2025 Ford Escape

I am requesting a serious investigation into potentially life-threatening steering, braking, and stability-control interventions in modern vehicles. I have experienced unexpected steering forces, directional changes, shaking, and behavior consistent with unintended wheel-specific braking across multiple vehicles, including my 2019 Toyota Prius and rental vehicles from several manufacturers. These behaviors occur on ordinary roads with uneven asphalt, pavement seams, manhole covers, and cross-slopes. I am concerned that electronic steering, stability control, wheel-speed sensors, or driver-assistance systems may be interacting incorrectly. How can these features be considered safe if their interventions can push a vehicle toward another traffic lane or into a bicycle lane? The risk is especially serious during freeway lane changes, when drivers must simultaneously monitor traffic ahead, approaching vehicles behind, blind spots, and available space. An unexpected steering or braking intervention at that moment can create a dangerous loss of control. I am also concerned that drivers may lack a meaningful way to disable certain interventions, even when they believe the systems are creating danger. I previously submitted complaint 11669864 and was informed that more complaints might be necessary before an investigation could begin. A potentially life-threatening defect should not be dismissed simply because insufficient reports have accumulated. I request that NHTSA review my existing complaint, assess whether unintended steering or braking interventions can cause dangerous directional changes, examine driver override limitations, and determine whether a broader investigation is warranted. I consider these behaviors potentially LIFE-THREATENING. A feature’s intended safety purpose does not guarantee that its interventions are safe. Drivers, passengers, and nearby motorists and cyclists not be exposed to avoidable hazards from systems intended to protect them.

NHTSA ID

11770269

Incident

Oct 9, 2026

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a systemic, life-threatening defect in the tuning of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software in modern vehicles, specifically experienced in the 2024 Ford Escape. I am a professional driver who operates vehicles for approximately 14 hours a day. My livelihood and my life depend on predictable vehicle handling. The current federal mandates surrounding un-deletable active driver assists are not protecting drivers; they are actively creating high-risk highway hazards. The Safety Defect: When encountering standard municipal road imperfections—such as sunken manhole covers, jagged asphalt seams, or road inclinations—the vehicle’s inertial (G-sensor) and lane-keeping software drastically overreacts. 1. Unprovoked Steering Redirection: The software interprets mechanical displacement from a pothole or road seam as an accidental lane drift. The vehicle then forcefully and violently applies steering torque to "correct" the lane position, throwing the vehicle toward adjacent traffic lanes. 2. Aggressive Stability Control Intervention: Upon hitting a road depression, wheel speed and G-sensors register a momentary traction anomaly. The computer panics and micro-brakes individual wheels, causing a violent, unpredictable swaying motion across both the front and rear axles. The Real-World Consequence: To stay in my lane and avoid colliding with neighboring vehicles or semi-trucks, I am forced to engage in a physical tug-of-war with the vehicle's electronic power steering. The automated systems actively override conscious human defensive driving maneuvers. Had I not possessed advanced driving knowledge and rapid reflexes, this technology would have forced me directly under a commercial truck. By preventing drivers from permanently disabling these intrusive features, federal rules have created a driving environment filled with extreme psychological stress, physical fatigue…

NHTSA ID

11769493

Incident

Oct 7, 2026

The audible sound to let the driver know the blinker is on is too low of a volume to hear. This has created situations where the blinkers are activated, but the driver doesn't know. This could lead to accidents in lane changing, intersections and confusion for pedestrians.

NHTSA ID

11766433

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

Several spots on the body are misaligned which could indicate underlying assembly issues down to the frame which could impact crumple zones and safety.

NHTSA ID

11763917

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

Multiple computer related problems, including sensing objects that do not exist while using automated cruise control. Automatic braking engagement when car senses objects that do not exist both in the front and rear while driving. Rear sensor occupancy alert randomly triggered when it has been turned off, And when there is nobody in the back seat. GPS unable to locate signal even in wide open spaces, randomly drops service. Various climate control components read improperly, or do not display appropriately. Numerous morning messages both before and after incidents. The vehicle has been to Ford dealer, they have been unable to reproduce or determine what caused these faults.

NHTSA ID

11761617

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed, and the vehicle drove under reduced power. The contact exited the highway, pulled into a gas station, and waited for the engine to cool down. The contact resumed driving, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer later informed the contact that the warning light was no longer illuminated, and the failure could not be duplicated while test-driving the vehicle for an hour. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

NHTSA ID

11752454

Incident

Jul 19, 2026

Mileage

4,000 mi

My Ford Pass notified me that it detected an issue with the EGR valve. The dealership said I have to pay for this because it was not part of the recall. It is a 2025 Ford Escape which to my understanding most were included under a recall but my car is not part of this but clearly is an issue with my car. The day I got the warning I made appt to have fixed the following week but on my way to work the next day which is today XXX the car started misfiring and sporadically moving. When I got to stop light, car died and I had to start it 5 times for it to stay running. People were honking because the light changed and I couldn't get the car to move.Then it started sputtering again and I drove it to Airport Ford in [XXX]. They took my car in and drove me to work. I called for an update and they said it was going to be finished shortly and sent someone to pick me up. When I got there they said 1 of the spark plugs they put was bad and they couldn't get another 1 until next day and gave me a loaner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11748056

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

While driving, the hood of my vehicle flew up and broke my windshield and caused damage to body by the hood hinge on both sides. There were no warning lamps or signals that warned me that the hood was loose. I had limited visual to pull over and close the hood. Fortunately I was going slow and there were not other vehicles that were impacted. Because the hood is opened inside with the double pull mechanism it is too easy to open the hood without the secondary safety hook outside like most vehicles have. I have had the windshield replaced and am working with insurance to complete repairs on the body.

NHTSA ID

11743429

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

This bulletin supersedes 26-2428. Reason for update: update the Service Procedure to remove the fuel tank isolationvalve replacement and include the fuel vapor vent valve replacement, and update the causal part number.

This bulletin supersedes 26-2428. Reason for update: to update the Service Procedure to remove the fuel tank isolation valve replacement and include fuel vapor vent valve replacement and update the causal part number. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2450 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM and/or the fuel vapor vent valve.

This bulletin supersedes 26-2297. Reason for update: Add 2022-2025 Transit vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display screen after welcome animation. The rear-view camera will still function when shifting the vehicle to reverse under these conditions.

Quality improvements include: -Enhanced Android Auto and Car Play connectivity

For 20222026 vehicles equipped with a 8F35 transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing. This updated procedure improves the diagnosis of customer reported transmission concerns and aids in locating the proper root cause. During diagnosis and testing, details regarding whether the condition is more prevalent when the vehicle is hot or cold, throttle percentage at the time of occurrence, vehicle speed, the specific shift involved, and whether the issue occurs during transmission engagements (N>R, N>D, R>D, and/or D>R) should be noted in the warranty claim. Engineering requests including these detailed operating conditions that will significantly assist with root cause analysis. Diagnosis, testing, and repair should use established labor times outside this article.

2023-2026 Escape and 2025-2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may require removal of the turbocharger wastegate control actuator linkage for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-04 Fuel Charging and Controls - Turbocharger - 1.5L EcoBoost > Removal and Installation > Wastegate Control Actuator Linkage service procedure has been added. In addition, the wastegate control actuator linkage rod with retaining clips (6K682) and actuator linkage rubber boot seal (9E416) have been released as lower-level components to complete the repair without replacing the entire turbocharger wastegate control actuator assembly.