NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
464 reports93,000 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemService BrakesCrashInjury
DRIVING DOWN A STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. IN PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CALIPERS FROZE UP AND THAT THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NEVER RECORD THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK OR AT TIMES ENGAGE THE BRAKES. I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL BU…
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DRIVING DOWN A STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. IN PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES I WAS TOLD THAT THE CALIPERS FROZE UP AND THAT THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NEVER RECORD THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK OR AT TIMES ENGAGE THE BRAKES. I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL BUT I KNOW THIS VEHICLE DID HAVE ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED. UPON IMPACT IT APPEARED I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I HAVE DRIVEN DOWN THAT CITY ROAD THOUSANDS OF TIMES BUT IT APPEARED THIS TIME THERE WAS A ISSUE WITH HE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. INJURIES WERE AIRBAG RELATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10919869
79,000 miles · Oct 25, 2016
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE WENT OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. UPON ON HAVING A MECHANIC TEAR IT APART, IT WAS FOUND THAT A BEARING AND THE CLUTCH WENT OUT IN IT. THE SAME MECHANIC, BEFORE WORKING ON MY TRANSMISSION, DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAS NOT IS…
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THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE WENT OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. UPON ON HAVING A MECHANIC TEAR IT APART, IT WAS FOUND THAT A BEARING AND THE CLUTCH WENT OUT IN IT. THE SAME MECHANIC, BEFORE WORKING ON MY TRANSMISSION, DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL KNOW WING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SHIFT KIT THAT WAS NOT THERE. I ALSO LEARNED THAT NO FORD TRAINED TECHNICIANS WOULD WORK ON MY ESCAPE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10918923
128,000 miles · Oct 15, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
IN 2013 THE THROTTLE WOULD EITHER STICK AND NOT ALLOW YOU TO GO, OR AS YOUR DRIVING IT WOULD NOT GO TO THE IDLE POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT THE TIME, NOW IN 2016 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH FORD MOTORS AND THE DEALERSHIP. THIS…
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IN 2013 THE THROTTLE WOULD EITHER STICK AND NOT ALLOW YOU TO GO, OR AS YOUR DRIVING IT WOULD NOT GO TO THE IDLE POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT THE TIME, NOW IN 2016 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH FORD MOTORS AND THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A COSTLY FIX AND MUST BE DONE AGAIN FOR THE SAFETY OF OURSELVES AND OTHERS. PLEASE HELP US IF YOU CAN.
NHTSA ODI #10916265
80,222 miles · Oct 14, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10916056
170,423 miles · Oct 3, 2016
Engine
MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE JUST SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING AND STALLING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHEN STOPPED. THE WRENCH/ SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES THAN PROBLEM OCCURS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT OR DEATH IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. I READ ABOUT OTHER ESCAPES HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, IS THERE ANY ANSWER FROM FORD AS TO FIX SU…
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MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE JUST SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING AND STALLING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHEN STOPPED. THE WRENCH/ SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES THAN PROBLEM OCCURS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT OR DEATH IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. I READ ABOUT OTHER ESCAPES HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, IS THERE ANY ANSWER FROM FORD AS TO FIX SUCH PROBLEM. THANKS [XXX] ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
NHTSA ODI #10911326
108,000 miles · Sep 30, 2016
Power Train
I AM ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION GO OUT ON THEIR 2006 FORD ESCAPE - I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY SON - STOPPED AT RED LIGHT - LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE - HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2006/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML
NHTSA ODI #10910759
97,500 miles · Sep 22, 2016
Engine
ENGINE LOST ALL OIL. THERE IS NO OIL SPOT ON THE ROAD NO LEAK DETECTED EACH OIL CHANGE AT 3K MILES. I HAD GONE TO LUNCH, NO PROBLEM, NO NOISE, NO WARNING LIGHTS. I GOT IN THE VEHICLE TO GO HOME AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND TOWED IT HOME. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS GONE. I HAD …
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ENGINE LOST ALL OIL. THERE IS NO OIL SPOT ON THE ROAD NO LEAK DETECTED EACH OIL CHANGE AT 3K MILES. I HAD GONE TO LUNCH, NO PROBLEM, NO NOISE, NO WARNING LIGHTS. I GOT IN THE VEHICLE TO GO HOME AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND TOWED IT HOME. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS GONE. I HAD JUST HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE OIL IS JUST GONE. THERE ARE 36 OTHER REPORTED INCIDENTS OF OIL BEING LOST IN THE ENGINE AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING. THE COST OF A REPLACED ENGINE IS ANY WHERE FROM 5OOO TO 9000 DOLLARS. IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE YOUR ENGINE QUIT WHEN YOU ARE ARE AT WORK LIKE ME YOU CAN GET A TOW. SOME HAVE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT IS DEADLY FOR SEVERAL PEOPLE. FORD AND DOT NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS AND REPLACE THESE ENGINES. THE DAY PRIOR TO MY ENGINE ISSUE I HAD CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL. BUT THE NEXT DAY IT DISAPPEARED . WITHOUT A TRACE.
NHTSA ODI #10908702
186,000 miles · Sep 17, 2016
StructureSuspension
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY, I COULD HERE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER INVESTIGATING, IT WAS VISIBLY NOTICEABLE THAT THE SHOCK TOWER ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO BOUNCE FREELY AND THE SHOCK TO JAM UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL REPEATEDLY. THE VEHI…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY, I COULD HERE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER INVESTIGATING, IT WAS VISIBLY NOTICEABLE THAT THE SHOCK TOWER ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO BOUNCE FREELY AND THE SHOCK TO JAM UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10907410
184,000 miles · Aug 27, 2016
Structure
SIGNIFICANT RUST THROUGH IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHERE SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHES TO FRAME. WHILE DRIVING, SHOCK CAME DETACHED FROM FRAME OF CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10899055
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PLATE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PLATE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10897689
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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