Structure. Review the 121 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports27 fire reports24 injury reports

Suspension complaints

90 reports

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64,958 miles · Aug 12, 2016

SteeringStructureSuspension

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WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS CRACKED AND FORD HAD A RECALL IN PLACE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. INSTEAD, THEY PUT A CROSS-BAR ON THE CRACKED SUB FRAME BECAUSE THEY DETERMINED IT WAS "NOT BROKEN" ONLY "CRACKED". THE SUB FRAME HAD "RUSTED AND CORRODED" DUE TO FORD'S OWN ADMITTANCE OF "FAULTY PARTS". I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE AND THEY STATED "NO". I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS INSPECTION AND AGAIN THEY STATED "NO". I ASKED IF THIS WAS A "BANDAID" THAT THEY PUT ON TO MAKE THEMSELVES FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE FACT THAT ANYONE OPERATING THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE TOTAL CONTROL. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER, WHO TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. HE DID STATE HE WOULD MAKES SOME CALLS AND CALLED ME A DAY OR TWO LATER TO SAY, THAT HIS MANAGER SAID IF I WANTED THE VEHICLE FIXED, I COULD PAY $1,200 FOR THE PART AND AN ADDITIONAL $600-$800 IN LABOR TO FIX THE VEHICLE, OR I COULD TRADE IT IN. I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED THAT FORD WILL NOT BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT!

NHTSA ODI #10895214

145,000 miles · Jun 20, 2016

Suspension

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IN MAY OF 2016, I TOOK MY FORD ESCAPE IN FOR REPAIR OF A RECALL. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT A FAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AS I READ THE RECALL NOTICE AND THE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH REPAIR CENTER AGENT. A MONTH LATER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATES. AFTER I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD, IT WAS EXPRESSED TO ME THAT RECALL WAS NOT TO PREVENT FAILURE BUT MERELY TO STABILIZE THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE. HAD I NOT HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE THEY WOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE ESCAPE AT COST TO THEM, BUT BECAUSE I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED THEN I MOST PAY FOR IT. WHY WOULD FORD AUTHORIZE SUCH A RIDICULOUS RECALL EFFORT. FIRST OF ALL IF IT'S KNOW ISSUE, WHY NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE. SECONDLY, HAD I KNOW THE RAMIFICATIONS, I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD THE RECALLED PERFORMED. THE CONTROL SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AND I HIT A BUMP.

NHTSA ODI #10875236

150,000 miles · May 2, 2016

Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION TO THE REAR AXLES OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,0…

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NHTSA ODI #10862577

145,000 miles · Feb 9, 2016

StructureSuspensionWheels

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE FRAME AND WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FACED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ODI #10825200

167,000 miles · Feb 5, 2016

StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A LOUD THUMPING SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME SEPERATED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO F…

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NHTSA ODI #10824498

138,100 miles · Jan 15, 2016

SteeringSuspension

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A HIGHWAY(60MPH) WHEN MY STEERING BECAME LOOSE, WEAVING LEFT AND RIGHT. HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 20MPH UNTIL I GOT HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN IN 2. FORD IS RECALLING 385,762 2001-'04 FORD ESCAPE SUVS BECAUSE A RUST PROBLEM MAY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN DIMINISHED STEERING CONTROL. FORD DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT CROSSBRACE ON THE AFFECTED ESCAPES. THE SUBFRAME HAS BROKEN APART DUE TO THE CORROSION, AND IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE FORD IS AWARE OF THIS, THEY SHOULD HAVE BOTH SUBFRAME REPLACE AS A RECALL AND NOT ADDING A CROSSBAR AS A RECALL. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR WAS TOO COSTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10820540

121,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015

StructureSuspension

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A BRACE WAS PLACED ON BY THE DEALER IN THE SUBFRAME AS PART OF A RECALL IN 2014. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #10816734

