Owners report the vehicle suddenly losing acceleration or dropping to idle while driving, often on the highway with the wrench light on and sometimes going into limp mode. Dealers and mechanics frequently traced it to a faulty or sticking electronic throttle body, and some owners waited on backordered parts.

How common

147 of the 300 complaints we read (49%), roughly 1,014 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 145 of 147 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 16V777000. Check the VIN for it.

Before you buy: Ask whether the electronic throttle body has been replaced, and on a test drive watch for hesitation, loss of power or a wrench warning light.

• Engine hesitated and ran rough at highway speed, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate; owner says this matches a throttle body defect Ford recalled on some similar vehicles but not this one. · filed Aug 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  WHILE DRIVING AROUND 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY MY 2010 FORD ESCAPE STARTED TO HESITATE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH, AND LEFT ME WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE... I WAS A SITTING DUCK, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OVER TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR HURTING ANYONE ELSE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I REALIZE THAT FORD HAD RECALLED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF 2010 FORD ESCAPES AS WELL AS 2010 FORD FUSION FOR THE THROTTLEBODY TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO BACK IN JANUARY 2014 SENT OUT A LETTER TO FORD OWNERS STATING THAT IT IS POSSIBLE YOUR ESCAPE'S THROTTLE BODY COULD GO OUT; AND EXPLAINED EXACTLY WHAT THAT WOULD FEEL LIKE AND WHAT THEY COULD EXPECT IF IT WAS TO GO OUT. WHY WE RECALL SOME AND NOT RECALL ALL; WHY WAIT TILL THERE IS A PROBLEM UNTIL THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11352047

• Throttle body issue puts the hybrid vehicle in limp mode; owner says Ford's related warranty fix for other models should also cover this vehicle. · filed Jun 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH THE ETB WHICH IS PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN LIMP MODE. THIS ISSUE WAS INVESTIGATED ON A NUMBER OF FORD VEHICLES IN 2014 AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART OF THE THROTTLE BODY, HOWEVER HYBRID VEHICLES WERE OMITTED FROM THE WARRANTY REPAIR. MY FORD HYBRID IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES THAT OTHER MODELS HAD VERIFIED AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11331111

• Diagnostic code pointed to a bad throttle body assembly after the engine began surging, jerking, and intermittently stalling at steady speeds; owner stopped driving until they can afford the roughly $200 repair. · filed Jul 2017
  Read the owner's complaint

  TESTED CODE P2119 AT AUTO ZONE. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY SHOWS BAD. CAR BEGAN TO SURGE AND JERK AT TIMES WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT A STEADY SPEED. AT TIMES WOULD SEEM TO STALL AND THEN SURGE FORWARD AS IF THROTTLE HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. THE SPEED AT WHICH I WAS TRAVELING DID NOT SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAVE QUIT DRIVING TILL I HAVE THE FUNDS TO GET REPAIRED. APPX. REPAIIR COST $200 WITH THE PART COST AT $140

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11006163

Owners report sudden loss of power steering assist, a stiff or locking steering wheel, shaking and the steering warning light, sometimes causing crashes. Mechanics traced some cases to the steering torque sensor, the steering column module or the column assembly.

How common

50 of the 300 complaints we read (17%), roughly 345 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 46 of 50 reports; 1 report mentions a crash; 1 report mentions an injury

Related recalls

Owners mention 14V284000. Check the VIN for it.

• Power steering assist fault appeared at startup and the steering wheel became hard to turn; owner says the vehicle was built in the same years and plant as a related recall but is not included in it. · filed May 2026
  Read the owner's complaint

  I went out to start my car and the power steering assist fault came on and wouldn't let me turn the wheel easily. When I looked up the problem the code came back to one of the recalls Ford has on those escape. But now my car is not in the recall but it was made with in the years and the plant the they recalled for

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11741168

• Electric power steering failed completely due to a module failure in the steering column, costing $4,000 to repair. · filed Mar 2026
  Read the owner's complaint

  Electric power steering failure. Complete loss of steering. Module in steering column failure. Cost me $4000.00 for repairs

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11722654

• Steering wheel seized and would not respond when starting the vehicle, requiring several restarts to unlock; owner says an existing recall does not cover this VIN. · filed Feb 2026
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and failed to respond as designed. The vehicle was restarted several times before the steering wheel unlocked. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,320.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11720426

Owners report the engine stalling or cutting out while driving, at stops and at highway speed, sometimes with warning lights and rough shaking at idle. Restarting often brought the engine back.

