2011 Ford Escape: multiple warning lights

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 147,000 miles · AZ · 1 injury

The instrument cluster started by flashing all lights to staying on. Then the speed controls, speedometer, RPM gauge, and heat sensor would not work. On top of all this. The brakes began to make a clicking noise when this issue would happen and the brakes would act rough. No mechanic could figure out the problem until it was to late. This needs to be better known and better managed.

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 60,000 miles · OR

The ABS braking system on the ford escape hybrid failed unexpectedly and without warning at only 60k miles. The vehicle was in motion, and all the lights came on at once and the system read "check brakes." the brakes felt loose, and I took it a mechanic the next day. They thought that pressure was getting sent unevenly to both sides of the vehicle, so they flushed the brakes. However, they discovered total ABS failure, and a $3000 fix associated with it. This is a known issue all over the internet. There are facebook groups advocating for a recall of this vehicle. We were lucky that we didn't crash into someone. The brakes only work if you apply extreme force to them, and even then they get loose and the car starts to roll away. These issues are becoming extremely prevalent now in 2020 that the 2008-2011 era of this hybrid is getting a bit older. That being said, this model only has 60k miles on it and should not have had brake failure. Http://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/escapehybrid/brake-ABS-warning-light-problems.php https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/5850/ford/escape-hybrid/ford-escape-hybrid-brake-problems/p4

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

Escape would not start on 10/14/19. Made clicking noise but would not turn over. Checked battery which indicated low voltage. Replaced battery on 10/15/19. On 10/17/19, attempted to start car. All lights came on but no sound was heard and engine would not turn over. Checked new battery which was within limits. Checked symptoms online and found issue to be faulty neutral safety switch. Upon further search, found numerous owners of 2008-2012 ford escape and mercury mariners have the same issue. Would like to know why this is not a factory recall if it is happening this often.

Filed May 16, 2017 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · MD

I was driving 50 MPH and the car stalled with not warning. The "wrench light" or throttle body/powertrain light came on. I coasted to a person's driveway as there was no shoulder to pull off to. I turned off the car and turned it back on. All lights turned off and car ran fine. Mechanics can't find problem or error code and I'm scared to drive my new vehicle.

Filed Apr 18, 2017 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · WI

All lights on instrument cluster come on randomly, gauges go to zero. Will remain in this condition until car is shut off. At times car will not restart without banging on the dash. Car does not have to be in motion for this to happen but most frequently it is. A new ignition switch did not solve problem. A check on the internet seems to indicate this is a common problem with this model car. This is an ongoing problem.

Filed Dec 5, 2014 · Engine · 78,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the engine stalled and all the warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and noticed that a fire had erupted. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · GA

Traveling at a speed of around 50mph and all of a sudden the car jumped and lost power. When I pushed the gas pedal, there was nothing and even the tachometer would not move. Was able to coast into a parking lot and turn car off. After a few minutes, the car cranked and all dashboard lights went crazy. Was able to continue home, but car was running very sluggish. Thank goodness I was on a quiet country road. Had this occurred on a more heavily traveled road, it would have been very dangerous considering I had 6 and 7 year old grandchildren in my car.dealership diagnosed as throttle body problem. Even though the throttle body is part of the power train, it is not covered under warranty??a $800 repair at 45k miles is not something you look forward to.

Filed Jul 22, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 44,000 miles · TX

I was driving on the highway, going about 70mph on cruise control. The cruise control suddenly disengaged and the car started slowing down, plus the wrench maintenance sign in the dashboard lit up. I hit the gas and nothing would happen, I basically put the gas pedal to the floor with no results. I pulled over to the side of the road, avoiding traffic, and parked the car. Once the car was in park, the car started vibrating heavily. I shut the car down and waited about 5-10 minutes and then started the car again, it took about 3 tries to get the car to start again. I took the car to the mechanic, they could not get the car repeat the fails at that time, so they could not determine what happened. About a week later, I'm on the highway headed to work and it happens again, same situation, except this time all the lights in the dashboard lit up and I was not using cruise control. I took the car back to the mechanic and he worked on it for a few days, came back and said that the throttle body was malfunctioning and it needed to be replaced. Before I did that, I called the ford dealership and explained the situation to the lead mechanic there and without even seeing the car, he agreed with my mechanic that it 100% sounded like a throttle body problem. So it has been replaced and I have had the car back with no problems since then.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Airbags, Body · 2,738 miles · WA

At 2700 miles the airbag warning light started to go on and vehicle was taken to dealer for a check on airbag problem. Supposedly fixed, however one week later had to return vehicle to dealer due to airbag warning light again going on. Problem supposedly fixed by tightening loose wirre cables in cable harness but one month later returned vehicle again as air bag warning was again coming on and there was concern as we didn't know if airbag would deploy if needed or worse may deploy at any time. Advised that cause was excessive electrical resistance in wire cable harness and defective sensors.since that time there has been no further problem with airbag readiness warning. In fall of 2012 a new problem started which at first I thought might be due to leaving parking brake partially on. Steering at 40 MPH all of a sudden became very difficult and center console warning lights and traction warning light came on. After pulling off the road, stopping and restarting the vehicle there was no problem. Problem started again in april 2013 with vehicle still under 10,000 miles. Took vehicle to dealer and problem supposedly fixed. Drove about 6 to 8 miles and problem occurred again with warning lights coming on and difficult to steer at freeway speed. Returned vehicle to dealer and picked up two days later with problem supposedly cured. 4 days later all warning lights went on again and steering as before was difficult. Had vehicle towed to dealer as all agreed it was not safe to drive.after a week of testing and work vehicle was ready . Was advised that problem was loose wires in cable harness and faulty sensors. I have now been driving the vehicle about 2 weeks with no further problems but am greatly concerned that I may have purchased a defective and possibly dangerous vehicle. What protection do we have?