50,000 miles · Dec 3, 2015

StructureSuspension

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MY FORD ESCAPE HAD RECALL 14S02 COMPLETED, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO "FIX" THE RUSTING OUT SUB-FRAMES MADE OF INFERIOR METAL DUE TO SALT-BELT STATES SALTING OF ROADS, BY INSTALLING A FLIMSY BRACE ACROSS THE SUB-FRAME, BUT I'M HONESTLY NOT SURE WHAT IT DOES BESIDES PREVENT YOUR CAR FROM "COMPLETELY" LOSING CONTROL. FORD REFUSES TO TRULY FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT POSSES A SERIOUS RISK TO ME, MY FAMILY, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. IF THE SUB-FRAME DOES DETACH ON MY CAR, WHICH IT IS ONE NASTY POT-HOLE AWAY FROM DETACHING, THAN I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR WHEN THE CONTROL ARM BREAKS OFF THE SUB-FRAME AND I WILL BE IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MY LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WARNED ME OF THE DANGER OF THIS PROBLEM JUST RECENTLY WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, BUT FORD DID NOT. FORD SIMPLY BRUSHED ME OFF AND DIDN'T EXPLAIN TO ME HOW DANGEROUS THIS SUPPOSED "FIX" IS. I AM STUDENT, AND IN ORDER FOR ME TO FIX THIS ON MY OWN THE COST WILL BE UNBEARABLE. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS FAIR OR FOLLOWING FEDERAL LAW, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS PATHETIC BRACE HELD ON BY A COUPLE OF BOLTS WAS CONSIDERED A REAL FIX FOR A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE MANNER IN WHICH FORD HAS HANDLED THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN DEPLORABLE AS WELL, AND I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING BUT RUDENESS FROM THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES. THE DANGER OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND IT DOES DETACH, ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY, THEN I, AND OTHERS WILL BE AT A RISK DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #10808308

90,470 miles · Nov 23, 2015

StructureSuspension

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WERE ABNORMAL NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, BOTH FRONT TIRES LEANED INWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR, AND TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A WEEK LATER, WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND AXLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,470.

NHTSA ODI #10806155

107,000 miles · Nov 15, 2015

SteeringSuspension

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MY WIFE OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WAS GETTING UNCONTROLLABLE. SHE PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED AAA FOR A TOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MIDAS WHERE WE USUALLY HAVE OUR WORK DONE ON OUR VEHICLES. MIDAS LOOKED AT THE CAR WHILE STILL ON THE TOW TRUCK. THEY SAID THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL ON THE CAR. MIDAS CALLED WAIKEM FORD AND WAS TOLD TO TELL US TO BRING IT THERE. WE HAD THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TAKE IT THERE. THIS WAS ON 11/05/15. I WAS CALLED ON 11/6 AND TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR THAT DAY AND MONDAY 11/9 THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. THIS WAS IN A MESSAGE TO MY PHONE. MONDAY I RECEIVED ANOTHER MESSAGE FROM A GUY NAMED CRAIG THAT HE HAD TAKEN PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM AND SENT IT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THAT WAS ALL THE MESSAGE SAID. TUESDAY I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM CRAIG THAT THE CAR WAS DONE AND WE COULD PICK IT UP ANYTIME. I TOOK MY WIFE OVER TO GET THE CAR AND SHE DROVE IT HOME WHICH IS THREE BLOCKS AWAY. SHE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG DO TO THE SHORT TRIP AND SLOW SPEED. SATURDAY 11/14 SHE TOOK THE CAR OUT AND ONCE AGAIN THE STEERING FELT UNCONTROLLABLE. I WENT OVER TO WAIKEM FORD AND ASK WHY THE CAR WASN'T FIXED. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD DENIED THE FIX ON THE CAR. CROSS BRACE WAS INSTALLED WHICH IS WHAT THEY DO ON THE RECALL. HOW EVER THE FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS ATTACH AND THE CROSS BRACE DID NOTHING. THE CAR WAS RELEASED TO US WITHOUT BEING TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. WE WERE NOT TOLD FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD REJECTED THE REQUEST FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE CAR, AND FORD SHOULD HAVE AUTHORIZED THE FIX. FORD MOTOR COMPANIES DECISION ALONG WITH WAIKEM FORD RELEASING THAT CAR TO US PUT MY WIFE AND THE PUBLIC IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI #10790466

Official recalls

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 29, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

14V165000 · Structure:frame And Members

Apr 2, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.

