Ford Escape Hybrid overheating problems

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Acceleration · CA

​VEHICLE INFORMATION ​Year/Make/Model: 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Titanium ​Component: Electrical / Instrument Cluster / Digital Display Unit (IPC) ​Hazard: Critical Visual Hazard & Operational Safety Defect ​STATEMENT OF SAFETY CONCERN The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the 2020 Ford Escape Titanium is experiencing severe pixelation and flickering, indicating imminent screen failure. Because this trim lacks mechanical gauges, screen failure blinds the driver to vital real-time operating metrics: ​Speedometer: Prevents real-time speed monitoring, increasing collision risk. ​Engine Temperature: Hides thermal warnings, risking sudden engine breakdown or overheating. ​Fuel Gauge: Obscures fuel levels, risking sudden loss of propulsion in active traffic. ​Warning Lights: Hides critical alerts for Brake System, Airbags, Tire Pressure, and High-Voltage Hybrid System faults. ​OPERATIONAL HAZARD ANALYSIS Driving with a malfunctioning instrument panel creates immediate hazards: ​Driver Distraction: Constant screen flickering directly in the driver's line of sight creates a dangerous visual distraction, especially at night. ​Power Loss Risk: Lack of fuel/hybrid monitoring increases the likelihood of stalling on highways or busy intersections. ​Loss of Safety Warnings: The vehicle cannot communicate critical restraint or braking system failures to the driver. ​REQUESTED ACTION / RESOLUTION This condition represents an active safety defect. I request: ​Immediate diagnostic and replacement of the digital instrument cluster unit (IPC) or control module under applicable technical/safety service guidelines. ​Formal documentation of this defect with Ford Motor Company and reporting to federal regulators (the federal safety agency).

Filed Mar 19, 2025 · Engine · 38,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal coolant consumption was noticed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Egr coolant leak in the first 70k miles of driving the car this has been causing my check engine light to turn on and the problem is 'discovered' when the part is no longer covered by warranty.

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Electrical · OH

The hybrid battery coolant line has a leak and is available for inspection. Driving the vehicle with this leak can compromise the battery resulting in overheating which could cause the vehicle to break down, fire, or burn. The dealer confirmed the leak. The dealer was a manufacturer dealer and they inspected the vehicle. There were no indications of a leak.

Filed Jan 8, 2023 · Transmission · FL

2021 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid with over 11,000 Miles. Received following Text Message from Ford: Service Engine Soon - The Powertrain Control System has Detected a Fault with the High Voltage Battery Coolant Pump. The Check Engine Light on the Instrument Cluster Illuminated. Could see or feel no effects on the vehicle and No Safety Messages appeared on any Displays. Worried of Overheating High Voltage Battery, which could lead to Battery Fire or Vehicle Stoppage while in Highway Traffic.

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 15, 2019 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · IA

The hybrid electronics system overheated, the dashboard lights went on and the alert system said to "stop car slowly" and then "check emissions system". The car slowed down and lost almost all power. After turning it on again, the car had no power and could not accelerate. It was like this for several minutes (this has happened before but the car seemed normal after the initial stall). The car was towed to a nearby mechanic's garage and they told us the problem was with the mecs pump which was causing the hybrid system to overheat. This seems remarkably similar to recall #14s19 and I don't understand how my car is not covered under it. I also chatted with a rep from ford who couldn't tell me why my car wasn't covered. While I understand that recalls are VIN specific I believe there is an error on ford's end. The rep told me my vehicle was built on july 29, 2005 and the recall includes vehicles manufactured from 2005 to june 20, 2008. She said she couldn't find an exact date for the start of the "build date" range, but she thought it included all of 2005. So I said "shouldn't mine be covered?" similarly, the 14s19 recall notice states: "model year 2005-2008 ford escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured october 13, 2003, to june 20, 2008". I bought the car in late 2015, after the initial recall date was issued and the dealer stated that there were no outstanding recall matters with the vehicle. However, the car only had 60,000 miles on it and was lightly used so I wonder if the previous owner was even aware of the mecs issues. Thank you for your time. I am currently facing $1,300 in repair costs and this looks exactly like the recall problems mentioned in 14s19. I hope someone at the federal safety agency can help because I think ford should reimburse me for the damages. Thanks again. Please contact me at [xxx] if you have any questions. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Engine · 96,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford escape hybrid. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine coolant indicator illuminated and the engine began to overheat. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking from the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to notify a ford dealer. The dealer (huntersville ford, 13825 statesville rd, huntersville, nc 28078) was notified and informed the contact that the failure was not due to any recall. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v551000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available.

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 Aug 1, 2015 · 126,700 miles · FL

I was driving on a state road at about 45 mpg when the car started to overheat, AC was not cooling as it was before the warning then a safety sign came on the dashboard to stop the vehicle safely. The next day (saturday) I called greenway ford dealership, colonial sr 50, fl and ask if there is a recall on my vehhicle and explained what happened. I was told yes there is a recall on the cooling pump/motor to bring in the vehicle on monday. I paid for the vehicle to be towed on monday at 7:30am as I was told not to drive it. I called the dealership to ensure that the vehicle was there and asked to be contacted once a diagnosis was done. No one called me until 4:30pm to pick up the vehicle. Two days later the vehicle warning sign came on again to safely stop the vehicle. I called the dealership again and I was told I can wait and see if it happens again which I did a couple weeks later and left a voice message. Two days ago, the same warning safety sign came on. Yesterday, I privately went to a mechanic to run a diagnostic, which had an error code of p1a10 - hybrid powertrain module -battery disabled. I went to the dealership as I had no return call from the manager mark foster. After 2 and 1/2 hours I was told that I have to replace the hybrid battery cooling fans as one is not working for a cost of $1,127.26 when I inquired about the hybrid battery being disabled I was told by the manager and technician that the "battery is protecting itself from melting or catching on fire by disabling". The problem that existed prior to changing the cooling pump still exists and the ford company nor the dealership is taking any responsibility.