NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
80 reportsClear category filter35,860 miles · Nov 21, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingInterior LightingPower Train
SINCE BUYING SUV TROUBLE WITH REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER, CRUISE CONTROL STAYING ENGAGED, & TURN OVER COLD/HOT START HESITATION CURRENTLY VOLUNTARY RECALLS. FORD SAYS MY SUV WAS ONLY AFFECTED BY THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. AT 22,000 MILES WENT TO ORIGINAL DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE PUT WINDSHIELD FLUID ? WASN'T IN PORT OR RESERVOIR. BUCKING A…
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SINCE BUYING SUV TROUBLE WITH REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER, CRUISE CONTROL STAYING ENGAGED, & TURN OVER COLD/HOT START HESITATION CURRENTLY VOLUNTARY RECALLS. FORD SAYS MY SUV WAS ONLY AFFECTED BY THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. AT 22,000 MILES WENT TO ORIGINAL DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE PUT WINDSHIELD FLUID ? WASN'T IN PORT OR RESERVOIR. BUCKING AT 28,000 MILES BROUGHT TO OTHER DEALERSHIP DURING OIL CHANGE. DURING VISIT TOLD THEM ABOUT INTERIOR LIGHTS. SUPPOSE TO CHECK AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILTER/FLUID/SERVICE BASED ON MANUAL, BUT WASN'T DONE. AT OTHER FORD DEALERSHIP HAD SUV 35,830 BUCKING PROBLEM AGAIN AND INTERIOR LIGHTING ON PANELS NOT WORKING. WAS TOLD THOSE LIGHTS NEVER WORKED OR GLOWED? SAID BUCKING WAS A SUSPENSION PIN IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE, ONLY ONE WAS CHANGED DESPITE 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. ( WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY 4 BUCKING ) FORD MENTIONED NEEDING NEW BREAKS SOON THAT THERE WAS VIBRATION AND SHIMMY FROM THE BREAK PADS THAT I WAS FEELING? HAD TIRES DONE 38,177 MILES & BRAKES 38,550 WITH INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NON FORD WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 SUSPENSION PINS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED SIMULTANEOUSLY LIKE MY TIRES AND THAT THEIR IS A CLASS 1 LEAK FROM MY DIFFERENTIAL/TRANSMISSION-POSSIBLY JUST A GASKET CHANGE 6-9 HOURS WORTH OF LABOR. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPAIR CENTER I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET DESPITE HAVING MADE NOTE BRINGING IN ISSUES WHEN VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY IT IS CURRENTLY OUT. WITH THE SENSITIVITIES TO THE CURRENT MARKET FELT IT WASN'T IN MY BEST INTEREST TO PAY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IF FORD CLOSED WHO WOULD DO MY WORK WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO DO IT DURING REGULAR BUMPER TO BUMPER FULL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY IN THE FIRST PLACE AND DIDN'T. NOT TO MENTION I STILL OWE 2 MORE YEARS WORTH OF CAR NOTE & INSURANCE TO PAY OFF THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249487
120,220 miles · Oct 28, 2008
Power Train
FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS THE GEAR SHIFT ON MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY, CHECKED THE GROUNDS, NOW IS BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND NOT A ONE TIME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10246905
120,105 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Power Train
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO WEEKS COULD NOT MOVE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. DEALER REPLACED SHIFTER ASSEMBLY THE WEEK BEFORE. THIS TIME DEALER TIGHTENED ALL THE GROUND CONNECTIONS. THIS SUV IS LEASED THROUGH A COMMERCIAL LEASE AND HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FROM THE DAY I LEASED IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246623
119,612 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Power Train
SUV WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. COULD NOT GET GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE TO REVERSE, DRIVE , OR NEUTRAL. DEALER REPLACED SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FOR $335.90. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246622
95,703 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Power Train
SUV STALLED COULD ONLY GET SUV TO RUN FROM NEUTRAL. IF MOVED GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE CAR WOULD STALL. DEALER REPLACED VALVE ASSEMBLY-THROTTLE AIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246616
82,000 miles · Aug 28, 2008
EquipmentPower Train
AIR CONDITIONING WENT AS WELL AS REPLACEMENT OF BALL BEARING AND PULLEY BECAUSE THEY SEIZED AND JUST YESTERDAY AUGUST 27,2008 THE BATTERY WENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240077
65,000 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Power TrainSuspension
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT & HEARD A LOUD CLUNK LIKE SOMETHING FELL FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR, LIKE MY CAR LITERALLY WAS FALLING APART. I GOT OUT TO CHECK AND MY TIRES WERE OKAY, AND NOTHING WAS HANGING OR LEAKING FROM THE CAR. SO I DROVE TO MY OFFICE WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE AWAY. I WENT T…