12V353000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 26, 2012

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

07V156000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 10, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Dec 20, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V574000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 7, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

04V165000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Apr 6, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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

DP12005 · Cruise Control Cable

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Jul 17, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages; Vehicle Speed Control:springs

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

Vehicle Speed Control:springs

PE12019 · Stuck Throttle

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

EA10002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Jan 14, 2010 · Closed Feb 29, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.Since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating at or near the ABS control module in vehicles some time after being serviced under the campaign. The post-recall repair incident rates for MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles are 90.9 and 126.7 (normalized per 100,000 vehicles serviced under the recall campaigns), respectively.These rates are much higher than the post-recall repair incident rate for MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles, which are 5.0 and 3.7 per 100K, respectively.Similarly, the post-recall repair key-off fire incident rates in the MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles is 54.3 per 100K, compared to 0.5 per 100K for the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles.The agency is aware of 12 key-off fire incidents, all involving MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles, where the vehicle was parked inside a structure when the fire started.In five of those incidents, the fire spread from the vehicle to the structure itself.Ford has identified the brake master cylinder reservoir cap in certain MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles as a potential source for brake fluid leaks that could affect ABS module connector integrity.The reservoir caps used on the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles are reportedly an improved design from those used on the earlier models.By letter dated January 4, 2012, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct another safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-005 and Ford Recall No. 11S24) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape vehicles to perform a more thorough remedy to address the risk of fire originating at the ABS control module.In addition to double-checking the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector weather seal (which should have been addressed under the previous recall campaign), Ford will replace brake master cylinder reservoir caps to address the leaking cap problem and reduce the risk of brake fluid entering the subject electrical connector.Ford will also modify the electrical system such that the ABS control module is de-energized when the ignition key is switched off to further reduce the risk of an unattended vehicle fire in units that may have sustained some small loss of connector integrity that may not be evident upon visual examination.Similarly, Mazda notified the agency by letter dated January 19, 2012, that it would also conduct a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-016 and Mazda Recall No. 6712A) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles.Ford estimates repair parts will be available beginning the second quarter of 2012. Until recall repairs are made both Ford and Mazda are advising owners of affected vehicles to reduce the safety concern by parking their vehicles outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

RQ09002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 15, 2009 · Closed Jan 15, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS (MAZDA) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT RECALLS 07V-156 AND 07V-157, RESPECTIVELY, TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.THE RECALL CAMPAIGN PRESCRIBES AN INSPECTION OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, WHICH SHALL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ONLY IF NECESSARY.IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PASSES THE VISUAL INSPECTION THEN THE RECALL INSTRUCTS THE TECHNICIAN TO APPLY ELECTRICAL GREASE (FORD PART NUMBER XG-12) TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND VERIFY SYSTEM OPERATION.TO DATE, APPROXIMATELY 388,500 SUBJECT VEHICLES (71.7% OF THE TOTAL RECALL POPULATION) HAVE BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH (373,985) PASSED THE VISUAL INSPECTION AND RECEIVED ONLY THE ELECTRICAL GREASE APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF AT LEAST 86 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT HAVE REPORTEDLY EXPERIENCED NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE SOME TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER HAS PROVIDED SOME INFORMATION THAT INDICATES CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE IMPROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACTORY WIRE TIE-WRAP NOT BEING REMOVED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH INDICATES A PROPER INSPECTION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED) AND BY INCORRECT GREASE BEING APPLIED, INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF GREASE, AND EVEN INSTANCES WHERE NO GREASE WAS APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR.ALSO, THERE REMAIN SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SEVERITY OF THE REPORTED FIRE INCIDENTS.THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT MOST REPORTED FIRES WERE ACTUALLY NON-FIRE THERMAL EVENTS WITH DAMAGE LIMITED TO THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS AND THAT MOST VEHICLES ARE REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE.HOWEVER, THE TREND APPEARS TO BE ONGOING WITH 5 REPORTED INCIDENTS HAVING OCCURRED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

