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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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Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHENEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK IN ORDER TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THIRTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHENEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK IN ORDER TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THIRTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10397005

146,300 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I STARTED MY CAR AT WORK AND LEFT TO GO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER, I WASN'T DRIVING HARD OR FAST JUST GOING SLOW, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LARGE EXPLOSION, I HAD TO PULL MY CAR OVER BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME LOUD AND UNABLE TO DRIVE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD SHOT OUT OF THE HOLE IN THE HEAD OF MY CAR. THE SPA…

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I STARTED MY CAR AT WORK AND LEFT TO GO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER, I WASN'T DRIVING HARD OR FAST JUST GOING SLOW, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LARGE EXPLOSION, I HAD TO PULL MY CAR OVER BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME LOUD AND UNABLE TO DRIVE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD SHOT OUT OF THE HOLE IN THE HEAD OF MY CAR. THE SPARK PLUG HAD ACTUALLY DENTED THE HOOD OF MY CAR WHEN IT SHOT OUT. MY CAR HAS BEEN VERY VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE AND SCARY EXPERIENCE. THEY SAY THAT IT COULD COST $3500 TO $4000 TO FIX BY REPLACING THE HEAD BECAUSE THE THREADS STRIPPED AND FORD KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS, BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394286

84,312 miles · Apr 3, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE, WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE ACCELERATION LANE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AN HOUR ACCELERATING UP TO 55, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTTERED, AND THEN DIED, THE CHECK ENGINE, OVERDRIVE, ABS, AND AIRBAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE. I HAD TO HIT THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PUT THE VEHICLE I…

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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE, WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE ACCELERATION LANE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AN HOUR ACCELERATING UP TO 55, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTTERED, AND THEN DIED, THE CHECK ENGINE, OVERDRIVE, ABS, AND AIRBAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE. I HAD TO HIT THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL NARROWLY AVOIDING BEING HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WHILE IT RESTARTED IT WAS MISFIRING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER. WE WERE ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY WITH OUR 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. THANKFULLY WE WERE NOT HIT AND KILLED BY THIS FORD ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394099

68,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

THE PROBLEM IS WHEN DRIVING 2005 FORD ESCAPE THE ENGINE CUTS OUT. WHEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AND THEN START BACK UP. THE THEFT LIGHT LIGHTS UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, AT ANY SPEEDS THE ENGINE WILL CUT OUT. EXAMPLE IS WHEN AT STOP SIGN AT INTERSECTION OR CROSS STREET, WHILE IN DRIVE AND PROCE…

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THE PROBLEM IS WHEN DRIVING 2005 FORD ESCAPE THE ENGINE CUTS OUT. WHEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AND THEN START BACK UP. THE THEFT LIGHT LIGHTS UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, AT ANY SPEEDS THE ENGINE WILL CUT OUT. EXAMPLE IS WHEN AT STOP SIGN AT INTERSECTION OR CROSS STREET, WHILE IN DRIVE AND PROCEEDING ACROSS INTERSECTION THE CARS ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL WILL TURN OFF. I WILL THEN HAVE TO SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART CAR AND THEN SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND PROCEED ACROSS INTERSECTION HOPEFULLY WITHOUT GETTING HIT FROM OTHER CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH A CAR FULL OF GRANDCHILDREN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CARS ENGINE CUT OUT HAPPENS AT GREATER OCCURRENCES WHEN DRIVING UP INCLINES.

NHTSA ODI #10389388

117,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH UP A HILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITH MINIMAL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH UP A HILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITH MINIMAL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THREE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH MINIMAL SPEED AND THE CONTACT WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE ENGINE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10384755

79,000 miles · Feb 8, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

IN DECEMBER 2010, MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED STARTING MISFIRING AT 79,000 MILES AND THE SERVICE EMISSIONS SYSTEM MESSAGE CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE LIGHT TO COME BACK ON OR ANY ERROR CODES TO APPEAR. THE NEXT DAY, THE MISFIRING HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD…

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IN DECEMBER 2010, MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED STARTING MISFIRING AT 79,000 MILES AND THE SERVICE EMISSIONS SYSTEM MESSAGE CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE LIGHT TO COME BACK ON OR ANY ERROR CODES TO APPEAR. THE NEXT DAY, THE MISFIRING HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD PRC COMPUTER. FORD REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER, UNDER WARRANTY, AT ABOUT 79,900 MILES. THE MISFIRE WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND THEN RECURRED AT 82,000 MILES. THIS TIME, THE CAR DRAMATICALLY LOST POWER, WILL NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO GEAR, SHAKES WHEN IDLING AND MAXES OUT AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON ANY HILL. THE SERVICE EMISSIONS MESSAGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE CONSTANTLY ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE COIL PACKS ARE ALL MISFIRING AND CAUSING THE MAIN COMPUTER TO FRY. THEY STATED THAT ALL 6 COILS NEED REPLACED AT A COST OF $900, AND THE MAIN COMPUTER ALSO NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. THE COMPUTER REPLACEMENT WILL BE FREE, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN THE PART WAS STILL COVERED UNDER AN 80,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE REGULAR COST TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND $950. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381102

84,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE SPARK PLUG, COILS AND MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT WAS LATER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE SPARK PLUG, COILS AND MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT WAS LATER TOWED TO A SECOND AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10378591

66,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE VACATIONING IN MYRTLE BEACH, MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE RAN SLUGGISH AND WAS MISSING AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CASING FOR THE PCM HAD LEAKED AND WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE PCM AND CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSED THE PLUGS AND COILS TO NEED REPLACING. PARTS …

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WHILE VACATIONING IN MYRTLE BEACH, MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE RAN SLUGGISH AND WAS MISSING AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CASING FOR THE PCM HAD LEAKED AND WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE PCM AND CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSED THE PLUGS AND COILS TO NEED REPLACING. PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND HAD TO WAIT TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIRS. RECEIVED A CALL FROM DEALER SAYING THAT IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ANOTHER 3 DAYS AND THE TOTAL BILL FROM THE DEALER WAS $5,262.38. ALONG WITH A RENTAL CAR FOR 1.5 WEEKS AND TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS IN HOTEL MADE FOR AN EXPENSIVE HOLIDAY. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND THEY WERE NOT EVEN INTERESTED IN MY SITUATION. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD, AND AM NOW DRIVING JAPANESE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375434

75,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THEN IT FINALLY STARTED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TWO MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THEN IT FINALLY STARTED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TWO MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE COIL FAILED AND THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,958. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10373537

90,000 miles · Dec 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN ENGINE COIL FAILED AND THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10372570

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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