NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
598 reports158,900 miles · Nov 18, 2018
SteeringSuspension
STARTED LAST YEAR . PROBLEM OCCUR FORWARD OR BACKING UP. STEERING WILL BECOME HEAVY AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL WILL GET LOCKED AND THE CAR WILL SIMULTINEOULY STOP BUT ENGINE STAYS ON. I WILL HAVE TO TURN THE CAR TO OFF AND TURN BACK TO ON. THEN I RESUME DRIVING UNTIL IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED…
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STARTED LAST YEAR . PROBLEM OCCUR FORWARD OR BACKING UP. STEERING WILL BECOME HEAVY AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL WILL GET LOCKED AND THE CAR WILL SIMULTINEOULY STOP BUT ENGINE STAYS ON. I WILL HAVE TO TURN THE CAR TO OFF AND TURN BACK TO ON. THEN I RESUME DRIVING UNTIL IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER THEY DECLINED ANY RECALLS. THEY CLAIMED RECALLS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THE PRIOR YEAR 2011. THE COST TO REPAIR COULD BE UP TO $1300 AS AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE SYMBOL DIAGNOSIS CODE THAT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. STRTED A YEAR AGO WITH MILEAGE AROUND 135,000 AND CONTINUE TILL TODATE . WHEEL BEARING WERE EXCHANGED BY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS UNKOWING TO ME OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11152343
43,050 miles · Nov 16, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR FORD ESCAPE 2012 ENGINE STALL/DIES WHILE DRIVING , ALMOST ON DAILY BASES NOW, AT ANY TRAVEL POINT AT ANY ROAD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT BUT NOW GOES. I TOOK THE PHOTO(JUST IN CASE TO PROVE IT) AND DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER PRINTOUT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED . I READ THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTEND…
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TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR FORD ESCAPE 2012 ENGINE STALL/DIES WHILE DRIVING , ALMOST ON DAILY BASES NOW, AT ANY TRAVEL POINT AT ANY ROAD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT BUT NOW GOES. I TOOK THE PHOTO(JUST IN CASE TO PROVE IT) AND DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER PRINTOUT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED . I READ THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PART UP TO 10 YEARS DUE TO DEFECT THROTTLE BODY . I WILL TAKE TO THE DEALER TOMORROW AND I WILL NOTIFY THEM TOO. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 43150 MILES ON IT AND NEEDS TO BE FIX DUE TO A DANGEROUS ENGINE STALLING . "I PURCHASED IT RECENTLY"
NHTSA ODI #11152107
99,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Steering
TURNED ON TO ON-RAMP TO HIGHWAY, POWERING STEERING FAILED. HARD TO TURN WHEEL TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULLED TO COMPLETE STOP AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED FIVE MINUTES AND TURN VEHICLE BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS WORKING ONCE AGAIN. DROVE HWY 14 MILES AND TOOK OFF-RAMP AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISS…
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TURNED ON TO ON-RAMP TO HIGHWAY, POWERING STEERING FAILED. HARD TO TURN WHEEL TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PULLED TO COMPLETE STOP AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. WAITED FIVE MINUTES AND TURN VEHICLE BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS WORKING ONCE AGAIN. DROVE HWY 14 MILES AND TOOK OFF-RAMP AND POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11151046
74,000 miles · Nov 8, 2018
Steering
EPAS (POWER STEERING COLUMN) WENT OUT, NOT COVERED IN PAST RECALL - MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING POWERING ISSUES WITH THESE FORDS... SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL!
NHTSA ODI #11150102
65,000 miles · Nov 8, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLF MILL FORD (9401 N MILWAUKEE AVE, NILES, IL 60714, (847) 470-9800), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLF MILL FORD (9401 N MILWAUKEE AVE, NILES, IL 60714, (847) 470-9800), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #11150063
98,691 miles · Nov 7, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESET THE POWER STEERING AND RETURNED IT TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESET THE POWER STEERING AND RETURNED IT TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. PRIME FORD (LOCATED AT 857 PORTLAND RD, SACO, ME 04072, (207) 282-0300) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,691.
NHTSA ODI #11149931
110,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018
Steering
THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF. I WAS IN A DRIVE THROUGH LINE AND AT FIRST THOUGHT THE TIRES WERE AGAINST THE CURB. REALIZED THEY WEREN'T AND MANAGED TO EXIT THE LINE AND TURN INTO A PARKING PLACE. IT WAS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND WHEN HE GOT THERE AN HOUR LATER, THE STEERING WAS FINE.
NHTSA ODI #11144273
153,000 miles · Oct 26, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKING, WHEN MAKING TURNS WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON AND OFF, TO GET IT TO UNLOCK OR BACK TO NORMAL HANDLING, I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A SAFELY MANNER, PUT CAR ON PARK TURN ENGINE OFF, THEN RESTART CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WORKS AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS…
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POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKING, WHEN MAKING TURNS WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON AND OFF, TO GET IT TO UNLOCK OR BACK TO NORMAL HANDLING, I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A SAFELY MANNER, PUT CAR ON PARK TURN ENGINE OFF, THEN RESTART CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WORKS AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE TAKING MY CAR TO FORD DEALER AND SEE HOE THEY CAN HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH 2008-12 FORD ESCAPES.
NHTSA ODI #11142952
88,000 miles · Oct 25, 2018
Steering
MY CARS STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, AND BECOMES HARD TO STEER! ITS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
NHTSA ODI #11142648
30,000 miles · Oct 14, 2018
Unknown Or Other
EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS ISSUE WITH FLAP/FUEL TANK COVER GIVING A ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND FLAG FOR EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM - KNOWN DEFECTS WITH FORD'S CARS/TRUCKS. DEALER SAYS IT'S PROBABLY A PIPE - FUEL FILLER (PART FOCL8Z-9034-A/B R&R ISSUE BUT LOCAL MECHANICS ALL SAY IT'S THE FLAP/COVER ISSUE/PROBLEM FOR GAS TANKS - A KNOWN FO…
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EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS ISSUE WITH FLAP/FUEL TANK COVER GIVING A ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND FLAG FOR EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM - KNOWN DEFECTS WITH FORD'S CARS/TRUCKS. DEALER SAYS IT'S PROBABLY A PIPE - FUEL FILLER (PART FOCL8Z-9034-A/B R&R ISSUE BUT LOCAL MECHANICS ALL SAY IT'S THE FLAP/COVER ISSUE/PROBLEM FOR GAS TANKS - A KNOWN FORD DEFECT AND SHOULD'VE BEEN PART OF ALL SIMILAR FORD RECALLS FOR SAME ISSUE/PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES/MODELS. I'M BEING TOLD THIS IS A $600-800 REPAIR BY THE LOCAL DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #11140193
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.