2007 Ford Escape Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Ford Escape, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes4814.6%
- Driver assistance4714.3%
- Powertrain (other)3610.9%
- Engine319.4%
- Electrical298.8%
- Fuel system237.0%
- Body & structure195.8%
- Suspension195.8%
- Steering154.6%
- Airbags123.6%
- Visibility113.3%
- Tires & wheels103.0%
- Other / unspecified92.7%
- Transmission82.4%
- Seat belts72.1%
- Interior & seats41.2%
- Exterior lighting10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 10 MPH, the brakes failed with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his wife was able to coast the vehicle off the roadway. The contact arrived at the scene and drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic discovered that both front brake lines were severely corroded and that the front passenger’s side brake line was leaking brake fluid due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
ABS service system warning came up on my dash along with the brake light and the abs light, immediately after the lights came on the ability to stop and stay stopped vanished.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact's mother owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and decelerated to 40-45 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's brother depressed the accelerator pedal however, the pedal felt soft and remained on the floorboard. The contact's brother veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, he was able to continue to drive; however, the failure reoccurred while exiting the highway. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to go into gear while attempting to shift into drive and depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle would start but would not move. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
The theft system randomly sounds off for no reason. The theft light keeps blinking as the key is placed in the run position. The vehicle is having issues starting and there's no sound at all when turning the key. When the vehicle does start it stalls, so the gas pedal must be pushed almost to the floor. I must apply strong pressure to the breaks, so that I can stop and not crash. The problem is not changing and other ownsers are having these same issue with this truck. I've already had the battery checked, starter replaced, purchased a new key , and fob.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid (mileage currently 180,000 but the issue started around 150,000 miles) will occasionally (varies from once a week to once every 3 months) not respond properly when I'm accelerating from a stop. When this happens, I can push the accelerator all the way to the floor, but the car will accelerate very slowly for the first 5 seconds or so, and then start accelerating normally again. When this issue first began, it nearly resulted in multiple crashes when I was pulling out into traffic, but now I leave lots of extra space when pulling into traffic in case this happens. I've taken the car to an independent mechanic to try to diagnose the issue and they were unable to observe it since it doesn't happen frequently or predictably enough. There were not any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the issue starting.
While driving, a red triangle to safely stop came up and the vehicle engine shut down. I could not accelerate since the engine was shut down, I could only coast and brake. After the vehicle has been cooling down for 20 min, I’m able to restart the vehicle and drive again until the same issue occurs again. No light on dashboard. Very dangerous issue as it often happens when driving on the freeway for a while. You have no way to accelerate the vehicle and need to slowly pull over on a busy freeway, endangering others and yourself. The issue has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. Please note that this is a known recall for this vehicle but my VIN is NOT included in the recall. Please see the details of the recall below: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V526000 Report Date: SEP 03, 2014 Vehicles Affected: 70,209 Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash. What You Should Do: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
When accelerating on the vehicle it would run fine till about a couple minutes driving then it would jerk and the rpm gauge would go to 0 and then back up the the right rpm
LOSS OF MAJOR ENGINE POWER AND LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. HAS NO ACCELERATION POWER ANYMORE LIKE IT DID A YEAR AGO TO NOW. REPLACE ALL SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS WITH NOW NEW ACCELERATION POWER AT ALL.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
When accelerating on the vehicle it would run fine till about a couple minutes driving then it would jerk and the rpm gauge would go to 0 and then back up the the right rpm
ABS service light comes on intermittently, when light is on a "service brake system" warning comes across the guage cluster. While this service light is on the escape has little to no braking and requires upwards of 300ft to stop when going 45mph. Once the vehicle is brought to a stop you can hear the brake system attempting to pressurize but only making a repeated grinding noise directly in front of the driver in the engine bay. Once vehicle is parked and shut off the brakes continue to make the same grinding noise. After allowing the vehicle to sit over night you may get lucky and have fully functioning brakes or you may unlock the door and hear the grinding noise letting you know the abs warning will be illuminated once the car is started. I have currently rear-ended another vehicle while stopped at a red light because no matter how hard I pressed on the brakes my vehicle continued to roll forward into another vehicle. My vehicle passed inspection with zero obdII codes the day I bought the escape Friday, May 27, 2022. Exactly a week later on June 2, 2022 I experienced severe brake failure and rear ended a 2021 Toyota 4runner. No major damage was caused to either vehicle. Two days later on June 4, 2022 the brake system failed once again causing me to drive my vehicle off the road into the median to avoid an impact at 65mph on interstate I-85. I am a father to my 3 year old daughter, but I am unable to transport my daughter in fear of endangering her life because of a faulty brake system Ford refuses to recall.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid (mileage currently 180,000 but the issue started around 150,000 miles) will occasionally (varies from once a week to once every 3 months) not respond properly when I'm accelerating from a stop. When this happens, I can push the accelerator all the way to the floor, but the car will accelerate very slowly for the first 5 seconds or so, and then start accelerating normally again. When this issue first began, it nearly resulted in multiple crashes when I was pulling out into traffic, but now I leave lots of extra space when pulling into traffic in case this happens. I've taken the car to an independent mechanic to try to diagnose the issue and they were unable to observe it since it doesn't happen frequently or predictably enough. There were not any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the issue starting.
