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

Structure complaints

434 reports

Clear category filter

73,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014

StructureSuspension

THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL HAS EXCESSIVE RUST WHICH HAS CAUSED THE SHOCK TO COME THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT OTHERS WITH THE SAME MODEL HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I DO HAVE PICTURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574322

116,000 miles · Mar 21, 2014

StructureSuspension

Read full complaint

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I STARTED HEARING A THUMPING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BACK DOOR WASN'T CLOSED ALL THE WAY, SO WHEN I GOT HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE I CHECKED THE DOOR AND IT WAS CLOSED ALL THE WAY. AFTER I SAW THE DOOR WAS CLOSED ALL THE WAY I DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SINCE THAT IS WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I LOOKED INTO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL THAT IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD RUSTED OUT AND I COULD SEE THAT THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY, SO NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE IT SIT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AFTER MY DISCOVERY I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED AND I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER WAS INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL IS ISSUED, SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574043

165,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014

StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SUDDEN BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR WHEEL HOUSING PANEL WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFA…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10573680

89,901 miles · Mar 19, 2014

StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND.WAS GETTING WORSE AND LOOKED AT REAR PASSENGER TIRE SIDE. NOTICED THE ENTIRE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED AND BROKEN LOOSE FROM UNDERCARRIAGE. VERY DANGEROUS IF TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEED. HAVE OWNED OVER 20 CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. WHAT IS GOING ON FORD???? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573604

216,500 miles · Mar 17, 2014

StructureSuspension

Read full complaint

SEVERE RUST OUT OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL, TOP OF SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT RUSTED FREE FROM THE CAR. APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION COULD COME DOWN ONTO THE TIRE OR LOOSE CONTROL OF THE REAR OF CAR WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE MAY HAVE A SIMILAR ISSUE I FIND HUNDREDS OF SAME PROBLEMS. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR WITH SERVICE AND CLEANING ABOVE AND BEYOND NORMAL AND THIS HAS HAPPENED. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURE FLAW AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572830

142,450 miles · Mar 16, 2014

StructureSuspension

Read full complaint

IT STARTED OFF AS LIGHT RATTLING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA. AS THE WEEK PROGRESSED, THE RATTLING GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. AT THAT POINT, MY DAUGHTER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN WE INSPECTED THE AREA WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM, WE NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL WAS THOROUGHLY RUSTED OUT AND WE COULD SEE THROUGH IT, INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. ALSO, THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE DAMAGE IS SO EXTENSIVE THAT WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572712

86,000 miles · Mar 16, 2014

StructureSuspension

Read full complaint

DRIVING TO/FROM WORK, I STARTED NOTICING A SLIGHT CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER A DAY OR SO, IT BECAME A LOUD THUMPING. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THE WHEEL WELL & SHOCK MOUNT WERE DISINTEGRATING AND THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE HOLES SO LARGE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE TRUNK. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, I LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YET FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOR ARE THEY OFFERING ANY KIND OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. THIS IS MY FIRST - AND MOST DEFINITELY LAST - FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572691

93,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014

StructureSuspension

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10568919

94,350 miles · Mar 9, 2014

Structure

Read full complaint

THE ABOVE 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH INSIDE THE RIGHT REAR FENDERWELL. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION DURING A RECENT INSPECTION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT AFFECTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER WHICH COULD FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568014

135,000 miles · Mar 3, 2014

Structure

EXTREME RUSTING OF THE FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL ABOVE SHOCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566876

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)

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

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.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems

Ford Escape transmission problems →Ford Escape electrical problems →