Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
| TSB-08-24-5 | 06/01/2009 | 10029164 | 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 | 06/22/2009 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||
| 05/17/2006 | 15000 | ||
| I have owned my ford escape hybrid since 2005, and have been aware of a problem with the master cylinder from my local ford dealership for the past year (2011). my breaks scarily on the road will stop working anytime the 300 volt batter is jiggled too much from it's harness. one bill alone that fit me over a month of repairs in the dealership to correct the problem was beyond time consuming and way over my budget. they told me i didn't have to get the master cylinder replaced right away, and it was going to cost around a 1000 dollars when i did. after doing some research i've noticed other people complaining about the problem | |||
| 09/01/2011 | |||
| I have @75000 miles on my ford escape hybrid 4wd. i started hearing a noise and strong vibration in the steering wheel at 50 mph and a noise as i slow down. i took it in to the dealership i have always taken my car to and they eventually diagnosed it as being the transfer case. on sept 15, 2011, the dealership said at that time to replace the transfer case would be @$1500-1600. the dealership also said it was back ordered until oct 10, 2011. they said it obviously was a problem with many escapes since it was back ordered at ford. i have asked ford to pay for the replacement of the transfer case and they have refused. i went on line and this problem has happened to other owners of the escape, not just 2005. one owner said it happened at 60,000 mi. i feel it is a flaw and that they should pay to replace it. | |||
| 08/04/2011 | 36860 | ||
| I took my 2005 ford escape hybrid to the dealer on aug. 4th/2011 for 30k maintenance at a cost of $715 + $100 coupon. immediately upon picking up the vehicle, i noticed an unusual sluggishness about it. i drive very little, so it took a few more days (8/4) for the car to break down. it was rush-hour traffic, and cars whizzed by me with kamikaze maneuvers in a psychotic urge to pass me, as my vehicle was only going a few mph. as the freeway began to rise, my car slowed down even more. i thought it was going to roll backward. i thought i was going to die and kill others. it was a nightmare. i had to feverishly pump the gas pedal to get it to the dealership. today (8/4/11) they called to tell me that the throttle body had gone bad. i looked it up online, and it's not a part that 'goes bad'...but it does require cleaning. unfortunately maintenance of the throttle body is not a part of ford's maintenance protocol. i read many other harrowing stories of people who had near misses because of throttle body malfunction. at least a couple of people even had wrecks. eventually someone is going to get killed. i didn't even know there was such a part in a car...i am not a mechanic, but if i pay hundreds of dollars for routine maintenance, i do expect a mechanic to take care of the problem! it was horrible and very frightening. i'm just glad that i didn't hurt anyone. ford needs to realize that this problem will eventually result in a fatality. i have complained to the ford motor co. complaint line, so hopefully they will listen to us. | |||
| 06/04/2011 | 121000 | ||
| As driving on the highway, the engine suddenly shut down, and was able to drive towards the shoulder. after 5 minutes, i was able to restart the engine. ten minutes later, it happened again, still driving the highway @60 mph. luckily, no cars were behind, and i was able to move to the shoulder without incident. the following monday, it happened again, three times . car was towed to the dealer, i was told they have had another car the same morning, with exactly the same problem. diagnostics: need to replace both high voltage traction battery cooling fans and to replace motor electronics cooling pump. when dealer searched for parts, they could not find any in mn, because apparently all dealers were having the same problem. it would take several days until they would get the part from ca. ford is not willing to recognize they have a problem with the engine and battery cooling system, although it has happened several times. ford even issued two technical service bulletins (tsb 08-24-5 and tsb 09-17-7) addressing both issues. it is a very serious safety issue, given the engine suddenly shuts down on the highway, and the car needs to be moved right away towards the shoulder. car could be hit from behind from oncoming traffic, given the sudden speed change, and could cause fatalities. don't want to have for another firestone - ford explorer fiasco. | |||
| 05/16/2011 | |||
