NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
153 reports110,000 miles · May 28, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10721887
78,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Power TrainSteering
VEHICLE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT. IN 2014 MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A POWER STEERING RECALL. I DID NOT HAVE A POWER STEERING FAILURE UNTIL AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705960
67,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
POOR ACCELERATION, LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH GAS PEDAL PUSHED. PULLED OVER SIDE AND RESTART. ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE IT HOME 10 MILES BUT STILL POOR ACCELERATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702770
128,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Steering
OUR 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A TURN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. HE NEARLY CRASHED INTO A TRUCK DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND HE WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. HE ABLE TO BARELY MUSCLE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AND CALLED ME (HIS FATHER). IT TURNS OUT …
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OUR 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS MAKING A TURN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. HE NEARLY CRASHED INTO A TRUCK DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND HE WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. HE ABLE TO BARELY MUSCLE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AND CALLED ME (HIS FATHER). IT TURNS OUT MY WIFE HAD TAKEN THE CAR INTO FORD JUST LAST FALL TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE ON IT, AND ONLY NOW, AM I FINDING OUT THAT THE FAULTY PART INVOLVED IN THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT REPLACED BY FORD. IN FACT, NOBODY'S VEHICLES HAD THE FAULTY PART REPLACED. THEY JUST "ADJUSTED" IT. HOW THE NHTSA COULD ALLOW THIS IS BEYOND ME. BECAUSE OF THE NEAR COLLISION THAT OCCURRED IN THIS, I WILL MOST LIKELY FILE A SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR GIVING US THE IMPRESSION THAT A FAULTY PART WAS REPLACED WHEN IN FACT IT WAS NOT. I OWN 3 FORDS AND AM TAKING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10690125
84,500 miles · Jan 16, 2015
Steering
I OWN A 2009 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED HYBRID. THE PSCM FAILED. I PAID $1,322.41 TO GET IT FIXED. I READ IN MOTOR TREND THAT THERE IS A RECALL - 104765, FORD RECALL 14S05 -FOR THIS EXACT, SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH 2009 FORD ESCAPES. I CALLED "FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE", OPENED CASE [XXX], AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL APPLIES TO EVERY CAR BUT …
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I OWN A 2009 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED HYBRID. THE PSCM FAILED. I PAID $1,322.41 TO GET IT FIXED. I READ IN MOTOR TREND THAT THERE IS A RECALL - 104765, FORD RECALL 14S05 -FOR THIS EXACT, SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH 2009 FORD ESCAPES. I CALLED "FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE", OPENED CASE [XXX], AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL APPLIES TO EVERY CAR BUT MINE BECAUSE MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED! HOWEVER, MY PROBLEM IS NOT WITH MY VIN, BUT WITH THE EXACT, SPECIFIC PART THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. FORD ADMITTED THAT IT MANUFACTURED AND INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PSCM, BUT IS HIDING BEHIND A LAME EXCUSE THAT IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY DEFECTIVE PSCM BECAUSE IT (FORD) NEGLECTED TO LIST MY VIN IN THE RECALL. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT NHTSA BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM, SO I AM. I THINK THEY SAY THIS TO BLOW-OFF OWNERS WITH COMPLAINTS SO NHTSA DOESN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THEM. THEY LOST MY TRUST WITH THEIR LAME EXCUSE - "IT'S YOUR VIN THAT'S THE PROBLEM, NOT OUR DEFECTIVE PART." FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FORD AND REFERENCE MY COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10673100
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2014
Service Brakes
CHECK BRAKES SIGN CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS GOING SLOW SO I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND PRESSED ON THE BREAKS BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND THE BREAKS FAILED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND PUT IT IN PARK IT MADE THIS LOUD SOUND AND FINALLY STOPPED. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE GOT HOME I WAS TERRIFIED THINK…
