NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPED AND OVER A BUMP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED; THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTRA FORCE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR FEW MOMENTS AND THE FAILURE WOULD SUBSIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HARNESS AND COMPUTER MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,567 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
THE PURPOSE OF MY LETTER IS EITHER TO INFORM OR ALERT YOU TO A TIRE SITUATION. ON MAY 7, 2007 THE CONTINENTAL TIRE TREAD ON THE 2005, FORD, ESCAPE LEFT THE WHEEL IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE, NEARLY CAUSING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE UNLIKE ANY THAT I HAVE KNOWN. I USED THE SPARE TIRE, AND REPORTED THE SITUATION TO MY FORD DEALER. THEY, IN TURN, REPORTED THE FAILURE TO BOTH , CONTINENTAL TIRE COMPANY AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. SINCE THEN THE CONTINENTAL TIRE COMPANY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TIRE BY OFFERING ME $20.00 OFF A REPLACEMENT TIRE AS THE COST OF FAIR WEAR AND TEAR. AT NO TIME HAS CONTINENTAL EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST IN VIEWING THE SEPARATED TIRE. IN SHORT, $20.00 TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FORD DEALER SOLD ME A SET OF DIFFERENT TIRES AT HIS COST JUST SO THAT WE COULD HAVE SOME PEACE OF MIND WHILE DRIVING IN THE FUTURE. IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN OBTAINING MORE INFORMATION I HAVE A SERIES OF PHOTOS OF THE SEPARATED TIRE WHICH I WOULD SEND YOU UPON REQUEST ALONG WITH DOT NUMBERS, ETC. MY EMAIL IS MILPRIDBASSETT@AOL.COM. *AK
THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. IT CAN NOT BE PUSHED. AT FIRST, IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD & THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD. NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE BROKEN TONE RINGS AND OIL LEAKS. *TR
I OWN A FORD ESCAPE 2005 FOUR DOOR 4WD THAT HAS BEEN EVERY 2-3 YEARS IN THE SHOP FOR COILS AND COMPUTER DAMAGE. FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT LAST FRIDAY I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST DIED WHILE I AM DRIVING IN A 50 MILE ZONED ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE SPOT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WILL COST $2700 TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER THAT WAS SHORTED OUT DUE TO THE COILS GOING BAD - I HAD THE COILS CHANGED TWO TIMES SINCE 2007 FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FORD SRB 09.2.6 AND TSB 09-2-6 IGNITION COIL PROBLEM THAT SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH THIS CAR - THE CAR STALLS ALWAYS WHEN DRIVING 50 OR MORE ON A MAIN ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSE POWER ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO EVEN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO GLIDE YOUR CAR SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE STEERING LOCKING UP BECAUSE THE CAR DIES TOTALLY. THE COMPUTER CODES THAT SHOW UP ARE P0351 -P0354 AND SOME OTHER ONES THAT I DIDN'T WRITE DOWN WHEN I WAS TALKING TO THE THOMPSONS MECHANIC. I CANT BELIEVE THAT THIS YEAR AND MODEL WASN'T RECALLED - ACCORDING TO THOMPSONS, THERE IS A BACK ORDER FOR THE COMPUTER MODULE FOR THIS CAR, TWO WEEKS MINIMUM DUE TO SO MANY ESCAPES 2005 NEEDING THIS SAME COMPUTER BECAUSE IT WAS SHORTED OUT PREMATURELY AND UNSAFELY. IT NEVER HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRIVE LESS THAN 50 SO THIS IS STRANGE AND VERY DANGEROUS.I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPAY US THE DAMAGES AND COSTS THAT US CUSTOMERS, HAVE DISHED OUT RECURRING EVERY 2-3 YEARS. COILS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED THAT MANY TIMES NOR SHOULD THE PLUGS AND ABSOLUTELY NOT THE COMPUTER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE FORD DO A RECALL AND RETROACTIVE SINCE THEY ALREADY HAVE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO OR REFUSE TO DO A MASS RECALL. *TR
PROBLEM: SHIFTER GETS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT T RELEASE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. DATES BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE: 04/11/07 MILEAGE 28972, AND REPLACED STOP SWITCH. ON 04/19/07 WITH MILEAGE 29102 REPLACED SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. ON 05/16/07 WITH MILEAGE 29653 DID NOT FIX IT. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES INVOLVING THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,800.
