Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1010–25K
16725–50K
28050–75K
24175–100K
408100–150K
219150K+
1,416 reports with mileage · 276 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 827 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 301 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 279 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
34 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,692 reports
36,000 miles · Dec 16, 2015
Unknown Or Other
AFTER ONLY ABOUT 36.000 MILES, THE PCM COMPUTER CONTROLLING EVERYTHING IN THE CAR SUDDENLY FAILED. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED WHILE PARKED AND NOT ON THE ROAD WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES IN THE PAST AND PRESENTS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DR…
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AFTER ONLY ABOUT 36.000 MILES, THE PCM COMPUTER CONTROLLING EVERYTHING IN THE CAR SUDDENLY FAILED. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED WHILE PARKED AND NOT ON THE ROAD WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES IN THE PAST AND PRESENTS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING OF THIS FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10810716
129,000 miles · Dec 14, 2015
Steering
STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, ESPECIALLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS; ERROR CODE B1342; SUSPECT FAILED TORQUE SENSOR
NHTSA ODI #10810123
96,000 miles · Dec 8, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10808972
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2015
Steering
TAKATA RECALL SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I HAD A PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING I LEARN TO CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART.MY CAR WAS SERVICE AT ADAMSON FORD IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA FOR A POWER STEERING RECALL IT IS WORST NOW I CANNOT CUT IT OFF IT IS HARD THAN BEFORE TO TURN I RETURN BACK THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE PROBLEMS W…
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TAKATA RECALL SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I HAD A PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING I LEARN TO CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART.MY CAR WAS SERVICE AT ADAMSON FORD IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA FOR A POWER STEERING RECALL IT IS WORST NOW I CANNOT CUT IT OFF IT IS HARD THAN BEFORE TO TURN I RETURN BACK THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING HAS BEEN PERFORMED ALREADY HE STATED A SENSOR HARNESS PULLED LOOSE BUT I AM RETURN TO ADAMSON TODAY 11/30/15 I CALLED BEFORE THANKSGIVING THE SERVICE ADVISOR NO TECH. AVAILABLE UNTIL MONDAY 11/30/15.MY CAR I POWER STEERING IS WORST NOW BEFORE GOING TO GET RECALL ..THIS IS THE THIRD TIME 11/3/15 AND 11/16/15 WILL RETURN 11/30/15.I ONLY HAVE ONE CAR I NEED MY CAR FITS OR LIKE IT WAS BEFORE I COULD TURN OFF AND RESTART.
NHTSA ODI #10807372
160,000 miles · Nov 27, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 09/30/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/30/18*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #10807213
36,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SERVICED WITHIN A WEEK WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SERVICED WITHIN A WEEK WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10806576
70,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Power TrainSuspensionVehicle Speed Control
MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS DIFFICULTY GETTING ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS IS A DAILY STRUGGLE. YESTERDAY I WAS TRYING TO PASS AN 18-WHEELER AS IT WAS DRIFTING INTO MY LANE; AS I EAGERLY PRESSED ON THE GAS MY CAR JUMPED AND CONTINUED TO COAST AT THE SAME SPEED. EARLIER THIS MONTH, I HAD TO DECELERATE FROM 40 M…
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MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HAS DIFFICULTY GETTING ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY, THIS IS A DAILY STRUGGLE. YESTERDAY I WAS TRYING TO PASS AN 18-WHEELER AS IT WAS DRIFTING INTO MY LANE; AS I EAGERLY PRESSED ON THE GAS MY CAR JUMPED AND CONTINUED TO COAST AT THE SAME SPEED. EARLIER THIS MONTH, I HAD TO DECELERATE FROM 40 MPH TO A FAIRLY ABRUPT STOP AND MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO. I JUST HAD MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED SO I KNEW THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM, MY CAR JOLTED A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS GOING TO FALL APART, THE RATTLING COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION IS CONSTANT. I GET MY FORD ESCAPE CHECKED UP EVERY MONTH, BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE. THIS CAR IS A HAZARD TO MY SAFETY, AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IN THIS ROLLING PLASTIC DEATH TRAP. IT'S INFURIATING THAT THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY TO BE NOT HARMFUL ENOUGH TO HAVE A RECALL. I COULD HAVE DIED FROM IN BOTH INSTANCES WHICH I SPECIFIED IN THIS COMPLAINT, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10806395
95,000 miles · Nov 21, 2015
Steering
A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK I HAVE DRIVEN MY VEHICLE STRAIGHT FROM A PARKED LOCATION ONLY TO FIND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING 40-50 YARDS INTO THE TRIP. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEMS USUALLY GOES AWAY, OR GOES AWAY AFTER SEVERAL SHUTDOWN CYCLES. MY VEHICLE WAS PART …
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A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK I HAVE DRIVEN MY VEHICLE STRAIGHT FROM A PARKED LOCATION ONLY TO FIND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING 40-50 YARDS INTO THE TRIP. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEMS USUALLY GOES AWAY, OR GOES AWAY AFTER SEVERAL SHUTDOWN CYCLES. MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF RECALL 14S05, AND RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN 2014. SINCE THEN THE STEERING HAS BEEN NOTICEABLY DIFFERENT AND SOMETIMES SHAKY WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EVEN WORSE, FORD IS NOT HONORING THE RECALL. I WENT INTO A DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY INFORMED ME THE RECALL WAS CLOSED OUT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FREE OF CHARGE, EVEN THOUGH MUCH OF WHAT I'VE READ FROM THIS INVESTIGATION IS THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE ONLY PUSHED OFF THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT FIX IT. I AM VERY CERTAIN THE PROBLEM IS A TORQUE SENSOR BASED ON THE DISCUSSION HERE. IT APPEARS FORD HAS NO CARE IN FIXING A CRITICAL SAFETY PROBLEM, AND IS IN FACT, TRYING TO COVER IT UP WITH SOFTWARE AND PASSING IT OFF AS USUAL WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10795214
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
MY FORD ESCAPE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS BEEN ACTING ERRATICALLY. IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE SOMETIMES, BUT THEN TURNS OFF AT OTHER TIMES. THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10794774
70,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SPEED INCREASED TO OVER 65 MPH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SPEED INCREASED TO OVER 65 MPH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
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
3
DP15001 · 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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