NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
42 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Apr 27, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSeat Belts
ESCAPE HAS SEVERAL ISSUES, FORD DEALER WOULD REVIEW AND REPORT NO ISSUES FOUND. I BOUGHT MY ESCAPE NEW IN JULY 2012. 1.FRONT SEAT BELTS - WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR (JAN-FEB 2013 - MILEAGE 5,000ISH) THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T RETRACT 90% OF THE TIME, CAUSING THEM TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND/OR KEEP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. 2.TR…
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ESCAPE HAS SEVERAL ISSUES, FORD DEALER WOULD REVIEW AND REPORT NO ISSUES FOUND. I BOUGHT MY ESCAPE NEW IN JULY 2012. 1.FRONT SEAT BELTS - WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR (JAN-FEB 2013 - MILEAGE 5,000ISH) THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T RETRACT 90% OF THE TIME, CAUSING THEM TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND/OR KEEP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. 2.TRANSMISSION ISSUES (NOV 2015 - MILEAGE 50,000ISH ) IT SHIFTS BADLY, SOMETIMES ACTS AS IF ITS IN-BETWEEN GEARS WHEN YOUR BREAKING OR ACCELERATING. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE PEDDLE AND REAPPLY, IT'LL REENGAGE BUT AT TIMES WILL LURCH AGAIN. 3. ELECTRICAL ISSUES - JAN 2016 -(MILEAGE 65,000ISH) THE DOME LIGHT WON'T GO OUT, HAD TO PULL THE FUSE LIGHTS SO I COULD DRIVE UNOBSTRUCTED. 4.(4/18/16 - MILEAGE 73,000ISH) REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BASED ON WHAT FIND ON LINE AND HERE. IN THE PAST I DID NOTICE WATER 'DRIPS' ON MY BACK WINDOW, I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE 'LEAK' WAS, AGAIN DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO PROBLEM FOUND, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS POOLED WATER THAT FOUND ITS WAY IN WHEN I HAD OPENED UP THE REAR WINDOW/DOOR. BUT BASED ON WHAT I SEE ON LINE AND HERE THE REAR DOOR NOT OPENING IS DUE TO THE 'WATER DRIP/LEAK' ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE REAR WINDOW GASKET ISN'T CORRECT THICKNESS OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES. BACK DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN IS A SAFETY CONCERN, ALL DOORS SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. 5. SAME DATE AS 4,DOOR LOCKS NOT LOCKING WHEN YOU PUT SUV INTO GEAR. 6. APRIL 26, 2016 ' PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY ' NO INCLINE WHAT SO EVER ' WARNING LIGHT FOR STEEP GRADE LIGHT CAME ON. 6. TRUCK WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO A DIFFERENT FORD DEALER SHIP, FOR ALL THE ABOVE ISSUES, I DON'T CARE TO RETURN TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT, SINCE THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY DISMISSIVE DESPITE ME PROVIDING REPORTS FROM THIS WEBSITE TO THEM ABOUT THE VARIOUS ISSUES I CAME IN WITH.
NHTSA ODI #10861645
37,782 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND VEERING TO THE LEFT, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,782. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10778526
22,000 miles · Jun 24, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL DID NOT PROPERLY PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM WATER. AS A RESULT, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN ADDIT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL DID NOT PROPERLY PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM WATER. AS A RESULT, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SHORTED OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE RECEIVER DRYER, BLOWER RESISTER, AND GASKET CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #10730177
32,000 miles · Apr 12, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS TIME I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U-TURN IN A LOADING DOCK ON A BUSY STREET, AND WAS GOING FORWARD, TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP A LITTLE BIT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. AGAIN THERE WERE NO WARNINGS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SOUNDS AND NO LIGHTS. THIS TIME THERE WERE CARS COMING TOWAR…
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THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS TIME I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U-TURN IN A LOADING DOCK ON A BUSY STREET, AND WAS GOING FORWARD, TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP A LITTLE BIT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. AGAIN THERE WERE NO WARNINGS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SOUNDS AND NO LIGHTS. THIS TIME THERE WERE CARS COMING TOWARD ME HONKING AT ME, AND ONE IN THE LOADING DOCK TRYING TO BACK UP HONKING AT ME. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND BACKED UP TO CONTINUE WHERE I WAS GOING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TESTED THE THROTTLE BODY AND SAID THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IF THIS CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION? SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX THIS!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705161
31,500 miles · Apr 12, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train
I WAS GETTING READY TO BACK INTO A MY PARKING SPACE, SO I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT (GOING FORWARD) AND CAME TO ALMOST A STOP SO I COULD PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SOUNDS, NOTHING. BECAUSE IT HAD NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE AND I HAD THE CAR FOR ALM…
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I WAS GETTING READY TO BACK INTO A MY PARKING SPACE, SO I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT (GOING FORWARD) AND CAME TO ALMOST A STOP SO I COULD PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SOUNDS, NOTHING. BECAUSE IT HAD NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE AND I HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO THE PARKING SPOT. IT STARTED JUST FINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705160
26,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
SO FAR.. 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND MY CAR HAS STRONGLY SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED! I WAS ALMOST HIT TODAY WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TO RE-START MY CAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED IT CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD QUITE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS AN EPIC SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED/ADDRESSED ASAP!!! *T…
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SO FAR.. 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND MY CAR HAS STRONGLY SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED! I WAS ALMOST HIT TODAY WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TO RE-START MY CAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED IT CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD QUITE VIOLENTLY. THIS IS AN EPIC SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED/ADDRESSED ASAP!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693207
43,500 miles · Dec 21, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
ENGINE DIED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667497
15,295 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: C/S THAT BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND BELT THROWN. ALSO FOUND AND OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT COVER VIA A DIME SIZED HOLE IN THE COVER. CORRECTION: REPLACED FRONT COVER AND VBELT. ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT THAT WAS STRIPPED OU…
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AS PER MY VEHICLE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: CONCERN 51: C/S THAT BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. CAUSE: VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND BELT THROWN. ALSO FOUND AND OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT COVER VIA A DIME SIZED HOLE IN THE COVER. CORRECTION: REPLACED FRONT COVER AND VBELT. ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT THAT WAS STRIPPED OUT. VERIFIED REPAIR. BATTERY LIGHT IS OFF AND NO OIL LEAKS AT THIS TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605215
21,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 06/17/…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 06/17/14 MA
NHTSA ODI #10583173
25,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DOOR LATCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, I'VE BEEN LOCKED IN AND OUT OF MY VEHICLE, MY HUSBAND IS DISABLE AND I HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE HATCH BACK TO GET DOORS TO OPEN. I AM AFRAID OF THIS VEHICLE, IF IT CATCHES FIRE WILL I GET OUT? I FEEL THIS IS A DEATH TRAP AND FORD IS JUST SOOTHING MY FEATHERS TO KEEP ME HA…
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ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DOOR LATCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, I'VE BEEN LOCKED IN AND OUT OF MY VEHICLE, MY HUSBAND IS DISABLE AND I HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE HATCH BACK TO GET DOORS TO OPEN. I AM AFRAID OF THIS VEHICLE, IF IT CATCHES FIRE WILL I GET OUT? I FEEL THIS IS A DEATH TRAP AND FORD IS JUST SOOTHING MY FEATHERS TO KEEP ME HAPPY. ALSO, I WAS SOLD A 2012 4X4 VEHICLE, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE IS NOT A 4X4. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY GO BY VIN, THIS ONE IS WRONG! *TT
NHTSA ODI #10583147
NHTSA investigations
2PE13003 · 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.