Ford Escape Hybrid won't shift problems

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NC

On Saturday at approximately 8:25 p.m., my 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid SEL abruptly entered limp mode while traveling on a major highway. The vehicle's speed rapidly dropped from approximately 60-65mph to 20 mph in heavy, high-speed (many driving over 70mph)traffic. I immediately activated my hazard lights and exited the highway at the first opportunity, narrowly avoiding a serious fatal collision. Today, Crossroads Ford in Apex, North Carolina, informed me that the issue was caused by a faulty engine sensor. Given the severe safety hazard this created and the existing recalls associated with this vehicle model, I am requesting that this matter be fully addressed. I am currently being told that I will be required to pay for these repairs out of pocket, which I do not believe is appropriate for a critical safety failure. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response regarding how this issue will be resolved.

Filed Nov 26, 2024 · Engine · KS

Failed to shift into reverse. Seems to run some sort of safety check. Still does not reverse Dash active and showing messages from safety check - lights work. Wont shift into reverse. Car is parked in garage where it has been for previous 14 hours. Temp is above freezing No previous indication of problems other than low tire pressure on one tire.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Engine · AZ

Had software update performed by dealer for 23S27 recall. Two weeks later sitting at a light amber box appeared that said check manual and had a picture of a wrench clicked ok to dismiss. Light changed and proceeded to make my left turn with no power. Looked back at dash and now MIL lamp (check engine) is lit. Pulled over, shut the car off and went to use rest room hoping car would reset itself. No joy car is in full blown limp mode 30 mph max. Called dealer and they said they would have to charge me a diagnostic fee. I said your are not supposed to charge a fee for a recall. Went home read the code with my own reader. P1061 was set. Googled the code and it said this code was setting on Escape hybrids after recall software update. On 9/5/24 took car to dealer said nothing was in the knock pid and reset the code and limo mode, tech noted it was likely to reappear. Sure enough two day later same code, same limo mode. I have a SAFETY concern with this recall leaving me powerless. Fortunately for me both times this happened was on city streets! I do a lot of freeway driving and if this happened on the freeway I would experience a high speed rear collision. Car is now having the long block replaced 23N06 and hopefully I never see this or experience this behavior again. I have my doubts!

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MO

We were traveling to Springfield MO and just before Strafford our 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE flashed a wrench warning on our screen and immediately went into limp mode in rush hour traffic on I-44. We were in the passing lane going up a hill at the time passing a commercial truck and our speed dropped significantly. Luckily the vehicles behind us to were able slow down in time.

Filed Jun 28, 2023 · NM

Vehicle would not shift out of park from a cold start. Dial shifter would not rotate. Vehicle could start but could not be driven. Problem has not been confirmed by dealer or independent service center. There were no warnings. Vehicle had been sitting in the sun in a parking lot on an 89 degree day for two hours. Cooling the vehicle cabin with A/C for 1/2 hour allowed the dial shifter to operate.

Filed Feb 6, 2019 · Acceleration · 22,000 miles · CA

Ford electronic throttle body (etb) issue my 2008 ford escape hybrid has been intermittently experiencing issues related to an ill-designed etb since 2010 (when we purchased the vehicle). In the past 5 years, the frequency of issue occurrence has progressively increased. Current rate of occurrence is 3 - 6 times per week. Randomly the vehicle goes into "limp mode" while driving, where the engine shuts down to nearly zero power. Dashboard displays "pull over safely". If this occurs in heavy traffic (which is many times the case on our los angeles freeways), there is no way to pull over safely with nearly zero engine power. The vehicle is literally stranded in freeway traffic until the etb is reset. The vehicle's ignition must be turned off and back on to reset the etb. This faulty etb part across many ford models for 10+ years is putting vehicle owners' safety at high risk. Ford should issue a recall of all vehicles with these ill-designed, faulty etbs. Vehicle owners should not be financially responsible for replacement of a part which is clearly faulty in its design.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Engine · 87,201 miles · NC

