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2012 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

413 reports with mileage · 185 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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 137 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 137 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports3 fire reports18 injury reports

What owners actually said

598 reports
5 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE IN LIMP MODE AND THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A SWITCH THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE TO PREVENT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE IN LIMP MODE AND THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A SWITCH THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE TO PREVENT ERRONEOUS ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10500108

7,600 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE STALLED - THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON - I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND RESTARTED - I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT VERIFY THE CONCERN - THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500045

325 miles · Feb 6, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS FREEWAY SPEEDS. PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE RECOVERS ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT 325 MI. ON THE ODOMETER AND "NO VEHICLE PROBLEM FOUND". VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED EIGHT FREEWAY INCIDENTS OF STALLS IN 3908 MI.ON THE…

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VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS FREEWAY SPEEDS. PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE RECOVERS ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT 325 MI. ON THE ODOMETER AND "NO VEHICLE PROBLEM FOUND". VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED EIGHT FREEWAY INCIDENTS OF STALLS IN 3908 MI.ON THE ODOMETER, THE STALLS HAVE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR VEHICLE MANEUVERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496620

18,017 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A REAR PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT BUT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FRACTURED FROM THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE RENTAL COMPANY WHERE THEY WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT VERIFY IF ANYTHING HAD BEEN DONE TO C…

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TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A REAR PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT BUT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FRACTURED FROM THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE RENTAL COMPANY WHERE THEY WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT VERIFY IF ANYTHING HAD BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,017.

NHTSA ODI #10490774

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING (APPROX 30 MPH), MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION. I COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND WAITED A MOMENT. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND IT STARTED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. TODAY, NEARLY 3 MONTHS TO THE DATE LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I …

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WHEN DRIVING (APPROX 30 MPH), MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION. I COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND WAITED A MOMENT. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND IT STARTED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. TODAY, NEARLY 3 MONTHS TO THE DATE LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON ALLOWED ME TO GET HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489424

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2012
Service BrakesSteeringTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER TO BE RESTARTED AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER TO BE RESTARTED AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10489190

77 miles · Dec 12, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED HESITATION AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED HESITATION AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77. UPDATED 1/15/13* CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED ON 12/13/12. HIS RIGHT FOOT WAS TOUCHING THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ODI #10488079

42,933 miles · Nov 20, 2012
EnginePower Train

VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC ON BUSY INTERSTATE (I-635E) DALLAS, TX ON SUNDAY 11/18 AT APPROX 11 AM. VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVEN 10-15 MILES WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. TACHOMETER SHOWED 1000 RPM AND ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO NEXT OFF-RAMP THOUGH INTERSTATE WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND CO…

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VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC ON BUSY INTERSTATE (I-635E) DALLAS, TX ON SUNDAY 11/18 AT APPROX 11 AM. VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVEN 10-15 MILES WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. TACHOMETER SHOWED 1000 RPM AND ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO NEXT OFF-RAMP THOUGH INTERSTATE WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND CONCRETE BARRIERS DENIED ACCESS TO SHOULDER. AFTER COASTING TO OFF-RAMP I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE EMISSIONS INDICATOR WAS LIT AND I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED AND TRIED TO PROCEED. THE ENGINE LURCHED AND STALLED AND THE MAINTENANCE INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. FORCED TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY (FOMOCO PN DS7Z-9E926-A) AND CLEARED THE ODBC CODES. VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN FINE WITH NO ISSUES FOR NEXT 100 MILES. PERSONAL NOTE: FORTUNATELY THE INCIDENT HAPPENED CLOSE ENOUGH TO AN OF RAMP I COULD EXIT THE BUSY INTERSTATE. THE CONSTRUCTION HAD CONCRETE BARRIERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE INTERSTATE PREVENTING SHOULDER ACCESS. IF I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT TO AN OFF RAMP THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN STALLED IN A MULTI-LANE INTERSTATE LIKELY RESULTING IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485356

35,000 miles · Nov 15, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD I NEED HELP...MY SENIOR PARENTS JUST PURCHASED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE AND IT HAS AN INTERIOR CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK. AND WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST FOR CARBON DIOXIDE LEAK. MY PARENTS GOT DIZZY AND GOT SICK FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK. WE HAVE A FORD…

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FORD I NEED HELP...MY SENIOR PARENTS JUST PURCHASED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE AND IT HAS AN INTERIOR CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK. AND WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST FOR CARBON DIOXIDE LEAK. MY PARENTS GOT DIZZY AND GOT SICK FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK. WE HAVE A FORD WARRANTY AND NOW I FEEL WE ARE GETTING THE RUN AROUND. WE HAVE BEEN LEAVING MESSAGES FOR [XXX] AT THE FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT. WE JUST LEFT A ANOTHER MESSAGE AND WE WERE TOLD SHE IS OUT TO LUNCH. MY PARENTS HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER 3 WEEKS. AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF THE FORD STORE OF SAN LEANDRO- SERVICE MANAGER NAMED [XXX]SAYS TO JUST COME PICK UP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO CHECK FOR THIS LEAK.. I DO NOT WANT MY PARENTS TO DIE IN A CAR WITH A CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK. IF YOU CAN HELP LET ME THIS IS HOW FORD TREATS SENIOR CUSTOMERS. WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA, IT IS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. PLEASE HELP A CUSTOMER WITH A FORD CAR THAT HAS A CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK,.,,,,,,,,,,,,, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ODI #10484836

125 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS NORMAL AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO ACCUMULATE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES ON THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS NORMAL AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO ACCUMULATE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE LUNGING FAILURE TO STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPDATED 1/9/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10484115

Official recalls

1

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.

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

2

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.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems