Steering. Review the 409 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 268 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 253 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports7 fire reports29 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,316 reports

36,500 miles · Jul 30, 2013

EnginePower Train

RECEIVING A P2111 CODE ON DIAGNOSTICS. NEEDS NEW THROTTLE BODY. ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. I AM OUT A VEHICLE UNTIL THIS IS REPAIRED, AND CANNOT AFFORD A RENTAL, OR A NEW ONE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES, THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT. THEY NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532644

74,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013

Power Train

I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPG AND MY ESCAPE SOUNDED LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL, I TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE, I PULLED OVER AND IT WAS JUST RUNNING BUT STILL WOULD NOT MOVE, THE WRENCH CAME UP ON THE DASH LIGHTS SO I LOOKED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID IT WAS THROTTLE CONTROL/POWERTRAIN , I HAD TO GET IT T…

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NHTSA ODI #10532586

35,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013

EngineVehicle Speed Control

GOING DOWN ROAD, FIRST NO GAS PEDAL CONTROL , THEN STARTS TO MAKE ENGINE AND WHOLE VEHICLE PULSATE. STARTING TO GET WORSE AND DANGEROUS, ABOUT 3 TO4 TIMES A TRIP. DEALER HAS TOLD US THE PART IS ON BACKORDER ,MEANWHILE TRYING TO DEAL WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532437

46,700 miles · Jul 29, 2013

Power Train

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I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I PUSHED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED A YELLOW WRENCH. I LOOKED IT UP IN THE MANUAL AND IT STATED SOMETHING ABOUT A POWER TRAIN ERROR OR DEFECT AND TO CONTACT A FORD DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. WELL, CONSIDERING I WAS OVER 60 MILES FROM HOME, I TURNED IF OFF, SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND STARTED IT. NO WRENCH SO I BEGAN TO DRIVE. I DROVE ANOTHER 15 MILES OR SO AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO START IT UP AND GET IT GOING AGAIN BUT ONCE I PARKED IT, I HAD IT TOWED AND IT'S BEEN SITTING EVER SINCE. I CALLED FORD AND THE MECHANIC GAVE ME THE IMPRESSION IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AS LONG AS I'M UNDER 50,000 MILES BUT I'M STARTED TO READ OTHERWISE WHICH HAS ME CONCERNED. TO REITERATE WHAT OTHERS WERE SAYING, IF I WERE IN A BUSY HIGHWAY, THIS "ERROR" MAY HAVE BEEN FATAL. NO PROBLEMS OR ANYTHING PRIOR TO THESE OCCURRENCES SO THE MALFUNCTION COMES SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532424

13,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013

EnginePower Train

I WAS ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME, DRIVING THE SUV AND SLOWED DOWN TO TURN THE CORNER, WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PAST 5MPH. THE WRENCH ICON CAME ON, AND THE RPM WOULDN'T GO PAST 1. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, IT WORKED FINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT…

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NHTSA ODI #10532339

3,500 miles · Jul 29, 2013

EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME, DRIVING THE SUV AND SLOWED DOWN TO TURN THE CORNER, WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PAST 5MPH. A FEW LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, IT WORKED FINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH SAID THEY CO…

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NHTSA ODI #10532336

42,000 miles · Jul 28, 2013

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED WHEN ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED BACK ON TO FREEWAY. INCIDENT REPEATED 5 TIMES IN 10 MILES OF DRIVING. FINALLY LOCATED A FORD DEALERSHIP. COMPUTER CODE INDICATED FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. UNABLE TO REPAIR SAME DAY BECAUSE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PART. CALLED 7 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS WITHIN A 200 MIL RADIUS AND ADVISED NO ONE HAD THE PART IN STOCK. APPEARS THIS IS A POPULAR PROBLEM. FINALLY FOUND THE PART THE FOLLOWING DAY AND DEALER INSTALLED. NO PROBLEMS SINCE. WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PART ARRIVED AS I WAS OUT OF TOWN ON BUSINESS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION RESULTED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. I EXPERIENCED THIS NOT ONLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED BUT ALSO WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. I WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532215

40,638 miles · Jul 27, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON PARKWAY AT 60 MPH LOST POWER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. ONCE I SHUT CAR OFF THEN RESTARTED, IT WOULD DRIVE FINE. ONCE I HIT 60 AGAIN IT WOULD POWER OFF AGAIN. I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE UNDER 50 FOR CONTINUOUS POWER. WENT TO SAYVILLE FORD FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE. TURNS OUT ITS THE SAME PROBL…

