2007 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 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, nearly causing a crash. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V526000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11603752

Incident

Jan 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, after which the message "Service Engine Now” was displayed. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the hybrid propulsion system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V526000 (Hybrid Propulsion System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 227,000.

NHTSA ID

11589638

Incident

May 14, 2024

Mileage

227,000 mi

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted, and parts were ordered for the repair. The dealer sent the parts to the independent mechanic who repaired the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light illuminated as the grinding noise returned. The contact also stated that the brake pedal had begun to depress to the floorboard. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA ID

11436606

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

43,000 mi

SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE, VERY DANGEROUS 'STOP SAFELY NOW' IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, MANAGED TO PULL THROUGH IT ALL AND NOT DIE. IT WAS COLD AND RAINY OUTSIDE WHILE WE WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK ON A NARROW ROADSIDE. BROUGHT TO NEAR BY FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY 'THOUGHT' IT MIGHT BE THE DC TO DC CONVERTER BUT WERE NOT SURE ABOUT IT, SO RATHER THAN DROPPING $3 GRAND ON A 'MAYBE' I GOT IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. WHERE IT NOW SITS AND WON'T START STILL HAS THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE. I FEEL LIKE IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING SMALL, OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY CHANGED THE DC TO DC CONVERTER AND ITS USUALLY NOT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11209130

Incident

Nov 21, 2018

Mileage

300,000 mi

I WAS TURNING TO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE PARKING SPOT AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLIMINATED READS SERVICE POWER STEERING WHEEL. POWER STEERING IS OUT ITS VERY HARD TO TURN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. RESTARED THE CAR AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. FAILURED MILAGE IS ABOUT 160K MILE.

NHTSA ID

11207656

Incident

May 14, 2019

Mileage

164,857 mi

VEHICLE DISPLAYED "SERVICE EMISSIONS SYSTEM" WARNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVING OFF THE LOT. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ALL EMISSIONS PARTS, VEHICLE STILL INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYS THIS WARNING AND OCCASIONAL "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE ALSO DISPLAYS "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNINGS DAILY DESPITE HAVING ENTIRE BREAKING SYSTEM REPLACED CAUSING FAILURE OF ABS BREAKING SYSTEM RESULTING IN BRAKE PEDAL GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND TAKING A MUCH LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. VEHICLE DISPLAYS "PASSENGER DOOR AJAR" WARNINGS ALTHOUGH DOOR IS SHUT. THIS RESULTS IN ALARM AND LIGHTS FLASHING CONSTANTLY RESULTING IN SEVERAL DRAINED BATTERIES SO VEHICLE DOES NOT START. TRANSFER CASE OR "POWER TAKE OFF UNIT" FAILED AT 125K MILES RESULTING IN NON-DRIVABLE CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

11164099

Incident

Dec 1, 2018

Mileage

125,000 mi

2014. BRAKE FAIL. FIX. FOR. $1500. MOVING. TO. CALIFORNIA. NOW 2018. 12-5-2018. POWER STEERING. NEEDS. SERVICES. AND. ALSO. EMISSIONS. HAVE PROBLEMS TOO. ?

NHTSA ID

11157032

Incident

Dec 5, 2018

Mileage

92,340 mi

WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND POWER STEERING LOCKED UP IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET , WITH CARS COMING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS NEARLY GOT HIT .... HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO STEER CAR TO SIDE OF STREET..... POWER STEERING MODULE WENT BAD

NHTSA ID

11152995

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

227,000 mi

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: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION. *RM

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