FaultScore

Ford Escape stability control problems

245 of the 36,256 complaints filed about the Ford Escape are about the stability control — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2008.

245

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

7

Fires

Stability & Traction Control complaints by model year

2001 Escape 3 1.2%

Median failure at 99,000 miles

2002 Escape 5 2.0%

Median failure at 162,500 miles

2003 Escape 2 0.8%

Median failure at 116,000 miles

2004 Escape 3 1.2%

Median failure at 111,364 miles

2005 Escape 16 6.5%

Median failure at 119,500 miles

2006 Escape 4 1.6%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

2007 Escape 7 2.9%

Median failure at 68,851 miles

2008 Escape 41 16.7%

Median failure at 90,850 miles

2009 Escape 25 10.2%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

2010 Escape 28 11.4%

Median failure at 66,705 miles

2011 Escape 17 6.9%

Median failure at 66,366 miles

2012 Escape 8 3.3%

Median failure at 113,000 miles

2013 Escape 41 16.7%

Median failure at 79,500 miles

2014 Escape 11 4.5%

Median failure at 14,046 miles

2015 Escape 10 4.1%

Median failure at 53,000 miles

2016 Escape 9 3.7%

Median failure at 28,450 miles

2017 Escape 8 3.3%

Median failure at 26,500 miles

2018 Escape 4 1.6%

Median failure at 7,750 miles

2020 Escape 3 1.2%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

What owners said

2008 Ford Escape at 67,000 miles Covington, GA

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to turn. The contact stated that the air bag and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA complaint #11673430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Ford Escape at 177,000 miles Pisgah Forest, NC

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the traction control and wrench warning lights had displayed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected; however, the failure reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 177,000.

NHTSA complaint #11640812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Escape at 12,000 miles Chicago, IL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the messages "Hill Start Assist Not Available", "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available", "Service Advance-trac" and "Service All Wheel Drive" remained displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the All-Wheel Drive module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,000.

NHTSA complaint #11618438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Escape at 12,000 miles Farmington Hills, MI

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, the vehicle failed to exceed 18 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fuel pump, fuel rail, and the battery; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,000.

NHTSA complaint #11608168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Escape at 120,000 miles Capitol Heights, MD

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the hill start assist message was displayed. Additionally, the traction control warning light was illuminated, and the instrument panel was blank. The contact stated that the vehicle temporarily lost motive power however, the vehicle regained normal function minutes later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the contact was unsure of what repairs were performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11507620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Escape Caledonia, MI

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

Wiring harness rubbed on frame. It blew a fuse, disabled hill assist, traction control, and AWD.

NHTSA complaint #11446546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Ford Escape at 175,000 miles Covington, GA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ON OCTOBER 19, 2020 MY GRANDCHILDREN AND I WHERE TRAVELING BACK HOME FROM SAN DIEGO, CA TO GEORGIA AND AS WE WHERE DRIVING ON HWY 20 IN TEXAS, I HIT A BUMP THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR TO KILGORE, TEXAS TOOK THE CARE TO AUTOMOTIVE SUPER CENTER 1505 US HWY 259 NORTH BUSINESS KILGORE, TX 75663. CHANDLER GORDY SAID HE WOULD CHECK IT OUT AND CALL ME. CHANDLER CALLED ME AND GAVE ME THE REPORT (SEE ATTACHED REPORT). CHANDLER STATED THAT TO FIX THAT UNIT IT COST OVER $2,000.00 IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE. I ASKED HIM WHAT HE COULD DO SO THAT WE COULD GET BACK HOME HE SAID HE WOULD TRY AND RESET THE SENSOR. CHANDLER RESET IT & WE HAD TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT MIGHT GO OUT AGAIN AND TO BE VERY CAREFUL. 10/23/2020 SLOWLY DROVE HOMETHE NEXT DAY 10/26/2020 I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AT CARTECH AUTOMOTIVE HE CHECKED IT OUT CALLED ME AND SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR AND TO COME GET THE CAR AND TAKE IT TO FORD SO THAT THEY CAN FIX IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO LOGANVILLE FORD 3460 HIGHWAY 78 LOGANVILLE GA 30052 770-554-9994. I SPOKE WITH BRIAN AND UPON HIS EXAMINATION OF THE VIN# THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR AND THAT IF I WANTED THE CAR CHECKED OUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $235.00 TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT.I THEN WENT AND CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER 866-436-7332 AND SPOKE WITH DANA WHO STATED THAT ON AUGUST 4, 2014 THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE POWER-STEERING SENSOR/MODULE IT WAS RESET NOT REPLACED. I TOLD DANA THAT THIS IS A RECALL AND THE UNIT WAS TO BE REPLACED NOT RESET & DANA SAID THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST HIGH TECH PROGRAMMING SYSTEMS. IT WAS RESET NOT REPLACED, DANA SAID YES & THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I THEN CALLED 888-327-4236 AND SPOKE WITH LAVENIA DID MY REPORT. FORD IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE RECALL UNIT 14S05/NHTSA RECALL 14V-284.

