NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
443 reports150,000 miles · Jun 3, 2017
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. MESSAGE ALSO SHOWED ON DASH SAYING, "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,600. DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWED THAT HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD OR ARE HAVING THIS P…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. MESSAGE ALSO SHOWED ON DASH SAYING, "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,600. DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWED THAT HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD OR ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. BUT AS THE DEALERSHIP STATED, SORRY THERE'S NO RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS RENDERED USELESS AND FORD REFUSES TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT EVEN THOUGH MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD THIS COSTLY SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10992968
139,000 miles · May 21, 2017
Service Brakes
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAILURE. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS ALL GAME ON. DROVE CAR WITH LIMITED BRAKES TO MECHANIC WHO GOT CODES C1978 AND U2023. $4,700 PART. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM.
NHTSA ODI #10990810
164,000 miles · May 11, 2017
Steering
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S05. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED SENSOR RESET. TWO THOUSAND MILES LATER THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED TO THE RIGHT NEARLY HITTING A CYCLIST IN BIKE LANE AND STARTLING ME AS I WAS BARELY UNABLE TO MANHANDLE TO NOW MANUAL STEERING VEHICLE TO AVOID THE…
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RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S05. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED SENSOR RESET. TWO THOUSAND MILES LATER THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED TO THE RIGHT NEARLY HITTING A CYCLIST IN BIKE LANE AND STARTLING ME AS I WAS BARELY UNABLE TO MANHANDLE TO NOW MANUAL STEERING VEHICLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION. I AM QUITE STRONG AND IT IS LIKELY ANYONE W/LESS BODY STRENGTH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMMAND THE VEHICLE. THAT IS WHEN I REVIEWED THE VOLUMINOUS COMPLAINTS FILED AND DETERMINED FORD IS COMPLETELY UNWILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT WAS A FAULTY PART SUBJECTING TO OWNERS TO GREAT RISK OF INJURY. IT APPEARS BASED ON MY RESEARCH THAT THE RECALL SERVICE DONE WAS A FARCE AND WASTE OF TIME FOR CONSUMERS W/NO REAL REDUCTION OF SAFETY RISK. FURTHERMORE, IT SEEMS THE NHTSA IS WEAK IN RESPONSE TO THE SAFETY RISK AND NOT REQUIRING FORD TO REPLACE THE PART AND REDUCE THE CHANCES OF A SERIOUS VEHICLE CRASH.
NHTSA ODI #10984841
140,000 miles · Apr 10, 2017
Engine
AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES, WARNING LIGHT COMES ON TO PULL OVER SAFELY, AND ENGINE WILL STALL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AS WELL AS COMMUTER TRAFFIC. YESTERDAY I HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD BY POLICE WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, CAR STARTED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HO…
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AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES, WARNING LIGHT COMES ON TO PULL OVER SAFELY, AND ENGINE WILL STALL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AS WELL AS COMMUTER TRAFFIC. YESTERDAY I HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD BY POLICE WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF FOR 10 MINUTES, CAR STARTED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. FORD HAS RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #10971555
210,000 miles · Apr 1, 2017
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL 180 DEGREES EITHER FROM FULL RIGHT TO FULL LEFT OR FULL LEFT TO FULL RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, THEN RELEASES. FORD LOOKED AT THE ISSUE, REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC TORQUE SENSOR UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE ISSUE STARTED IMMED…
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WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL 180 DEGREES EITHER FROM FULL RIGHT TO FULL LEFT OR FULL LEFT TO FULL RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, THEN RELEASES. FORD LOOKED AT THE ISSUE, REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC TORQUE SENSOR UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE ISSUE STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPLACING THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS. FORD SAYS THE STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AS THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY INTERACTION WITH THE STEERING RACK ELECTRONICS. THIS OCCURS EVERY DAY AS I BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE INTO MY TURNAROUND AREA (SHARP RIGHT) FOLLOWED BY A FULL LEFT TO GO DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. IT ALSO HAPPENED IN LEAVING A GAS STATION ENTERING A PUBLIC STREET WHERE A FULL LEFT WAS FOLLOWED BY A FULL RIGHT IN TRAFFIC. ANY IDEAS ON WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS?
