This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This vehicle has lost power unexpectedly twice in the last month while either decelerating from freeway speeds (first time) and while cruising at 65 mph (second time). In both instances the wrench lite came on and the RPM level dropped to below 900 RPM and was erratic. Luckily, I was able to put on my hazard flashers and pull to the side of the road in both cases. Both times, I shut the car off and it restarted resuming normal performance. This unpredictable loss of power can become a serious hazard in a freeway full of drivers. I see a growing number of Escape drivers experiencing the same thing, so it appears as though a trend is happening focusing on suspect throttle body units. I am sure Ford will do something about this, but wonder how bad it needs to get before they do.
While driving the vehicle it started jolting and sounding as if the vehicle was dying or out of gas(I had a 3/4 tank). I shuttered to a stop and died while I was on the highway. I went to start it again and it rolled over for 20 sec and then stared. I put it in drive and it immediately bogged down and died. Al my check engine lights came on and I called my husband to come help me. When he got there he was able to start it up and get it off the road and into a parking lot before it shuttered and did again. Had it towed and this morning they call me and tell me it is the electronic throttle body. They said it is not covered under warranty and is on back order for weeks. I did some research and found out hundreds of people are having this problem too. This needs to be a recalled as it is dangerous problem.
I had been driving for months with my engine surging and almost pulling and dragging almost like slowing to a stop. I do not know a lot about cars so I just continued to drive it. Finally one morning in April I was on my way to work at 5am. I was turning onto the highway when while I was pressing on the gas without warning all power was lost. The engine cut off and I was able to coast over to the side of the highway. Thank god it happened right before merging onto highway ramp into on coming traffic because I could have possible been severely injured in a crash or have been a crash fatality. I took the vehicle to an auto store to have battery changed. Just a week later the problem started again. This time the surges were more evident after I was stopped at a light or stop sign. It felt as if the vehicle would start decelerating and loosing power while I was flooring the gas even on the highway. I became nervous about this where I took the vehicle in to be checked out at Ford where I was then told that it was a problem with the electronic throttle body device. I was also informed that there might be a national recall about this problem. I am very upset because no warnings were given about this potential problem because of the possible dangers with these occurrences. My vehicle is still under manufacturer's warranty, but to have this type of concerning issue now, who knows what's to come. I really want out of this vehicle and would like the option to trade it in now.
Traveling at 35 mph, heard a noise and lost all but limp home mode power. No shoulder on the road and created a dangerous lane blockage. Had to be towed to dealer that does not have the needed part. Told it is on national back order. We have extended warranty with rental coverage but since the part is not available they will not pay for rental waiting for the part.
Vehicle was being driven between 25 and 40 mph and complete loss of drive power/speed occurred (vehicle abruptly slows to ~4 mph). Immediate response to get vehicle to side of road to avoid a collision. This has occurred 4 times in the past 3 weeks (two incidents on 5/19/13). Vehicle will be taken to dealer for inspection/repair week of 5/19/13. Engine stays running at idle, but very rough when in drive. If placed in neutral, engine runs, but will not rev up with gas pedal. No throttle response when issue occurs. After key off and 30 second wait and restart, vehicle performs as intended. No mil lights on dashboard. This is a serious issue.
- Saint Joseph, MI, USA
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My Escape had been running rough today and decided maybe I needed to take it on the interstate. While doing about 65 the "open wrench" light came on and I lost complete power. I could not accelerate or anything else for that matter. I coasted to the emergency lane. I put the car in park and restarted the Escape and was able to make it home. I had read about numerous other related issues on this problem with the Ford Escape. I am glad I was in the right hand land and not the left lane; it could have been very dangerous.
While depressing brake to stop at red light or stop sign, engine surges with forced acceleration. Must hit the brake hard to hold the vehicle from going on its own. Surge lasts a long time and I must put the car in park and turn off the engine. Last time car was still surging when I restarted the vehicle, had to turn off car again. This has happened 4 times and my vehicle is still under warranty. The dealership claims they cannot fix the vehicle unless they can see this happen.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that the computer was reading an error and the valve assembly failed, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 47,000.
My 2011 Escape came to a stop at a traffic light and I was preparing to make a right on red, when I began to accelerate into traffic the engine stalled. This could have resulted in a potentially deadly accident. I believe the check engine light and the battery light were both illuminated after it stalled. The vehicle started properly after I put the vehicle into park and restarted the engine. Ford must address this potentially fatal problem with it's engine design.
