NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
80 reportsClear category filter92,000 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Power Train
WE PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE FOR OUR DAUGHTER THAT IS IN COLLEGE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD AROUND 92,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE PURCHASED. UPON BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER AND CUT OFF. SHE IS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK, RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE ON. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON BEHIND WHEN THIS OCCURS. SHE LIVES IN AN EXT…
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WE PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE FOR OUR DAUGHTER THAT IS IN COLLEGE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD AROUND 92,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE PURCHASED. UPON BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER AND CUT OFF. SHE IS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK, RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE ON. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON BEHIND WHEN THIS OCCURS. SHE LIVES IN AN EXTREMELY BUSY AREA AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR HER. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. OUR MECHANIC IS TELLING US THAT HE IS ALMOST POSITIVE IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. (OF COURSE, WE HAVE LEFT IT WITH HIM FOR OVER A WEEK AND HE HAS DRIVEN IT EVERYWHERE AND IT WILL NOT MESS UP) AFTER HEARING THIS, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON IT. WHY IS FORD NOT DOING A RECALL ON THIS? THIS SEEMS SO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING INJURED OR WORSE BEFORE THEY TAKE ANY ACTION? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10661903
72,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT AND THE EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE TRANS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT AND THE EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10654948
135,565 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Power Train
THE VEHICLE SLIPPED IN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION BUT WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND TRANS DOESN'T ENGAGE CORRECTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10643447
77,282 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, DOING 25 MPH, WHEN IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TOWED TO AAMCO IN RENTON WASHINGTON WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $4270.50. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. ON 2-10-2014. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $468.11. I…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, DOING 25 MPH, WHEN IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD IT TOWED TO AAMCO IN RENTON WASHINGTON WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $4270.50. IT WAS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. ON 2-10-2014. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $468.11. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND MOST HAD WELL OVER 100K MILES ON THEM AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL, MUCH LESS TWO TRANSMISSIONS FAIL. THIS SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641296
77,285 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Power Train
DRIVING IN ROUTINE TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR APPEARED TO SHIFT TO OVERDRIVE THEN LOST ALL FORWARD DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES, THE TRANSMISSION TRIED TO ENGAGE, AND THEN LOST ALL DRIVE AGAIN ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE VEHICLE GAVE NO EARLY INDICATION OF FAILURE. WE CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THEY HAD NO RE…
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DRIVING IN ROUTINE TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR APPEARED TO SHIFT TO OVERDRIVE THEN LOST ALL FORWARD DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES, THE TRANSMISSION TRIED TO ENGAGE, AND THEN LOST ALL DRIVE AGAIN ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE VEHICLE GAVE NO EARLY INDICATION OF FAILURE. WE CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THEY HAD NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. COMMENTS BY THE DRIVER OF THE TOWING SERVICE SUGGESTED OTHER ESCAPES IN THE AREA HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. FURTHER RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS BECOME INFAMOUS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638156
126,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA ODI #10628022
166,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Power Train
PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR AND RPM CAME UP BUT SPEED DIDN'T...WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSIONS.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615200
122,500 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,500. UPDATED 11/24/14*LJ UPDATED 5/7/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10615119
100,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN OVERDRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM OVERDRIVE AND PROCEED IN DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WA ENGAGED IN DRIVE OR OVERDRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN OVERDRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM OVERDRIVE AND PROCEED IN DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WA ENGAGED IN DRIVE OR OVERDRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REQUIRE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568562
120,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
COMPLAINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER/ GAS PEDAL STICKS INTERMITTENTLY ALTHOUGH FREQUENCY OF CONDITION INCREASES AS TEMPERATURES DECREASE < 25F. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSES ISSUE AS A FAILED AIR BYPASS VALVE (PART NUMBER: 3S6Z-9F715-AA), REPLACED VALVE. CONDITION NOT CLEARED. ENGINE PEDAL STICKS, ENGINE RPM…
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COMPLAINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE CAR IN VERY COLD WEATHER/ GAS PEDAL STICKS INTERMITTENTLY ALTHOUGH FREQUENCY OF CONDITION INCREASES AS TEMPERATURES DECREASE < 25F. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSES ISSUE AS A FAILED AIR BYPASS VALVE (PART NUMBER: 3S6Z-9F715-AA), REPLACED VALVE. CONDITION NOT CLEARED. ENGINE PEDAL STICKS, ENGINE RPM INCREASES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY REASON THAT DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL (JOCKEYING CLUTCH PEDAL TO LIMIT ENGINE RPM). THROTTLE BODY WAS REMOVED, CLEANED AND REINSTALLED. CONDITION NOT CLEARED. SUSPECT FAILED THROTTLE BODY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561721
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
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.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
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
1DP12006 · 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.