NHTSA ODI #10969899
135,700 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Steering
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THURSDAY 3/23/17 THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING AND SHAKING BACK AND FORTH BY ITSELF DURING DRIVING AND AT A STOP. I INVESTIGATED RIGHT AWAY AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TORQUE SENSOR BUT ALL THEY DID WAS A COMPUTER UPDATE RATHER THEN REPLACE THE PART. NOW THEY WON'T HONOR THE REC…
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AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THURSDAY 3/23/17 THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING AND SHAKING BACK AND FORTH BY ITSELF DURING DRIVING AND AT A STOP. I INVESTIGATED RIGHT AWAY AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TORQUE SENSOR BUT ALL THEY DID WAS A COMPUTER UPDATE RATHER THEN REPLACE THE PART. NOW THEY WON'T HONOR THE RECALL AND THE COST IS $1700-$1900 TO FIX.
NHTSA ODI #10969230
140,000 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Unknown Or Other
WHILE IN MOTION, THE GAS ENGINE CUTS OFF AND A RED EMERGENCY TRIANGLE APPEARS IN THE DASH STATING TO "PLEASE STOP SAFELY NOW" AND I HAVE TO COAST ALONG IN ELECTRIC MODE WITH NO POWER TILL I COME TO A STOP. I THEN CAN TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE RUNS AS NORMAL.
NHTSA ODI #10968188
123,000 miles · Mar 19, 2017
Service Brakes
BRAKES CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AFTER THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. THERE IS NO WARNING AND NO SECONDARY BACKUP SYSTEM. THE ABS MODULE FAILURE IS THE RESULT, WHICH WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE HAVE NO BRAKES. THE REPAIR COST IS $5,000 AND MUST BE DONE AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER ALSO WITNESSED THE NO BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. *TT *AS
NHTSA ODI #10967031
180,000 miles · Mar 10, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
MULTIPLE EPISODES OF "STOP SAFELY NOW" (AFTER NEW ENGINE ($8000) WAS PUT IN 6/2014). AT TIME OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT, RECALL FOR POWER STEERING MODULE WAS COMPLETED. FAST FORWARD TO 3/2017.... MONDAY MORNING (8AM) NEW 'WRENCH' LIGHT GOES ON IN DASH. DROP KIDS AT DAYCARE AND WHEN I RESTART CAR (830AM) AND WENT TO BACK OUT OF THE …
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MULTIPLE EPISODES OF "STOP SAFELY NOW" (AFTER NEW ENGINE ($8000) WAS PUT IN 6/2014). AT TIME OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT, RECALL FOR POWER STEERING MODULE WAS COMPLETED. FAST FORWARD TO 3/2017.... MONDAY MORNING (8AM) NEW 'WRENCH' LIGHT GOES ON IN DASH. DROP KIDS AT DAYCARE AND WHEN I RESTART CAR (830AM) AND WENT TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY - NO POWER STEERING!!! GOOD THING FORD TOOK CARE OF THAT RECALL BACK IN 2014...*SARCASM* NOW THEY SAY THAT THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL WAS IF LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF RECALL BEING COMPLETED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE AND 2 FORD DEALERSHIPS THAT DO NOT STAND BEHIND THE FORD NAME OR THEIR SERVICE!
NHTSA ODI #10960013
127,798 miles · Mar 9, 2017
Steering
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, ON 03.02.17 WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK, A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR. WHEN I DID SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A LOT OF RECALL NOTICES OF FOR THIS-PRIOR TO THIS, WHEN AT AN IDLE MY STEERING WHEEL HAD RECENTLY STARTED TO VIBRATE-THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY FINE TO WORK. AS I LEFT FROM WORK THAT DAY,…
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I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, ON 03.02.17 WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK, A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR. WHEN I DID SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A LOT OF RECALL NOTICES OF FOR THIS-PRIOR TO THIS, WHEN AT AN IDLE MY STEERING WHEEL HAD RECENTLY STARTED TO VIBRATE-THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY FINE TO WORK. AS I LEFT FROM WORK THAT DAY, I HAD NO STEERING!! IT WAS WORSE THAN DRIVING A CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING. I WAS SCARED AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT GOING HOME DUE TO THIS!! I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND IT PULLED A CODE B2278-STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION-WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL FOR MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WERE FOR. WELL, FORD STATES MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT IS THE EXACT SAME THING THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR!!! I WANT FORD TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS. THEY CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH VEHICLES QUALIFY AND DON'T WHEN IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10959781
NHTSA investigations
3DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
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
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.