Periodically the vehicle seems to lose power or hesitated then accelerate, I've never had it stall out. Although it happened a few times early on this problem has been more frequent lately. I have also noticed that when accelerating, for example on an incline, the vehicles takes several minutes to shift into gear. The vehicle idles very rough, it has been since I bought it but has gotten worse recently. I've mentioned it to the technician when I've taken it in for service and was told this is normal for a four cylinder. I've had many cars over the years 4 cyl and 6 cyl and I've never had this happen. I've read some of the other complaints with the same description as what my vehicle is doing.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, there was a sudden reduction in the engine power without any warning. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. There was an open investigation associated with NHTSA action number: DP12006 (engine). The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Vehicle was running rough at idle and check engine light was on. At stop lights, stop signs, or any idle time car would buck forward like it was going to stall.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. Upon restarting, the vehicle resumed as normal. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 28,520....updated 03/27/13 updated 3/28/13 the consumer stated while on his way to the dealer, the vehicle went into a lurching motion four times. Traffic was light at the time, so he was able to coast to the side of the road. Three were recorded on the black box, which reached its capacity. The last one, caused the wrench light to illuminate and it remained on. The dealer replaced the throttle body. As of 03/22/13, the vehicle was performing as designed. The consumer stated he entered a four lane divided road with little traffic coming toward him. As he entered the first westbound lane, the vehicle went into a lurching motion, slowing down his forward movement with traffic coming closer to the drivers side of the vehicle. The vehicle then went into neutral mode and he was bale to coast into the left turn lane, continue through the traffic light controlled intersection and coast to the side of the intersecting roadway. He noticed the tax showed 2,000 RPM. He cycled the key and the engine started and operated normally.
Driving along and engine hesitated like it cut out is how it felt. This has happened many time since then. When it does this it is like it lost power as though the engine ignition was turn off.
I was driving on the interstate at 70mph when my car seemed to just completely lose power. I had to coast to the side of the road, put the car in park, turn it off and restart it. The incident happened exactly the same a couple other times. Also happen once when in the middle of the city. I was at a busy intersection and the car lost power in the middle of the intersection. I was not able to go anywhere until I turned off the car and restarted it. I was nearly T-boned at 5 months pregnant. Dealer was having a hard time figuring out what was wrong but finally figured out that it was something wrong with the drive train which caused the engine to stall.
Three times while traveling at 60+ mph on the interstate the vehicle lost all throttle response and a yellow wrench illuminated on the instrument panel. Trying to navigate from the left lane across 3 lanes of highspeed rush hour traffic was very dangerous. I took the vehicle to the local dealer as soon as possible and was told it was a bad throttle body. This incident could have resulted in serious injury.
Turned onto my street on my way home from work and all of a sudden couldn't give the car any gas. Notice wrench light came on. Coasted into driveway turned car off-waited a few and turned back on. No light and car seemed fine. Next day took car out and just after getting on highway car did the same thing this time the check engine light came on as well. Turned off and on and wrench light went off but engine light stayed on. Drove directly to dealership. Was told it was the throttle body got stuck and was being replaced. Very dangerous when driving on busy roads!
After stopping and upon acceleration the engine completely shuts down and the car stalls. After putting the car in park and restarting the car, it runs okay. This has happened to me 4 times over a 23 month period. Each time I have taken the vehicle to the dealership. The first two times I was told the car was still breaking in and it must be due to the gas I was using. The third time, they replaced the throttle body. To my knowledge the "wrench" light only came on once. They said they had a number of vehicles that this had happened with and replacing the throttle body helped. Three weeks after they replaced the throttle body, it happened again! this time only the engine light came on. Ford says they need a code to try to fix the problem. The dealership told me that there was one other person, who has the same make and model as mine that this is happening too. This person also had the throttle body replaced. The fact that no code is tripped is a problem in itself! please help! I do not want anyone to be killed because of this problem.
I was driving at 55mph going East on 301. I stopped at a stop sign to turn left onto 305, crossing over 301 West. After stopping, I accelerated to cross over 301 West to turn onto 305 and the engine died. Luckily I had enough momentum to drift across the road and made it safely onto the shoulder of 301. If I didn't I would have been T-boned by cars traveling <55+mph.
While driving on the interstate at approx 55 to 60 miles per hour I suddenly, without any kind of warning, light etc, began to quickly slow down. The engine was still running but I did not have any forward power. I pulled over, turned it off and back on, the engine light and wrench light came on, the wrench light went out but the engine light stayed on. I started it back up, drove down the berm at about 15-20 and it did it again; I stopped turned it off and back on and managed to get off the interestate. I took it to the dealer and was told it was the throttle body; this was the throttle body that came on the vehicle. About $382 later my car seems to be doing okay. My point.....this is dangerous, extremely dangerous - luckily I didn't have a tractor trailer bearing down on me....however, there were several horns and abrupt stops. Ford needs to recall these immediately before someone is killed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Edmonds, WA, USA