Ford ESCAPE HEV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 60 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 64 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 35 | 54.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 3 |
Service Brakes: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 13; Electrical System: 9; Engine: 5; Steering: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2006: 4; 2007: 11; 2008: 8; 2009: 5; 2011: 3; 2012: 13; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10204195 · 2007-09-26 (September 26, 2007)
THE BRAKES HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING (EXCEPT FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) 3 TIMES IN ONE MONTH, 4 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10204195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10393646 · 2011-03-29 (March 29, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE HCU ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND PERFORMED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189733 · 2007-05-04 (May 4, 2007)
AS FLEET MANAGER , I HAVE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE ON ALL 3 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID VEHICLES. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE MAIN ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND THE VEHICLE GOES TO STRAIGHT ELECTRICAL POWER WHICH COULD CAUSE A WRECK IN SITUATIONS WHERE A RAPID DROP IN SPEED COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED ON ALL THREE HYBRIDS AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 36,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACES THE WATER PUMP THAT SUPPLIES COOLANT TO THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AFTER EACH FAILURE. I FEEL THAT THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE REPORTED DUE TO THE FACT…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10404197 · 2011-06-02 (June 2, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OR COMING TO A STOP, IT WOULD USUALLY SHIFT TO BATTERY MODE; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT SHIFT AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. THE MILEAGE ALSO DECREASED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COOLING SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND A KIT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,100. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10404197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191643 · 2007-05-24 (May 24, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HEV. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. WHEN THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462900 · 2012-06-24 (June 24, 2012)
REPAIR QUOTE FROM JOURNEY FORD, NOVATO: J#1: STEERING CONCERN-CUSTOMER STATES NO POWER ASSIST (?) TO POWER STEERING & "SERVICE POWER STEERING IS ON MESSAGE CENTER. TEST DROVE VEHICLE & CONFIRMED POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. RAN TESTS & PULLED CODE B2277. PERFORMED PIN POINT & FOUND EPA'S MODULE & GEAR FAILING. SUGGESTED REPLACING MODULE & GEAR & RE-TESTING.CUSTOMER DECLINED REPAIR. J#1: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: CUSTOMER STATES WRENCH IS ON & BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. HAS BEEN HIT ON RT SIDE & REPAIRED. INSPECTED VEHICLE & MULTIPLE LIGHTS ARE ON IN DAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,152 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201927 · 2007-09-05 (September 5, 2007)
NO CRASH, NO INJURIES. ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING BRAKES TO ENGAGE ERRATICALLY AND EVENTUALLY STALL THE VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN. MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FROM DASH, INCLUDING, ABS WARNING, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING AND STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS MISSING. UPDATED12/12/07
Owner-reported narrative. 28,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11210515 · 2019-05-29 (May 29, 2019)
MY SON AND I WERE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I GOT A WARNING CHIME AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE MESSAGE "SERVICE PWR STEERING" ON THE DASH. LUCKILY (I THOUGHT) I WAS NEAR A AUTO PARTS PLACE SO I SLOWLY DROVE THERE. I PULLED IN, TOOK OUT THE MANUAL AND REALIZED THAT THERE IS NO POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR TO CHECK OR FILL (AS WOULD HAVE BEEN MY QUICK SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM). DRIVING WAS SLOW AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DUE TO INABILITY TO TURN (AT SPEED). THE VEHICLE WAS INI…
Owner-reported narrative. 235,649 miles reported. Look up ODI 11210515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454736 · 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
NO PRIOR ISSUE -JUST STARTED TO REV UP WHILE DRIVING THEN CONKED OUT-IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD HAVE HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT- NO ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID-NO SMELL NOTHING I BASICALLY ONLY DRIVE THE CARE UP AND DOWN THE STREET I LIVE -NOT A BELTWAY DRIVER-NEVER DRIVE IN SNOW SINCE I AM SECOND OWNER - BOUGHT WHEN 1 YEAR OLD- HAVE HAD 5 YEARS FORD REFUSES TO OFFER WARRANTY AS IT IS 6 YEARS ALSO HAVE HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH A STICKING GAS PEDAL- NON ACCELERATING -JUST STICKING AND HAVING TO FORCE IT TO RELEASE …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454736 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
2005: 0; 2006: 1; 2007: 0