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NHTSA ODI #10532120

37,311 miles · Jul 27, 2013

Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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DRIVING PA TURNPIKE AT 10:00 PM 7/19/2013 @ 65 MPH SB. HEARD THUMP, WRENCH LITE CAME ON, THEN ENGINE LITE. NO POWER ON ACCELERATION. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CALLED AAA. COULDN'T START CAR KEPT SPUTTERING. WAITED FOR 1 1/2 HOURS NO AAA. TRIED TO START CAR. STARTED. CONTINUED ON JOURNEY. NEXT DAY TOOK TO DEALER. GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR 7/23/2013 @ 2PM. DROVE CAR ON MON. 7/22/2013. GOING 35 MPH. SAME THING. THUMP, WRENCH LITE, ENGINE LITE.NO POWER. COASTED TO OFF RAMP. TOOK TO DEALER ON 7/23/2013 FOR DIAGNOSTIC.FAILED THROTTLE BODY ASSY. REMOVED AND REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAMMED THE PCM AND RETESTED. COST..$500.68...OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532113

46,670 miles · Jul 25, 2013

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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MY WIFE WAS TAKING HER MOTHER HOME ON THE 18TH OF JULY WHEN THE ESCAPE STARTED TO HESITATE AND SURGE GOING UP A HILL. WHEN SHE PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE.THE POWERTRAIN AND ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON SO SHE CALLED ME IMMEDIATELY. SHE WAS AFRAID TO LEAVE IT RUNNING SO SHE SHUT IT DOWN. WHAT MADE THINGS WORSE WAS THE FACT THAT IT WAS 97 DEGREES OUT THAT DAY AND SHE HAD HER MOTHER WITH HER WHO IS HANDICAPPED. AFTER THE ENGINE COOLED A BIT, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT THE REST OF THE WAY TO HER MOTHER'S HOUSE. AFTER DROPPING HER OFF, THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN TWICE ON THE WAY TO THE REPAIR FACILITY. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. AS A FORMER MECHANIC AND NOW A PARTS PERSON I CAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531896

Official recalls

16V777000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Oct 26, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.

14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

May 29, 2014

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

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.

PE11016 · Rear Liftgate Window Glass Breakage

Opened Apr 27, 2011 · Closed Aug 18, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate; Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments; Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut; Visibility; Visibility:glass, Side/rear

In its response to the agency, Ford acknowledged a higher than normal level of glass breakage incidents in the model year (MY) 2010 to early-build MY 2011 subject vehicles.The incidentsoccurred when the liftgate glass was being opened, or more typically while being closed, but in both cases while the vehicle was stationery, i.e., not moving on the roadway.Additionally failures often occurred during early morning hours when ambient and/or liftgate glass temperatures may have been lower.Ford advised that it investigated the failures but failed to identify an anomaly in the glass manufacturing process (which is often a factor in glass breakage trends ODI investigates) that could explain the reports.It did however identify a potential thermal expansion/compression condition in the mounting of the rear wiper motor to the liftgate glass.Starting at MY 2008 vehicle production the motor was attached to the glass using an adhesive.Ford revised that design to a nut and bolt type attachment in October 2010, during MY 2011 vehicle production.ODI's review of Ford data indicates that vehicles built after this change exhibit lower glass breakage rates.Among the 296 consumer complaints on the subject vehicles, ODI identified 15 injury incidents resulting in a total of 18 alleged injuries.All the injuries were minor in nature and consisted mainly of superficial skin cuts or minor lacerations, with two of the injury incidents occurring when vehicle owners were cleaning up broken glass.Additionally both the injury rate and report rate (including warranty claims) are low in comparison to similar investigations resulting in safety recalls (see PE04-045, MY 2002 Ford explorer liftgate glass failure, which resulted in NHTSA safety recall 04V442). In November 2010 Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 10-22-10 to address reports of liftgate glass breakage on all MY 2010 vehicles, and MY 2011 vehicles built through 10/15/2010, the date the above design revision was implemented.The TSB enables owners of affected vehicles to have a broken liftgate glass replaced under normal vehicle warranty, which would not otherwise be a warrantable failure, with the revised design liftgate glass.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Visibility

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems

Ford Escape transmission problems →Ford Escape electrical problems →