NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
88 reportsClear category filter62,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE DROPPED TO IDLE AND THROTTLE BECAME NO RESPONSIVE. HAD TO PERFORM EVASIVE MANEUVERS WITHOUT POWER TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT HIT. AFTER CALLING THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD LIKELY NEED TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT OVER $600. …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE DROPPED TO IDLE AND THROTTLE BECAME NO RESPONSIVE. HAD TO PERFORM EVASIVE MANEUVERS WITHOUT POWER TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT HIT. AFTER CALLING THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD LIKELY NEED TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT OVER $600. THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME WORSE IN ONLY A FEW DAYS AND OCCURS AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS. RESEARCH ON THE WEB LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND I AM CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF DRIVERS WITH ALL THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536535
58,207 miles · Aug 16, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND WAS LUCKILY ON A FRONTAGE ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2009 ESCAPE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN THE HILL AND TURN OFF ONTO A SIDE ROAD. THE WRENCH SYMBOL LIT UP AND MY CAR SPUTTERED AND SHOOK. I SAID A PRAYER, WAITED A FEW MINUTES,…
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I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND WAS LUCKILY ON A FRONTAGE ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2009 ESCAPE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN THE HILL AND TURN OFF ONTO A SIDE ROAD. THE WRENCH SYMBOL LIT UP AND MY CAR SPUTTERED AND SHOOK. I SAID A PRAYER, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. I DROVE IT ABOUT A MILE DOWN SIDE STREETS TO TRY AND GET IT TO MY MECHANIC, BUT IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SAID ANOTHER PRAYER, STARTED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE A/C AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC W/OUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THEY SAID THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS AND SINCE THE PARTS ARE EXPENSIVE, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE THE PART AND NOT HAVE THAT FIX THE ISSUE, SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK ($75) AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP. I DIDN'T DARE TRY TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD DIE ON THE WAY THERE AND SINCE THE DEALERSHIP IS LOCATED OFF OF HIGHWAY 75 IN MCKINNEY, I COULDN'T RISK IT DYING ON SUCH A BUSY HIGHWAY W/ MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID IT'S AN ISSUE W/ THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. MY CAR ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 58,000 MILES ON IT. AS A SINGLE DIVORCED MOM WHO IS STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, IT MAKES ME VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE TO SPEND MY HARD EARNED MONEY ($674) ON FIXING SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING ISSUE W/ THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE TO NOT HAVE A RELIABLE VEHICLE WHEN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO RELY ON LUCK AND HAVE TO WORRY AND STRESS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR THAT IT WILL DIE ON ME. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET THIS ISSUE FIXED AS PART OF A RECALL B/C IT IS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE AND LOTS OF FORD ESCAPE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535751
53,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT (THIS IS MY THIRD ESCAPE, AND THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EVER CAUSED ME ANY PROBLEM) HAS NEVER ACCELERATED AS IT SHOULD, FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT NEW OFF OF THE LOT. IT HAS ALWAYS HESITATED, LURCHED, LUNGED, JERKED; MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP OR A ROLLING STOP. IT HAD NEVER "LIMPED" UNTI…
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MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT (THIS IS MY THIRD ESCAPE, AND THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EVER CAUSED ME ANY PROBLEM) HAS NEVER ACCELERATED AS IT SHOULD, FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT NEW OFF OF THE LOT. IT HAS ALWAYS HESITATED, LURCHED, LUNGED, JERKED; MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP OR A ROLLING STOP. IT HAD NEVER "LIMPED" UNTIL AT APPROXIMATELY 50K MILES, WHEN THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED TWICE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 50MPH (WRENCH SYMBOL LIT UP). AFTER HAVING THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED BY MY DEALER IN LATE JUNE-EARLY JULY 2013, THE LUNGING, JERKING, HESITATING CONTINUED. ON 8/8/13, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A ROLLING STOP, THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE ATTEMPTING A "MICHIGAN LEFT" ONTO A 4-LANE HIGHWAY (THIS TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON). IF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAD NOT BEEN GREEN, I WAS AT RISK OF BEING STRUCK BY SEVERAL VEHICLES TRAVELING AT RATES OF SPEED UP TO 70MPH. I WAS ABLE TO LET THE VEHICLE ROLL BACK INTO THE TURN LANE; TURNED IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON; BUT ACCELERATION IS STILL NOT OPERATING AS IT SHOULD. THE RPMS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM DRIVING A "DEATH TRAP". THIS IS A VERY URGENT ISSUE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED BY FORD SWIFTLY AND AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $600 TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED (INCLUDING A RENTAL VEHICLE). THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT SATISFACTORILY REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER AGAIN (I'M CONSIDERING HAVING IT TOWED BECAUSE I'M SO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT), I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534850
121,534 miles · Aug 10, 2013
EngineFuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING ON HE INTERSTATE AT 73 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING, THERE WAS NO ACTION I COULD TAKE OTHER THAN TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY, TURN OFF THE CAR AND WAIT. APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES, I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, WHICH IT DID, BUT RAN ROUGH AT IDLE. I WAI…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HE INTERSTATE AT 73 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING, THERE WAS NO ACTION I COULD TAKE OTHER THAN TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY, TURN OFF THE CAR AND WAIT. APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES, I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, WHICH IT DID, BUT RAN ROUGH AT IDLE. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES LONGER, RESTARTED AND IT PERFORMED NORMALLY FOR ABOUT TEN MILES. THEN IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING OVER AGAIN. LAST YEAR, IN MY WIFE'S 2010 FORD ESCAPE, THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND PAID $541.00 (THE REQUESTED FACTORY ASSISTANCE WAS REFUSED). BOTH PROBLEMS ARE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY PROBLEM OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AT IDLE WAITING FOR A LIGHT TO CHANGE, OR WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. NO POWER, PULL OFF THE ROAD, AND WAIT TO RESTART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534635
90,500 miles · Aug 10, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
CAR DID NOT DIE, BASICALLY JUMPED A BIT AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 2 OR 3 MPH AS I PRESSED GAS PEDAL- WRENCH CHECK LIGHT CAME ON- HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTART - THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 2 TIMES YESTERDAY 8/9/2013-- NO ACCIDENT AS OF YET BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534617
85,000 miles · Aug 9, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
I AM SO STRESSED ! I WAS DRIVING SATURDAY MORNING JULY 27, 2013, ON RT 287 SOUTH IN MORRIS COUNTY. NJ . MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THIS VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE- OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE DID NOT ACCELERATE- IT STALLED OUT AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE WRENCH LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DA…
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I AM SO STRESSED ! I WAS DRIVING SATURDAY MORNING JULY 27, 2013, ON RT 287 SOUTH IN MORRIS COUNTY. NJ . MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THIS VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE- OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE DID NOT ACCELERATE- IT STALLED OUT AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE WRENCH LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND WE HAD TO PRAY THAT WE COULD COAST OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN TO THE SHOULDER WHILE TRUCKS WERE ZOOMING BY. WE CALLED AAA FOR A TOW TO THE LOCAL GARAGE. AT LOCAL GARAGE, VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR 9 DAYS, TEST DRIVING IT, BUT HAD NO INCIDENTS BECAUSE WRENCH LIGHT NEVER WENT BACK ON. WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT FORD WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE .I CALLED FORD.THEY COULD NOT SEE ME FOR ANOTHER WEEK. I DROVE VEHICLE DOING ERRANDS- 2 DAYS LATER AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN- TRUCK SPUTTERS AND DIES UPON ACCELERATION. WRENCH LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. I NOW HAVE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF A BUSY MAIN ROAD AND COAST INTO AN EXIT ONLY SHOPPING CENTER, PRAYING I DO NOT HAVE A HEAD ON COLLISION. I SPOKE TO FRIEND WHO ADVISED ME TO COME TO THIS WEB