NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,692 reportsMileage unknown · Dec 27, 2021
Electrical SystemSteering
I brought my 2009 Escape in for a steering recall. When Hopkins Ford checked for codes, they said there were none. They then performed a reset on the electric steering. After they performed the reset, my steering went out. I brought it back to have it checked again then they said now there is a code. They are now claiming t…
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I brought my 2009 Escape in for a steering recall. When Hopkins Ford checked for codes, they said there were none. They then performed a reset on the electric steering. After they performed the reset, my steering went out. I brought it back to have it checked again then they said now there is a code. They are now claiming they are not responsible for the code repair (Steering column) because in their eyes, they reset the recall. I have been in contact with Ford customer service and they said there is nothing they can do because they closed the case when they reprogrammed the recall. There were no issues prior, or codes prior to them reprogramming the steering. They now are trying to tell me it will cost me $1700 to repair an issue that is part of a recall.
NHTSA ODI #11445166
178,000 miles · Dec 27, 2021
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN…
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The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and diagnosed with steering column failure. The steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
NHTSA ODI #11445085
146,000 miles · Dec 23, 2021
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon the start of her vehicle, the power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle which rendered the vehicle inoperable. The contact called an unknown dealer and…
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The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon the start of her vehicle, the power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle which rendered the vehicle inoperable. The contact called an unknown dealer and was informed that her vehicle had been previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) prior to her owning the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
NHTSA ODI #11444800
112,000 miles · Dec 16, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor before the vehicle started to slow down. The contact veered to the side of the road and waited for a few minutes to restart the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. There was no warning light illuminated. …
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The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor before the vehicle started to slow down. The contact veered to the side of the road and waited for a few minutes to restart the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS system was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #11444034
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2021
Steering
Power steering electric assist failure , unable to steer or control vehicle in emergency, vehicle not inspected, no warning lights, system failed on December 13,2021
NHTSA ODI #11443992
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
See NHTSA Recall No. 19V-904 for additional details. This recall should be amended to include the Ford Escape model line. The valve on the Anti-lock Braking System Module sticks open and causes reduced braking ability. The module is the same component as in the vehicles noted in the above referenced NHTSA recall.
NHTSA ODI #11443637
49,900 miles · Dec 9, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and initially diagnosed with brake master cylinder failure. The brake master cylinder was replaced; however, …
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The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and initially diagnosed with brake master cylinder failure. The brake master cylinder was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and hydraulic failure. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) and hydraulic needed to be replaced however, parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V733000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, neither the VIN nor the type of vehicle was included in the recall. The failure mileage was 49,900.
NHTSA ODI #11443265
73,945 miles · Dec 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle regained normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic immediately after experiencing the failure. The contact…
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The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle regained normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic immediately after experiencing the failure. The contact stated that he was informed of a recall regarding the steering, possibly NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was 73,945.
NHTSA ODI #11442543
150,000 miles · Nov 29, 2021
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, she was unable to turn her steering wheel to the left or the right. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle slowly back to the residence. Th…
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The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, she was unable to turn her steering wheel to the left or the right. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle slowly back to the residence. The vehicle was parked and had not been driven since. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11441928
134,921 miles · Nov 22, 2021
Steering
The contact's daughter owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started shuddering inadvertently. The power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his daughter continued to drive the vehicle however, the steering wheel continued to shud…
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The contact's daughter owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started shuddering inadvertently. The power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his daughter continued to drive the vehicle however, the steering wheel continued to shudder while the vehicle was at a complete stop. The contact stated that as his daughter pulled into a gas station, the steering wheel lost power steering and was significantly more difficult to turn. The contact stated that his daughter was able to forcefully turn the steering wheel while driving the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,921.
NHTSA ODI #11441386
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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