2005 Ford Escape Hybrid: engine overheating

Filed Jul 23, 2020 · Fuel system · 121,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact pulled over the shoulder of the highway and checked under the hood. The contact found no defects upon investigation. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact called tom masano ford lincoln (1600 lancaster ave, reading, pa 19607) where he was informed that a representative would call him back. Upon investigation, the contact linked his failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v526000 (hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 121,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 92,040 miles · CA

While traveling in the high speed lane at approximately 2 am, the vehicle lost engine power without any notice as the engine shut off and the power was reduced to minimal power given by the electric motor. This caused an inability to maintain speed on a very dangerous overpass curve of the freeway and nearly caused two vehicles in the immediate proximity to collide with my vehicle as speed rapidly dropped and the vehicle said to "pull over ands shut off vehicle safely". This part of the freeway had no pull over spot nor did it have an area to really safely pull off the freeway. This is the second time the car has done this at high speed within two weeks. It has done this approximately 1-0 times at low speeds on city streets. The car is able to be driven after shutting off the power, letting it sit, and then restarting the system. There is an accompanying overheating that occurts as a result of the engine shutting off, causing the engine to be unable to be easily restarted at that point. This event gives no warning or indication it will happen and is a very dangerous situation for any driver to be thrust into. If it had been rush hour traffic, I am certain there would have been accidents and vehicle collisions as a result.

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 59,283 miles · UT

On 3/17/2009, after washing the vehicle at a car wash, the service engine soon light came on. The vehicle later stopped running and was towed to the dealership. They had it for 3 days and said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. We were charged without prior notification. On 9/01/2010, the fuel filter was replaced at the same dealership. On the way home, the vehicle began to overheat. It stopped running in traffic and we were almost hit. It was taken to the local ford dealer on 9/07/2010 to be looked at at the advice of ford. They found a faulty water pump, replaced it and a filter, and we were told the problem was fixed. On 9/09/2010, the vehicle once again overheated, stranding us again. It was returned to the dealer, where they reset the computer and again told us it was fixed. On 11/23/2010, it was raining and again the vehicle stalled, but we were able to return home. On 12/17/2010, the repair engine soon light came on, and we haven't driven it since.

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Sep 17, 2009 · Engine · 70,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that when driving above 60 MPH the overheat indicator illuminated on the instrument control panel, then the vehicle stalled. As a consequence his risk of a serious injury was increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the technicians have been unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The current mileage was 79,000. Updated 10/29/09 *cn the pump for the cooling system was defective. Updated 10/29/09.

Filed Aug 7, 2009 · Electrical · 77,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. While driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the maintenance light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the electrical motor was overheating. The current and failure mileages were 77,000.