Engine
2.3L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 1,388 of 1,394 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 1,182 of 1,394 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Suspension
459 complaint records1 fire report6 crash reports
"RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE REAR SHOCK TO BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Body & structure
437 complaint records1 fire report4 crash reports
"FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO SHUT AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT SHUT . AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE DOOR FLEW OPEN . *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
221 complaint records12 fire reports3 crash reports
"DT: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. *AK *NM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP12006 opened Oct 2012 | closed Feb 2013 | Engine | Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or... |
| AQ10001 opened Nov 2010 | closed Dec 2015 | Unknown Or Other | Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V606000 | Power Train | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. | Normally free |
| 14V526000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles... | Normally free |
| 06V111000 | Seats | CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. | Normally free |
| 04V602000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE... | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015438 2015-09-29 | Powertrain | 11 | A safety defect may exist in vehicles in which remanufactured automatic transmissions were installed as service replacement parts. The shift lever bolt may not have been torqued to the proper torque specification. |
| 2014374 2014-09-04 | Engine | 3,568 | On certain hybrid vehicles, the motor electronics coolant pump may wear out and fail, resulting in a loss of coolant flow and high temperature condition within the motor electronics system. |
| 2004441 2004-12-20 | Other | 23,522 | Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 206 - Door Locks and Door Retention Components. The rear liftgate latching system does not meet the Technical Standards Document 206 Inertia Load requirement. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 51536 Apr 2023 | Structure | For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. | |
| SSM 46085 Sep 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. | |
| TSB-10-18-10 Sep 2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | FORD/MERCURY: MIL ON WITH DTC P0351-P0356; MULTIPLE COIL PRIMARY CIRCUIT. BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/03/05. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A MULFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) FOR COIL ON PLUG (COP) PRIMARY... | |
| 20213 Apr 2008 | Service Brakes | 2005-08 ESCAPE/ESCAPE HYBRID/MARINER - 2006-08 MARINER HYBRID - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR RING REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE UPDATE TO WORKSHOP MANUAL. *NJ | |
| 08-5-5 Mar 2008 | Fuel System | SLOW FUEL FILL AND/OR DTC P0451. *NJ |
Show 54 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19536 Dec 2006 | Fuel System | SLOW FUEL FILL DUE TO CLOGGED VENT. *KB | |
| 05252 Jan 2006 | Trailer Hitches | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT | |
| 19026 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MIRFIRE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0316, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, OR P0304 - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 04208 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CAMSHAFT TICK NOISE - 3.0L 4V ENGINE ONLY. *TT | |
| 0645 Jan 2006 | Power Train | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT | |
| 06116 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 041601 Nov 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT | |
| 05184 Oct 2005 | Fuel System | SLOW FUEL FILL - REPEAT FILLING STATION PUMP SHUT-OFF. *TT | |
| 05172 Oct 2005 | Steering | STEERING CLUNK/RATTLE NOISE - VEHICLES BUILT 3/29/2005 TO 4/4/2005. *TT | |
| 18894 Oct 2005 | Electrical System | DRIVABILITY CONCERNS - HESITATION/STUMBLE. *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 05913 Jun 2005 | Suspension | VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER A WIDE SPEED RANGE ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 8/1/2004 EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L ENGINE AND CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC P235/70R16 104T TIRES ONLY. *TT | |