How common

21 of the 300 complaints we read (7%), roughly 145 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 20 of 21 reports

• Engine bucked and stalled at highway speed, nearly causing several accidents. · filed Aug 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  ENGINE WAS BUCKING, STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS NEARLY CAUSING ME TO BE IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. (CUSTOMER SAT. PROGRAM 13N03)

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11352063

• Check engine light came on and the car suddenly died while driving, then died again after restarting; the mechanic could not find a cause. · filed Jul 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  DRIVING ON MAIN LOCAL ROAD APPX 30 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON, THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED, I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO PARK, SHUT RESTART CAR, CAR SPUTTERED MADE IT TEN FEET AND DIED AGAIN. WENT TO MECHANIC, HE CHECKED ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND RAN THE CODE TEST COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, DRIVING AGAIN APPX 1 WEEK LATER SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. MECHANIC CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. MY CAR DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 60,000 MILES ON IT. I AM THE ONLY OWNER, AND HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR AS RECOMMENDED. IF ME AND MY FAMILY SHOULD GET INJURED OR DIE IN THIS CAR OUR BLOOD IS ON FORD.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11340305

• Engine stalled without warning at highway speed and would not restart until a fuel pump switch was reset. · filed Jul 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO PARK AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO START, BUT IT DID NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A FRIEND OF THE CONTACT'S FAMILY GOOGLED THE FAILURE, WHICH INDICATED TO RESET THE FUEL PUMP SWITCH LOCATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE FUEL PUMP SWITCH WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11232046

Owners report fuel fumes inside and outside the vehicle and recurring check engine and check-fuel warnings while the fuel system recall repair part was unavailable.

How common

9 of the 300 complaints we read (3%), roughly 62 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Injury risk: 5 of 9 reports

Related recalls

Owners mention 16V777000. Check the VIN for it.

• Fuel leaks badly from underneath the vehicle every time the tank is filled to full; owner says an existing recall for the same problem does not cover this VIN. · filed Aug 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  ACCORDING TO YOUR VIN SEARCH, MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE 5 RECALLS ON THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE. NOW WITH THAT SAID, 1 RECALL THAT IS LISTED, I AM HAVING A FUEL LEAK JUST AS IT IS DESCRIBED BUT AGAIN MY VIN IS NOT LISTED FOR THAT RECALL AND IT SHOULD. EVERYTIME I FILL UP WITH GAS, AND THE GAS HANDLE CLICKS TO INFORM THAT THE TANK IS FULL, THE GAS STARTS TO LEAK VERY BADLY FROM UP UNDERNEATH AND THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11244724

• On several occasions at startup the check engine and fuel intake lights came on, diagnosed as a fuel line related code; the related recall repair part remains unavailable and the vehicle was not repaired. · filed Jun 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND FUEL INTAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLINTON FORD LINCOLN (2850 VALLEY W CT, CLINTON, IA 52732, (563) 242-7011) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST LOCATED A FAILURE CODE RELATED TO THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE SAME DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11103374

• Owner noticed a fuel odor around the parked vehicle while a related fuel system recall part remained unavailable well past a reasonable repair time. · filed May 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V777000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CAPITAL FORD AT (877) 659-2496 (4900 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11098452

Owners report the rear liftgate window suddenly shattering when the hatch is closed normally, sending glass flying and sometimes damaging paint.

How common

9 of the 300 complaints we read (3%), roughly 62 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Injury risk: 9 of 9 reports; 1 report mentions an injury

• The rear window shattered on its own while the car was parked outside in 12-degree cold, with no sign of vandalism. · filed Dec 2017
  Read the owner's complaint

  REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AS CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 12 DEGREES F. NO EVIDENCE OF VANDALISM WAS PRESENT.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11054382

• The rear liftgate glass shattered while the vehicle was being driven. · filed Apr 2017
  Read the owner's complaint

  I WAS DRIVING AND THE LIFT GATE SHATTERED.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10971597

• Rear windshield glass shattered while the tailgate was being closed normally. · filed Apr 2016
  Read the owner's complaint

  REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED UPON NORMAL CLOSING OF TAILGATE. I HAVE ADDITIONAL PICTURES

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10853043

Owners report the transmission jerking, clunking or lunging on shifts and slipping with lost power, and dealer reprogramming did not always fix it.

