MY VEHICLE ALARM WILL JUST START GOING OFF NOBODY IS NEAR THE KEYS OR VEHICLE, IT WILL JUST GO OFF AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE BUTTON ON THE KEY AND SHUT IT OFF TODAY AT WORK I WAS SITTING AT MY DESK AND IN A MATTER OF 10 MINUTES IT WENT OFF 4 TIMES. I AM NOT SURE WHY IT IS DOING THIS, BUT IT IS CONCERNING.
2005 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1,211 reports with mileage · 183 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 459 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 434 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
16 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR JOLTED. AFTER 3-5 MORE MILES THE CAR KEPPED JOLTING AS IF IT WANTED TO DIE THEN LOST ALL POWER, EVEN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDNT COME ON. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT TURNED BACK ON FINE THEN CONTINUED THE PROCESS. THE CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON DIED ON THE FREEWAY AND I COULD HAVE B…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR JOLTED. AFTER 3-5 MORE MILES THE CAR KEPPED JOLTING AS IF IT WANTED TO DIE THEN LOST ALL POWER, EVEN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDNT COME ON. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT TURNED BACK ON FINE THEN CONTINUED THE PROCESS. THE CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON DIED ON THE FREEWAY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT TO WHERE MY LIFE WAS ALMOST LOST. I MADE IT TO MY MECHANIC SHOP THEY RAN THE CARE FOR CODES AND NO CODES CAME UP AT ALL. MY MECHANIC HAS DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SOME 2005-2008 FORED ESCAPES HAVE RECALLS. HE FEELS AS MY CAR IS ONE BECAUSE MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL. IN THIS ARTICLE I HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE ISSUES.THE 2005 ESCAPE HAS PROBLEMS WHERE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. FORD FINALLY ISSUED A SEPTEMBER 2014 RECALL. TIME WILL TELL IF THE RECALL FIX REALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE 2005 ESCAPE ALSO HAS A DEFECT WHERE THE PCM (POWER CONTROL MODULE) FRIES AT AROUND 100K MILES. FORD EXTENDED THE PCM WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES, BUT ONLY AFTER MOST OWNERS WERE PAST THE MILEAGE LIMIT. NOW OWNERS ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THE AVERAGE REPAIR COST OF OVER $2,000 (!!)
CAR ALARM ALWAYS GOING OFF CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. ALARM WILL NOT RESET LOCK DOORS. SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON WITH DOOR AJAR AND ALARM REFUSES TO SET. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR OR MORE. COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. OTHERS ARE SAYING IT IS THE LATCH …
Read full complaint
CAR ALARM ALWAYS GOING OFF CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. ALARM WILL NOT RESET LOCK DOORS. SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON WITH DOOR AJAR AND ALARM REFUSES TO SET. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR OR MORE. COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. OTHERS ARE SAYING IT IS THE LATCH THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE BUT FORD COMPANY CAN'T TELL US THIS. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR NOT FOR THE DOOR TO BE AJAR.
WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE GAS PEDAL HAS LOCKED IN AN IDLE POSITION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS IN MOTION SUDDENLY THERE IS NO LONGER ANY FORWARD MOMENTUM SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER MOVING FORWARD. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SOMETIMES I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE GAS PEDAL HAS LOCKED IN AN IDLE POSITION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS IN MOTION SUDDENLY THERE IS NO LONGER ANY FORWARD MOMENTUM SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER MOVING FORWARD. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SOMETIMES I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON WHICH SEEMS TO RESET THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN I CAN CONTINUE ON MY WAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE ANY ONE CAN HIT ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES
MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AT RED LIGHTS OR WHENEVER I AM STOPPED STOPPED. IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR HAS DIED AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T START BACK UP FOR A WHILE. I HAVE TO PRESS HARD AND LONG ON CLUTCH. MY GAS PEDDLE HAD BEEN STICKING IN THE PAST.
WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. IF I START IT AGAIN IT TURNS ON JUST FINE BUT EVERYTIME I STOP AT A LIGHT OR AT TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STALLS. WENT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY CANT TELL WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THEY CHECKED IT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE, BATTERY, OILS. THEY SAY TH…
Read full complaint
WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. IF I START IT AGAIN IT TURNS ON JUST FINE BUT EVERYTIME I STOP AT A LIGHT OR AT TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STALLS. WENT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY CANT TELL WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THEY CHECKED IT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE, BATTERY, OILS. THEY SAY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT THE DEADLINE FOR THIS WAS ON JANUARY 2015. NOW FORD WONT REPAIR MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD (IT HAS LESS THAN 116,000 MILES).