| We have owned several good ford vehicles in the past, up until now. the subject: 2005 ford escape hybrid and problems with the abs. we now understand this is a common reoccurring problem with this vehicle. the master brake cylinder is defective in what appears to be consistent with all of the ford's hybrid escort line...due to a design flaw that ford refuses to recognize. the cost of repairs can range from $1500-4000 and as a consumer's rights advocate i won't hesitate to blow the whistle on this one...my daughter drives this car, and she almost had what would have been a serious if not a fatal accident...;no response from the braking system and it is now in the shop.. and we can't afford for her not to continue to go to college, and we cab't afford to buy her a new car. when it comes to safety, ford should be held accountable...the only response ever from them to anyone else who has had a similar problem, has been a weak apology. what does it take for your organization to initiate a recall or at least a responsible reply from ford. i can't even feel good about selling this car to anyone else until this defect is resolved. at least toyota did what they were suppose to when they had the stuck acceleration issue...but ford - an american (?) company that has been around for a long time...with shabbiness like this it's no wonder our technologies being constantly sold (out) ) and exported overseas. on behalf of all americans who prefer to purchase usa made products and expect the quality we deserve, i expect a response from you that addresses this horendous problem that can cause death on the highways, if not already...it surely wiill in time. how effective and influential is your organization, or is it another facade that has been designed to make us think our safety rights are protected from the flaws of big business when they really a? fortunately, i know several congressmen who will not like to receive a copy of this message but ultimately will. | |||
| 08/05/2010 | |||
| While driving my 2005 ford escape hybrid the following occurred. i was stopped at an intersection and when i began making a left turn, an alarm sounded, a red wrench symbol, and red exclamation mark lit up on the dash. i immediately pulled to the curb and the car lost all power and steering locked up. the car restarted and i took it to ford. the service rep said the car went into a fail safe mode which it does to protect the hybrid battery from overheating. i was told that the alarm and symbols occur to give you about 5 minutes to safely get off the road. this did not happen. the car just lost power immediately. the ford dealership determined that a coolant pump for the hybrid battery needed to be replaced which was done. five weeks later the same thing happened again. i was stopped at a light and when i began turning right, the alarm sounded, the red wrench and exclamation light lit up and the car lost all power immediately. again, i was able to restart the engine so i took it back to ford to be looked at. they replaced a suspect cooling pump relay and road tested the car. the problem could not be duplicated. my concern is that this vehicle's fail safe mode makes the car completely shut down immediately. both times i was able to move into an emergency lane, but what would have happened if i was on a freeway and the car just stopped? i am concerned that other ford escape hybrids may have the same problem and it is a real safety hazard. the second time it happened my grandchildren were in the backseat and i could have been rear ended. after having the ford dealership look at it and replace the cooling pump relay i traded in the vehicle the next day. i would like to have this documented in case there is a pattern with these cars or other hybrids. i will never purchase one again. | |||
| 03/31/2010 | 65090 | ||
| 2005 ford escape hybrid car has 65,000 miles on it with no history of brake trouble. coming downill the abs/brake lights came on along with an alarm and immediate loss of the brakes. had to use mechanical emergency brakes to stop. called dealership next morning to tow it in, then read on line to try restarting the car the next day and the problem might be gone. car started, no brake issues apparent (no lights, brakes functional) so drove it to dealership for review/repair. took copies of online research showing this is an issue with the car. dealership claimed it was the rear air conditioner (hole in the evaporator core) - they had repaired the ac 4 months previously, which only lasted for 6 weeks. planned to have them repair it at the 65,000 mile service anyway. paid $1033. drove car home that night and the abs/brake lights went on, alarm sounded but this time not a total loss of brakes. instead whenever pressure is applied to the brake pedal, there is a loud thumping noise from the front brakes and shuddering throughout the car. plan is to return to dealership after the weekend and bring latest research showing faulty hcu units have been found to be an underlying cause, which ford is denying. | |||