2006 Ford Escape Hybrid

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

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.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the brushless Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V526000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11524998

Incident

Jan 15, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine turned over for two seconds and stalled. The contact stated that an unknown service warning light was illuminated, indicating to pull the vehicle over. The contact notified an independent mechanic and he was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to confirm any recalls; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ID

11506951

Incident

Feb 11, 2023

Mileage

157,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign number: 14V526000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The part was available for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11428038

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN FENTON, MICHIGAN FOR MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK TOWER FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11234801

Incident

Jul 15, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE HYBRID ELECTRONICS SYSTEM OVERHEATED, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE ALERT SYSTEM SAID TO "STOP CAR SLOWLY" AND THEN "CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM". THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND LOST ALMOST ALL POWER. AFTER TURNING IT ON AGAIN, THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WAS LIKE THIS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES (THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE BUT THE CAR SEEMED NORMAL AFTER THE INITIAL STALL). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY MECHANIC'S GARAGE AND THEY TOLD US THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE MECS PUMP WHICH WAS CAUSING THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT. THIS SEEMS REMARKABLY SIMILAR TO RECALL #14S19 AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER IT. I ALSO CHATTED WITH A REP FROM FORD WHO COULDN'T TELL ME WHY MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ERROR ON FORD'S END. THE REP TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT ON JULY 29, 2005 AND THE RECALL INCLUDES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM 2005 TO JUNE 20, 2008. SHE SAID SHE COULDN'T FIND AN EXACT DATE FOR THE START OF THE "BUILD DATE" RANGE, BUT SHE THOUGHT IT INCLUDED ALL OF 2005. SO I SAID "SHOULDN'T MINE BE COVERED?" SIMILARLY, THE 14S19 RECALL NOTICE STATES: "MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 13, 2003, TO JUNE 20, 2008". I BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE 2015, AFTER THE INITIAL RECALL DATE WAS ISSUED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OUTSTANDING RECALL MATTERS WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LIGHTLY USED SO I WONDER IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS EVEN AWARE OF THE MECS ISSUES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I AM CURRENTLY FACING $1,300 IN REPAIR COSTS AND THIS LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THE RECALL PROBLEMS MENTIONED IN 14S19. I HOPE SOMEONE AT NHTSA CAN HELP BECAUSE I THINK FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGES. THANKS AGAIN. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11231913

Incident

Jul 11, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

AS I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND RED LIGHT, MY BRAKES SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I LITERALLY HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE AND IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AT LESS THAN 10 MPH AND HAD TO LET OFF THE GAS IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO ATTEMPT TO USE THE BRAKES AND CAR WOULD SHAKE WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED. TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE CODE AND IT WAS THE TRAVEL SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

11220955

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH APPROX. 140,000 MILES. INITIALLY, HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S GAS ENGINE STALLING OUT WHILE IN MOTION AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 35 TO 55 MPH. MESSAGE IN DASH SAID TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND RUN FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES. NEXT DAY IT RAN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE OCCURRING ONCE AGAIN. EVENTUALLY THE HYBRID BATTERY HAD NO MORE JUICE AND I HAVE TO BE TOWED. GARAGE, NOT DEALER DX STICKING THROTTLE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY. THEY CLEANED IT, RECHARGED THE HYBRID BATTERY AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. VEHICLE WORKED WELL FOR 6 WEEKS AND THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT AFTER INITIALLY STALLING OUT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM, ON 2 OCCASIONS OCCURRED WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD. RETURNED IT TO GARAGE WHERE IT STALLED WHEN COLD ONE OF THOSE TIMES. AFTER THAT IS DIDN'T STALL FOR THEM AGAIN. GARAGE LOOKED ON LINE AND SAW A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT NO CONCLUSIVE DIAGNOSIS OR FIX. THEY SUGGESTED THAT CHANGING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ASSEMBLY MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT CONFIDENT OF THIS. VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11219538

Incident

Jun 3, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

ABS BREAK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR FAILED TO STOP. WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN A SMALL TOWN AND WAS STOPPING TO TURN ON TO A ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAD ALSO HAPPEN WHEN SOMEONE HAS STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME AND I NEEDED TO BREAK SUDDENLY. HAD BREAK FLUID CHANGED AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN YOU NEED TO STOP SUDDENLY AND HIT THE BREAKS HARD, THE PEDAL HARD IT STIFFENS UP AND WILL NOT STOP THE CAR. IF YOU TURN OFF THE CAR AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN IT BACK ON, IT SEEMS TO RESET IT UNTIL YOU HIT THE BREAKS HARD AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11218737

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

185,000 mi

The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.

Some 2005-2012 Escape Hybrid and 2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid vehicles may set DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control circuit) in the traction battery control module (TBCM). These codes by themselves normally do not result in any symptoms that are noticeable to the customer. DTCs P0A81/P0A96 are typically found when diagnosing other drivability concerns. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

2005-2008 ESCAPE/MARINER HYBRID - ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH DTC(S) C1478, C1479, C1480 AND/OR C1481

FORD/MERCURY: SOME HYBRID VEHICLES MAY REQUIRE A UNIQUE BLEED PROCEDURE AFTER A REPLACEMENT FOR ONE OR MORE OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. *PE

FORD/MERCURY: SOME VEHICLES MAY SET DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0A81 (BATTERY PACK COOLING FAN 1 CONTROL CIRCUIT) AND/OR P0A96 (BATTERY PACK COOLING FAN 2 CONTROL CIRCUIT) IN THE TRACTION BATTERY CONTROL MODULE (TBCM). THESE CODES BY THEMSELVES NORMALLY DO NOT RESULT IN ANY SYMPTOMS THAT ARE NOTICEABLE TO THE CUSTOMER. REPLACE BOTH HIGH VOLTAGE TRACTION BATTERY (HVTB) COOLING FANS. *PE

FORD/MERCURY: VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A RED TRIANGLE LIGHT AND CODES INDICATING A TRANSAXLE OVERTEMP. CONDITION MAY RESULT IN REDUCED POWER AS SYSTEM ACTIVATES FAIL SAFE OPERATION. *PE