SITE. LO AND BEHOLD- OVER 350 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THE SAME EXPERIENCE I HAD! THIS WAS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE MODEL. I CALLED FORD AGAIN, BEGGING FOR AN EARLIER APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT IF I WANTED TO RENT A CAR AT MY EXPENSE I COULD COME IN. THEY WERE OUT OF LONERS! ( A CAR DEALER-REALLY? ) I WAITED FOR APPOINTMENT, MEANWHILE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON PERMANENTLY 2 DAYS LATER. NOW I AM PETRIFIED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH THE FEAR IT IS GOING TO DROP DEAD ! SHOWED ALL INFO FROM THIS SITE TO FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WARRANTY OR A RECALL. IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY - IT COST ME $567.10 FOR PART AND LABOR PLUS TAX = $606.80. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS- VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS PART FAULTING OUT! AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. I AM ANGRY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534579
57,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN I STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT MY VEHICLE CONTINUED SLOWING DOWN. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD & PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO MY DESTINATION. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON AUG. 2ND, 3RD AND 5TH, 2013. WHEN IT HAPPENED ON AUG. 5TH I W…
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THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN I STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT MY VEHICLE CONTINUED SLOWING DOWN. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD & PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO MY DESTINATION. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON AUG. 2ND, 3RD AND 5TH, 2013. WHEN IT HAPPENED ON AUG. 5TH I WAS A BLOCK FROM HOME AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THAT TIME. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN & THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON SO I TURNED AROUND AND WENT HOME & PARKED IT. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP & THEY PICKED IT UP AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533880
105,000 miles · Aug 2, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
CAME OFF FREEWAY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AFTER DOING 70 MPH. STOPPED. TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR. WENT TO ACCELERATE AND SEVERE HESITATION. HAVE ALSO HAD MANY TIMES WHERE ACCELERATING WITH VEHICLE AND IT WILL HESITATE AND THEN SURGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533293
903,101 miles · Jul 31, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
AFTER USE AND PARK, THE ESCAPE 2009 4 CYL. DO NOT START. SEVERAL TIMES IN BETWEEN WEEKS WITH THIS TROUBLE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, START AS NOTHING OCCUR. IN AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC, SENT A CODE: 1260 AND 1681. STARTER IS GOOD AND ELECTRONIC IGNITION WAS RECENTLY CHANGED THINKING WILL STOP THE INCIDENTS BUT WITHOUT RESOLVING THE I…
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AFTER USE AND PARK, THE ESCAPE 2009 4 CYL. DO NOT START. SEVERAL TIMES IN BETWEEN WEEKS WITH THIS TROUBLE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, START AS NOTHING OCCUR. IN AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC, SENT A CODE: 1260 AND 1681. STARTER IS GOOD AND ELECTRONIC IGNITION WAS RECENTLY CHANGED THINKING WILL STOP THE INCIDENTS BUT WITHOUT RESOLVING THE ISSUE. WHEN THE VEHICLE DO THE TROUBLE, THE ANTITHEFT ICON KEEP BLINKING IN THE KEY ON POSITION. I CHANGED THE MAIN KEY FOR THE COPY AND KEEP DOING THE TROUBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532925
66,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Exterior LightingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE RT, SPEED LIMIT 55MPH AT 9PM, NO LIGHTING ALONG RT, ACCELERATING TO KEEP UP SPEED GOING UP A HILL, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. PULLING OVER TO MY RIGHT (OFF THE ROAD ) PUTTING ON MY FLASHERS, WAS NOW AT A COMPLETE STOP WAS HIT IN REAR LEFT DOING DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE CAR THAT HIT ME.THE CAR THAT …
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I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE RT, SPEED LIMIT 55MPH AT 9PM, NO LIGHTING ALONG RT, ACCELERATING TO KEEP UP SPEED GOING UP A HILL, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. PULLING OVER TO MY RIGHT (OFF THE ROAD ) PUTTING ON MY FLASHERS, WAS NOW AT A COMPLETE STOP WAS HIT IN REAR LEFT DOING DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE CAR THAT HIT ME.THE CAR THAT HIT ME LEFT THE SEEN OF THE ACCIDENT. NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.TOWED CAR TO A FORD DEALER AND HAD FIXED, INTERNAL THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532547
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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