PURCHASED 2005 FORD ESCAPE IN MARCH 2007 WITH ABOUT 80K MILES. WITHIN THE MONTH, THE ABS LIGHT BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER 2011 AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AND HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. HAD OBD II DIAGNOSTIC CODES TESTED. NO CODES FOUND WHILE LIGHT IS ON OR OFF. MANUALLY TURNING OFF THE LIGHT IS ONLY TEMPORARY. THERE ARE NO PHYSICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. FORD SHOULD HAVE THIS RECALLED. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN ABS LIGHT IS ON, THERE IS CLICKING THAT CAN BE HEARD AND FELT THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE IS SLOW TO STOP. *TR
THIS CASE INVOLVES AN ENGINE FIRE TO A 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS BEING OPERATED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS IN URBAN DRIVING IN THE GREATER ATLANTA, GA AREA. SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS BURNED AFTER OPENING THE GLOVE BOX TO INVESTIGATE THE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST TOTALLY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY OIL PAN FIXED 3 TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE 21,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. TODAY IT IS IN FOR THE THIRD TIME. ALSO NOW I HAVE TO GET OIL SPOTS OFF MY DRIVEWAY. I NEVER THOUGH I WOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LEAKING OIL ON MY DRIVEWAY. *JB
MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS BOUGHT NEW. THE FIRST SITUATION OCCURRED IN 2007. CAR STARTED MISFIRING ON MAJOR NYC HIGHWAY AT 50 MILES AN HOUR AT NIGHT AND FINALLY STALLED OUT. MADE IT TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK. THAT SITUATION COST ME A NEW COMPUTER COILS AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REPAIR CAR ADDING UP TO 1300. AFTER THAT AND AT THE PRESENT TIME, NOVEMBER 20011 I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL STALLINGS ON HIGHWAYS LEAVING ME IN UNSAFE SCENARIOS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE REPLACED COUNTLESS COILS, PLUGS, HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES, ALONG WITH ALARM TRIPPING, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON AND NOW AFTER A TRIP FROM NY TO VA MY CAR LET ME DOWN AGAIN. DELAYING MY TRAVEL HOME AND HAVING TO STAY IN VA FOR REPAIR FINDING OUT I NEED ANOTHER COMPUTER. MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT AND A MONEY PIT. ATTENTION HAS TO BE BROUGHT TO THIS MATTER AND THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION. FORD HAS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS AND MOVE IN A DIRECTION TO REMEDY THEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT'S NOT ONE CAR FAILING ON THE HIGHWAY IT'S MULTIPLE AND THE EVIDENCE IS IN THE REVIEWS. THE CAR HAS 92,000 MILES AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I HAVE DUMPED INTO IT I SHOULD HAVE A LUXURY AUTOMOBILE SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY. I CAN NO LONGER PUT UP WITH THIS AND HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO ESCAPE FROM MY FORD ESCAPE. IT'S NOT SAFE! AND I DEMAND ACTION BE TAKEN AND WANT TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONTACTED. *TR
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS ON THE INTERSTATE - 65 MILES AN HOUR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A BEEP. THERE WERE THEN NO BRAKES AT ALL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COAST TO A STOP. TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT HAD BRAKES. ON THIS LAST INCIDENT, THE SAME THING IN THE SAME ORDER HAPPENED. THANKFULLY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR ANYTHING. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT IS INTERMITTENT THUS MAKING IT HARD TO DIAGNOSE. *JB CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN 2015. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN JERK FORWARD VIOLENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AND DRAINED. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE WAS NOT REMEDIED. SHE WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 01/29/10 *BF UPADTED 01/29/10.*JB