While driving, a red triangle to safely stop came up and the vehicle engine shut down. I could not accelerate since the engine was shut down, I could only coast and brake. After the vehicle has been cooling down for 20 min, I’m able to restart the vehicle and drive again until the same issue occurs again. No light on dashboard. Very dangerous issue as it often happens when driving on the freeway for a while. You have no way to accelerate the vehicle and need to slowly pull over on a busy freeway, endangering others and yourself. The issue has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. Please note that this is a known recall for this vehicle but my VIN is NOT included in the recall. Please see the details of the recall below: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 14V526000 Report Date: SEP 03, 2014 Vehicles Affected: 70,209 Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash. What You Should Do: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an inspection, the contact was informed that the subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds a clunking noise was present coming from the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered that the rear passenger’s side wheel well was severely rusted causing the rear passenger’s side shock absorber to puncture the wheel well of the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear frame rails rotting thru from the inside out, causing potential suspension issues
Front tires bald and worn out in a circular pattern in less then about 4000 miles tires were brand new then purchased another set of 2 new front tires and again tires were bald and in some area they had a circular pattern after 2000 miles
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
TWO YEARS AGO OUR ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO FAULTY SENSORS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FRONTIER FORD IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AND THEY CHARGED ME $1200 TO GET IT FIXED. IN THE LAST 5 DAYS, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 3 DIFFERENT TIMES -- ALL WHILE DRIVING -- CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TURN-OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RE-START IT. IT'S MY WIFE'S ESCAPE -- SHE WEIGHS 106 LBS -- THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURED (I'M 220 LBS, AND I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE W/O PWR STEERING. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE PWR STEERING WENT OUT, I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. TODAY IT WENT OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE WARNING LIGHT AND BELLS CAME ON SAYING "PROBLEM WITH STEERING" -- I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN IT WOULD NOT RE-START. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND RE-START -- IT FINALLY DID RE-START -- BUT ONLY AFTER INFURIATING A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE STUCK IN BACK OF ME DURING THEIR MORNING COMMUTE.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A BEEPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RED MCCOMBS FORD (210-996-2678, LOCATED AT 8333 W IH 10, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78230) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,526.
CAR WAS MOVING ON COUNTY ROAD, OAKVIEW RD, ALBANY, OREGON. CAR WAS HIT "T-BONE" SIDE IMPACT ON PASSENGER SIDE DURING LEFT TURN. SIDE IMPACT BAGS DEPLOYED. CAR ENDED IN ROADSIDE DITCH. FRONT AIRBAG, STEERING WHEEL, DID NOT DEPLOY. FIRE CHIEF AND COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY WERE CONCERNED. CAR HAD NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION PRIOR TO THIS. SINGLE OWNER, US, CAR. WE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THIS DEVICE. ALL SERVICE WAS DONE BY FORD DEALER, ROBERSON FORD, ALBANY, OR. STATE FARM CLAIM: [XXX] DATE OF LOSS: 05/31/2019 [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE PARKED. MY CAR WAS BACKED IN AND THERE WAS NO ONE OR WAY TO GET BEHIND ME.
THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED THIS MORNING. WE LIVE IN THE COUNTRY SO IT WASN'T DUE TO ANY OUTSIDE DISTURBANCE.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Front tires bald and worn out in a circular pattern in less then about 4000 miles tires were brand new then purchased another set of 2 new front tires and again tires were bald and in some area they had a circular pattern after 2000 miles
WHILE I WAS SLEEPING, A SECOND CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW UP AND DAMAGED THE DRIVERS SIDE QUARTER PANEL SEVERELY. THE EXPLOSION WOKE NEIGHBORS 2 STREETS OVER. MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 13 HOURS AND THE CONDITIONS WERE 55 DEGREES AND RAINY. CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRES AND THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO REPAIR THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DIDN'T SAVE THE BLOWN TIRE TO MAIL TO THEM. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS WHERE THEY PLACED A PIECE OF METAL TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM COMING OFF. IN LATER YEARS THEY USED THE SAME PART, WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE PART OR AT LEAST REDESIGNED THE PART SO THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTILL FIXED
BRAKE FAILED THE REGEN SYSTEM FAILURE AND ABS BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED AN ALMOST SERIOUS ACCIDENT $7000 FOR REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FROM 1000S OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE IT IS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE 2 WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS SLIGHTLY TOUCHED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE KEY FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION FREQUENTLY IN ORDER TO MOVE THE KEY AND START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BELT HAD TO BE ADJUSTED TO GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
I ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. I HAD TO STRETCH THE BELT AND PULL IT OVER MY HEAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE CAR. MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE THE BUTTON, BUT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. I HAVE TO HAVE THE WHOLE THING REPLACED AND WAS QUOTED $450.00 AS IT WILL HAVE TO BE REWIRED ALSO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S ALARM SOUNDED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY FORD (LOCATED AT 3921 W RIVER DR, DAVENPORT, IA 52802, (563) 326-4011) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *BF 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
GAS PEDAL STICKS AND IT WONT LET ME ACCELERATE FROM TIME TO TIME. IT HAPPEN MOST OF THE TIME IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN ITS STILL COOL OUTSIDE. ALSO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK STICKS FROM TIME TO TIME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER REAR RIGHT BRAKE/TAIL BULB WENT OUT, WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB I FOUND THAT THE SOCKET WAS BURNED, VERY DARK BROWN SPLOTCHY AREAS, AND HAD A DISTINCTIVE ODOR. I CHECKED THE LEFT, DRIVER SIDE AND FOUND THAT THE SOCKET ON THAT BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT WAS ALSO TURNING BROWN AT THE PIN SITE. IT CONCERNS ME THAT I AM FINDING THIS ISSUE TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM AROUND THE INTERNET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .