NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
143 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 18, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES FLICKERED ON AND OFF. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO AND HEATER WERE STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES FLICKERED ON AND OFF. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO AND HEATER WERE STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BILL MARSH FORD, 408 W MILE RD NW, KALKASKA, MI 49646) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WRONG BATTERY WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS- 13337258. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11034288
97,145 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS GRADUALLY GETTING WORST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NORTH BROTHERS FORD LOCATED AT 33300 FORD ROAD WESTLAND, M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS GRADUALLY GETTING WORST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NORTH BROTHERS FORD LOCATED AT 33300 FORD ROAD WESTLAND, MICHIGAN 48185; 734-821-7451 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,145.
NHTSA ODI #11020028
81,000 miles · Apr 27, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY: DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND MAKE IT SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE ON. A FEW DAYS LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, FORTUNATELY ON A LESS CROWDED STREET.
NHTSA ODI #10981002
160,000 miles · Mar 30, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
POWER STEERING GOES OUT, AT ALL SPEEDS NOW (MY ESC LIGHT IS ON THE DASH AND WON'T GO OFF) HARD TO STEER WHEEL WHEN AT A STOP OR TO MAKE A TURN. MAKE IT'S HARD TO PARK A CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10969581
139,000 miles · Jan 17, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
14S05. I WAS DRIVING THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH. THE STEERING WILL STOPPED CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY AND THEN THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I ALMOST CRASHED, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, GATHERED MYSELF, CUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND CUT THE AUTO OFF. AFTER A MINUTE, I STARTED THE…
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14S05. I WAS DRIVING THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70MPH. THE STEERING WILL STOPPED CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY AND THEN THE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I ALMOST CRASHED, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, GATHERED MYSELF, CUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND CUT THE AUTO OFF. AFTER A MINUTE, I STARTED THE AUTO UP AGAIN AND MOVED FORWARD TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK IN BUT IT WAS VERY VERY LOOSE. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I INFORMED MY MOTHER THAT IT NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT. SHE CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE RECALL ON HER VEHICLE WAS CLOSED BUT IF THE STEERING WENT OUT, THAT IT WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THAT FORD TOLD HER TOO AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT. SHE LEFT THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT TO BE FIXED BUT THE NEXT DAY THEY TOLD HER THAT IT WASN'T A RECALL AND THAT SHE HAD TO PAY $89 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW SHE HAD TO PAY. THEY STILL REFUSE TO HELP IN ANY KIND OF WAY AT ALL. MY MOTHER IS IN HER MID 70'S WITH A FIXED INCOME. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO COME UP WITH $2000. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FORDWONTHONORRECALL14S05/ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10945789
12,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CAR SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES MY CARS DOES NOT START. I HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR, STARTER TESTED, AND THEY ARE GOOD, MY CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, I KEEP A GOOD HANDLE ON MAINTENANCE UP, BUT MY CAR SHUTTIN…
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TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CAR SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES MY CARS DOES NOT START. I HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR, STARTER TESTED, AND THEY ARE GOOD, MY CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, I KEEP A GOOD HANDLE ON MAINTENANCE UP, BUT MY CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND SOMETIMES DON'T TURN ON AT ALL IS KEEP HAPPENING, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, VERY HARD TO TURN, ALL COMPONENTS IN MY CAR DON'T COME ON, GEARS LIGHT POPS ON AND OFF, DASHBOARD LIGHT SOMETIME FLICKERS. I HAVE HAD MY BACK LIGHTS. AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10935549
105,000 miles · Sep 12, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 11/29/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10905708
169,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MASS AIR INDEX WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ABS, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND PARKING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10896519
113,000 miles · Jul 16, 2016
Electrical System
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE, STALLS WITH OUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE ENGINE RPM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE TRAVELING ON STATE HWY AND COUNTY ROADS. EACH TIME YOU COULD GAIN CONTROL, BY SHUTTING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. SINCE THIS IS THE FAMILY CAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED. IT IS UNSAF…
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MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE, STALLS WITH OUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STILL RUNS BUT THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE ENGINE RPM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE TRAVELING ON STATE HWY AND COUNTY ROADS. EACH TIME YOU COULD GAIN CONTROL, BY SHUTTING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. SINCE THIS IS THE FAMILY CAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF STALLS ON BUSY CITY STREET OR MAJOR FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #10885266
69,000 miles · May 6, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #10863660
NHTSA investigations
3DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding 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.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that
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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