2005 Ford Escape Hybrid fuel system complaints

Filed Oct 5, 2012 · Fuel system · 99,800 miles · OR

This vehicle will go into "fail-safe" mode, which shuts the ic engine off while you're driving at highway speeds. It happens very intermittently and not in any consistent pattern. Once it happens, it continues to occur unless the car cools off completely. Happens only when car is used for long trips. Multiple fault codes show up on the computer, and based on those fault codes, I've had the hybrid coolant pump replaced, the air filter for the batteries replaced, and the fans that cool the battery replaced. I've had multiple trips to both ford dealership service and excellent independent mechanics (who were blocked on the ford technical website, even though these independent mechanics subscribe, from finishing their research into repair options) with the final results that they can't do anything to repair it. Other than this problem, it's a very nice vehicle....... But, I'm very nervous that this shut-down will occur in fast, heavy traffic where I cannot get to the side of the road safely and cause a horrible accident and loss of life...... Including my own or my family. I cannot keep this vehicle longer...... But, if I trade it off.... It's only going to be someone else's problem. This should have been a recall issue for ford. Go online, and you can find many people with the same problem, several of which have had terrifying experiences with this problem. Fortunately, most of my driving with this vehicle is on 2-lane state highways where I can pull off when this happens. In the middle of 80-MPH la traffic on a 6 lane freeway..... In the middle lane...... I shudder to think. I bought this vehicle in december, 2011, and will be giving someone else the problem soon, as I cannot continue to spend money on a vehicle that no one is capable of fixing, and I cannot keep it with this problem.

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.