TODAY WHILE DRIVING MY 05 FORD ESCAPE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ALL POWER, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP, POWER STEERING WAS GONE, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST WRECK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY MAIN ROAD AND STOP THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, NOTHING INFORMING M…
Read full complaint
TODAY WHILE DRIVING MY 05 FORD ESCAPE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ALL POWER, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP, POWER STEERING WAS GONE, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST WRECK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY MAIN ROAD AND STOP THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, NOTHING INFORMING ME OF AN ISSUE. IT WAS VERY SCARY FOR ME & COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE IF I HADN'T OF BEEN ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
HI I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE & UP INTO ABOUT AND YEAR I STARTED HAD HAVING ENGINE FAILURE, MY VEHICLE WOULD START & STOP, TO SUM THIS UP, IM AFFAID TO DRIVE WHEN THIS ACCURES PRAYING THAT KNOW 1 RUNS INTO THE BACK OF ME...IVE TOOKEN IT TO THE AUTO PLACE TO GET A READING & IVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT IT READ IGNITION COILS (TWIC…
Read full complaint
HI I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE & UP INTO ABOUT AND YEAR I STARTED HAD HAVING ENGINE FAILURE, MY VEHICLE WOULD START & STOP, TO SUM THIS UP, IM AFFAID TO DRIVE WHEN THIS ACCURES PRAYING THAT KNOW 1 RUNS INTO THE BACK OF ME...IVE TOOKEN IT TO THE AUTO PLACE TO GET A READING & IVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT IT READ IGNITION COILS (TWICE), FUEL FILTERS, TUNE A/C COMPRESSOR, WOULDNT COME ON ETC....I CAN GO ON & ON..& IM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS & FINALLY IVE DECIDED TO GOOGLE THESE ACCURANCES, TO FIND THAT THERE'S OTHER VIC..THAT HAS OCCURRED THESES SAME INCIDENTS....THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER, THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS / RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DOESN'T MAKE IT. VIC. JUST SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC....& IT ALSO ACCURES WHILE STATIONARY & WHILE TURNING, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE OCT. OF 2015 & IN BETWEEN REPLACEING PARTS IT STALLED FOR A WHILE OF THE KILLING & NOW IT HAS STARTED BACK UP FULL FORCE ABOUT A WEEK AGO. 6/13/2016 & TODAY IS THE 6/21/2016
WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK - AT FIRST IF DIDN'T WANT TO START BUT CRANKED FINE. LET IT SIT IDLE AND HEADED TO WORK - 1/2 TO WORK STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHERE IT STARTED TO SHUDDER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL (NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES BEFORE AND STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS). GOT THRU THE INTERSECTION AND LOSS ALL POWER ON THE BUSIEST STREE…
Read full complaint
WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK - AT FIRST IF DIDN'T WANT TO START BUT CRANKED FINE. LET IT SIT IDLE AND HEADED TO WORK - 1/2 TO WORK STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHERE IT STARTED TO SHUDDER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL (NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES BEFORE AND STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS). GOT THRU THE INTERSECTION AND LOSS ALL POWER ON THE BUSIEST STREET IN BOWLING GREEN. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH POWER FOR MY EMERGENCY BLINKERS. STUCK WHERE I WAS WAS A HAZARD OF ME BEING HIT - HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC THINKING IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR AND STARTER BOTH GOOD - ONCE PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE - THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND SPARKING. END RESULT - I HAVE AT LEAST 3 COILS, POTENTIAL FRIED WIRE HARNESS AND PCM FAILURE (A LOGGED COMPLAINT BUT NEVER A RECALL). THE POTENTIAL FIX WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN IS 5-8K. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY HURT IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE PLOWED INTO US. THIS IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE AT ALL!
AS SOON AS I HIT ABOUT 60 MPH, BETWEEN 2-3 RPM, MY CAR BEGINS TO STALL AND FEELS LIKE THE GAS PEDAL IS GRINDING AND WON'T LET ME GO ANY FASTER WITHOUT VIBRATING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING SO I TOOK IT IN TO A TRANSMISSION AUTO SHOP WHERE THE FOUND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WHICH IS VERY OD…
Read full complaint
AS SOON AS I HIT ABOUT 60 MPH, BETWEEN 2-3 RPM, MY CAR BEGINS TO STALL AND FEELS LIKE THE GAS PEDAL IS GRINDING AND WON'T LET ME GO ANY FASTER WITHOUT VIBRATING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING SO I TOOK IT IN TO A TRANSMISSION AUTO SHOP WHERE THE FOUND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WHICH IS VERY ODD FOR AN AUTO SHOP TO NOT FIND ANYTHING. ABOUT 1 WEEK AFTER THIS PROBLEM, THE SERVICE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY, IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY I WAS CLOSE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I GOT TO THE SIDE AND PUT MY CAR INTO PARK, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO ALLOW MY HEART RATE TO COME BACK DOWN TO A NORMAL PACE. I TURNED THE KEY AND THE ENGINE TURNED BACK ON. I DROVE IT INTO AN AUTO SHOP TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, AND THE READER SHOWED CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE. THE FIRST POSSIBLE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE COIL ON PLUG, WHICH IS WHAT I DID. I GOT HOME TODAY AND AM STILL EXPERIENCING THIS SCARY FEELING OF MY CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO EXCEL ABOVE 60. I READ MANY REVIEWS THIS EVENING AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED VERY SIMILAR ISSUES. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND PEOPLE ARE AT SERIOUS RISK OR GETTING INJURED AND/OR IN AN ACCIDENT. THE AVERAGE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE - REPORTED BY MANY USERS ON HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2005/ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER_PCM_FAILURE.SHTML, IS $2000. WHEN YOU HAVE A 2005 CAR OF ANY KIND, $2000 SEEMS VERY HIGH TO FIX WHEN THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE FURTHER AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT FORD HAS YET TO RECALL THIS ISSUE. *TR
Official recalls
415V606000 · 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
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: 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)
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: 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.
14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
Sep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
06V111000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
Apr 7, 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. 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.
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
2DP12006 · 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.
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.
Illustration