NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
44 reportsClear category filter58,000 miles · Jun 30, 2013
EnginePower Train
DRIVING ALONG AT 40 MPH AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. GIVING IT MORE GAS HAD NO IMPACT. I NOTICED A WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RAN FINE . THIS HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER SO WE BROUGHT IT TO OUR REPAIR SHOP. AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARED THAT …
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DRIVING ALONG AT 40 MPH AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. GIVING IT MORE GAS HAD NO IMPACT. I NOTICED A WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RAN FINE . THIS HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER SO WE BROUGHT IT TO OUR REPAIR SHOP. AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARED THAT OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY MAY BE THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS REPLACED AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ISSUE FOR MONTHS UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT'S BEEN A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED. REALLY WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE IS HIGHER RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT. SURE SEEMS LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS ISSUE. DOES FORD HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THIS?? IF THEY DO THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT BADLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522490
29,000 miles · Jun 4, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I WAS LEAVING WORK AND DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT ABOUT 50MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUMPED AND I THEN WAS COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT SO I WAS BRAKING AND BEHIND A CAR. AT THE RED LIGHT I WAS A FEW INCHES FROM HITTING THE CAR BECAUSE MY CAR KEPT JUMPING FORWARD. I THEN GOT SCARED AND TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS DRI…
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I WAS LEAVING WORK AND DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT ABOUT 50MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUMPED AND I THEN WAS COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT SO I WAS BRAKING AND BEHIND A CAR. AT THE RED LIGHT I WAS A FEW INCHES FROM HITTING THE CAR BECAUSE MY CAR KEPT JUMPING FORWARD. I THEN GOT SCARED AND TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS DRIVING FINE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DID THE SAME THING AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE I WOULD PRESS ON THE GAS AND MY CAR WAS JUST SHAKING AND LOSING SPEED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. THANKFULLY I DIDN'T DRIVE THE HIGHWAY HOME THAT DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515102
18,588 miles · Mar 26, 2013
EnginePower Train
UPDATE TO 01/30/13 COMPLAINT. I PURCHASED CAR ON 10/22/12 WITH 58,398 MILES FROM A DEALER. I STARTED HAVING ISSUES LATE DECEMBER 2012. I WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH CAR JERKING INTO GEAR OR BEING SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER ON 01/29/13. RESEARCHED CARFAX INFORMATION AND FOUND OUT THAT ON 01/05/10 - TRANSMISSION…
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UPDATE TO 01/30/13 COMPLAINT. I PURCHASED CAR ON 10/22/12 WITH 58,398 MILES FROM A DEALER. I STARTED HAVING ISSUES LATE DECEMBER 2012. I WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH CAR JERKING INTO GEAR OR BEING SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER ON 01/29/13. RESEARCHED CARFAX INFORMATION AND FOUND OUT THAT ON 01/05/10 - TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND STATED AS REPLACED. 18,588 MILES. 08/09/10 - TRANSMISSION WAS REMOVED TO REPLACE COOLER. 28,372 MILES. ON 01/29/13 MECHANIC ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING BADLY AND THAT "PRESS REGULATOR VALVE STICKING". 01/30/13 - TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY REPLACED. 63,356 MILES. 6 WEEKS AFTER VALVE BODY REPLACED CAR STARTED JERKING AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO DEALER ON 03/18/13...DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION, BUT EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY SAID NO...WOULD ONLY PAY FOR TRANSMISSION REBUILD. 65,951 MILES. THIS ENTAILED DAY AND HALF OF DEALER/WARRANTY COMPANY HAGGLING OVER REPAIRS. MECHANIC BEGAN WORK ON 03/21/13 AND FOUND LOTS OF MELTED PLASTIC THAT HE HAD TO REMOVE. TRANSMISSION WORK COMPLETED ON 03/23/13 BUT REPAIR REVEALED STARTER PROBLEM. DEALER CURRENTLY WAITING ON APPROVAL FROM WARRANTY COMPANY TO REPAIR STARTER. MECHANIC ADVISED IF STARTER NOT REPAIRED WILL CAUSE FLY WHEEL PROBLEM. MECHANIC IS ANNOYED THAT TRANSMISSION IS HAVING PROBLEMS SO SOON AFTER 2010 "REPAIRS" AND THAT WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504505
35,000 miles · Mar 20, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE ENTERING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, ENGINE BALKED LIKE BAD GAS. AFTER TWO OR THREE TANKFULS AND THE VEHICLE DYING IN TRAFFIC, I LEFT IT WITH MY DEALER TO FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER A WEEK, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT DIED FOR THEM SO I BROUGHT IT HOME, ONLY TO CONTINUE WITH THE SAME DYING AND HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATED. A MONTH OR SO LA…
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WHILE ENTERING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, ENGINE BALKED LIKE BAD GAS. AFTER TWO OR THREE TANKFULS AND THE VEHICLE DYING IN TRAFFIC, I LEFT IT WITH MY DEALER TO FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER A WEEK, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT DIED FOR THEM SO I BROUGHT IT HOME, ONLY TO CONTINUE WITH THE SAME DYING AND HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATED. A MONTH OR SO LATER THE DEALER KEPT IT AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS AND IT STILL DID OKAY FOR THEM. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE "PROBLEM" IS. WE HAVE PARKED THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE BECAUSE SEVERAL TIMES WE HAVE NARROWLY ESCAPED BEING REAR-ENDED, WHEN TURNING CORNERS, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. IN MICHIGAN AND THEY DO NOT "HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES" AND DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. MECHANICS IN TWO OTHER GARAGES HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT LOCATED THE PROBLEM. HELP!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503722