| 051514 Jun 2005 | Air Bags | PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED (PAD) LAMP INTERMITTENTLY ON WHILE DRIVING - DTC C1414 RETRIEVED DURING OCS DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR. *TT | |
| 04147 Jun 2005 | Electrical System | SERVICE WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 18339 May 2005 | Fuel System | SLOW FILL OR PREMATURE SHUTOFF WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK. *EH | |
| 0553 Mar 2005 | Power Train | NO START WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0A90 OR P0A92 IN TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM). *TT | |
| 05513 Mar 2005 | Power Train | WRENCH LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0A1F PRESENT IN TBCM AND/OR PCM (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULES) MODULES - VEHICLES BUILT 8/2/2004 THROUGH 1/26/2005. *TT | |
| 05514 Mar 2005 | Steering | HIGH STEERING EFFORTS IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 2/15/2005. *TT | |
| 0545 Mar 2005 | Power Train | SHIFTER RELEASE BUTTON CAP FALLS OFF. *TT | |
| 05410 Mar 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ELECTRIC MOTOR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LAMP ON - POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0A2F, P0A3B, P0A3C, P0A3E, P0A7C. *TT | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 18408 Feb 2005 | Service Brakes | REAR BRAKE NOISE/MOAN (4 WHEEL DISC ONLY). *TT | |
| 18431 Feb 2005 | Power Train | WHEN INSPECTING A TRANSFER CASE IT IS NORMAL TO FIND METALLIC SHAVINGS ON THE MAGNETIC FILL PLUG. *EH | |
| 18389 Jan 2005 | Steering | INTERMITTENT HIGH STEERING EFFORT IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *TT | |
| 05925 Jan 2005 | Service Brakes | REAR DISC BRAKE GRIND, RUBBING OR THUMP NOISE. *SC | |
| 052624 Jan 2005 | Wheels | VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS - TIRE/WHEEL RUNOUT. *TT | |
| 05261 Jan 2005 | Electrical System | LONG CRANK/HARD START -- 3.0L. *TT | |
| 0471 Dec 2004 | Electrical System | WARNING INDICATORS-PARKING AID-REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (RSS) AND FORWARD SENSING SYSTEM (FSS)-FALSE ACTIVATION OF WARNING TONE-SERVICE TIPS. *MJ UPDATE. *TT | |
| 042616 Dec 2004 | Structure | WELD BONDING PROCEDURE. *TT | |
| 042513 Dec 2004 | Structure | SERVICEABILITY OF INSTRUMENT PANEL REGISTER VENTS. *TT | |
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 042413 Dec 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OVERHEATING AND/OR LOSS OF AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) PERFORMANCE. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 18338 Dec 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ROUGH IDLE AT LOW MILEAGE. *EH | |
| 04232 Nov 2004 | Power Train | WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REMOVAL TIP. *EH | |
| 04214 Nov 2004 | Steering | STEERING DRIFT/PULL - IMPROVED DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 18281 Nov 2004 | Exterior Lighting | CONDENSATION INSIDE THE FOGLAMPS. *EH | |
| 18217 Oct 2004 | Fuel System | MULTIPLE VEHICLES - FUEL LEVEL INDICATION CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT | |
| 031404 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04. | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 18109 Aug 2004 | Electrical System | CHARGING SYSTEM CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17919 Jul 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WATER PUMP PULLEY COVER NO LONGER INSTALLED. *TT | |
| 17794 May 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1639 (VEHICLE ID BLOCK CORRUPTED, NOT PROGRAMMED). *TT | |
| 0443 Mar 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | OIL LEAK FROM DIPSTICK OR FRONT OR REAR CRANKSHAFT SEALS - HEATED PCV SERVICE KIT - 3.0L DURATEC ENGINE. *TT | |
| 04141 Jan 2004 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION CONTROL INDICATOR LAMP (TCIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1783 AND/OR P0733 COLD CLIMATE SHIFT/ENGAGEMENT CONCERNS WITH A CD4E TRANSAXLE. *TT | |
| 05111 | Electrical System | MIL ON WITH MULTIPLE COIL PRIMARY CIRCUIT DTCS P0351 THROUGH P0356-3.0 ENGINE. *SC | |
| 19095 | Fuel System | SLOW FUEL FILL. *TT | |
| 06221 | Service Brakes | ABS LIGHT ON AND DTC C1475 IS SHOWN. *KB | |
| 06166 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. *KB | |
| 061614 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPARK KNOCK, HARD START AND/OR HESITATION - VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 08-02-2004 WITH A 3.0L ENGINE. *KB | |
| 0756 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE STALLING ON ENGAGEMENT/STOPPING. *KB | |
| 07111 | Fuel System | COLD CLIMATE SLOW FUEL FILL. *NJ |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Escape →