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Ford Escape Hybrid won't start problems

24 of the 1,747 owner complaints about the Ford Escape Hybrid describe won't start, most of them for the 2008 model year.

owner complaints
24
worst model year
2008
typical mileage
105,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    1
  • 2020
    4
  • 2011
    1
  • 2009
    2
  • 2008
    7
  • 2007
    2
  • 2006
    4
  • 2005
    2

Often reported together

Loss of power 3Stalling 2ABS 2Power steering loss 1Overheating 1Engine failure 1Check engine light 1

Trouble codes mentioned

P2112 1P2111 1P1A14 1P1A10 1P0A95 1P0A0A 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · WA

Parked car in garage on saturday like normally done for 3+ years. Next thing, car is completely unresponsive. Will not start, honk doesnt work, no lights nothing. If this happened in the middle of the road (and it has happened to other drivers), its a safety issue. Tried jump starting, nothing works.

Filed Dec 29, 2023 · Acceleration · MA

While driving the car on a busy fast-flowing road the message "Stop Safely Now" appeared on the dashboard. The car lost power and could only be driven at 20 mph and would not speed up. I pulled over and when I stopped but did not power off, the car would not start moving again. After turning the car off for five minutes it drove again properly with no issue. This is the second time this has happened in two months.

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Electrical · WA

Vehicle has gone stone dead on two occasions with no electrical response of any kind. Physical key was required to unlock. First was 11/21/22 at 9,733 miles. Vehicle spent 10 or so days in the shop while problem was traced and some warranty work was done. Second was 3/11/23 with same symptoms. Dead first thing in the morning. Mileage was 12,470. Based on first experience, purchased a robust charger and brought the car to 100 charge and problem solved for the short term. Online forums mention this as a common problem for this and the 2021 Escape hybrids. Fix seems to be getting a larger AGM battery which, with its greater capacity and faster charging capacity can better handle the parasites in the electrical system. In the runup to both 'deaths' the vehicle's computers began shutting down accessories such as remote start, handle touch unlocking, etc. All I ask is a replacement of the 12 volt battery with the larger 70aH AGM battery (Ford part BAGM48H6760). My wife and I have one car. She has a disability. I purchased this car to give her easier entrance and exit. It never occurred to me that it would not start reliably.

Filed Feb 24, 2023 · Steering · CA

I bought this car in June 2022 brand new. This morning I received an alert on my phone from Ford saying that my car is in "Deep Sleep" mode to conserve battery energy and my remote features including start/stop and lock/unlock. I went to my car and I could not get into my car and it did not start. When I contacted the dealership, Vista Ford in Woodland Hills, CA, they informed me that this is a feature on the car, and that if the car is not driven within 48 hours, the car will go into Deep Sleep. I drove the car the night before, not even 8 hours prior so I do not understand why this happened. I manually used my key from the fob to get into my car, and asked the sales manager to assist me on how to start the car. He said I had to set the fob in the middle console and push the start button. It did not work. I had to call AAA to come and jump my brand new car to start. This is putting me at risk and this car is not safe to drive because it goes into this deep sleep mode and does not start. The dealership said the first available appointment was not until 3/08/23 which is in about two weeks. I hope the factory is able to disable this deep sleep mode. It is unsafe to have a car that does not start and you cannot get into your vehicle. I already had a recall for the cooling of the engine, now my car will not start, and I can't get into it, what's next?

Filed Mar 13, 2022 · Electrical · FL

2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid - Battery does not start. Occurrence: twice at 15K and 21K. Total mileage on vehicle: 21K. Turning the ignition key of the Escape Hybrid, the electric motor is supposed to be activated. The electric motor, in turn, starts the gasoline engine. At this point, there is total failure.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Electrical · MD

After 2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid did not start, it was towed to a Ford dealer. They diagnosed battery failure and put in a new one. When we drove away from the dealer, the car was disabled within one mile. They now say it wasn't the battery, it was the battery converter which I understand to be the equivalent to the alternator in non-hybrids. The vehicle is under new car warranty. My wife was fortunate she was in the right lane and could pull onto the shoulder with minimal steering control. Some alerts on Ford Plus app: "Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power." Also "Charge System Fault." And "Malfunction Indicator Lamp -- Regulatory."

Filed Jul 14, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 200,000 miles · ID

Over the past 3 years I have had the issue of 'stop safely now' on multiple occasions. These issues didn't start until the mec pump was replaced under a recall. After that my 2005 escape hybrid will shut down while driving or not start or cut out the hybrid power and run on engine only. I took it to the local ford dealership where we have gotten all other service done three times for these issues. They haven't been able to tell me anything, stating only that there are no codes, so no idea where to look. I couldn't understand how the computer can know to tell me to stop driving the car, yet not record a dtc. It happened again on the first warm day of the summer - drove across town, parked it, came back 20 minutes later and it wouldn't start, showing 'stop safely now'. I left it until the next morning and it started right up and I drove it home. I went out and bought scanxl and used my laptop to scan the car. I found p1a10, p1a14, p0a0a, and p0a95. If I can buy some consumer program and find this info, way is ford telling there are no codes? Ford also replaced the battery fans two years ago, stating they were covered under some recall or warranty. Searching the internet gets me 100's of comments on this stop safely issue with dozens of possible causes depending on the year and model. My scan tool shows a battery voltage of 665 volts, though it's supposed to be a 300 volt battery. The hybrid evaporator temp can range between 220 and 310 degrees f when it's running ok. That can't be normal. I have no idea what's going on and can't get any help from the ford dealer.

Filed May 21, 2019 · 300,000 miles · GA

Same as everyone else, very dangerous 'stop safely now' in the middle of highway traffic, managed to pull through it all and not die. It was cold and rainy outside while we waited for a tow truck on a narrow roadside. Brought to near by ford dealership and they 'thought' it might be the dc to dc converter but were not sure about it, so rather than dropping $3 grand on a 'maybe' I got it towed back to my house. Where it now sits and won't start still has the same error message. I feel like it might be something small, other people have said they changed the dc to dc converter and its usually not the problem.

Filed May 3, 2019 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · IN

Car not starting because of a poorly designed ignition housing. The car sometinms doesn't start because it doesn't turn the ignition switch like it should. I got the replacement part from dealer and they said it is a common problem. So why is thre not a recall for the issue?

Filed Dec 30, 2018 · Brakes, Fuel system · 125,000 miles · CA

Vehicle displayed "service emissions system" warning immediately after driving off the lot. After replacement of all emissions parts, vehicle still intermittently displays this warning and occasional "stop safely now" messages causing the engine to shut down. Vehicle also displays "service brake system" warnings daily despite having entire breaking system replaced causing failure of ABS breaking system resulting in brake pedal going all the way to the floor and taking a much longer distance to stop while driving. Vehicle surges forward while stopped at traffic lights increasing the risk of a crash. Vehicle displays "passenger door ajar" warnings although door is shut. This results in alarm and lights flashing constantly resulting in several drained batteries so vehicle does not start. Transfer case or "power take off unit" failed at 125k miles resulting in non-drivable condition.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported February 24, 2022 · 155 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk
Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.

Recall number 22V109000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Escape Hybrid won't start

Which Ford Escape Hybrid years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2008 (7 complaints), 2006 (4 complaints) and 2020 (4 complaints).

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