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CHECK BRAKES SIGN CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS GOING SLOW SO I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND PRESSED ON THE BREAKS BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND THE BREAKS FAILED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND PUT IT IN PARK IT MADE THIS LOUD SOUND AND FINALLY STOPPED. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE GOT HOME I WAS TERRIFIED THINKING WHAT IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. FIRST IT WAS STEERING AND NOW IT'S THE BRAKES. I DON'T THINK I CAN DRIVE MY FORD ESCAPE ANYMORE THINKING I AM SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663830
45,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Service BrakesSteering
BRAKES HAVE GIVEN OUT, WHILE COMING TO A RED STOP LIGHT LUCK THAT NO ONE WAS AROUND WHEN I RAN THE LIGHT SENT TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE BUT THEY DID A UPDATE ON STEERING AND KNOW WHEN BACKING UP STEERING GETS STIFF, CAUSING TURN RADIUS TO BECOME EXTREME,BUT ONLY DOES IT SOMETIMES.WENT BACK TO DEALER NO PROBLEM FO…
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BRAKES HAVE GIVEN OUT, WHILE COMING TO A RED STOP LIGHT LUCK THAT NO ONE WAS AROUND WHEN I RAN THE LIGHT SENT TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE BUT THEY DID A UPDATE ON STEERING AND KNOW WHEN BACKING UP STEERING GETS STIFF, CAUSING TURN RADIUS TO BECOME EXTREME,BUT ONLY DOES IT SOMETIMES.WENT BACK TO DEALER NO PROBLEM FOUND AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.HOPING SOMEONE FIND PROBLEM BEFORE A PERSON OR PERSONS GETS KILLED!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659338
96,700 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Steering
TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE ON START UP WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THEN. SEEMS MOST LIKELY TO FAIL WHEN COLD. SO FAR IT HAS STARTED WORKING ONCE WARMED UP AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. I'M CONCERNED IT WILL FAIL WH…
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TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE ON START UP WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THEN. SEEMS MOST LIKELY TO FAIL WHEN COLD. SO FAR IT HAS STARTED WORKING ONCE WARMED UP AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. I'M CONCERNED IT WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I PLAN ON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652993
125,600 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Power Train
TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE FORD LOST ACCELERATION. FROM 65MPH TO 40MPH..EVEN THOUGH I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY IN. AND THE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION LOCKED IN! UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR LOCKED IN ON THE FREEWAY. THE SITUATION IS GETTING TERRIBLE!! AFRAID MAJOR ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM FORD!!!! …
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TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE FORD LOST ACCELERATION. FROM 65MPH TO 40MPH..EVEN THOUGH I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY IN. AND THE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION LOCKED IN! UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR LOCKED IN ON THE FREEWAY. THE SITUATION IS GETTING TERRIBLE!! AFRAID MAJOR ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM FORD!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10643594
103,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING ON 26E IN CHARLESTON, SC, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE NOR MAINTAIN SPEED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IN DOING SO, A GRINDING SOUND CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND BEGAN TO NOTICE THE RPM'S WOULD INCREASE AND DECREAS…
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DRIVING ON 26E IN CHARLESTON, SC, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE NOR MAINTAIN SPEED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IN DOING SO, A GRINDING SOUND CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND BEGAN TO NOTICE THE RPM'S WOULD INCREASE AND DECREASE WITHOUT ADJUSTING PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL. AT THIS POINT I NOTICED I HAD LIMITED ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND VERY SLUGGISH. THIS ISSUE CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SPORADICALLY OVER THEN NEXT 2 WEEKS UNTIL 9/12 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PRACTICALLY UNABLE TO BE SAFELY OPERATED DUE TO THE LACK OF POWER. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO PART STORE AND THE DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED TROUBLE CODE P2112 "THROTTLE BODY STUCK CLOSED". I TOOK TO A FORD DEALER TO REPAIR THE OPEN RECALL FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND ASKED FOR AN ESTIMATE FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN MY DRIVEWAY AWAITING ME TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET REPAIRED ON MY DOLLAR... DOESN'T SOUND LIKE I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633527
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.
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