How common

5 of the 300 complaints we read (2%), roughly 34 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 3 of 5 reports

• Transmission slips and loses power while driving in traffic. · filed May 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  The transmission slips and looses power when in trafic.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11658707

• Transmission repeatedly slipped and caused jerking while entering the freeway, with erratic braking and steering, nearly causing a multi-vehicle accident three times in one day. · filed Dec 2014
  Read the owner's complaint

  I WAS DRIVING ON A SERVICE ROAD AND WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO START JERKING. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN OVER ME AS I WAS LOOSING SPEED DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED WORKING AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO PICK UP SPEED AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THIS INCIDENT ALSO CAUSED MY BRAKING AND STEERING TO BE ERRATIC. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ON DEC 9, 2014. THIS IS UNSAFE AS IT NEARLY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC GOING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 35 OUT OF AUSTIN. BY MY ESTIMATION THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO FEWER THAN 5 TO 6 VEHICLES INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT MANAGED TO PULL OVER. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10663327

• Vehicle idles high, hesitates when accelerating, and shifts and jerks on its own when slowing down; dealer reprogrammed the computer but owner says the problem persists. · filed Aug 2013
  Read the owner's complaint

  I PURCHASED A 2010 FORD ESCAPE XLT, USED ON FEB 28, 2012 FROM A FORD DEALER, NORTHEAST PHILA. IT HAD 52,000 MILES. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED 3YEAR 36,000MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. UPON DRIVING OFF THE LOT, I NOTICED HIGH IDLE AT REST, LOW ACCELERATION AND SHIFTING BY ITSELF WHEN ACCELERATING AND TRYING TO SLOW TO STOP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. SERVICE MGR. SAID THAT HE TOOK MY VEHICLE HOME, DROVE IT, FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I SHOWED HIM SERVICE BULLETINS FROM FORD DOCUMENTING VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AS A RESULT OF THE MAIN COMPUTER PROGRAM OF THE VEHICLE, WRONG CODING, CODES NOT BEING READ CORRECTLY, ETC. SERVICE MANAGER DENIED SEEING THIS INFORMATION, DESPITE ME GIVING HIM COPIES. IT IS NOW AUGUST 16, 2013, VEHICLE IS WORSE, IDLING AT REST 3000 RPM, 10-20 MPH IDLES AT 4,000-5,000 RPM, LOUDER THAN THE RADIO. VEHICLE SHIFTING ITSELF, HESITATING, WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO A HIGHWAY RAMP, OR GOING UP A HILL. VEHICLE SHIFTING, AND JERKING WHILE TRYING TO SLOW TO A STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER ROUTE 1 LANGHORNE, PA, CLOSER TO MY HOME. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP THAT COMPUTER CODES FROM VEHICLE NOT BEING PICKED UP BY SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. "WE HAD TO CLEAR YOUR VEHICLE COMPUTER AND REPROGRAM IT. NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEREFORE YOU PAY THE $90 DIAGNOSTIC FEE". IT IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE". I SAID HOW IS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE, REQUIRING A COMPLETE WIPE AND REPROGRAM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE? THEY REFUSED TO RETURN MY $90. VEHICLE STILL SAME PROBLEM, SLIGHTLY LESS, A LITTLE MORE QUIETER, STILL RUNNING 4000 RPM ON MILD ACCELERATION. I AM AFRAID, BECAUSE IT WAS SHIFTING UP WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SLOW TO A STOP. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10535822

Owners report the vehicle surging or jumping forward unexpectedly when accelerating from a stop or while parked, in some cases causing collisions.

