Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

59 reports

36,000 miles · Jun 13, 2013

EnginePower Train

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I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 2.5 MILES WHEN THE CAR STALLED, STOPPED OPERATING AND I HAD NO POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE AIR CONDITIONER AND RADIO STILL WORKED SO I STILL HAD ELECTRICAL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP BUT IT WAS DANGEROUS TRAFFIC. I TURNED EVERYTHING OFF AND THE CAR RESTARTED. IT WAS INITIALLY SLUGGISH BUT I TRAVELED THE NEXT 3 MILES HOME. DROVE IT TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER TEST DROVE IT AND IT STALLED AGAIN. DEALER ANALYZED IT AND SAID THE CAR HAD A BAD THROTTLE BODY. NEW PART WILL TAKE A MONTH TO GET AND I CAN'T DRIVE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519630

62,500 miles · Jun 4, 2013

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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I HAD NOTICED OVER THE WEEKEND THAT ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL IT WOULD REV UP BUT NOT GO ANYWHERE WHILE I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. ON MONDAY, I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TAKING A LEFT THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN IT WENT INTO A BIT OF A STALL. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OFF, THEN TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP (BELL FORD) CALLED THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM WITH OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS. I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 62,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT MAKES ME VERY ANGRY THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUE CONSIDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE SENT IN TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515079

51,000 miles · Jun 4, 2013

Electrical System

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE LOST PROPULSION AND REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TWICE IN A DISTANCE OF FIVE (5) MILES. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, HE INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. APPARENTLY, THIS IS AN CONTINUAL ISSUE ON THIS MODEL AND I WAS ALSO INFORMED THIS PART (THROTTLE BODY) IS CURRENTLY ON A "NATIONAL" BACK ORDER. I WOULD THINK THAT IF THIS SPECIFIC PART IS ON A 'NATIONAL" BACKORDER, FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515015

120,012 miles · Apr 19, 2013

Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO OPERATE WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND BEGAN TO DRIVE. THIS NOW HAPPENS ON OCCASION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN IT MAY GET WORSE AND FAIL DURING A TURN OR AT HIGH SPEED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508785

36,530 miles · Mar 28, 2013

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED. I REPORTED THE FIRST TIME TO YOU GUYS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT MY PAPERWORK I CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. YESTERDAY MORNING I WAS DRIVING TO THE DMV HERE IN TOWN. JUST AS I WAS COMING AROUND THE CORNER A BLOCK FROM THE DMV THE ESCAPE STARTED STALLING/"HEAVING." I LET UP ON THE GAS AND THE ESCAPE CONTINUED TO HEAVE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS CLOSE TO NORMAL AGAIN. I PULLED INTO THE DMV PARKING LOT AND AS I BRAKED TO PARK IN A SPACE THE ESCAPE STARTED STALLING/HEAVING AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I SAT THERE FOR HALF A MI UTE AND DECIDED I WOULD TRY TO DRIVE THE SHORT DISTANCE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. I TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO STALL/HEAVE AGAIN. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND AS I BACKED OUT OF THE SPACE I COULD FEEL THE ENGINE BECOME SOMEWHAT NORMAL AGAIN. DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504871

30,963 miles · Feb 11, 2013

Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes

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IN HEAVY, SLOW TRAFFIC NORTHBOUND IN RIGHT LANE ON I-93 SOUTH EXPRESSWAY IN BOSTON FIRST SAW "CHECK BRAKING SYSTEMS" MESSAGE, THEN ENGINE QUIT AND I HAD NO BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER AND STOPPED CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. AAA TOWED US TO HOTEL, SENTRY FORD IN MEDFORD, MA TOOK CAR FROM THERE TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY WAS NOT COVERED, SINCE CAR WAS ABOUT 4 MOS. PAST WARRANTY. TOTAL BILL $1617.33. (DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF A 4 DAY RENTAL CAR.) IF I HAD NOT BEEN IN THE RIGHT LANE AND IN SLOW TRAFFIC, WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497743

155,000 miles · Dec 22, 2012

Steering

I WAS DRIVING LIKE 25 MPH & SUDDENLY STEERING GOT LOCKED & I HAD TO STOPPED & I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE & RESTARTED AGAIN THEN IT WAS WORKING NORMAL.I AM AFRAID IF IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489522

50,000 miles · Oct 5, 2012

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ERRONEOUSLY TRAVELED OVER A CEMENT PARKING DIVIDER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD AND STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER…

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NHTSA ODI #10478723

44,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012

Service Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY AND THE BRAKE MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000. UPDATED 11/01/12 LJ UPDATED 11/01/12

NHTSA ODI #10472381

Official recalls

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

DP22005 · 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.