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I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT & HEARD A LOUD CLUNK LIKE SOMETHING FELL FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR, LIKE MY CAR LITERALLY WAS FALLING APART. I GOT OUT TO CHECK AND MY TIRES WERE OKAY, AND NOTHING WAS HANGING OR LEAKING FROM THE CAR. SO I DROVE TO MY OFFICE WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE AWAY. I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY OFFICE COMPLEX AND I HEARD THE CLUNKING AGAIN. I PARKED AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY OFFICE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE & SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE MY TRANSMISSION WAS STICKING FOR SOME REASON. HE CALLED A TRANSMISSION GUY HE KNOWS NOT FAR FROM THERE & I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT THERE. HE DROVE IT & SAID IT WAS CLUNKING BAD & IT SOUNDED LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE KEPT IT OVER THE WEEKEND TO LOOK EVERYTHING OVER. ON MONDAY AFTERNOON HE CONTACTED ME & SAID THAT THE CLUNKING WAS THE WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY AND ONCE THEY FIX THAT, THAT COULD STILL JUST BE THE FIRST PART OF THE PROBLEM. HE WAS RIGHT. AFTER TEST DRIVING IT AGAIN HE HEARD ANOTHER NOISE THAT I CAN'T DESCRIBE IN WORDS. HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE & SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROLLING THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHICH IS ALL RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. AT FIRST I WAS GOING TO LET HIM ORDER THE GENERIC PARTS, BUT AFTER I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WARRANTIES FOR 2006 FORD ESCAPES I CALLED HIM BACK AND SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT WHAT I FOUND ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION MODULES UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY BEING COVERED UP TO 80,000 MILES. HE SAID EMISSIONS HAS TO DO WITH POLLUTION. SO I JUST SAID ORDER THE FORD PARTS INSTEAD IN THE EVENT THAT I HAVE TO REVISIT THIS SITUATION. ALTHOUGH I WOULD'VE SAVED ABOUT $100 NOW I'M NOT WILLING TO TAKE THAT CHANCE IF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS & FORD SAY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FORD GENUINE PARTS. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP BECAUSE THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND THEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236499
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE HAD TO BRING MY NEW CAR 2006 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER (5XS) WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR AN ONGOING SQUEALING PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. ANY FIXES ARE TEMPORARY AND THE SQUEAL CONTINUES ON A NEW CAR THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.. MY CONCERN IS THAT IS A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM LIKE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE…
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I HAVE HAD TO BRING MY NEW CAR 2006 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER (5XS) WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR AN ONGOING SQUEALING PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. ANY FIXES ARE TEMPORARY AND THE SQUEAL CONTINUES ON A NEW CAR THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.. MY CONCERN IS THAT IS A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM LIKE THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY JUST ARE NOT FIXING IT, I HAVE A FULL WARRANTY AND NOW I NOTICE WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK I STILL MOVE AND I HIT THE BRAKE BUT I AM IN PARK? MY CAR IS GOING BACK IN AGAIN THIS WED THE LAST TIME WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THEY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS... THIS IS THE LAST TIME FOR ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228161
59,550 miles · Jan 31, 2008
Power Train
AFTER TRAVELING FOR 3 HOURS ON HIGHWAY THE VERY FIRST STOP I CAME TO, MY CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED IT AND IT STALLED UPON PUTTING IT BACK INTO DRIVE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). IT STALLS NOW UPON ANY STOP FROM DRIVING AND WHEN IN DRIVE AND UPON MOVING INTO A REVERSE FROM A PARKED POSITION. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THIS …
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AFTER TRAVELING FOR 3 HOURS ON HIGHWAY THE VERY FIRST STOP I CAME TO, MY CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED IT AND IT STALLED UPON PUTTING IT BACK INTO DRIVE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). IT STALLS NOW UPON ANY STOP FROM DRIVING AND WHEN IN DRIVE AND UPON MOVING INTO A REVERSE FROM A PARKED POSITION. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THIS CAR WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER REMAINING IN LOCKED POSITION AFTER CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FORD ASKED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED. I DID AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. AFTER 3 HOURS OF INSPECTION HE SAID THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE GOT INVOLVED AND TRIED TO FORCE ME TO DO MY COMPLETELY UNRELATED MAINTENANCE WITH THEM IN EXCHANGE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY KNOW FAILED, SAYING THEY NEEDED SOME "LOYALTY" FROM ME. THEY THEN SENT ME OUT IN WHAT THEY SAID WAS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THEY THEN CALLED ME BACK AND TRIED TO TELL ME THEY WANTED ME TO PICK UP APPROX. $682 OF THE $1815. THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND ARE HOLDING ME HOSTAGE TO REPLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216597
10,000 miles · Mar 2, 2007
Power Train
MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE SPORADICALLY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM "PARK". JEFF JENKINS, SERVICE REP, TOLD ME THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED UNLESS IT WAS INOPERATIVE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184031
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.
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