NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
94 reportsClear category filter169,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MASS AIR INDEX WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ABS, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND PARKING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10896519
30,000 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Service Brakes
WHILE MOVING LOSE BRAKES, BRAKES GO TO FLOOR. CHANGED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT IS STILL DOING IT.
NHTSA ODI #10885800
21,300 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Service BrakesTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,300. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10849594
136,200 miles · Feb 9, 2016
Service Brakes
ON JANUARY 18, 2016 I PAID $2,829.78 FOR BRAKE REPAIRS ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE (V6 / 2-WHEEL DRIVE, WITH 136,221 MILES ON THE ODOMETER). THE BRAKE REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN BOTH THE ABS BRAKING MODULE AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED INVOICE FROM CORNERSTONE FORD), WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PED…
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ON JANUARY 18, 2016 I PAID $2,829.78 FOR BRAKE REPAIRS ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE (V6 / 2-WHEEL DRIVE, WITH 136,221 MILES ON THE ODOMETER). THE BRAKE REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN BOTH THE ABS BRAKING MODULE AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED INVOICE FROM CORNERSTONE FORD), WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SINK TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN 2 MAJOR BRAKE SYSTEM PARTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME (I WAS TOLD BY CORNERSTONE FORD THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IN THE ESCAPES, AND REPLACING ONLY THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THERE WAS FLUID BLOW-BY PAST THE SEALS IN BOTH PARTS). WITHOUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FIX THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IN BIG LAKE, MINNESOTA WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS (WHERE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE BRAKE FAILURE). IF I HAD NOT HAD THE BRAKES FIXED WHEN I DID, BOTH MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED IN A CHAIN REACTION COLLISION I HAD ON THE INTERSTATE THE NEXT MORNING, AFTER I HAD PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM REPAIRS. ABOUT 6:20 AM ON JANUARY 19, 2016 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-94 WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY HIT MY BRAKES AS OTHERS IN FRONT OF ME ALSO DID. THE PERSON BEHIND ME STOPPED IN TIME, BUT THE PERSON BEHIND HIM DID NOT AND IN TURN HIT HIM AND PUSHED HIM INTO THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE, BUT FORTUNATELY I DID NOT (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED TRAFFIC REPORT). IF THE BRAKES ON OUR ESCAPE HAD FAILED AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT (WHICH IS VERY POSSIBLE, HAD THE REPAIRS NOT BEEN MADE) I COULD HAVE EASILY PLOWED INTO THE VEHICLE(S) AHEAD OF ME AND PUT MORE LIVES AT RISK. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FLAW IN THE 2009 ESCAPE & SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO SAVE LIVES.
NHTSA ODI #10825187
70,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Equipment Adaptive/mobilityService Brakes
WHEN DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THESE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC, THEY TELL ME IT IS THE ABS MODULE. THE TEST COST $100. TO REPLACE THE MODULE WILL COST $1395. SHOULD THIS NOT BE A WARRANTED ITEM FOR SAFETY? THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WILL…
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WHEN DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THESE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC, THEY TELL ME IT IS THE ABS MODULE. THE TEST COST $100. TO REPLACE THE MODULE WILL COST $1395. SHOULD THIS NOT BE A WARRANTED ITEM FOR SAFETY? THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THE MODULE IS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10745751
70,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
EngineService Brakes
BRAKE AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AT LEAST 3 TIMES WHEN 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT WANTED TO ACCELERATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689490
81,400 miles · Nov 8, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
ENTERING A PARKING SPACE IN A GROCERY STORE LOT. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES IT SEEMED I GOT A SIMUTANEUS ENGINE ACCELERATION AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD HITTING THE FACING CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653621
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2014
Service BrakesSteering
EXCESSIVE WEAR ON FRONT BRAKES, REPLACED AT 18,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 25,000 MILES PLUS NEW CALIPERS. VEHICLE'S CURRENT MILEAGE IS 27,000...STEERS BETTER NOW... DIFFICULTLY INSERTING KEY IN IGNITION UNLESS STEERING IS IN THE LOCK POSITION.. CURRENT PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618524
69,500 miles · Mar 23, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP, DESPITE MY FRANTIC EFFORTS TO BRAKE THE CAR; I SWERVED TO MY RIGHT, WENT THROUGH 6 INCHES OF SNOW ON GRASS CURB AND THEN WENT UP A 5 FT. ICE BANK, WHERE MY WHEELS JAMMED IN THE ICE AND I STOPPE…
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WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP, DESPITE MY FRANTIC EFFORTS TO BRAKE THE CAR; I SWERVED TO MY RIGHT, WENT THROUGH 6 INCHES OF SNOW ON GRASS CURB AND THEN WENT UP A 5 FT. ICE BANK, WHERE MY WHEELS JAMMED IN THE ICE AND I STOPPED, SITTING AT NEARLY A 45 DEGREE ANGLE, 5 FT. ABOVE THE ROAD. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS MANGLED IN THE ICE BANK AND MY PASSENGER-SIDE MIRROR WAS BROKEN OFF BY A STOP SIGN. IF NOT FOR THE SNOW BANK, I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED INTO THE VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, WHERE I AND OTHER DRIVERS WOULD HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT DESPITE HITTING THE BRAKE, THE CAR WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM, DID NOT STOP, IT KEPT GOING UNTIL HITTING THE SNOW-ICE BANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574299
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2013
Service BrakesSteering
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE TURNPIKE WHEN ALL AT ONCE MY CAR JERKED THEN LOST POWER, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR SO I COASTED ON THE MEDIAN TILL THE CAR ALLOWED ME TO TURN ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. MY HUSBAND CAME AND CHECKED THE TRUCK, IT STARTED AND SEEMED TO BE OKAY. THE ENTIRE MONTH OF NOVEMBER THE TRUCK STARTS HOWEVER THE STEERING W…
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I WAS TRAVELING ON THE TURNPIKE WHEN ALL AT ONCE MY CAR JERKED THEN LOST POWER, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR SO I COASTED ON THE MEDIAN TILL THE CAR ALLOWED ME TO TURN ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. MY HUSBAND CAME AND CHECKED THE TRUCK, IT STARTED AND SEEMED TO BE OKAY. THE ENTIRE MONTH OF NOVEMBER THE TRUCK STARTS HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. I HAVE TO CUT THE CAR OFF AND ON AT LEAST 6 TIMES WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL BEFORE IT UNLOCKS AND ALLOWS ME TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND I WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE COST. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS FAIR BECAUSE I RESEARCHED THIS MATTER AND FOUND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MATTER. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THERE COULD BE A CATASTROPHE. I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO FIX THIS MATTER. THANKS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555132
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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