Ford Escape Complaints

29,499 consumer complaints on file.

#10423609August 31, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING TO THE TPA ON I-75 APPROACHING THE EXIT FOR I-4 WE SLOWED FOR A TRUCK THAT CUT US OFF. OUR VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN AT LEAST TWO GEARS WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVER REV. WE TRIED TO SPEED UP, BUT THE ENGINE JUST REVVED HIGHER. SO WE SLOWED WHILE EXITING ON TO THE RAMP FOR I-4. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT AND PULL OFF THE RAMP ROAD BEFORE GETTING ON TO I-4. WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES TO COMPOSE OURSELVES. I WAS HOPING THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD RESET ITSELF SO WE COULD CONTINUE. WE STARTED THE ENGINE AND WE CONTINUED TO THE AIRPORT WITHOUT ANYMORE PROBLEMS. I DROVE HOME, CALLED JOHN AT BRANDON FORD AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE NONE OF THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON DURING THE INCIDENT. HE SAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND HOPEFULLY IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I DROVE FOR TWO WEEKS DROVE WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL 8/26/2011. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS BEFORE. THE ENGINE DOWN SHIFTED ABOUT 65 MPH AND THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING. WE SLOWED THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AFTER ACCELERATING WE FELT THE ENGINE OVER REVVING BEFORE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN A PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN. WE NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED WITH ASSURANCE THAT IT IS TRULY FIXED OR WE NEED RESTITUTION FROM FORD FOR SELLING US AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422826August 31, 2011
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT END. TOOK TO MECHANIC. THEY SAY BOTH FRONT GREASE BOOTS ARE CRACKED WHICH ALLOWS DIRT, DUST, ETC. TO GET IN AND UP AROUND THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES. THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD GONE BAD DUE TO THIS BOOT CRACK SO WE HAD TO REPLACE IT. THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING BOTH TIE RODS, BOOTS AND BALL JOINTS, BUT WE COULD ONLY AFFORD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT THAT WAS BAD AT THIS TIME BECAUSE WE JUST SPENT $3350 PUTTING A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! WHAT IS FORD BUILDING THESE CARS WITH??? I SUSPECT THE CHEAPEST PARTS THEY CAN GET REGARDLESS OF THEIR QUALITY SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY. IN THE MEANTIME THE AVERAGE WORKING FAMILY HAS TO PAY TWICE FOR A VEHICLE'S PARTS THAT SHOULD NOT GO BAD SO QUICKLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422559August 30, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
TONE RING FAILURE ON ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON 2006 FORD ESCAPE. BRAKE FADE UNTIL COMPUTER SYSTEM NOTES SENSOR FAILURE AND INDICATES ABS FAILURE LIGHT. THE SYSTEM DOES THIS FOR EACH ENGINE STARTUP--BRAKE FADE UNTIL ERROR CODED OUT. A CHEAPLY MADE PIECE, LOW PARTS REPLACEMENT BUT EXPENSIVE MECH REPAIR REQUIRING REMOVAL OF CALIPER AND AXLE HUB....ALL ITEMS THAT ARE WELL RUSTED INTO PLACE. AN EXTREMELY POOR DESIGN FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422641August 30, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TOWING THE VEHICLE WITH AN RV, SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/29/12 *CN ON APRIL 3, 2012 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHILE SHIFTING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED FOR THE SLIPPING ISSUES. UPDATED 05/18/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422293August 27, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING TO THE TPA ON I-75 APPROACHING THE EXIT FOR I-4 WE SLOWED FOR A TRUCK THAT CUT US OFF. OUR VEHICLE SHIFTED DOWN AT LEAST TWO GEARS WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVER REV. WE TRIED TO SPEED UP, BUT THE ENGINE JUST REVED HIGHER. SO WE SLOWED WHILE EXITING ON TO THE RAMP FOR I-4. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT AND PULL OFF THE RAMP ROAD BEFORE GETTING ON TO I-4. WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES TO COMPOSE OURSELVES. I WAS HOPING THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD RESET ITSELF SO WE COULD CONTINUE. WE STARTED THE ENGINE AND WE CONTINUED TO THE AIRPORT WITHOUT ANYMORE PROBLEM. I DROVE HOME AND FOR TWO WEEKS DROVE WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL 8/26/2011. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS BEFORE. THE ENGINE DOWN SHIFTED ABOUT 65 MPH AND THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING. WE SLOWED THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AFTER EXCELERATING WE FELT THE ENGINE OVER REVVING BEFORE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN A PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. IT?S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN. WE NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED WITH ASSURANCE THAT IT IS TRULY FIXED OR WE NEED RESTITUTION FROM FORD FOR SELLING US AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421657August 26, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS LIGHT ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE KEEPS COMING ON....WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS...ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE IN IT ONLY HAD IT FOR 37,000 MILES WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE....FORD DOES NOT NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421357August 24, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT MODULE WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRUALIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421163August 23, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IT IS REALLY BAD SHIFTING TO SECOND, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE MOTOR IS DROPPING. MY A/C ALSO JUST STARTED HAVING ISSUES, THE FAN ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422037August 23, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON AUG 13, 2011 THE REAR WINDOW ON OUR 2009 FORD ESCAPE SHATTERED WHEN THE HATCH DOOR WAS CLOSED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOV 12, 2010 AND WE FILED A REPORT THEN TOO. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES OUR CAR WAS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN MY WIFE CLOSED THE DOOR. WE KNOW THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THE 2010 - 2011 ESCAPE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INCLUDE EARLIER MODELS AS WELL. WE BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BECAUSE IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420910August 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2007 FORD ESCAPE STARTING MAKING NOISE.. I PULLED TO A GAS STATION WHERE WE FOUND NO OIL IN THE TRUCK. NOT AT ANYTIME DID MY OIL LIGHT OR EVEN MY ENGINE COME ON... MY ENGINE IS BLOWN. NOW I AM GOING TO TRY TO GET MY WARRANTY TO GET IT FIXED.. THAT SHOULD BE A "FUN" EXPERIENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420929August 22, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2010 FORD ESCAPE XLT. STARTING WITH ABOUT 1200 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN HARD SHIFTS, HESITATION BETWEEN GEARS, JERKING HARD INTO REVERSE WHEN ENGAGING, HIGH SPEED SHIFTS JERK INTO GEAR SOUNDING LIKE THE REAR END IS FALLING OUT. FORD DEALER FIRST STATED IT WAS NORMAL, AFTER SEVERAL MORE COMPLAINTS THEY DECIDED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. IT WORKED SMOOTHLY FOR ABOUT 200 MILES THEN STARTED THE SAME THINGS AGAIN, IT GETS MORE FREQUENT AS THE MILES MOUNT UP. MY WIFE IS AFRAID OF THE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT DRIVE OR RIDE IN IT. WHEN ROADS ARE WET THE SHIFTS ARE HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE THE WHEELS SPIN. LAST TIME THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE TRANSMISSION, IT NOW HESITATES WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR. I WAS TURNING AROUND ON A ROAD THAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD AMPLE TIME BUT WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE IT DELAYED SO LONG TO ENGAGE THAT TRAFFIC WAS HEADING TOWARD ME. IF THE CAR SITS 2-3 DAYS, IT GIVES A LONG HESITATION TO GO INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. ALSO, HAVE EXPERIENCED SQUEALING COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FORD HAS CHANGE THE BELT SEVERAL TIMES AND THE TENSIONER, IT LASTS FOR A FEW HUNDRED MILES AND STARTS AGAIN. ALL ITEMS I HAVE BEEN TOLD ARE NORMAL. I HAVE OWNED MORE THAN 20 CARS AND DO NOT FIND HARD SHIFTS, HESITATIONS, EXCESSIVE NOISE AND HARD CLUNKS TO BE NORMAL BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION. I PAID $25,000 FOR THIS CAR, I HAVE DRIVEN CARS THAT COST HALF THIS PRICE THAT HANDLED BETTER. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD OWNER OF F150'S, EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS AND EVEN A COUPLE OF OLD F100'S. I HAD ALWAYS BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THEM. THE ESCAPE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO DOWNSIZE FOR OUR 2ND VEHICLE AND HAVE SOMETHING MORE ECONOMICAL, WE LIKED THEM WHEN WE RENTED THEM BUT THIS ONE HAS BEEN A VERY BIG DISAPPOINTMENT AND TIME CONSUMING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420104August 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE WAS LOCATED ON THE WIRING HARNESS NEAR THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ABS MODULE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO FOUND OUT PRIOR TO THE FIRE A RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2008, UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:07V156000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 173,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420124August 19, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR FAILED AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CLEANED THE DOOR LOCKS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,429. THE CONSUMER STATED AT 8,429 THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, AT 8,832 THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED AND NOW IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. UPDATED 10/05/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420602August 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN
WHILE BEING TOWED BEHIND MY MOTOR HOME THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SMOKING. WHEN I STOPPED THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE I THOUGHT IT WAS ON FIRE AND GRABBED MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I HAD THE CAR HAULED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AT 8260 ODOMETER MILES. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BEING TOWED AT 10834 ODOMETER MILES AND AFTER BEING TOWED APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. EACH REPAIR TOOK 2-3 WEEKS TO COMPLETE. ALTHOUGH FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE ESCAPE CAN BE TOWED WITH ALL FOUR WHEELS ON THE GROUND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CATASTROPHIC FAILURES REPORTED ON THE INTERNET UNDER "FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS + TOWING" WHICH LEADS ONE TO BELIEVE THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE TOWED WITHOUT GREAT RISK. THIS FAILURE IS NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT IT IS A FINANCIAL PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER AND A SAFETY PROBLEM. DEPENDING UPON WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURS IT MIGHT BE VERY DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. ALSO, AT SOME POINT THE VEHICLE COULD CONCEIVABLY CATCH FIRE WHICH WOULD PRESENT AN EVEN GREATER POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE REPORT OF A FIRE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE TRANSMISSION USED IN THE ESCAPE IS A 6F35 TRANSMISSION WHICH IS ALSO USED IN THE MERCURY MARINER, FORD FUSION AND MAZADA TRIBUTE. SO THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IF THEY ARE TOWED ALL FOUR WHEELS DOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419794August 17, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF ONE OF THE VEHICLE COMPLAINED OF BACK PAIN BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS TO THE BODY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10419622August 16, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THIRTY MINUTES WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. THE HOOD WAS THEN RAISED AND FLAMES WERE ALSO COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE, BUT THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT WHICH WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS LOCATED AT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REPORT THEIR FINDINGS TO THE CONTACT. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER, NOR INSURANCE COMPANY WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419422August 15, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2ND INSTANCE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL CABLE CLIPS IN 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE DEFECT IS KNOWN AND IS ADDRESSED IN A FORD TSB, NUMBER: TSB-09-21-9. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE REPEATED. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. THE FAILURE OF THE CLIPS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, WHICH WAS ONLY NON-LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. TODAY'S INSTANCE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT... AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING. NO POWER WAS EXERTED ON THE PEDAL AT THE TIME OF BREAKAGE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT WARRANTING RECALL AND A MORE PERMANENT AND SUITABLE REPAIR FIX. AS I STATED, THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, SO THE ORIGINAL PART REPLACEMENT SOLUTION IS NOT EFFECTIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419479August 15, 2011
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED TAPE WRAPPED AROUND THE SEAT BELT LATCH, LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT METAL LATCH WAS LOOSE AND THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK IN THE METAL LATCH. THE DEALER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE THAT THE TAPE WAS COSMETIC AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,692.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419367August 14, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID (53,000 MILES) IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON I-5 I HEAR A POPPING SOUND AND SUDDENLY ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IS LOST. A RED EXCLAMATION POINT WITHIN A TRIANGLE APPEARS ON THE CONTROL PANEL AND A SINCERELY BIZARRE MESSAGE DISPLAYS ITSELF: "PLEASE PULL OVER SAFELY". THIS IS QUITE THE CHALLENGE WITH 18 WHEELERS BEHIND ME, TO THE SIDE OF ME, AND OTHER CARS ALL AROUND. WITH QUICK REFLEXES, I AM ABLE TO GET OVER TWO LANES AND SLOWLY (I THINK ONLY THE ELECTRIC ENGINE IS WORKING, NO GAS) DRIVE OFF THE NEXT EXIT. SITTING IN THE CAR, I AM IN SHOCK. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN? BECAUSE WE ARE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM OREGON TO THE EAST BAY AREA IN CA, WE ATTEMPT TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND MAKE OUR WAY SOUTH. WITHIN 40 MINUTES THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENS AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME THERE ISN'T AN EXIT RAMP. WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF AN BUSY TWO-LANE SOUTHERN TRAVELING FREEWAY. ONCE SAFELY TO THE SIDE, THE CAR RESTARTS AND APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, BUT WANT TO GET HOME. I DECIDE TO GO A LITTLE UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT (A HAZARD) AND STAY IN THE LEFT LANE. AFTER THE CAR FAILS AND TELLS ME TO "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW" FOR THE 5TH TIME, I DECIDE I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. WE CALL FORD'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER AND WAIT TWO HOURS (YES! TWO HOURS!) FOR A TOW TRUCK, ONLY TO BE CALLED BACK BY AN AUTOMATED DISPATCH THAT GIVES US THE NAME OF A DIFFERENT TOWING SERVICE THAT ESTIMATES ITS ARRIVAL TIME IN 2 HOURS (THE FIRST COMPANY APPARENTLY HAD TO GO TO A POLICE EMERGENCY TOW, BUT I BELIEVE THEY DIDN'T AGREE ON A DECENT WAGE FOR THE SERVICE). NOT WANTING TO WAIT 2 MORE HOURS, I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE AGAIN. WITHIN 10 MINUTES, THE CAR FAILS AND WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GLIDE TO AN OFF RAMP AND INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. THANK GOODNESS WE DIDN'T GET ANY FURTHER; THE NEXT STRETCH OF FREEWAY HAD NO SHOULDER AT ALL AND THE NEXT PART WAS A LONG BRIDGE. CAR IS NOW AT DEALER WAITING FOR MON APPT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10418636August 12, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAR LIFTGATE AND RETRIEVING AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT, THE LIFT GATE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT ON THE HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V602000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,995 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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