2007 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 393 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 16 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 9 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemSep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Campaign 14V526000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Power train, May 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Steering, Sep 13, 2019
TWO YEARS AGO OUR ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO FAULTY SENSORS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FRONTIER FORD IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AND THEY CHARGED ME $1200 TO GET IT FIXED. IN THE LAST 5 DAYS, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 3 DIFFERENT TIMES -- ALL WHILE DRIVING -- CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TURN-OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RE-START IT. IT'S MY WIFE'S ESCAPE -- SHE WEIGHS 106 LBS -- THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURED (I'M 220 LBS, AND I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE W/O PWR STEERING. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE PWR STEERING WENT OUT, I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. TODAY IT WENT OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE WARNING LIGHT AND BELLS CAME ON SAYING "PROBLEM WITH STEERING" -- I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN IT WOULD NOT RE-START. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND RE-START -- IT FINALLY DID RE-START -- BUT ONLY AFTER INFURIATING A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE STUCK IN BACK OF ME DURING THEIR MORNING COMMUTE.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, May 26, 2019
THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS WHERE THEY PLACED A PIECE OF METAL TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM COMING OFF. IN LATER YEARS THEY USED THE SAME PART, WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE PART OR AT LEAST REDESIGNED THE PART SO THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTILL FIXED
Steering, May 15, 2019
I WAS TURNING TO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE PARKING SPOT AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLIMINATED READS SERVICE POWER STEERING WHEEL. POWER STEERING IS OUT ITS VERY HARD TO TURN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. RESTARED THE CAR AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST. FAILURED MILAGE IS ABOUT 160K MILE.
Steering, Mar 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRIEGERS FORD (3205 NORTH HWY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,165.
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 13,000 MILES ON IT AND THE POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE IS IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. THIS IS CLEARLY NO SIGN OF NEGLECT ON SUCH A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 8, 2018
2014. BRAKE FAIL. FIX. FOR. $1500. MOVING. TO. CALIFORNIA. NOW 2018. 12-5-2018. POWER STEERING. NEEDS. SERVICES. AND. ALSO. EMISSIONS. HAVE PROBLEMS TOO. ?
Steering, Nov 20, 2018
WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND POWER STEERING LOCKED UP IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET , WITH CARS COMING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS NEARLY GOT HIT .... HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO STEER CAR TO SIDE OF STREET..... POWER STEERING MODULE WENT BAD
Steering, Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Steering, Jan 6, 2017
POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWED MANY PEOPLE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MODULE AT NEAR $1000. THEY DID RECALL THIS SAME MODULE ON THE 2008 FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. THIS SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE PREVIOUS MODELS. THE VEHICLE TURNED ON AND THE POWER STEERING NEVER CAME ON. TEMPERATURE WAS -2 DEGREE F. SERVICE INDITCATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAID SERVICE POWER STEERING.
Steering, Jan 4, 2017
THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, THE STEERING INSTANTLY BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT EXTREME AMOUNT OF EFFORT. THE YELLOW WRENCH SYMBOL LIT UP AND A WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP: "SERVICE PWR STEERING." THE FAIL WAS INSTANT AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD JUST COMPLETING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STEERING SEIZED UP. I CHECKED ALL 4 FUSED RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING AND ALL OF THEM ARE GOOD. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD HYBRID VEHICLES AND IT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO BE REPLACED (A $1500-$2000 JOB). THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BUT NEEDS TO BE ASAP. *TR
Steering, Nov 27, 2016
I PURCHASED THE CAR OCTOBER 2016. NOVEMBER 2016 THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. NOV 18 THE DEALER ADVISED I NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING MODULE.
Steering, Nov 17, 2016
POWER STEERING MODULE SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED
Steering, Apr 6, 2016
POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2007 FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES AND THERE IS A RECALL - BUT FOR SOME REASON IT ONLY COVERS 2008-2011 EVEN THOUGH THE MESSAGE BOARDS SHOW DOZENS OF 2007S WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT, MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME KANSAS CITY PLANT DURING THE COVERED PERIOD (AFTER AUGUST 18, 2006), YET IT IS INEXPLICABLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AFTER HAVING THE POWER STEERING MODULE REPLACED WITH A USED ONE. THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN AFTER BARELY A DAY. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FORD 14S05 RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V2840000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Sep 29, 2015
POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. DISPLAY SHOWED A YELLOW WRENCH AND "SERVICE PWR STEERING" MESSAGE APPEARED. DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME THEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MANUAL STEERING. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN VEHICLE ON MANUAL STEERING. DEALERSHIP DETECTED A BAD STEERING MODULE AND REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.
Steering, Aug 13, 2015
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 35 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS STILL NON FUNCTIONAL AND IS DUE TO BE EVALUATED NEXT WEEK. I AM GLAD THAT THE INCIDENT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF MY WIFE OR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE HAD A HARDER TIME CONTROLING THE CAR SINCE THEY HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN CARS WITH POWER STEERING
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 18, 2014
RIGHT FRONT TONE RING CRACKED CAUSING ABS TO MALFUNCTION AND INABILITY TO BRAKE SAFELY. PART IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE POINT AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Nov 3, 2014
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON MY HOME STREET AT LOW SPEED WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY, RESULTING IN MANUAL STEERING ONLY. WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, VEHICLE WAS THEN PARKED. DASHBOARD ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED: SVC POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Jul 9, 2014
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT LIT UP, AND THE DIGITAL READ-OUT SAID TO SERVICE THE POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWO DAYS AGO. THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE MODULE, BUT ADVISED THAT MAY NOT WORK; IF IT DOES NOT, THEY SAY THE STEERING RACK WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I AM AWARE OF FORD'S RECENTLY ANNOUNCED RECALL OF 2008 AND LATER ESCAPES FOR POWER STEERING FAILURES. AFTER DISCUSSING THAT WITH THE DEALER, I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. HE SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I TOLD HIM I UNDERSTOOD THAT, BUT PERHAPS THEIR RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. HE ASKED WHY I WAS CALLING, AND I SAID THE DEALER HAD TOLD ME TO CALL AND START THE CLAIMS PROCESS. AT FIRST, HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NO CLAIM I COULD MAKE BECAUSE THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER MY CAR, BUT ULTIMATELY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER. (I DON'T KNOW IF HE ACTUALLY A CLAIM OR JUST GAVE ME A NUMBER TO GET ME OFF THE PHONE.) *TR
Steering, Engine, Apr 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND THE SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE STALLING FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Suspension, Oct 20, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ALONG A CURVE IN THE ROAD WITH NO ROAD HAZARDS APPARENT, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE CRACKED, CAUSING WARNINGS TO LIGHT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Steering, Nov 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES FROM A RECURRING FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS A COMPONENT THAT WAS KNOWN TO CONTINUOUSLY FRACTURE. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WOULD NEED REPLACING YET AGAIN, AS WELL AS THE STEERING RACK. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE ENTERING INTO THE STEERING RACK BECAUSE OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPDATED 1/9/2013 *JS
Steering, Apr 13, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE TURNING. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL HISSING SOUND WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVEN DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANICS REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINTS AND STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Jun 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. IF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHECKED AND ALL OF THE LINES WERE FLUSHED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STEERING, RACK AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.