NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
301 reportsClear category filter31,750 miles · Jun 30, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. I COASTED THE CAR ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE THIS PART OF THE HIGHWAY HAS NO SHOULDER AND IS BORDERED BY A CONCRETE WALL OR FENCE. THE RIGHT-LANE TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP WHILE I RESTARTED T…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. I COASTED THE CAR ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE THIS PART OF THE HIGHWAY HAS NO SHOULDER AND IS BORDERED BY A CONCRETE WALL OR FENCE. THE RIGHT-LANE TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP WHILE I RESTARTED THE CAR. AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR, I PROCEEDED DOWN THE FREEWAY, BUT BEFORE I ARRIVED AT THE NEXT EXIT, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS. I EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR INCIDENT ON 6/20/13 AND REPORTED IT TO SAFERCAR.GOV. AT THAT TIME, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO SERVICES MY CAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON TO FORD ESCAPES THAT THERE IS A 3 WEEK BACKLOG FOR ORDERING A REPLACEMENT PART. IN THE MEANTIME, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM (POWER CONTROL MODULE?) ' FOR $118 ' AS A TEMPORARY FIX. APPARENTLY, THE 'FIX' WAS VERY TEMPORARY. MY CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE THROTTLE BODY IS REPLACED. FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS, I CANNOT RISK DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK. HOW MANY LIVES MUST BE PLACED AT RISK BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522511
60,000 miles · Jun 29, 2013
EnginePower Train
ABOUT A YEAR TO YEAR AND A HALF AGO I LOST ALL FORWARD MOTION WHILE DRIVING, COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT STARTED IT RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS PERIOD, I TOOK IT TO OUR FORD HOUSE…
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ABOUT A YEAR TO YEAR AND A HALF AGO I LOST ALL FORWARD MOTION WHILE DRIVING, COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT STARTED IT RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS PERIOD, I TOOK IT TO OUR FORD HOUSE BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I THEN TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A THROTTLE ISSUE BUT COULDN'T FIND THE EXACT PROBLEM, SO HE SUGGESTED WE TAKE IT BACK TO THE FORD HOUSE AND LET THEM "PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER" AND LOOK AGAIN. I DID BUT THEY SAID ALTHOUGH THEY UNPLUGGED AND RECONNECTED SEVERAL THINGS THEY STILL COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND NOW IT HAS STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN, 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. NOW IT SPUTTERS SOME WHEN I RESTART IT BUT SO FAR IT HAS STARTED. I HAVE A TODDLER AND DEPEND ON MY CAR TO GET US AROUND AND THIS IS A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN. GETTING REAR-ENDED OR RUN OVER WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD IS A HUGE FEAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN I TAKE IT BACK TO THE FORD HOUSE, AND I WILL, THE WAIT ON THE PART WILL STILL MEAN I'LL BE DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE .FORD NEEDS TO PAY ATTENTION BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY AND THEN THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW HOW MUCH THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522433
72,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN, TURNED LEFT AND PRESSED THE GAS AND MY CAR WOULDN'T GO, ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES WERE NORMAL BUT THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WOULDN'T MAKE THE CAR GO SO I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND ALMOST MADE IT OUT OF THE ROAD. I TRIED CALLING SEVERAL TOW TRUCK COMPANY'S FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTA…
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I WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN, TURNED LEFT AND PRESSED THE GAS AND MY CAR WOULDN'T GO, ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES WERE NORMAL BUT THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WOULDN'T MAKE THE CAR GO SO I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND ALMOST MADE IT OUT OF THE ROAD. I TRIED CALLING SEVERAL TOW TRUCK COMPANY'S FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINS, I TRIED CRANKING THE CAR. ALL PARTS RAN NORMAL, ALL GAUGES NORMAL, SO I DROVE IT TO WORK AND THEN CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT IS WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522310
62,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY APPROX 55-65 MILE PER HOUR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, RPMS WENT DOWN TO 1000 AND WOULD NOT REV BACK UP UNTIL I PULLED THE CAR OVER ON THE SHOULDER PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF AND BACK ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN UNTIL I DROPPED IT OFF AT TH…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY APPROX 55-65 MILE PER HOUR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, RPMS WENT DOWN TO 1000 AND WOULD NOT REV BACK UP UNTIL I PULLED THE CAR OVER ON THE SHOULDER PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF AND BACK ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN UNTIL I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALER. ALSO OCCURED LEAVING A STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521820
65,200 miles · Jun 25, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
VEHICLE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AT 45 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521784
40,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CAR STALLED. I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING EXCEPT COAST TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE RESTARTED IT. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE BUT LATER THAT NIGHT, THE SAME THING OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER…
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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CAR STALLED. I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING EXCEPT COAST TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE RESTARTED IT. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE BUT LATER THAT NIGHT, THE SAME THING OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521728
