2007 Ford Escape Hybrid: engine overheating

Filed Jul 15, 2016 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 ford escape hybrid. While driving 35-45 MPH, there was an audible warning sound which notified the driver of an issue with the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine temperature gauge showed that the engine was overheating. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated and a fault code could not be produced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Dec 18, 2014 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, a chime sounded and an unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronics system overheated. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v526000 (hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed May 28, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 73,000 miles · AZ

After driving approx 20 min on the freeway, my 2007 ford escape hybrid shut off. Warning light came on displaying: motor temp high. Then, stop safely. Considering I was in the middle of the freeway in phoenix az, the 2nd warning statement was quite un-nerving. When I finally made it to the shoulder of the freeway, I opened the hood, nothing was overheating, no steam, coolant levels normal. The vehicle started again without issue. I proceeded approx 5 minutes down the freeway and exited. When attempting to cross the street at the end of the exit ramp, the vehicle shut down again, displaying the same messages. This incident left me in the middle of a busy road. When I finally arrived home, I contacted a friend who is more knowledgeable than I regarding mechanical issues. He said he had heard of this and suggested I look on the internet. I am appalled at the # of occurrences of the same issue that have been reported. Yet no one, not the manufacturer or the dealerships have notified the consumer of this very dangerous situation. My father has purchased fords for years. This irresponsible action, of failure to notify the consumer of potentially dangerous malfunctions, does not fit the responsible company that he has always described.

Filed Apr 8, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

I was driving at freeway speed and the car suddenly gave the signal "stop car safely now." I immediately began to lose power and barely had time to pull over to the left-hand shoulder to get out of the way of traffic. No previous signal (e.g. Wrench light or warning triangle) had appeared to give me advance warning. This had happened before (see 2/1/13 complaint), but when we took the car to the shop after that first occurrence, they were unable to identify any problems, so I had driven it again. Both times the problem occurred after sustained (2 hrs) freeway speed (70 MPH) driving. This time I was towed to a ford dealership where they identified that the hybrid battery system had overheated and numerous parts needed replacement.

Filed Feb 1, 2013 · Engine · 82,000 miles · NJ

I was traveling northbound on I-95 in maryland, about 10 miles south of elkton. While driving in the second from the right lane, in heavy traffic just after dark, the engine completely shut down, with no warning. My information screen said "hybrid system failure, pull over immediately." I had no power of any kind, had to navigate heavy traffic at high speeds, and pull over to the shoulder. It was very difficult and very dangerous to navigate. After sitting on the shoulder for several minutes, the car finally started, and I was able to continue on for a few miles before it happened again. At least I was in the right lane this time. I again waited, and once again the engine started. I pulled off at the elkton exit, and spent the night at a local hotel. The next morning, I called the local ford dealer, and was told that, since I was not a regular customer, they could not help me for two days. After towing the car to my home dealer, about 75 miles, I was informed that it was a water pump failure, not a hybrid system failure, and therefore not covered by the warranty. This seemed curious to me as there was no indication that the engine was overheating, and the car itself indicated that there was a hybrid system failure. Why would they design a vehicle to completely shut down, with no warning. I can not imagine the panic this may have caused with a less experienced driver. This had disaster written all over it. Further, I do not understand why this was not a warranty issue. The hybrid system is supposedly warranted for 100,000 miles. The system should be designed to warn the driver that a problem is imminent, and the engine will shut off in a short period of time. As designed, this is a terrible and dangerous warning system, and the warranty service from ford is vague and awful.