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

Suspension complaints

459 reports

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74,000 miles · Aug 22, 2013

Suspension

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AROUND SHOCK TOWER AND SHOCK PUNCHED THROUGH INTO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE NOTHING ELSE RUSTED ON VEHICLE FORD SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ESCAPES AND SAID BODY SHOP WOULD BE $1300 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536803

140,000 miles · Aug 22, 2013

SteeringStructureSuspension

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THE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU THE TRUNK AREA&WAS PROTRUDING UP ABOUT A FOOT INTO TRUNK AREA-VERY GLAD I WASN'T GOING FAST WHEN THIS HAPPENED!!MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE!!!!!!!!!THIS IS ONE OF FORDS BEST IDEAS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!VERY THIN SHEET METAL WITH A THICKER PIECE WELDED TO IT TO SUPPORT 1 SIDE OF A VEHICLE.YEAH,THAT IS COMMON SENSE AT THE FINEST!!!!! THANKYOU FORD ENGINEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!&DESIGNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THESE SAME COMMON SENSE PEOPLE HOPEFULLY PUT OUT A RECALL SO PEOPLE CAN GET IT FIXED&GET SOME MONEY BACK!! I DID HAVE MINE FIXED RIGHT AWAY_IT'S THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536656

92,000 miles · Aug 13, 2013

Suspension

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I'VE BEEN HEARING SOME LOUD NOISES/BANGS FROM THE BACK END OF MY CAR BUT COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. I FOUND OUT THE ENTIRE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED OUT IN A 1/2 CIRCLE AROUND THE SHOCK. THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE CAR. EVERYTIME IT WENT OVER A BUMP - IT SOUNDS LIKE MY TRUNK IS PICKING UP AND SLAMMING DOWN. I HAVE VERY MINIMAL RUST ON MY CAR AND THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. IF YOU OPEN THE COMPARTMENT WHERE THE JACK IS STORED IN MY TRUNK YOU CAN SEE MY TIRE THROUGH A HOLE. I HAVE SEEN DOZENS AND DOZENS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE SHOCK TO DISCONNECT BUT FORD HAS NOT PUT OUT A RECALL AND IT COSTING $1200-$1800 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535041

48,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013

StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SHOCK HAD PENETRATED THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FA…

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NHTSA ODI #10532668

112,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013

StructureSuspension

THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED OUT, AND NOW BANGS AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532647

165,995 miles · Jul 25, 2013

StructureSuspensionWheels

THE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK BROKE LOOSE AND WAS BANGING AROUND. BASICALLY THE WHOLE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AND WILL NOT HOLD THE SHOCK ANY MORE. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I FOUND MANY WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE, AND EVEN A FACEB…

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NHTSA ODI #10531845

205,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013

StructureSuspension

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING THAT ALSO IS THE TOP RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED LOOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531773

93,800 miles · Jul 14, 2013

StructureSuspension

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK, I HEARD A CLANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THINKING THE SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I DROVE IT UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT SERVICED. WHILE THE TECHNICIAN WAS CHECKING OUT MY CAR HE NOTICED THE INNER WHEEL HOUSE AND SHOCK WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE SHOCK WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND CRACKED. HE RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP TO SEE IF IT COULD EVEN BE FIXED. I THEN TOOK IT TO A VERY REPUTABLE BODY SHOP IN MY TOWN AND THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THEY WORK ON ALL MAKE AND MODELS OF DIFFERENT YEARS AND SAID THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR TO A VEHICLE. THEY SAID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IS MADE TO SUSTAIN ANY TYPE OF CONDITION AND THIS VEHICLE WAS POORLY MADE. THERE IS BARELY ANYTHING HOLDING THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE TOGETHER AND FOR THIS REASON I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IF I AM IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT THERE WILL BE NO PROTECTION TO ME AND THE VEHICLE WILL PROBABLY BE SPLIT IN TWO. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE DEFECT WHO KNOWS HOW LONG MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND IT MAKES ME SICK TO THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE HAD MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN MY BACKSEAT. THE ESTIMATE FROM THE BODY SHOP WAS OVER $13,000 TO FIX. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2005 AND IT HAS BEEN A GREAT, RELIABLE CAR UNTIL ALL THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR HAD ANY OTHER MAJOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524781

112,100 miles · Jul 10, 2013

StructureSuspension

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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, HIT A BUMP AND HEARD LOUD SOUND ON RIGHT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE. AFTER I STOPPED TO INSPECT, FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR STRUT HAD NO SUPPORT AS THE RIGHT REAR INNER PANEL WAS CORRODED ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITH VERY THIN METAL AROUND THE ENTIRE AREA. LUCKILY THE STRUT DID NOT COME UP THROUGH INTERIOR. SEEMS VERY UNSAFE AND LIKELY TO CAUSE ACCIDENT IF DRIVEN. THIS APPEARS TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS THE CORROSION PROTECTION WAS NOT APPLIED CORRECTLY. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY JUST INDICATED THAT THERE WE NO RECALLS YET ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THE 2004-2005 FORD ESCAPES ON THE RIGHT REAR. I TOOK TO BODY SHOP AND HAVE ESTIMATES FROM $1,400 TO $1,700 TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE OBVIOUS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524228

110,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013

Suspension

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WHILE DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE, THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK PUNCHED THROUGH THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL BECOMING UNATTACHED. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION THE FENDER WELL AND PART OF THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE SHOCK. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALER AND FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD THEY KNOW OF NO PROBLEM AND THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, I'VE FOUND A NUMBER OF FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL RUST PROBLEMS. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT MUST BE FORD MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN RUST PROOFING THEIR MATERIALS AND THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523957

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.

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