYSTEM ON DASH TURNED ON. BRAKE WAS HARD AND UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN. BRAKES THEN RELEASED AND GOT SOFT AND WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. HYDRAULIC CYLINDER UNIT FAILED & MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WAS APPROACHING A MAJOR INTERSECTION IF BRAKES FAILED A FE…
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BRAKES FAILED AT 10 MPH. ALL BRAKE LIGHTS SYSTEM ON DASH TURNED ON. BRAKE WAS HARD AND UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN. BRAKES THEN RELEASED AND GOT SOFT AND WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. HYDRAULIC CYLINDER UNIT FAILED & MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WAS APPROACHING A MAJOR INTERSECTION IF BRAKES FAILED A FEW SECONDS LATER MAY HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10971979
156,000 miles · Jan 13, 2017
Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING (NOT BRAKING) THE CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON DASH ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" AND A PING SOUND. WHEN BRAKES WERE NEXT APPLIED THEY HAD BECOME VERY SOFT AND NOT AS RESPONSIVE. I PULLED INTO A SAFE AREA AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. AFT…
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WHILE DRIVING (NOT BRAKING) THE CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON DASH ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" AND A PING SOUND. WHEN BRAKES WERE NEXT APPLIED THEY HAD BECOME VERY SOFT AND NOT AS RESPONSIVE. I PULLED INTO A SAFE AREA AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND ALL OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED LIGHTS AND MESSAGES WERE GONE AND THE BRAKES WERE WORKING CORRECTLY. CONTINUED TO DRIVE AGAIN AND THE MESSAGE DIDN'T REOCCUR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES ON BOTH HIGHWAYS AND RURAL ROADS AND ALWAYS FIXED BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND LETTING IT SIT FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE PROBLEMS DON'T INITIATE WHEN WE ARE ACTUALLY BRAKING. TOOK THE CAR TO OUR FORD DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST. THE REPORT THEY GAVE US SAID " VERIFIED CUSTOMERS CONCERN. RETRIEVE CODA 1524, 1526. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL SENSOR RELATED. ALSO RETRIEVE CODES FOR TRACTION BATTERY COOLING FANS." THE SERVICE DEPT RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (AT A COST OF $2078.95) AND THE HYBRID BATTERY COOLING FANS (AT A COST OF $716.99).
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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