How common

4 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 28 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 4 of 4 reports; 2 reports mention a crash

• Vehicle accelerated on its own several times while stopped at a light, and the power steering also became inoperable with the steering column seizing. · filed Nov 2023
  Read the owner's complaint

  The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, and then stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times and she was able to avoid having an accident. The contact stated that the power steering also became inoperable, and the steering column seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,246.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11555281

• The car jumps during acceleration and a connected diagnostics device flags trouble codes; owner says Ford has no replacement part for the related fire-risk recall and won't fix it unless fuel can be smelled. · filed Jul 2017
  Read the owner's complaint

  THE CAR WILL JUMP DURING ACCELERATION. WE RECEIVE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE ALERTS FROM VERIZON HUM. WHICH IS A SMART DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE CAR. THIS RECALL DATE IS OCT 24, 2016, BUT FORD CORPORATION STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PART. RECALL SAYS IT CAN CAUSE FIRE. FORD WILL NOT CORRECT ISSUE UNLESS GAS IS SMELLED.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11010526

• Vehicle surged forward while parking and crashed into a store's doors; owner says the dealer's code reader showed the fault codes had been erased. · filed Aug 2014
  Read the owner's complaint

  I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A CVS PHARMACY, ABOUT TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD AND INTO THE DOORS OF THE STORE. I WAS NOT INJURED BUT MORTIFIED THAT I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FIVE STAR FORD IN PLANO, TX. TODAY, I HAD MY STATE INSPECTION YESTERDAY AND ASKED IF THEY COULD PULL UP THE TROUBLE CODES ON MY COMPUTER. THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE SHOP'S COMPUTER COULDN'T BUT HE HAD HIS OWN CODE READER THAT WOULD SHOW THE COMPLETE RECORD. HE DID AND TOLD ME IT WAS ERASED AND THERE WAS NOTHING ON IT. FIVE STAR FORD IN PLANO IS THE ONLY PLACE MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THAT COULD POSSIBLY DO THIS SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I ASKED THEM AT THAT TIME IF I COULD GET A TRANSCRIPT FROM THE COMPUTER BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO IT. *TR

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10621139

Owners report the brake pedal going to the floor or turning spongy with little stopping power, and mechanics suspected or diagnosed a failed ABS module.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 21 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Can affect control: 3 of 3 reports

• Brake pedal goes to the floor with barely any stopping power; two of three shops suspect a failed ABS module, but parts are hard to find. · filed Apr 2025
  Read the owner's complaint

  Brakes go all the way to the floor, barely could stop. No accident happened. It's very scary to even drive it anymore. I have taken it to 3 shops, 2 of the 3 say it's the ABS module. I have read a lot of reviews on this car having this issue. Probably nothing to be done since it's not even made anymore. Parts are getting obsolete.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11653497

• Brake pedal went to the floor with reduced braking on the interstate for a second time; owner believes an existing recall should cover this vehicle. · filed Feb 2020
  Read the owner's complaint

  WE'VE HAD THE BRAKES FAIL ONCE BEFORE AND ONCE AGAIN TODAY. WE HIT THE BRAKES ON THHE INTERSTATE AND AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE LAST TIME, WE TOOK IT TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY COULDNT' FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING ON THE INTERSTATE. I BELIEVE IT'S RELATED TO FSA 19S54 RECALL AND THAT FORD ESCAPES SHOULD BE EVALUATED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11311811

• Brakes became spongy after a hard stop, worsened over months until pressure was completely lost and brake fluid leaked from under the car; a mechanic diagnosed a failed ABS module. · filed Feb 2019
  Read the owner's complaint

  HARD STOP ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY. IN ABOUT A WEEK OR SO THEY RETURNED TO NORMAL, BUT ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE BRAKES NEVER RECOVERED. HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET A GOOD STOPPING PRESSURE. FOUR MONTHS LATER, OUT OF NOWHERE, THE VEHICLE HAD NO PRESSURE WHATSOEVER. BRAKE FLUID BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. UNDER INSPECTION, MECHANIC FAULTED A FAILED ABS MODULE. LOOKING ONLINE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED URGENTLY. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 123,000 MILES.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11180966

Owners report the capless fuel filler inlet not sealing or failing, triggering the check engine light, and in one case stalling and jerking after fueling.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 21 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Safety impact unclear

• The fuel fill inlet keeps triggering the check engine light on this capless-fuel-cap vehicle, which the owner believes is a widespread issue on similar vehicles. · filed Aug 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  FUEL FILL INLET'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT'NO GAS CAP. SEEMS THIS IS HAPPING TO ALL CAPLESS FOR VEHICLES.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11115505

• While driving 45 mph, the fuel inlet failed and its warning indicator came on; the dealer confirmed the fuel inlet failure but the vehicle was not repaired. · filed May 2018
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FUEL INLET FAILED AND THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE COMPONENT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEDOM FORD (151 WOODLAND DR SW, WISE, VA 24293) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INLET FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11096477