58,300 miles · Jun 24, 2013
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
I WAS LEAVING OUR LOCAL STORE AND TURNED ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD TO HAVE MY CAR START SHAKING AND WON'T GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 4 MPH. RIGHT AFTER, THE POWERTRAIN SYMBOL CAME ON FOLLOWED THE ENGINE LIGHT. WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON I CREPT INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT AGAI…
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I WAS LEAVING OUR LOCAL STORE AND TURNED ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD TO HAVE MY CAR START SHAKING AND WON'T GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 4 MPH. RIGHT AFTER, THE POWERTRAIN SYMBOL CAME ON FOLLOWED THE ENGINE LIGHT. WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON I CREPT INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. WHEN TURNED BACK ON THE LIGHTS WERE ALL GONE, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS A FLUKE. UNTIL I STARTED DRIVING AND AS SOON AS I TURNED EVERYTHING TURNED BACK ON AND THE SHAKING HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE IT WAS THE THROTTLE AND THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY OF THE ESCAPES BREAKING IN THE SAME PART. NOW ITS THE SIT AND WAIT GAME FOR WEEKS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521523
74,335 miles · Jun 24, 2013
EnginePower Train
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP YESTERDAY AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER QUICKLY. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT KEPT JERKING FORWARD WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT A MILE UNTIL I GOT UP TO 50 MPH…
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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP YESTERDAY AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER QUICKLY. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT KEPT JERKING FORWARD WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT A MILE UNTIL I GOT UP TO 50 MPH AND THEN IT DID THE SAME THING. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS $325. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY AT 74,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO. THE PART NEEDED IS ON BACK ORDER WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY VEHICLE AND WILL NEVER BUY A FORD VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521469
63,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
ON SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2013, I WAS DRIVING NEAR TOPEKA, KANSAS, IN A SUBURBAN AREA WITH MY WIFE, 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER & 6 MONTH OLD SON IN OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT ON A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET SO WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SH…
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ON SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2013, I WAS DRIVING NEAR TOPEKA, KANSAS, IN A SUBURBAN AREA WITH MY WIFE, 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER & 6 MONTH OLD SON IN OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT ON A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET SO WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESTART THE CAR SUCCESSFULLY. THE ESCAPE CONTINUED ON WITHOUT ISSUE BACK HOME TO LAWRENCE, KANSAS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AROUND LAWRENCE WITHOUT ANY ISSUE UNTIL FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013. ON THIS DATE MY WIFE HAD TO COMMUTE FROM LAWRENCE TO KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, FOR WORK-RELATED TRAINING. ON HER TRIP TO KANSAS CITY (KC) THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60+ MPH). SHE WAS SUCCESSFUL RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT IT STALLED ONCE AGAIN WHILE IN KC. SHE DROVE THE ESCAPE TO SHAWNEE MISSION FORD TO SEE IF DIAGNOSTICS COULD BE RUN ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME LEFT IN THE DAY TO PERFORM THE FULL DIAGNOSTICS. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN TEST-DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING IT STALLED ONCE AGAIN. BECAUSE CARSEATS FOR OUR TWO CHILDREN WERE LOCATED IN THE ESCAPE, MY WIFE HAD TO DRIVE FROM KC BACK TO LAWRENCE SO OUR FAMILY WOULD HAVE THESE ITEMS ON HAND. WHILE DRIVING FROM KC TO LAWRENCE THE VEHICLE STALLED ONCE AGAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60+ MPH). ONCE BACK IN LAWRENCE THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF AT LAIRD NOLLER FORD, AND ON SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013, IT WAS DETERMINED BY THEIR SERVICE STAFF THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS PART IS CURRENTLY ON NATIONAL BACKORDER, SO WE COULD BE WITHOUT OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 3 WEEKS. THIS WILL RESULT IN HARDSHIP ON THE FAMILY AND COULD RESULT IN MAJOR FINANCIAL COSTS IF A RENTAL VEHICLE IS NEEDED FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD WE ARE WITHOUT OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521460
83,590 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 3.5 MILES WHEN I WAS TURNING LEFT GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH. MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION AND THE WRENCH ILLUMINATED. I PANIC BECAUSE I WAS ON A STREET WHERE THERE WAS NO AREA TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS BEH…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 3.5 MILES WHEN I WAS TURNING LEFT GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH. MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION AND THE WRENCH ILLUMINATED. I PANIC BECAUSE I WAS ON A STREET WHERE THERE WAS NO AREA TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS BEHIND ME AND PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS I TURNED THE ENGINE OVER AND IT SPUTTERED TO LIFE, BUT THEN THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. CARS WERE COMING BEHIND ME AND I TRIED MY BEST TO GIVE THEM ROOM TO DRIVE BY, WHICH WAS HARD AS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER WITH PARKED CARS. AFTER THE CARS PASSED ME, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AGAIN AND WAITED ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE CAME TO LIFE AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521376
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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