Throttle body replacement after repetitive wrench light, limp mode, and engine light. Dealer stated ours was not to have recall, but active warranty extension shows other 2.5l vehicles under 150,000 miles and within the 10 years of the model. Looking up the part they are the same part numbers being replaced non hybrids. This is excluding vehicles that not only originally cost more, but have defective parts int eh same year ranges as other 4 cylinders. They also have 6 cylinders showing that this is a more widespread issue with other parts on other throttle bodies outside that engine size. This shows poor manufacture of similar and for mine the same as the non-hybrid. Will contact national service next. Hybrids should be included. I have had 5 and feel my current model may be next and is showing some symptoms. This 2009 has always shown some surging surging for the 4 years. It is in the south where moisture is a problem when humidity and ocean salt can amplify when visiting on occasion. The issues appeared on the highway at first in a feeling of surging when on cruise control and could be seen in the RPM, almost like the transmission was slipping. As it progressed we replaced 3 emission parts, and finally in the last month the car was crippled to a point that the check engine light came on and the wrench light may or may not light, but car would not go past 45mph, and even felt sluggish like it was not accelerating making it dangerous to drive to work. We could not call off work to take it to the service garage, and almost had it towed to the shop. This was similar to the 2005 we had except it was due to the coolant circulation pump. The only difference was the engine did not shut down after limping as the other did. They normally are good, but I felt not represented this time, and they were just happy to have me pay. I do have receipt. 485.00

Filed May 11, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 108,287 miles · CA

My 2009 escape hybrid had the same throttle body failure as shown in pe13003 and dp12006. I was driving on busy street on way to airport when wrench light and engine light came on and car lost power to accelerate which was scary to say the least! I managed to drive (or rather limp) to side street to prevent being hit and tried turning engine on and off. Wrench light went off but engine light remained on and drove car to ford dealer in limp mode. I was advised by them that my car went into limp mode to prevent any further damage to engine. I let them know I have extended warranty(premium esp) that was good up to 109,913 miles /aug. 2017 and currently had 108,287miles. The throttle is covered under this warranty however I was told the throttle did not need replacing. I was told the throttle was spitting gas as throttle door not opening properly and "the throttle had a cold which needed taking care of" and just needed a throttle/ fuel injection cleaning service. I was charged $346.18 for fuel injection cleaning and flush, hybrid battery filter and labor. I'm concerned this will happen again as throttle was not replaced and my problem was identical to the others investigated in pe13003. I don't understand why throttle wasn't replaced. Are escape hybrids not included in previous investigations? Why not??? Under my warranty, if throttle was replaced it would have cost me less than cleaning it. Is this just a money making ploy at the expense of safety? Please advise if escape hybrids will be investigated for throttle problems. Thank you

Filed Dec 31, 2016 · Engine · 102,000 miles · FL

My 09 escape hybrid suffered the same throttle body failure investigated in pe13003 and dp12006 where the vehicle goes into 'limp mode' following the tb failure. In essence, my daughter was merging not the highway and suddenly lost power to the vehicle. She was able to exit to the shoulder and the vehicle would drive in slow speed but not normal. I had the vehicle repaired at the dealer and have the receipt. However, ford excluded the hybrid from its consumer satisfaction program 13n03. As my receipt shows, the tb part number is the same as those on the covered vehicles as is the diagnosis and fix (replace the throttle body). I've contacted ford for coverage of the repair iaw the csp 13n03 but their stance has been that my vehicle was not included in the program. I'm contacting you to see if there was a technical/logical reason why the escape hybrid (with the same 2.5l engine and tb part) was not included in ford's response and whether there is anything additional I can do from the consumer end. I realize this request is some time after the repair but I was never notified of the csp program since my VIN number was not included and only recently learned of the ford csp. Thank you. Charles

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Engine · 109,000 miles · NJ

Vehicle intermittently enters "limp mode" showing dtc p2112:00-64 code: p2112 - throttle actuator control system - stuck closed. Instances have occurred at highway speeds, at below 40 MPH and starting from a stop. Status