• After fueling, the check engine light came on and the engine stalled and jerked; a mechanic found a vacuum leak from the capless fuel filler flap not sealing, with a costly fuel pump replacement suggested. · filed Feb 2017
  Read the owner's complaint

  TAKATA RECALL AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND JERKED AFTER CRANKING THE ENGINE AND STALLED OUT WHILE STILL. AFTER DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE, IT WAS CITED THE CAR HAS A "GROSS VACUUM LEAK" INDICATING THAT THE "EASY FUEL" GAS FLAP IS NOT SHUTTING PROPERLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR MOST FORD ESCAPE OWNERS AND EVEN OTHER FORD OWNERS THAT HAVE THE "EASY FUEL" SYSTEM. THE SUGGESTED SOLUTION BY MOST DEALERS AND TECHNICIANS IS TO EVENTUALLY REPLACE THE FUEL FILL PUMP, HOWEVER THE REPAIR SEEMS TO BE PRETTY COSTLY FOR AN ISSUE IMPACTING OWNERS BASED ON A FAULTY "EASY FUEL" SYSTEM.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10949572

Owners report the ignition key becoming hard to turn, needing wiggling, or sticking in the start position, causing no-starts. A dealer quoted replacing the steering column lock module.

How common

3 of the 300 complaints we read (1%), roughly 21 of all 2,069 on file

Safety

Not a safety issue

• Ignition switch became increasingly hard to turn, requiring the owner to jury-rig a spare key to start and stop the car, exposing wiring in the steering column. · filed Mar 2021
  Read the owner's complaint

  THE CAR HAS HAD ISSUES STARTING SINCE I BROUGHT IT FROM A USED DEALER LAST SEPTEMBER. OVER TIME IT GOT MORE DIFFICULT TO CRANK. I STARTED CHECKING YOUTUBE TO SEE IF IT WERE JUST ME AND CAME TO LEARN THAT THERE IS A GREAT MULTITUDE OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPES. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FROM THE KEY THAT FLIPS THE IGNITION SWITCH IS EITHER TOO WEEK OR IT DOESN'T TURN FAR ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO CRANK. I HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE COVERING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL AND MANUALLY USE THE SPARE KEY AS AN EXTENSION OF THE O E INSIDE THE IGNITION, IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO CRANK. THE SAME PROCESS IS REQUIRED IN TURNING THE CAR OFF. RIGHT NOW IT WORKS, HOWEVER COULD BE A HAZARD WITH ALL OF THE WIRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL EXPOSED. AND WHO IS TO SAY THAT ONE DAY THE VEHICLE WON'T JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH HAVING AN IMAGINARY PHYSICAL CONNECTION?

  NHTSA complaint ODI #11402913

• Ignition key increasingly needs wiggling in the steering column lock to start the vehicle; dealer quoted $787.65 to replace the lock module. · filed Sep 2016
  Read the owner's complaint

  THIS CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME THE ENGINE IS STOP, WHILE PARK AT HOME,SHOPPING ANY WHERE THE ENGINE IS STOP . TO START THE KEY IN INSERTED TO STEERING COLUMN OPENING AND IT WILL NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AT TIMES IT TAKES TO MOVE BACK AND FORT THE KEY WHILE INSERTED AND IT WILL START, THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. TOOK THE ESCAPE TO GRAND PRAIRIE FORD TEXAS AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACE PLUS AN ALIGNMENT TOTAL FOR $787.65 UNDERSTAND THAT THE 2009 ESCAPE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON IT BUT NOT THE 2010, THIS IS RATHER ABSURD SINCE THE KNOW THE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE THE CHOICE TO REPAIR OR DRIVE UNTIL THE KEY NO LONGER WORKS, WHAT A CHOICE, I'M A WIDOWER , RETIRED AND LIVE ON SS, THANKS FORD.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10904529

• Ignition switch was hard to turn and got stuck in the start position, causing repeated no-starts; it was never diagnosed or repaired. · filed Oct 2015
  Read the owner's complaint

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE IGNITION WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND ONCE IT WAS STARTED THE IGNITION REMAINED STUCK IN THE START POSITION CAUSING THE STARTER TO REMAIN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO HIT THE IGNITION FOR IT TO COME OUT OF THE STARTING POSITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

  NHTSA complaint ODI #10783329