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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.

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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.

40 crash reports20 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

90 reports
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120,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARD DRIVE IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARD DRIVE IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10418575

90,046 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE OUT OF TOWN SUNDAY JULY 10TH 2011, 300 MILES FROM HOME MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE, OD 90046. WE GOT IN THE CAR STARTED IT UP AND THEN WHEN LOOKING AT THE MAP I LOOKED UP AND SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I JUMPED OUT THE DOOR CAME BACK AND GOUGED MY NOSE OPEN. WHILE BLEEDING ALL OVER THE PLACE I OPE…

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WHILE OUT OF TOWN SUNDAY JULY 10TH 2011, 300 MILES FROM HOME MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE, OD 90046. WE GOT IN THE CAR STARTED IT UP AND THEN WHEN LOOKING AT THE MAP I LOOKED UP AND SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I JUMPED OUT THE DOOR CAME BACK AND GOUGED MY NOSE OPEN. WHILE BLEEDING ALL OVER THE PLACE I OPENED THE HOOD AND POURED WATER OVER THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE JUST UNDER THE REAR SIDE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE, I CALLED THE LOCAL SANTA MARIA FORD DEALER, WHO ONLY OFFERED OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT DAY AND WHILE THERE DECIDED TO HAVE MY WIFE LOOK AT A NEW CAR. REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT I PUT THE FLAMES OUT EARLY AND I AS A MAINTENANCE OFFICER WITH 24 YEARS EXPERIENCE I COULD HAVE FIXED THE CAR, I WANTED MY WIFE TO HAVE A NEW CAR SO WHEN I LEAVE HER BEHIND FOR MY NEXT DUTY STATION IN THE MARINE CORPS AND DEPLOY, I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY WORRIES. THE SALES EXPERIENCE WAS WHAT I EXPECTED BUT MY BIGGEST ISSUES WERE THAT, ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED, OUT OF LUCK, YEA RIGHT, THE SERVICE MANAGER STOPPED BY TO WORK ON HIS RV AND ASSISTED IN THE APPRAISAL OF MY 2005 ESCAPE THEN LEFT BEFORE I KNEW HE WAS THERE. DUE TO THE FORD DEFECT, FIRE DAMAGE, THEY OFFERED MY $2,000 FOR A TRADE IN. I TALKED THEM INTO AROUND $4,200. I HAD A CAR THAT COST ME $28,000 SIX YEARS AGO AND DUE TO A DEFECT I GOT AROUND $4,200 FOR IT IN GREAT SHAPE, EXCEPT THE VERY SMALL FIRE DAMAGE> LUCKILY WE HAD THE FIRE IN A PARKING LOT NOT WHILE ON A BACK ROAD, OFF ROAD, TRAFFIC JAM. FROM RESEARCH EARLIER ESCAPE MODELS HAVE A HISTORY OF ENGINE FIRES, AND SOME OF THE LATER, BUT NOTHING TO DATE ON THE 2005. FORD CORPORATE HAS YET TO CONTACT ME ABOUT MY COMPLAINT, I AM ASKING THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND HOPE THEY WOULD COMPENSATE ME FOR THE LOST VALUE IN MY TRADE IN DUE TO SOME TYPE OF OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. CASE # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

NHTSA ODI #10412270

143,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOTHING LET UP TO THE FAILURE. CAR DIED WHILE PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COIL PACKS GONE BAD. REPLACED THEM. THEN TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BURN OUT WHEN THE COILS WENT. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A ISSUE FOR IS AWARE OF ON THE 2005 ESCAPE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND HAS A HARD TIME G…

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NOTHING LET UP TO THE FAILURE. CAR DIED WHILE PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COIL PACKS GONE BAD. REPLACED THEM. THEN TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BURN OUT WHEN THE COILS WENT. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A ISSUE FOR IS AWARE OF ON THE 2005 ESCAPE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND HAS A HARD TIME GETTING OFF THE ROAD. NO INDICATION IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THESE CARS. I HAVE ALREADY PUT OUT CLOSE TO $200.00 AND ITS STILL NOT FIXED. IT ALSO HAS BLOWN UP MY COMPUTER IN THE CAR. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT HIT. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR SOME ACTION TO BE TAKEN? SOMEBODY GETTING KILLED BEFORE FORD IS MADE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405300

104,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

I AM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 4.5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME TO SHOOT A WEDDING I HAD PROBLEMS ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO MY TRIP. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 20 JUST OUTSIDE OF COLUMBIA, SC. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE BEHIND A SEMI TRUCK, THERE WAS ANOTHER SEMI TRUCK IN THE RIGHT LANE BESIDE ME AND BEHIND ME I HAD A LARGE VA…

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I AM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 4.5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME TO SHOOT A WEDDING I HAD PROBLEMS ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO MY TRIP. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 20 JUST OUTSIDE OF COLUMBIA, SC. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE BEHIND A SEMI TRUCK, THERE WAS ANOTHER SEMI TRUCK IN THE RIGHT LANE BESIDE ME AND BEHIND ME I HAD A LARGE VAN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65-70 WHEN SUDDENLY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING THE STEERING AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED ON. I SOMEHOW REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR BY SHIFTING IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTING. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACT AS FAST AS I DID AS THE VAN BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON HIS BREAKS TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. ONCE THE SEMI TRUCK WAS CLEARED OF THE RIGHT LANE I GOT OVER AND TURNED ON MY FLASHERS. SINCE I HAD IT RUNNING I WAS TOO SCARED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE. I GOT TO MY NEAREST EXIT AND PULLED OVER. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF EXCEPT THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I RESTARTED AND DROVE ABOUT A MILE TO A MECHANIC. THEY COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG BUT HEARD THE MISFIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CLASSIC FORD IN COLUMBIA, SC. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO FINISH MY TRIP AS I COULDN'T LET DOWN A COUPLE ABOUT TO BE MARRIED. I JUST GOT THE ESTIMATE TO THE TUNE OF OVER $2700.00. IT'S THE PCM MODULE ALONG WITH COIL, SPARK PLUGS AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. I AM NOW DEBATING ABOUT WEATHER TO FIX IT OR NOT AS ALL THE REVIEWS I HAVE READ IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS AFTER IT'S FIXED. IT SOUNDS LIKE FORD REALLY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10403293

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

EMAIL FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE CONCERNS WITH HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE AUTOMOBILE (DESIGN OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER). *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHERE IT WAS DETERM…

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EMAIL FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE CONCERNS WITH HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE AUTOMOBILE (DESIGN OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER). *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A CYLINDER WAS NOT FIRING. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS DAMAGED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10403174

90,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureCrash

THE COMPUTER SHORT, BECAUSE A WATER LEAK IN THE COMPUTER, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE BRIDGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401026

100,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. IN ADDITION, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. IN ADDITION, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400987

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 FORD SHUTS OFF AFTER LONG DISTANCE OR NO DISTANCE SHUTTER LIKE YOU ARE PUSHING IN A CLUTCH BUT THIS IS MANUEL DRIVE THAN SHUTS DOWN DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400918

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

EMAIL FROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN REID RIBBLE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE PROBLEMS WITH HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10401595

54,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO OF THE PLUGS AND COILS WERE DEFECTIVE AS A RESULT THE COMPUTER WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OF…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO OF THE PLUGS AND COILS WERE DEFECTIVE AS A RESULT THE COMPUTER WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399138

Official recalls

4

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

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

2

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.

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.

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