NHTSA complaint #11372628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Escape at 18,500 miles Savage, MN 1 injured

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1. HANDS FREE TAILGATE/TRUNK WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT WHEN OBJECTS OR A PERSONS BODY IS PRESENT. FAUB/ KEYS ARE NOT BEING PUSHED BY ACCIDENT, NOR IS THERE ANY MOVEMENT UNDER NUMBER THAT WOULD SENSOR DOOR TO CLOSE. WHEN IT DOES DO THIS, IT TAKES QUITE A WHILE FOR THE SENSOR TO REALIZE THERE IS AN OBJECT THERE AND TAKES SOME TIME TO OPEN AGAIN. 2. WHEN VEHICLE SLIPS ON ICE PATCES OR LARGE PUDDLES OF WATER--- WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON MY DASH BOARD, IT SEEMS TO TRIGGER MY ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, BRAKES STOP WORKING AND NO ELECTRICAL FROM THAT POINT ON. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 3 TIMES NOW, WITH THE NEED TO HAVE TO CALL A TOW. FOR BOTH COMPLAINTS, FORD SERVICE SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND CANNOT GET EITHER COMPLAINT TO DUPLICATE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AT THIS POINT BY FORD TO FIX OR COMPENSATE FOR ANY OF THIS.

NHTSA complaint #11366350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Escape at 154,000 miles Warrenton, OR

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

LAST NIGHT LEAVING FROM WORK, IN THE DARK AT 9;30PM, STARTED CAR AND STARTED TO PULL OFF THE SHOULDER ONTO THE ROADWAY, PRESSED ONTO GAS PEDAL AND CAR WENT SLOW THEN THE ABS SENSOR CAME ON AND A SHORT DISTANCE LATER THE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON ALONG WITH HILL ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. I HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM EARLIER THIS YEAR, ONLY THE ADDITION OF THE 4WD NOT BEING AVAILABLE AND IT WAS A BAD ABS SENSOR. I HAD IT REPLACED AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL LAST NIGHT. THEN THIS MORNING, I HAD TO BACK UP TO GO TO WORK AND THE REAR END STOPPED THE CAR AND HAD THERE NOT BEEN ENOUGH ROOM I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO GO FORWARD THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, SHORT DISTANCE LATER THE TRACTION CONTROL CAME AND THEN WHEN I WENT TO PARK THE NO HILL ASSIST CAME ON. NOTHING VISIBLIY WRONG AGAIN. APPOINTMENT IN THE MORNING TO HAVE THE CODES READ AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11361783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford Escape at 5 miles Poughkeepsie, NY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. SOMETIMES THE WHEEL LOCKS WHEN I'M DRIVING , ALSO THE WHEEL SHAKES LIKE I'M ON A ROLLERCOASTER . I CAN'T DRIVE OVER 20 MPH BECAUSE THE WHEEL STARTS TO SHAKE EVEN MORE

NHTSA complaint #11359974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Escape at 53,000 miles Celebration, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS FLICKERING AND THEN WENT BLANK.

NHTSA complaint #11351897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford Escape at 80,000 miles Tempe, AZ

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

"STOP SAFELY NOW". IT DID A COUPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT WON'T TURN ON AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #11342672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Ford Escape at 4,000 miles Doral, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN 'PARK' ON A FLAT SURFACE, THE E-BRAKE TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY, BUT WHEN I PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN I GOT HOME, I WENT THROUGH SOME OF THE SCREENS AND IT TOLD ME THAT THE AUTO START/STOP WAS DISABLED DUE TO BEING ON A SLOPE (BUT I WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE). ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID IS NOT COMING OUT OF THE LINES, BUT THE PUMP IS WORKING BECAUSE I CAN HEAR IT, POSSIBLE CLOGGED LINES. LASTLY, INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CONSISTENTLY WITH APPLE CARPLAY ' SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, USUALLY RANDOM.

NHTSA complaint #11341020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford Escape at 210,850 miles Clinton Township, MI

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY STALL OR FREEZE UP WHEN MAKING TURNS OR PRESSING THE GAS AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. BY STALLING I MEAN TAKING A SECOND OR TWO TO ACCELERATE THEN JERKING KINDA HARD ONCE I HIT THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN THE CAR WOULD FREEZE UP, THE TRACTION AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHES AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY STUCK IN PLACE AND I'D HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. IT DOESNT FREEZE OR STALL ON THE HIGHWAY BUT IT ALWAYS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS.

