NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
464 reports138,000 miles · Jul 28, 2020
Service Brakes
PARKING / EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. CABLE ROUTED FROM HAND LEVER TO REAR BRAKES GOES THROUGH A BRACKET MOUNTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY. BRACKET SEPARATED FROM UNDER-BODY OF VEHICLE RENDERING HAND BRAKE INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A SLOPE WITH REGULAR BRAKES APPLIED. PARKING BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED TO KEEP THE WEIG…
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PARKING / EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. CABLE ROUTED FROM HAND LEVER TO REAR BRAKES GOES THROUGH A BRACKET MOUNTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY. BRACKET SEPARATED FROM UNDER-BODY OF VEHICLE RENDERING HAND BRAKE INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A SLOPE WITH REGULAR BRAKES APPLIED. PARKING BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED TO KEEP THE WEIGHT OF VEHICLE ON AN INCLINE OFF OFF TRANSMISSION PARK LOCK.
NHTSA ODI #11341750
95,000 miles · Jul 10, 2020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WAS FIRM. THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON DUPRATT FORD LOCATED AT 1320 NORTH FIRST ST, DIXON, CA 95620, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WAS FIRM. THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON DUPRATT FORD LOCATED AT 1320 NORTH FIRST ST, DIXON, CA 95620, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #11338663
100,234 miles · Jul 9, 2020
Service Brakes
OCCASIONALLY WHEN APPLYING SMOOTH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECOMES VERY FIRM AND LOOSES BRAKING POWER. IF THE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND REAPPLIED THEN THE BRAKES WORK AGAIN (FOR NOW). THIS SOMETIMES CAUSES THE "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT TO APPEAR. THIS LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT REMAIN ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR A WHI…
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OCCASIONALLY WHEN APPLYING SMOOTH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECOMES VERY FIRM AND LOOSES BRAKING POWER. IF THE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND REAPPLIED THEN THE BRAKES WORK AGAIN (FOR NOW). THIS SOMETIMES CAUSES THE "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT TO APPEAR. THIS LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT REMAIN ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR A WHILE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHERS, AND SHOULD BE HANDLED BY FORD AS A RECALL AS A PROPERLY WORKING BRAKING SYSTEM IS VITAL TO THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE ON THE ROAD. DATE INDICATED IS OF THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE (ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP).
NHTSA ODI #11338494
43,000 miles · Apr 27, 2020
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF AND THEN IT WILL STAY ON AND A LOUD INDICATION NOISE WILL TURN ON AND OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11322386
131,000 miles · Apr 16, 2020
Electrical System
MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE EXTERNAL HYBRID INVERTER COOLING PUMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5+ TIMES,USUALLY DURING 70 DEGREE (F) + TEMPS. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP & FORD MOTOR CORP RAN THE VIN,WITH NO RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. …
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MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE EXTERNAL HYBRID INVERTER COOLING PUMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5+ TIMES,USUALLY DURING 70 DEGREE (F) + TEMPS. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP & FORD MOTOR CORP RAN THE VIN,WITH NO RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321296
139,000 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE DUE TO NEEDING TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE CONCRETE BARRIER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE DUE TO NEEDING TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE CONCRETE BARRIER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO COUNTER STEER THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE STOPPED JUST BEFORE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL THAT RELATED TO THEIR FAILURE WAS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 139,000. *LN *JB*JB
NHTSA ODI #11315542
245,000 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Service Brakes
SUDDEN REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ONE HAS TO PUSH COMPLETELY DOWN ON BRAKES TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. WAIT FOR 5-10 MINUTES, SYSTEM RESETS AND YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE UNTIL AT SOME DAY AND TIME THE SAME CONDITIONS REOCCUR. RESEARCH ON ISSUE INDICATES THE HCU MAYBE FAILING BUT PRICE TO R…
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SUDDEN REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ONE HAS TO PUSH COMPLETELY DOWN ON BRAKES TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. WAIT FOR 5-10 MINUTES, SYSTEM RESETS AND YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE UNTIL AT SOME DAY AND TIME THE SAME CONDITIONS REOCCUR. RESEARCH ON ISSUE INDICATES THE HCU MAYBE FAILING BUT PRICE TO REPLACE EXCEEDS THE WORTH OF THE VEHICLE. USE OF VEHICLE IS NOW LIMITED DUE TO UNPREDICTABLE ABILITY TO STOP CAR WHILE IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11311031
130,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Power Train
HAD A WINTER SPELL THAT BROUGHT ABOUT 6 INCHES OF SNOW. WHEN I LEFT FOR WORK I GOT STUCK AT A STOP SIGN AND FOUND MYSELF UNABLE TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. I THEREFORE EMPLOYED STANDARD WINTER DRIVING TACTICS SLOWLY CHANGING BACK AND FORTH FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN A ROCKING MOTION TO GET THE VEHICLE UNSTUCK. AFTER FREEING THE VE…
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HAD A WINTER SPELL THAT BROUGHT ABOUT 6 INCHES OF SNOW. WHEN I LEFT FOR WORK I GOT STUCK AT A STOP SIGN AND FOUND MYSELF UNABLE TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. I THEREFORE EMPLOYED STANDARD WINTER DRIVING TACTICS SLOWLY CHANGING BACK AND FORTH FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN A ROCKING MOTION TO GET THE VEHICLE UNSTUCK. AFTER FREEING THE VEHICLE I THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TOWARDS MY WORK BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STAY IN GEAR. NOW THE VEHICLE WON'T GO INTO A MOVING GEAR EXCEPT FOR EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AND ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT SLIPS BACK OUT OF GEAR AND WON'T MOVE. CAN ALSO HEAR A LOUD GRINDING / CLACKING NOISE COMING FROM UP FRONT AROUND THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #11302405
169,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
NHTSA ODI #11302227
101,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Service Brakes
PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IN OCT. OF 2018. TODAY (NOV 2019) THE BRAKE SYSTEM DECIDED TO GO OUT (A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FEH) WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON A CURVY ROAD WHILE MY TWO KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. WE TRIED SLOWING DOWN BEFORE ENTERING THE CURVE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. LUCKILY WE ARE FINE BUT THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE B…
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PURCHASED A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IN OCT. OF 2018. TODAY (NOV 2019) THE BRAKE SYSTEM DECIDED TO GO OUT (A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FEH) WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON A CURVY ROAD WHILE MY TWO KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. WE TRIED SLOWING DOWN BEFORE ENTERING THE CURVE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. LUCKILY WE ARE FINE BUT THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT. I'VE ONLY PUT 10K MILES ON THE CAR AND NOW FORD OF OCALA IS SAYING EVEN THOUGH IT'S A KNOW ISSUE THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE SPOKE WITH DONNA WHO WAS UNDERSTANDING BUT STILL GAVE US NO SOLUTION. SHE FORWARDED THE ISSUE TO THE SALES MANAGER AND WE ARE WAITING ON HIS CALL.THEY BASICALLY STOLE 7 GRAND FROM OUR FAMILY. WE'LL BE PURSUING THIS LEGALLY UNTIL THE ISSUE GETS RESOLVED.
NHTSA ODI #11280388
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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