10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 71,083 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph the vehicle stalled. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic for a diagnostic test performed. The contact called the manufacturer regarding a recall and the manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the VIN. The failure mileage was 31,000.
- Wylie, TX, USA
Car stalled while moving forward after backing out of parking space. Car had operated for 15 minutes before pulling into space, then immediately backing out without stopping engine. For approximately a year and one half yellow service engine light intermittently comes on then goes off after few driving cycles. Car also hesitates and jerks during acceleration randomly and frequently. Service dept of used car dealer where purchased car has detected no defects and has not replicated problem when car left at shop.
- Vestavia Hills, AL, USA
I started having problems with my car shutting down in Feb 2012. After 2 throttle body's and still problems the dealer put a flight recorder on my car. This recorded 5 episodes of engine failure. They found that a sensor to the main computer was bad and replaced it. They left the recorder on and today 3/12/13 the car stopped twice and I pressed the recorder button. The car seizes, the engine revs when standing still and hesitates upon pick up. This has gone on long enough. Ford doesn't know what to do about this problem and it is hazardous to my health. One day my luck may not be good as to who is behind me when it stalls. Recall! recall! recall! someone needs to do something about this!
- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
I was running some errands and as I was on my way to the grocery store my 2009 Ford Escape shut down. I was almost in the middle of an intersection when it happened. It lasted for about 5 seconds before turning back on. I was able to pull into a parking lot and I shut off the engine then after a few moments I restarted it. Luckily that has been the only time it has happened but I still worry about it doing the same thing again. At the time I was so shaken up that I went straight home because I did not want to get stranded. My SUV just hit 100K so I was looking up any inspections it might need and came across other complaints of the same issue for the same year.
- Anthony , NM, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled and the wrench warning light illuminated. The contact merged to the shoulder, powered off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 33,000. The VIN was not available.
- Alexandria , VA, USA
While accelerating at low speeds (15 - 20 mph), the vehicle suddenly began to shudder and lurch, with no increase in throttle or power despite flooring the gas pedal. Yellow check engine / repair lights came on, vehicle would jerkingly continue to move forward at a speed of less than 5 mph. After conducting a search, it appears to be similar to the "limp home mode" throttle body problem reported by the North Carolina consumers council.
- Kailua, HI, USA
While driving approximately 55 on an interstate in middle of heavy traffic, my 2009 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L suddenly decelerated and went into limp mode. I carefully made it to the shoulder as speed dropped to about 5 miles an hour. While parked on the shoulder I noticed the warning light for the electronic throttle was lit. I shut off the engine and waited about 5 minutes. I restarted without incident. This is the 2nd time this has happened and it has been running rough as well.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
Vehicle engine stalled I-10east went into emergency lane, vehicle was still trying to run the engine was choking but no acceleration. I stopped put the vehicle in park turned the key and it started. This has happened 3 times since the first time. I don't want to be a statistic.
- Westwego, LA, USA
My wife and I were driving home from supper at a restaurant. We were on a busy city street doing about 30 mph, when the car suddenly lost power and slowed to around 1 to 2 mph. We managed to ease the car home(around 2blocks) amid horns blowing and lights flashing from other drivers.the engine light had come on and showed a picture of a wrench. When I explained to the lady at the Ford dealership the next day, she seemed to know right away that it would be a wrench showing, which made me assume that they had this problem before.....bill for repairs was $545.
- St.Petersburg, FL, USA
I recently read in a newspaper about an engine probe for Ford vehicles and would like to add that I have also experienced this problem with stalling and/or surging engine in my 2009 Ford Escape limited. I believe my car had experienced this "limp home mode" on the circuit board. On this particular day, I was driving in traffic and then all of a sudden I felt as though I could not accelerate the car at all. The rest of my trip home (approx. 25 miles) the car wouldn't let me surpass about 20mph. I was very scared but wanted to at least get the car closer to my home. I thought the car was done for. Yet, after letting the car rest for about an hour at home, I started it back up and it drove fine. I just wanted to share this experience of yet another person who could contribute to experiencing a malfunctioning circuit board.
- Sayville, NY, USA
While driving, the vehicle lost power. When pressing on gas it just coasted. The wrench warning light came on. Was able to get to side of the road, but almost got hit from behind. Turned vehicle off, restarted and was back on the road. On other occasions there has been some surging. I see that there has been many complaints on this problem and it is getting some press that there is a defective part (throttle body). I contacted Ford service and was told that they could look at it, but it is not under warranty. However, the wrench warning light indicate a power train issue, I was told it is not covered under the power train warranty. This does not make sense and it truly looks like a defective part. This is very unsafe and could result in a very bad accident in traffic. This needs to be a recall since they are aware of the issue.
- Franklin, TN, USA
Sudden surge and slow decline in speed. Pulled over turned off car, restarted and it was ok. 4 months later same thing. I have had it in 3 times for the same problem and was told it was a sensor. Last time Dec.2011 the mechanic told me to not fluctuate in speed since most occurrences happened on expressway. The problem still exists and it is scary but pulling over and turning off car then restarting puts it back to normal. I cannot afford to any more useless repairs nor another car. There is no speed or weather condition that appears to cause the problem. It can happen at any time without warning.
- Michigan City, IN, USA
Stalling when going on gas to pass another car or up a steep hill. After releasing gas pedal quickly, car wants to still accelerates for a good three to four seconds. Also engine stalls out at low speeds when making a sharp turn, like into a parking space. Was told by dealer the first two are normal and the third item they could not find anything wrong.
- Adamstown, CA, USA
Our 2009 Ford Escape is stalling and surging. The Escape suddenly decelerates like it is stalling out, on other occasions it accelerates and revs the engine really high then drops back down.
- St. Clair Shores, MI, USA
While driving in medium traffic, the engine died and the check-engine-light appeared on the dash. I was able to pull to the side of the road and re-start the car. Once back on the highway, the engine died again less than a quarter of a mile later. I started the car a second time and the engine once again died. By this time, traffic was beginning to back up behind me and I was entering an area where there was no shoulder to Escape to if it happened again. I pulled off the highway and called for a tow. The local Ford dealer said the throttle body had failed, they had recently replace a couple of others. Cost of the repair was $400. Ford said it was not covered under warranty. I retained the failed part and have it available for inspection.
- Aloha, OR, USA
Stop and speed up and not want to move had to replace throttle body unit.
- St Ann , MO, USA
This happened first on January 7 and again today jjnuary 10, 2013. The car suddenly stops. The yellow wrench warning light comes on and indicates throttle control problem. Can turn car off and restart and drive normally. It was very scary as my wife was left in the dark in the middle of a busy street. It seems to be very intermiitent. I have read others reports of this and Ford apparently is not taking action. This is very dangerous situation which many have reported.
- Pendleton, IN, USA
As I was turning into my driveway at about 5mph my vehicle stalled hallway in the driveway and halfway in the street. The red engine light and oil light came on. I put the vehicle in park and restarted it. There were no lights on the dashboard at that time and I was able to drive into the driveway.
- Manchester, NH, USA
I was driving my vehicle in the center southbound lane on route 93 through the thomas P. O'neill tunnel in boston when all of a sudden, without any warning, my car stalled. The red engine light and oil light came on and the car began decelerating. There was a tremendous amount of traffic and I am unbelievably lucky to have avoided an accident. I guided the car to the right lane (there are no breakdown lanes in the tunnel). I turned the car off and restarted it and was able to continue my drive to my destination. I have read that there is an investigation into the throttle body on this vehicle. This is incredibly dangerous.
- Manchester, NH, USA
- North Bonneville, WA, USA