NHTSA complaint #11338994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Escape at 84,000 miles Nashville, TN

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE BUSHING THAT ATTACHES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #11326801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Escape at 71,000 miles Bremerton, WA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TODAY AFTER 10 MINUTES OF SUCCESSFUL, NORMAL SUBURBAN DRIVING, AND A STOP FOR LUNCH, MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, HILL START ASSIST, AND AUTO 4WD SYSTEMS ALL THREW WARNINGS OF MALFUNCTION. THE WARNINGS APPEARED AFTER HAVING BEEN WAITING IN A DRIVE-THROUGH LINE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, AND POWER OFF IN THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES THEREAFTER. AUDIBLE AND PHYSICAL INDICATIONS OF PROBLEM WERE THUMPING NOISE IN RIGHT-REAR WHEEL, AND DIFFICULTY IN MAKING FORWARD MOTION AT LOW SPEED IN A ZERO-SLOPE PARKING LOT. VISUAL CHECK FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH TIRE INFLATION OR OBSTACLES IN STRAIGHT PATH OF TRAVEL. MANUAL CHECK OF LUG-NUTS BY HAND WITHOUT TOOLS FOUND NONE LOOSE. AFTER CONFERRING WITH A LOCAL SHOP I TRUST, I WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL 1/2 MILE WITHOUT INCIDENT TO THEIR LOCATION. AUDIBLE AND PHYSICAL INDICATIONS WERE PRESENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIP, BUT ALL CLEARED AFTER I GOT UNDERWAY. WARNINGS ON DASH REMAINED PRESENT. SHOP WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE INDICATIONS, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY CAUSE DURING DETAILED VISUAL INSPECTION OF CHASSIS AND BRAKE SYSTEMS. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC ON THE SYSTEMS FOR NEXT WEEK, TO ATTEMPT TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS SET OF CONDITIONS. SHOP THINKS A FAULTY ABS SENSOR, TONE PLATE, OR WIRING MAY BE THE CAUSE, WHICH MAKES THE BRAKES ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #11326650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Escape at 8 miles Maimi, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TO WHOM MAY CONCERN: I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL 16V643000_RECALL 16S30. DOOR LATCHES MAY BREAK IN RESULT PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM SECURELY CLOSED WHEN, IN FACT, IT IS NOT. AS A MATTER FACT, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOTION ALL OF THE REAR DOORS OPEN UP. I HAD TO TIE IT UP WITH ROPE AS I TAKING INTO THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE VIN:[XXX] FORD OF KENDALL S DIXIE HWY, PALMETTO BAY, FL 33157 NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT I NEED A CASE NUMBER IN ORDER TO FIX THE MATTER AT HAND. I ALSO CONCERN ABOUT OTHER RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE LISTED BELOW: 15V436000_RECALL 15C06-IGNITION SWITCH (KEYS/BUTTON) 15V406000_RECALL 15C03-BLANK DISPLAY ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL 17V472000_RECALL 17S17-IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BOLTS FOR SEAT BELTS/ BUCKLES OR SEATBELT ANCHORS COULD HAVE BEEN USED. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP AT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11325599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Escape at 70,000 miles Creedmoor, NC

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE CAR STALLS AND WILL HAVE NO POWER THE CODE SAYS ELECTRICAL SOMETIMES IT SAYS IT'S RUNNING HOT BUT IT'S NOT SAYS IT IS THE ELECTRICAL SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #11324148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Escape at 75,000 miles Eaton, OH

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHEN STOPPED (EX. AT A LIGHT) AND A MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE". I DO THIS AND IT RESTARTS WITHOUT ISSUE. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND AT VARIOUS TIMES. EX. ONCE IN MORNING COLD WEATHER, ONCE IN AFTERNOON IN MILD/WARM WEATHER. I BOUGHT CAR NEW AND THIS HAS ONLY STARTED HAPPENING NOW (3 YEARS AFTER CAR WAS BOUGHT).

NHTSA complaint #11322069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Ford Escape at 160,000 miles Memphis, TN

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEN DRIVING FOR AS LITTLE AS TEN MINUTES AND OTHER TIMES LONGER, MY TRUCK WILL LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND I WILL START TO FEEL THE TRUCK SLOW UP. THEN WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE I CAN ONLY GET UP TO 20 MPH. ALSO IF I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, WITHOUT PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IT'LL COME TO A HALT. IT DOES GO OVER 2,500 RPM ON A GOOD DAY. I CANT TAKE OFF FAST EVEN IF I WANTED TO. THE ONLY CODE THAT HAS COME UP WHEN DEALING WITH MY ISSUE IS THE CATALYIC CONVERTER. I HAVE REPLACED MY O2 SENSORS AND GOT A NEW CONVERTER ON BUT STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I EVEN REPLACED THE THROTTLE TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP AND IT HAS NOT. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP ME FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO REPUTABLE SHOPS AND MECHANIC AND SPENT A TON OF MONEY TRYING TO RESOLVE MY ISSUES. I AM FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY AND MY SON'S SAFETY NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL LOSE POWER. I CANT EVEN HOLD A JOB AT THE TIME BEING BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #11317215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Escape problems