80,500 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TOWN AND THE CAR CUT OUT AND LOST ALL POWER. I STEERED IT OFF THE ROAD SAFETY. IT RESTARTED JUST FINE AND I TOOK OFF AGAIN GOING FOUR BLOCKS WERE IT DIED INSTANTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED STALLING IN THE CAR, AND THEN ALLOWING IT TO RESTART AND CONTINUE D…
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I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TOWN AND THE CAR CUT OUT AND LOST ALL POWER. I STEERED IT OFF THE ROAD SAFETY. IT RESTARTED JUST FINE AND I TOOK OFF AGAIN GOING FOUR BLOCKS WERE IT DIED INSTANTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED STALLING IN THE CAR, AND THEN ALLOWING IT TO RESTART AND CONTINUE DOWN THE ROAD. VERY UNSAFE WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND ONCOMING TO BE STALLED ON A CURVE ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500516
99,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHE HAD TO WORK HER WAY TO THE SIDE ACROSS 3 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER. OUR MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AT OUR EXPENSE. THE NEWS TODAY INDICATED THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH CONTROLS THE THROTTLE AND WE WANTED…
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AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHE HAD TO WORK HER WAY TO THE SIDE ACROSS 3 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER. OUR MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AT OUR EXPENSE. THE NEWS TODAY INDICATED THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH CONTROLS THE THROTTLE AND WE WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A THREAT TO HER SAFETY AND APPEARS TO BE OCCURRING TO MANY PEOPLE. THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500179
59,995 miles · Jan 30, 2013
EnginePower Train
AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AS I ACCELERATE MY CAR JUMPS/JERKS AS IF IT'S STRAINING TO SWITCH TO NEXT GEAR. GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 10-40 MILES. WHEN IT INITIALLY STARTED IT WOULD HAPPEN 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE TO HAVE DEALER LOOK AT VEHI…
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AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AS I ACCELERATE MY CAR JUMPS/JERKS AS IF IT'S STRAINING TO SWITCH TO NEXT GEAR. GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 10-40 MILES. WHEN IT INITIALLY STARTED IT WOULD HAPPEN 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE TO HAVE DEALER LOOK AT VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10495256
76,000 miles · Dec 11, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE REQUIRED RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAL FROM THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE REQUIRED RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAL FROM THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FUEL AND REFERRED HER TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED HER THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO AN OVERHAUL AND REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10039137: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT NO RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA ODI #10488018
38,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FLUORESCENT OIL FROM BEHIND THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, IT'S THE CONDENSER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR LINES RUN THROUGH THE SAME SYSTEM, AND THAT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED MY TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THIS FAILURE WAS EXPLAINED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP, AND THEY SAID IF I'M GOING O…
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MY VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FLUORESCENT OIL FROM BEHIND THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, IT'S THE CONDENSER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR LINES RUN THROUGH THE SAME SYSTEM, AND THAT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED MY TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THIS FAILURE WAS EXPLAINED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP, AND THEY SAID IF I'M GOING OVER ABOUT 30 MPH IT WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS. I AM ABOUT 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE EMAILS I HAVE SENT TO FORD ONLY GET A RESPONSE THAT THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE MY MONEY AND FIX IT. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING IT, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REMOVED TO REPAIR SOMETHING. THEN, A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. THEN, IT WAS SHIFTING FUNNY -BECAUSE IT HAD VERY LITTLE FLUID-NOONE COULD EXPLAIN WHY. THE VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL AT 42 MPH "COULD NOT BE VERIFIED. " THE MANUFACTURER WAS APPARENTLY OUT OF SATELLITE RECEIVERS, SO THEY JUST DIDN'T PUT ONE IN...THE LACK OF QUALITY OVERALL PROVES THAT THE LENGTH OF THE WARRANTY IS TO PREVENT THEM FROM COSTLY FIXES...AND MY "LONG TERM INVESTMENT " MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M PUTTING MINE AND MY FAMILY'S HEALTH AT RISK BY DRIVING IT. I SPENT EVERY DIME I SAVED IN IRAQ ON THIS POS BECAUSE I KNEW I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I'M OUT OF MEDICAL SCHOOL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457399
59,000 miles · Jan 13, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT HARD WHEN UP SHIFTING OR DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT HARD WHEN UP SHIFTING OR DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10443672
NHTSA investigations
2DP15001 · 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