NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
254 reportsClear category filter49,200 miles · Mar 7, 2013
EnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 ON AN INTERSTATE IN MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC, MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT 3.0L SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I CAREFULLY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER AS SPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR. WHILE PARKED ON THE SHOULDER I NOTICED THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WAS LIT. I S…
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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 ON AN INTERSTATE IN MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC, MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT 3.0L SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I CAREFULLY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER AS SPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR. WHILE PARKED ON THE SHOULDER I NOTICED THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WAS LIT. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I RESTARTED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IT HAS BEEN RUNNING ROUGH AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501987
21,200 miles · Mar 5, 2013
Engine
VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED I-10EAST WENT INTO EMERGENCY LANE, VEHICLE WAS STILL TRYING TO RUN THE ENGINE WAS CHOKING BUT NO ACCELERATION. I STOPPED PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST TIME. I DON'T WANT TO BE A STATISTIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501389
40,300 miles · Mar 2, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM SUPPER AT A RESTAURANT. WE WERE ON A BUSY CITY STREET DOING ABOUT 30 MPH,WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO AROUND 1 TO 2 MPH. WE MANAGED TO EASE THE CAR HOME(AROUND 2BLOCKS) AMID HORNS BLOWING AND LIGHTS FLASHING FROM OTHER DRIVERS.THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND SHOWED A PICTUR…
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MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM SUPPER AT A RESTAURANT. WE WERE ON A BUSY CITY STREET DOING ABOUT 30 MPH,WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO AROUND 1 TO 2 MPH. WE MANAGED TO EASE THE CAR HOME(AROUND 2BLOCKS) AMID HORNS BLOWING AND LIGHTS FLASHING FROM OTHER DRIVERS.THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND SHOWED A PICTURE OF A WRENCH. WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THE LADY AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY,SHE SEEMED TO KNOW RIGHT AWAY THAT IT WOULD BE A WRENCH SHOWING ,WHICH MADE ME ASSUME THAT THEY HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.....BILL FOR REPAIRS WAS $545.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501031
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
I RECENTLY READ IN A NEWSPAPER ABOUT AN ENGINE PROBE FOR FORD VEHICLES AND WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH STALLING AND/OR SURGING ENGINE IN MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. I BELIEVE MY CAR HAD EXPERIENCED THIS "LIMP HOME MODE" ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC…
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I RECENTLY READ IN A NEWSPAPER ABOUT AN ENGINE PROBE FOR FORD VEHICLES AND WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH STALLING AND/OR SURGING ENGINE IN MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. I BELIEVE MY CAR HAD EXPERIENCED THIS "LIMP HOME MODE" ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT AS THOUGH I COULD NOT ACCELERATE THE CAR AT ALL. THE REST OF MY TRIP HOME (APPROX. 25 MILES) THE CAR WOULDN'T LET ME SURPASS ABOUT 20MPH. I WAS VERY SCARED BUT WANTED TO AT LEAST GET THE CAR CLOSER TO MY HOME. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS DONE FOR. YET, AFTER LETTING THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT HOME, I STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT DROVE FINE. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE OF YET ANOTHER PERSON WHO COULD CONTRIBUTE TO EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTIONING CIRCUIT BOARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500965
46,700 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. WHEN PRESSING ON GAS IT JUST COASTED. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT ALMOST GOT HIT FROM BEHIND. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED AND WAS BACK ON THE ROAD. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THERE HAS BEEN SOME SURGING. I SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINT…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. WHEN PRESSING ON GAS IT JUST COASTED. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT ALMOST GOT HIT FROM BEHIND. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED AND WAS BACK ON THE ROAD. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THERE HAS BEEN SOME SURGING. I SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING SOME PRESS THAT THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PART (THROTTLE BODY). I CONTACTED FORD SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD LOOK AT IT, BUT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER,THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT INDICATE A POWER TRAIN ISSUE, I WAS TOLD IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE AND IT TRULY LOOKS LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IN TRAFFIC. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500677
2,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Engine
SUDDEN SURGE AND SLOW DECLINE IN SPEED. PULLED OVER TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND IT WAS OK. 4 MONTHS LATER SAME THING. I HAVE HAD IT IN 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR. LAST TIME DEC.2011 THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO NOT FLUCTUATE IN SPEED SINCE MOST OCCURRENCES HAPPENED ON EXPRESSWAY. THE PROBLEM ST…
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SUDDEN SURGE AND SLOW DECLINE IN SPEED. PULLED OVER TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND IT WAS OK. 4 MONTHS LATER SAME THING. I HAVE HAD IT IN 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR. LAST TIME DEC.2011 THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO NOT FLUCTUATE IN SPEED SINCE MOST OCCURRENCES HAPPENED ON EXPRESSWAY. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND IT IS SCARY BUT PULLING OVER AND TURNING OFF CAR THEN RESTARTING PUTS IT BACK TO NORMAL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO ANY MORE USELESS REPAIRS NOR ANOTHER CAR. THERE IS NO SPEED OR WEATHER CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500646
5,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
STALLING WHEN GOING ON GAS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR OR UP A STEEP HILL. AFTER RELEASING GAS PEDAL QUICKLY, CAR WANTS TO STILL ACCELERATES FOR A GOOD THREE TO FOUR SECONDS. ALSO ENGINE STALLS OUT AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN, LIKE INTO A PARKING SPACE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE FIRST TWO ARE NORMAL AND THE THIRD ITEM TH…
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STALLING WHEN GOING ON GAS TO PASS ANOTHER CAR OR UP A STEEP HILL. AFTER RELEASING GAS PEDAL QUICKLY, CAR WANTS TO STILL ACCELERATES FOR A GOOD THREE TO FOUR SECONDS. ALSO ENGINE STALLS OUT AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN, LIKE INTO A PARKING SPACE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE FIRST TWO ARE NORMAL AND THE THIRD ITEM THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500054
33,400 miles · Feb 25, 2013
EnginePower Train
OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE IS STALLING AND SURGING. THE ESCAPE SUDDENLY DECELERATES LIKE IT IS STALLING OUT, ON OTHER OCCASIONS IT ACCELERATES AND REVS THE ENGINE REALLY HIGH THEN DROPS BACK DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499969
40,000 miles · Feb 14, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE DIED AND THE CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RE-START THE CAR. ONCE BACK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE LATER. I STARTED THE CAR A SECOND TIME AND THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN DIED. BY THIS TIME, TRAF…
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WHILE DRIVING IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE DIED AND THE CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RE-START THE CAR. ONCE BACK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE LATER. I STARTED THE CAR A SECOND TIME AND THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN DIED. BY THIS TIME, TRAFFIC WAS BEGINNING TO BACK UP BEHIND ME AND I WAS ENTERING AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO ESCAPE TO IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED FOR A TOW. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED, THEY HAD RECENTLY REPLACE A COUPLE OF OTHERS. COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $400. FORD SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I RETAINED THE FAILED PART AND HAVE IT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498145
48,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
EnginePower Train
STOP AND SPEED UP AND NOT WANT TO MOVE HAD TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492249
NHTSA investigations
3DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding 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.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that
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.
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