NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
67 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 3, 2016
StructureVisibility
I WAS PARKED IN SAM'S PARKING LOT AND I OPENED MY REAR WINDOW TO GET MY BAGS OUT OF THE BACK OF MY SUV. AFTER PUTTING MY GROCERIES IN MY BACK SEAT I WENT TO CLOSE MY REAR WINDOW BUT THE LEFT HINGE BROKE AND I CAUGHT THE WINDOW. I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE WINDOW WAS IN MY HAND AND I BEGAN TO SCREAM FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME. A GENTLEMAN…
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I WAS PARKED IN SAM'S PARKING LOT AND I OPENED MY REAR WINDOW TO GET MY BAGS OUT OF THE BACK OF MY SUV. AFTER PUTTING MY GROCERIES IN MY BACK SEAT I WENT TO CLOSE MY REAR WINDOW BUT THE LEFT HINGE BROKE AND I CAUGHT THE WINDOW. I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE WINDOW WAS IN MY HAND AND I BEGAN TO SCREAM FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME. A GENTLEMAN SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HE HELPED ME PUSH THE WINDOW BACK UP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND WE HAD TO PUT DUCT TAPE ON IT SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. TO MY SURPRISE THE HINGES THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO HOLD MY WINDOW IN WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD OF SERIOUSLY GOTTEN HURT. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THESE DEFECTIVE HINGES FOR YEARS BUT CONTINUES TO PUT THEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. TO THIS DATE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE HINGES AND I AM CONTACTING YOUR OFFICE SO YOU ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS THIS COULD CAUSE DRIVERS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT A FACTORY DEFECT. IT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A REAR WINDOW FALLING OUT!! I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO PAY FOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON MY VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE FOR MY HINGES TO BE FIXED. (I ATTACHED THE BILL QUOTE, IT IS QUITE HIGH) I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA RECOGNIZES THIS AS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE OF SAFETY NOT JUST FOR THE OWNERS WITH THE DEFECTIVE HINGES BUT THOSE WHO COULD BE IN THE PATH OF THE WINDOW FALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING BEHIND ONE OF FORD'S SUV'S. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10872463
59,000 miles · Apr 16, 2016
Structure
THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW EXPLODED. WE WEREN'T THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED. 60 DEGREES AND SUNNY OUTSIDE. WE WERE ATTENDING A PARTY FOR 2 HRS AND CAME OUT TO SHATTERED GLASS EVERY WHERE. CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN A LOT.
NHTSA ODI #10859911
48,000 miles · Feb 26, 2016
Structure
RUST ISSUE IN ALL WHEEL WELLS TYPICAL IT SEEMS WITH ALL FORD ESCAPES IN 2012. I ASSUME THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT TREAT OR USED BAD RUST TREATMENT ON THESE CARS.
NHTSA ODI #10838688
22,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER INTO THE INTERIOR AND CREATED MOLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER INTO THE INTERIOR AND CREATED MOLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF CONTACT SOLD HER CAR TO THE DEALER. UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN
NHTSA ODI #10783369
48,800 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ; UPDATED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/16/18*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #10779190
23,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
SeatsStructureVisibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE SEATS, FLOOR BOARDS, RUGS, AND WINDOWS WERE WET AND FOGGY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE WINDOWS AND THE SEALS ON THE DOORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE SEATS, FLOOR BOARDS, RUGS, AND WINDOWS WERE WET AND FOGGY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE WINDOWS AND THE SEALS ON THE DOORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. .. UPDATED 09/30/15*BF
NHTSA ODI #10746468
69,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #10735583
32,345 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Structure
I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS ESCAPE 1.5 YRS. I JUST NOTICED THIS SPRING THAT THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF IN THE WHEEL WELL, NOW AS OF 7/7/2015 IT HAS GOTTEN BIGGER. AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH WHEN YOU OPEN IT YOU CAN ALREADY SEE BUBBLING. MY UNDERSTANDING BY THE PAPER WORK I RECEIVED WITH IT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HAD SOME KIND OF UNDER B…
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I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS ESCAPE 1.5 YRS. I JUST NOTICED THIS SPRING THAT THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF IN THE WHEEL WELL, NOW AS OF 7/7/2015 IT HAS GOTTEN BIGGER. AS WELL AS THE REAR HATCH WHEN YOU OPEN IT YOU CAN ALREADY SEE BUBBLING. MY UNDERSTANDING BY THE PAPER WORK I RECEIVED WITH IT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HAD SOME KIND OF UNDER BODY PROTECTION PUT ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #10732497
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
50,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Structure
AFTER DARK ONE NIGHT (I COULDN'T SEE THAT THE HOOD WAS CRACKED OPEN) WHILE ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY THE HOOD BLEW OPEN-SAFETY CATCH DID NOT HOLD HOOD SHUT. IT BENT BACK TO THE WINDSHIELD, I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AND LUCKILY WAS NOT KILLED IN A CRASH. BODY SHOP INSTALLED NEW HOOD AND LATCHES AND SAFETY CATCH ETC. LESS THAN …
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AFTER DARK ONE NIGHT (I COULDN'T SEE THAT THE HOOD WAS CRACKED OPEN) WHILE ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY THE HOOD BLEW OPEN-SAFETY CATCH DID NOT HOLD HOOD SHUT. IT BENT BACK TO THE WINDSHIELD, I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AND LUCKILY WAS NOT KILLED IN A CRASH. BODY SHOP INSTALLED NEW HOOD AND LATCHES AND SAFETY CATCH ETC. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE SAFETY CATCH STOPPED OPERATING. I TIED IT DOWN WITH ROPE TO THE FRAME AND DROVE IT FOR A WHILE. I COULDN'T GET TO THE BODY SHOP BECAUSE I NEVER GOT OUT OF WORK ON TIME. WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE LATCH MECHANISM AND COULDN'T SO HE ORDERED A NEW ONE, INSTALLED IT AND CHARGED IT TO THE BODY SHOP. THE HOOD RELEASE HANDLE AND PARKING BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE ARE INCHES APART FROM EACH OTHER WHICH IS A POOR DESIGN, BUT REGARDLESS WHEN THE HOOD IS POPPED THE SAFETY CATCH SHOULD PREVENT IT FROM OPENING. A RELATIVE WHO DROVE MY VEHICLE KEPT POPPING THE HOOD ACCIDENTALLY BECAUSE HE WEARS A LEG BRACE WHICH CAUGHT ON THE RELEASE HANDLE. LUCKILY I HAD THE HOOD TIED OFF. I MAY ALSO TIE THE HOOD WITH ROPE AGAIN AS I DON'T HAVE MUCH CONFIDENCE IN THESE PARTS. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE HAPPEN TO ME. OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THE HOOK THAT CATCHES THE HOOD SEEMS TO LOOSEN UP FROM ITS ASSEMBLY AND FALL FORWARD TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR THEREBY NOT ALIGNING WITH THE HOOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653172
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.
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