Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports

Suspension complaints

19 reports

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Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2024

SuspensionUnknown Or Other

Rear frame rails rotting thru from the inside out, causing potential suspension issues

NHTSA ODI #11610361

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2022

SuspensionTires

Front tires bald and worn out in a circular pattern in less then about 4000 miles tires were brand new then purchased another set of 2 new front tires and again tires were bald and in some area they had a circular pattern after 2000 miles

NHTSA ODI #11455357

125,000 miles · Dec 3, 2020

Suspension

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THE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK TO BODY AREA IS 85% RUSTED OUT AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DOZENS OF USED CAR LOTS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A WELL KNOWN & DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS, AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT'S REPAIR AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN. I HAVE NO OF THAT NATURE. I CHECKED AROUND AS TO THE COST OF REPAIR; AND IT IS EXPENSIVE. APPROX: $600-1,000) THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE VECHILE'S VALUE. I FEEL THIS SITUATION IS NOT FAIR DUE TO THIS HARD TO DETECT SHODDY WORKMANSHIP DURING THE VEHICLE'S DESIGN PROCESS. I AM SURPRISED IT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LKIST. ACTUALLY I AM STUNNED. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS MATTER, AND GIVE ME YOUR FINDINGS. THANK YOU MUCH. HARRY J. CARTER, LLL

NHTSA ODI #11377747

70,000 miles · Apr 30, 2020

StructureSuspension

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY PULLED TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11322831

140,000 miles · Dec 29, 2019

Power TrainStructureSuspension

WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE & MAKING LEFT TURNS IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE. TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION JUST FELL OUT. I'M ENCLOSING SOME DOCUMENTS OF RECALLS THAT I'VE FOUND. MY TRUCK IS ALSO RUSTING OUT SO BAD THAT WHEN I PUT MY GRANDSON IN HIS CAR SEAT, THE LEGS OF MY PANTS GET CAUGHT ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11291899

89,236 miles · Sep 26, 2019

StructureSuspension

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. DURING A RECENT TRIP, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED ALMOST 90 DEGREES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FRAME RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED MUELLER FORD (175 N AVON AVE, PHILLIPS, WI 54555, (715) 339-3045) WHERE THE FRAME RUST WAS CONFIRMED. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO BE SHIPPED TO THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE RIGHT AFTER LABOR DAY AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,236.*PM*JB

NHTSA ODI #11258348

170,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019

StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A 2ND HAND DEALER AND AFTER 2 MONTHS I NOTICED A STRANGE NOISE FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. COME TO FIND OUT, THE RUST ON THE UNDER PENDING OF THIS CAR WAS HAZARDOUS. THE WHOLE BODY UNDERNEATH WAS CORRODED. ONE OF THE SHOCKS WAS BARELY HOLDING ON. IF IT HAS COMPLETELY SNAPPED, IT COULD HAVE CAUSE A SEVER ACCIDENT TO ME AND MY 2 YEAR GREAT NIECE, AND INJURED SOMEONE ELSE. FIRST NOTICE OF THIS, I TOOK TO THE DEALER. THEY TOOK PICTURES AND WAS GOING TO FIND A WELDER. A WEEK LATER IS WHEN THE PART CAME LOOSE MORE AND THE WELDER SAID IT WAS UNSAFE AND BEYOND PATCHING UP. A CALL WAS MADE TO THE DEALER TO INFORM THEM THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SHOCK BUT THE UNDER PENDING WAS RUSTED OUT. ANOTHER MECHANIC PRIOR NOTICED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD RUSTED OUT AND CRUMBLED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE DUST PLATE. IT CRUMBLED AND SOME OF THE PIECES ALONG WITH SCREWS WERE CAUGHT IN THE BRAKE DRUMS BEHIND ROTER. I COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE TO TRADE, ONE I REALLY DIDN'T WANT. THEY GAVE ME NO CHOICE. THIS VEHICLE HAD NO AIR, THE WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN, AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT A CAR DUE TO MULTIPLE UPCOMING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS. THEY WERE AWARE OF A RARE CONDITION I HAVE THAT PREVENTS ME FROM BEING IN THE HEAT BUT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ME ANYTHING ELSE. IF SO I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS. THE FORD ESCAPE WAS PAID IN CASH ALL UP FRONT. I FEEL CHEATED AND HAD THEIR BEEN AN ACCIDENT I AM SURE MORE MONEY WOULD HAVE BEEN COLLECTED FROM THIS DEALER FOR THE SUFFERING OF MY FAMILY HAD IT BEEN FATAL. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ALSO AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER TO INFORM THEM OF THE SHOCK ABOUT TO FALL OFF, THEY WANTED ME TO DRIVE IT TO THE WELDER. AFTER THE WELDER TOLD THEM HOW UNSAFE IT WAS, INSTEAD OF THEM HAVING IT TOWED, THEY HAD ME DRIVE IT AND HOUR AND A HALF TO THEM. I WAS SCARED.

NHTSA ODI #11230697

159,000 miles · May 26, 2019

SteeringSuspensionWheels

THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS WHERE THEY PLACED A PIECE OF METAL TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM COMING OFF. IN LATER YEARS THEY USED THE SAME PART, WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE PART OR AT LEAST REDESIGNED THE PART SO THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. CAR IS NOW P…

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NHTSA ODI #11210070

164,000 miles · Apr 3, 2018

StructureSuspension

WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 FORD ESCAPE ON A SOMEWHAT BUMPY COUNTRY ROAD THERE WAS SUDDENLY A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR. UPON INSPECTION I OBSERVED THE ENTIRE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT IN THE RIGHT REAR HAD BROKEN FREE FROM THE BODY DUE TO RUST, CAUSING THE SHOCK TO RIDE FREELY INTO THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT HITTING THE PL…

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NHTSA ODI #11083109

110,891 miles · Mar 17, 2016

Suspension

SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HITTING WHEEL MAKING CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO SHOP AND COST WILL BE UPWARDS FROM $1200

NHTSA ODI #10850223

Official recalls

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

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)

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.

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

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.

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO

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