DP09003 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 14, 2009 · Closed Apr 15, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI FOLLOW-UP, THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THE PETITIONER'S VEHICLE HAD IN FACT RECEIVED SERVICE RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 07V156 - A FACT LATER CORROBORATED BY THE PETITIONER.CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE EXPERIENCED IN THE PETITIONER'S REMEDIED VEHICLE INDICATE THAT THE REMEDY WAS INEFFECTIVE.ADDITIONAL REVIEW BY ODI IDENTIFIED AN ADDITIONAL 6 SIMILAR (ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ) NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS IN SUBJECT VEHICLES KNOWN TO HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.ACCORDINGLY, A RECALL QUERY (RQ09-002) HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

PE06048 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 30, 2006 · Closed Apr 17, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD AND MAZDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT SAFETY RECALLS TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.RECALL 07V-156 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 446,450 MY 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004.RECALL 07V-157 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 95,300 MY 2001-2004 TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000 THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2003. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE SEALS MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN SOME WIRING HARNESSES USED IN THE RECALL POPULATIONS.THIS MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS WATER OR BRAKE FLUID TO ENTER THE ABS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN AN ILLUMINATED ABS TELLTALE, AN OPEN CIRCUIT, AND/OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTORS FOR SEAL INTEGRITY.IF A SEAL INTEGRITY ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 120 NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THE RECALL POPULATION.OF THE 120 ALLEGED FIRES, 6 ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE STRUCTURE.IN 4 INCIDENTS, COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE STRUCTURE OR ADJOINING STRUCTURE(S) SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE, WHILE IN 2 INCIDENTS, THE ALLEGED FIRES CAUSED MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR FATALITIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE FORD AND MAZDA RECALLS, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

RP04002 · Engine Stalling

Opened Jun 24, 2004 · Closed Aug 31, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

SUMMARY:THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED ON HER MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 FORD ESCAPE, IT CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT STALL CONDITION.CONSEQUENTLY, SHE PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO EXAMINE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY FOR SAFETY RECALL 04V-165.ON APRIL 5, 2004, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A RECALL OF 321,903 MY 2001 THROUGH 2002 AND CERTAIN 2003 MY ESCAPE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 21, 2000 AND SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT.THESE VEHICLES EXHIBITED AN INTERMITTENT ENGINE STALL DURING DECELERATIONS AT VEHICLE SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH DUE TO AN EXCESSIVELY RICH FUEL-AIR MIXTURE IN THE ENGINE.AS A REMEDY, FORD DEALERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) TO A REVISED CALIBRATION TO PREVENT THE STALLING CONDITION. IN ITS JULY 23, 2004 RESPONSE TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION?S (ODI) JULY 1, 2004 INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, FORD STATES THAT AS OF JUNE 30, 2004 THE RECALL REMEDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON 174,014 VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLE OWNERS (LESS THAN .1%) WHO HAVE HAD THE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLES HAVE HAD ADDITIONAL DECELERATION STALLING ISSUES.FORD ALSO STATES THAT THE PCM HAS TO ?LEARN? THE NEW PROGRAM AND THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT STALLING WOULD BE TEMPORARY.TO VERIFY FORD?S CLAIM, ODI CONDUCTED A RANDOM SURVEY OF 20 COMPLAINANTS WHO HAD THE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLES AND WHO EXPERIENCED A SUBSEQUENT STALLING EVENT.ODI FOUND THAT MOST OF THEM HAD ISOLATED STALLING PROBLEMS, SUPPORTING FORD?S ALLEGATION THAT THE PCM MUST ?LEARN? THE NEW PROGRAM.IN ADDITION, IN A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH ODI, THE PETITIONER STATED THAT A FORD ENGINEER FOUND A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AS THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING IN HER VEHICLE.THUS, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AT THIS TIME TO SUGGEST THE RECALL REMEDY IS INADEQUATE.FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF THE AGENCY?S INVESTIGATIVE RESOURCES ON THE ISSUE RAISED BY THE PETITIONER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AND THE PETITION IS DENIED.

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