Steering. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

7 reports

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67,480 miles · Jul 31, 2014

Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617987

2,300 miles · Feb 9, 2013

Engine And Engine Cooling

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WITHIN THE FIRST MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT STALED RANDOMLY. I COULD BE DRIVING OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. IFI PUT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, IT WAS EASILY RE-STARTED. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NOTHING SHOWED ON THE COMPUTER.ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTING IN 2010, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING. WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AFTER COASTING; W AITING FOR A LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, TRYING TO LEAVE A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, OR AFTER MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A LULL WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE. IT THEN KIND OF LURCHES INTO GEAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT'S THE WAY THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS WORKED AND I SHOULD ALWAYS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS PAST WEEKEND 2-3-13 WAS THE ICING ON THE CAKE. I TOOK THE CAR DOWN TO THE SHORE TO HAVE A LEISURELY WEEKEND B4 SURGERY. I STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I FOLLOWED WHAT IT SAID IN THE MANUAL AND THE LIGHT DID NOT BLINK 8 TIMES. I PERFORMED THE MIXED CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING FOLLOWED BY 8 HOURS OR BEING PARKED, THE LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT MORNING THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE RPMS WENT VERY HIGH AND IT LURCHED INTO GEAR. THE CAR STALLED TWICE WHILE I WAS DOING ABOUT 35 MPH. I THREW IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. DRIVING HOME , THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON BUT NO DASH LIGHTS, RADIO ETC AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND NOTICED THEY CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. I HAD THE HEAT ON FLOOR AND FRONT VENTS AT 74 & AT 1 POINT IT FELT LIKE A/C WAS ON. I FILED COMPLAINTS WITH (NHTSA) WITH NO RESPONSE. I SEE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS I HAVE ON NHTSA THAT ARE UNRESOLVED. I HAVE STAGE 3 CANCER I HAVE BEEN BATTLING FOR 9 YRS THIS SITUATION IS MAKING ME FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE CANCER I AM FIGHTING. I'M PUTTING MYSELF AT RISK BY DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497586

38,000 miles · May 3, 2012

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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MY VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FLUORESCENT OIL FROM BEHIND THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, IT'S THE CONDENSER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR LINES RUN THROUGH THE SAME SYSTEM, AND THAT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED MY TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THIS FAILURE WAS EXPLAINED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP, AND THEY SAID IF I'M GOING OVER ABOUT 30 MPH IT WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS. I AM ABOUT 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE EMAILS I HAVE SENT TO FORD ONLY GET A RESPONSE THAT THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE MY MONEY AND FIX IT. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING IT, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REMOVED TO REPAIR SOMETHING. THEN, A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. THEN, IT WAS SHIFTING FUNNY -BECAUSE IT HAD VERY LITTLE FLUID-NOONE COULD EXPLAIN WHY. THE VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL AT 42 MPH "COULD NOT BE VERIFIED. " THE MANUFACTURER WAS APPARENTLY OUT OF SATELLITE RECEIVERS, SO THEY JUST DIDN'T PUT ONE IN...THE LACK OF QUALITY OVERALL PROVES THAT THE LENGTH OF THE WARRANTY IS TO PREVENT THEM FROM COSTLY FIXES...AND MY "LONG TERM INVESTMENT " MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M PUTTING MINE AND MY FAMILY'S HEALTH AT RISK BY DRIVING IT. I SPENT EVERY DIME I SAVED IN IRAQ ON THIS POS BECAUSE I KNEW I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I'M OUT OF MEDICAL SCHOOL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457399

20,000 miles · Nov 11, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THE VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY. I MAY BE DRIVING SLOWLY OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT YIELD SIGNS, RED LIGHTS AND GOING DOWN HILL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE TIME AT A RIGHT SIGNAL ARROW IT STALLED GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT FROM THE BACK. IT IS EASILY STARTED AGAIN BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND HAD TO BE JUMPED. THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY AND BLAMED THE BATTERY ON THE PROBLEM. IT IS STILL HAPPENING AND I AM BRINGING IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435254

16,530 miles · May 14, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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COMING TO RED LIGHT ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED DOWN ON BRAKE PETAL AND IT WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN. ENGINE REVVED UP TO OVER 5 RPM'S AND CAR WOULDN'T STOP FINALLY I PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WENT BACK TO IDLE POSITION. ALMOST REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TOOK MARINER TO DEALER WHO WASN'T VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE HE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE & WANTED TO KNOW IF I WANTED TO LEAVE MARINER THERE. ALSO ASK IF I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS PETAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY CONCERN SO THEY REPLACED CANISTER PURGE VALVE. HAVE ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS MARINER THAT I BELIEVE STILL EXIST. FILLED OUT SURVEYS AND WAS TOLD MANAGER WOULD CALL BUT NO ONE EVER CONTACTED ME. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10401772

32,000 miles · May 2, 2011

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY. I MAY BE DRIVING OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. IT IS EASILY STARTED AGAIN BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY. I HAVE HAD FORD LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY FIRST CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THEN SECOND CHANGED THE GAS FILTER. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398549

17,360 miles · Sep 18, 2009

Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLS AND PICK-UP IS WOBBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284481

Official recalls

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