TL *- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS GAUGE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE 3/4 TANK, BUT THE GAUGE WOULD MOVE AROUND FROM 1/2 TO EMPTY BEFORE SHE WOULD REFUEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THOUGHT IT COULD BE A COMPUTER GLITCH. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY GAS SENSOR. ON DEC 30, 2006 THE GAS SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 34,000, THE PRESENT MILEAGE IS 34800. ON JANUARY 2, 2007 THE GAUGE READ A 3/4 TANK. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR HESITATE IT JUST STOPPED. THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GAS STATION AND ONCE GAS WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE IT WAS FINE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THEY PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE THE GAUGE NEVER WENT ABOVE 3/4 TANK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL SENSOR THEY REPLACED WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE SHOULD BEEPS WHEN THE FUEL IS LOW AND THE COMPUTER ALSO LETS THE CONTACT KNOW HOW MANY MILES IS LEFT BEFORE THE TANK IS EMPTY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S GAS GAUGE. *AK
2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. PROBLEM IS FAILURE OF HYBRID REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM AS DESCRIBED IN FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 05-8-5 (AUGUST 5, 2005) (NHTSA ID #10017553). PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED SPORADICALLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT WITHOUT ANY KNOWN INCIDENT TO HAVE TRIGGERED THE PROBLEM. REPAIR HAS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM'S HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT ("HCU"). TOTAL COST HAS BEEN ABOUT $7,000. TO SUMMARIZE MY CORRESPONDENCE FROM FORD... "SINCE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ("NHTSA") IS NOT CONCERNED (I.E. NOBODY HAS GOTTEN KILLED BY THESE DEFECTIVE BRAKES) THERE IS NO NEED FOR A RECALL. THEREFORE, FORD HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR OR DEAL WITH MY PROBLEM." MY STORY IN MORE DETAIL AT HTTP://BLOG.YAGELSKI.COM/2010/01/MY-FORD-ESCAPE-HYBRID-BRAKE-REPAIR.HTML. *TR
GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN FOOT IS LIFTED OFF PEDAL THEN IT IS PRESSED AGAIN. AT TIMES, THE PEDAL STICKS SO BAD THAT THE CAR REVVES HIGH AND LUNGES FORWARD. *JB
FROM A STOP THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE. IT IS INTERMITTENT, BUT WHEN IT OCCURS YOU UNABLE TO PRESS THE THROTTLE. IT IS JAMMED. IT SEEMS IF I PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT BACK INTO PARK THEN TO DRIVE IT WILL BE FREE AGAIN AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ONCE IN A WHILE YEARS AGO, BUT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING A LOT MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. THIS SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. YOU START OUT DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PEDAL WON'T MOVE. YOU CAN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL. THE PEDAL IS STUCK. AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND THE CAR WARMS UP THE PEDAL USUALLY WILL START MOVING AGAIN. WE HAVE HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER WHEN THEY GET THE CAR IT'S USUALLY WARM. ONE MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL PANEL. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. I MADE SURE THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT INTERFERING TOO. LUCKILY WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE IT WOULD CAUSE A CRASH. WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR THE PEDAL TO FREE ITSELF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED. THE GAS PEDAL STICKING HAPPENED QUITE OFTEN. UPDATED 08/29/12
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED REPEATEDLY INTO OTHER GEARS WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. IT WAS STOPPED BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY FIVE TIMES HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES STUCK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR FROM PARK. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. *NM
2005 FORD ESCAPE. NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON THREE SEPARATE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE SAME THING. FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE. THE SECOND TIME THEY BLAMED IT ON TIRE ROTATION NEED. THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME TO THIS PARTICULAR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID IT WAS IN NEED OF A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT THE NOISE WOULD STILL BE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PULL LEFT OR RIGHT. I REFUSED THEIR SERVICE THIS TIME BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT LOSING A CUSTOMER. THAT WAS THEIR DEMEANOR EVERYTIME I WENT THERE. *NM
THE GAS PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY STICKS WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN AND QUICK DECELERATION. IT FEELS LIKE A BRICK IS UNDERNEATH THE PEDAL. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSH DOWN, THE PEDAL DOESN'T BUDGE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE PEDAL WILL WORK AGAIN. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH FORD CARS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. I SPOKE WITH FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY TOOK MY NAME AND SOME OTHER BASIC INFORMATION, THEN SPENT MOST OF THE TIME TRYING TO GET ME OFF OF THE PHONE. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA WAS HAVING, WITH THE ONLY TWO DIFFERENCES BEING THE CAR DECELERATES AS OPPOSED TO ACCELERATES AND THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET. FORD TOLD ME IF I WAS CONCERNED, I SHOULD GET MY CAR FIXED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, THE FIRST FEW TIMES THE STALLING OCCURRED, HOWEVER THE LAST TIME IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - *NM
WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY, MY FORD ESCAPE PULLED TO THE LEFT, CROSSING THE CENTER LINE, CRASHING INTO A SEMI-TRUCK TWICE, HITTING TWO ADDITIONAL CARS AND FLIPPED ONTO ITS SIDE. I HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO A TRAUMA CENTER. I SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, BROKEN RIBS AND BRUISING ALL OF MY BODY. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS KILLED, BUT MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAR HAD BEEN PULLING TO THE LEFT ON OCCASION, BUT ON THOSE OCCASIONS I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT IT QUICKLY. *NM
PURCHASED 05 ESCAPE AT 40,096 MILES IN JULY '06. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, ROTORS WERE WARPED SO DEALER REPLACED THEM FOR FREE. ABOUT 10,000 MILES LATER THEY WERE WARPED AGAIN AND THEY "TURNED" THE ROTORS. ABOUT 4,000 MILES LATER THEY WERE WARPED AGAIN SO THE DEALER REPLACED THEM AGAIN. NOW LESS THAN 5,000 MILES LATER, THEY ARE WARPED AGAIN. DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR AND REFUSED ANY REPAIRS, ONLY NOTING THAT THERE IS *NOTHING* WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, ONLY THE ROTORS ARE WARPED, WITH NO KNOWN REASON EXCEPT IT MUST BE "THE WAY I AM DRIVING". JUST TODAY NOW THE ABS LIGHT IS STEADY ON, WITH NO REASON THAT I CAN NOTICE FROM MY OWN DRIVING. MY OWN RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT IT MAY BE A "TONE RING" ON THE AXLE, WHICH REQUIRES A REPAIR FOR OVER $1,000 FOR EACH AXLE, AS THE ENTIRE AXLE MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE "TONE RING". *JB
NEW 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY MULTIPLE DEALER SHOPS: - INTERMITTENT STALLING, SIMILAR TO PROBLEM CAUSING RECALL OF 2001 - 2003 ESCAPES. CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STERRING AND BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE, SO WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. - GASOLINE SMELL AND LOUD KNOCKING FROM ENGINE IN HOT TEMPERATURES. - EXTREMELY LOW GAS MILEAGE, ALMOST 50% BELOW ADVERTISED MILEAGE. THESE COMPLAINTS APPEAR IN OTHER REPORTS AS WELL, SO THIS IS NOT ISOLATED. FORD IS DOING ITS BEST NOT TO ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ISSUES AND TELLING PEOPLE TO JUST DEAL WITH IT. *NM
DRIVING IN THE WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS AND HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A DEER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLS. INDICATOR ON DASH BOARDS INDICATES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT THEY DIDN'T. *NM
MY WIFE IS APPROXIMATELY 110 LBS AND WHEN SHE SITS IN THE SEAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OUT. THIS MEANS THAT SHE IS AN ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT WITHOUT THE PROTECTION OF THE AIRBAG. SHE HAS TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH FORD NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY HAVE EVEN SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE SENSOR. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED, THROWING THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS. IT WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP SHAFT WAS BROKEN, AND THE GEAR SURFACE WAS COMPLETELY WORN. THE INDIVIDUAL PARTS WERE REPLACED.
2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT SPORT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *KB *NM
ENGINE PINGS (PRE-DETONATION) WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP IS OVER 85 DEGREES AND SPEED IS OVER 40 MPH. DEALER SAYS NO CODES ARE THROWN BUT SUGGESTED THE LATEST PCM REFLASH AND INJECTOR CLEANING AT 44,800 MILES MIGHT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. A $278 CHARGE AND NO DIFFERENCE. NO REFUND SINCE THEY NOW TELL ME THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ITEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP ALSO MENTIONS THEY'VE SEEN A LOT OF THESE ISSUES WITH THE NEW E10 GAS IN THE OZONE NON-ATTAINMENT REGION. I EXPLAINED I DO NOT USE E10 SINCE THE COUNTY IN WHICH I RESIDE DOES NOT SELL E10. THEY SUGGEST TRYING DIFFERENT GAS BRANDS WHICH DOESN'T HELP. AFTER EXPLAINING I HAVE ANOTHER BRAND OF VEHICLE WITH A SIMILAR SIZE ENGINE THAT DOES NOT PING, THEY STATE FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *NM
THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL OF 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS A VERY SHARP CUTTING EDGE ON IT RESULTING IN INJURY. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON, THERE WAS A HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING DURING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED A CHIP. FIVE WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, BUT REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER TO THE LATEST SPECIFICATIONS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED BECAUSE IT WAS A FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE, THERE WOULD BE A HESITATION WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. *AK
RUST AROUND QUARTER PANEL BACK END, RUST THROUGH PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AREA. TO THE PUT THE IT IS RUSTING AND EVENTUALLY THE WHEEL WELL WILL NO LONGER WHOLE THE STRUT IN. WHICH PUTS ME AT RISK OF GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT. THIS SUV IS LOCATED IN A SOUTHERN STATE NO REASON FOR IT TO RUST LIKE THAT. I'VE SEEN AND OWNED OLDER VEHICLES THAT DIDN'T RUST .BAD METAL OR RUST PROTECTION. TO GET FIXED I'M LOOKING AT 1000.00 TO 4000.00 WHO HAS THAT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHEN FORD KNOWS THERE IS A ISSUE AND HASN'T FIXED IT YET.
2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID : ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING FAILED, WHILE IN A TURN TWICE. AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING A WALL, BECAUSE IT REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING. IF NOT FOR QUICK THINKING AND REFLEX'S. I WAS A PASSENGER AND GRABBED THE WHEEL AND WRESTLED IT IN THE TURN TO AVOID THE WALL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS A NO BIG DEAL. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOTION WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. IN SPITE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER.
I HAVE OWNED MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID SINCE 2005, AND HAVE BEEN AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER FROM MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE PAST YEAR (2011). MY BRAKES SCARY ON THE ROAD WILL STOP WORKING ANYTIME THE 300 VOLT BATTER IS JIGGLED TOO MUCH FROM IT'S HARNESS. ONE BILL ALONE THAT FIT ME OVER A MONTH OF REPAIRS IN THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS BEYOND TIME CONSUMING AND WAY OVER MY BUDGET. THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE TO GET THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED RIGHT AWAY, AND IT WAS GOING TO COST AROUND A 1000 DOLLARS WHEN I DID. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I'VE NOTICED OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROBLEM <HTTP://BLOG.YAGELSKI.COM/2010/01/MY-FORD-ESCAPE-HYBRID-BRAKE-REPAIR.HTML>. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND IF THERE ARE ANY DEFECTS FROM MANUFACTURING SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE... ESPECIALLY BEFORE I GET KILLED OR KILL ANOTHER PERSON FROM DRIVING MY VEHICLE. IT REALLY HAS SCARED ME ON SEVERAL EPISODES SINCE RIGHT AROUND A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, IT IS NOT CONSISTENT. IT HAPPENS VERY IRREGULARLY BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE ME WORRY AND BE CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE ISSUE I HAVE TO ROLL TO A STOP TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE SYSTEM. YESTERDAY ALONE IT HAPPENED TWICE AND I HAD TO PULL THE PARKING EMERGENCY BRAKE JUST TO COME TO A SAFE STOP WITHOUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
HAVE READ ON YOUR SITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE FORD 2005 ESCAPE ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM THAT IT SPEEDS UP DURING BRAKING. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS THE DRIVER !! IF YOU ARE LARGE PERSON OR HAVE LARGE FEET. DURING BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES LOWER THAN THE GAS PEDAL AND YOUR SHOE TOE CATCHES THE GAS PEDAL AND ACCELERATES THE ENGINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE GAS PEDAL HAS VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE AND YOU ARE NOT AWARE THAT YOUR SHOE IS PUSHING IT DOWN. IT APPEARS ALSO THAT THE PEDALS ARE CLOSER TOGETHER THAN NORMAL. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES AND HAVE HAD MANY CARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE FULLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL, HOWEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE MOTOR TURNED OFF. THIS STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 05/02/06. *JB
ON THE 04/03/06 I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE XLT 2005 ON ROAD #10 BETWEEN INTERSECTIONS # 503 IN THE CITY OF PONCE PUERTO RICO. AROUND, 10:45 PM I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CRASHING DIRECTLY TO A FENCE AND JUMPING IT. THEN THE FORD ESCAPE ROLLOVER AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER WERE ACTIVATED. I HAVE INJURIES ON MY NECK AND LEFT ARM. I AM CONCERN BECAUSE A BOUGHT FOR THE SAFETY AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER FUNCTION. *NM
THIS REPORT IS FOR THE THIRD OCCURRENCE (THERE HAVE BEEN 2 PRIOR OCCURRENCES IN THE PAST 6-8 WEEKS). THIS VEHICLE HAS ROUGHLY 17,900 MILES AND KEEPS SHUTTING ITSELF DOWN WITHOUT MUCH (IF ANY) WARNING. THIS TIME, I HAD ABOUT 2-4 SECONDS WARNING (WHICH WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATE IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN ON A HIGHWAY OR BUSY ROAD). I WAS IN A PARKING LOT ABOUT TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD DO ANYTHING, THE VEHICLE SHUT ITSELF OFF. AT ABOUT 16,000 MILES, THE "HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURE" WARNING CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND GET IT TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AND REPLACED IT. (I WAS LATER TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE WATER PUMP THAT FAILED WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AT FORD - APPARENTLY A TRUCK CARRYING THESE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND BOXES OF THESE PUMPS LITERALLY FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK. FORD SUPPOSEDLY TESTED THEM AND DECIDED TO USE THEM ANYWAYS). ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I COULD TELL THERE WAS STILL SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. (IT HAD BEEN "SURGING" FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD MANY OTHER NOISES/ISSUES THAT WERE A SIGN THAT SOMETHING WAS STILL WRONG). I BROUGHT IT BACK - AND AFTER THEY EXAMINED IT THEY ASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE "HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURE" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MY HUSBAND GOT OFF AT THE FIRST EXIT AND TRIED TO GET IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT WAS 2 BLOCKS AWAY. UNFORTUNATELY, WITHOUT WARNING, IT POWERED ITSELF DOWN RIGHT IN FRONT OF A CITY TRANSIT BUS. THIS TIME, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND FUSE AGAIN AND REPLACED BOTH. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK, I WAS STILL CONCERNED SINCE THIS SEEMED TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE (HAVING IT POWER DOWN IN FRONT OF A CITY BUS IS ENOUGH TO SCARE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU). THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *NM
I BOUGHT MY ESCAPE IN JUNE 2004. AROUND/APPROXIMATELY 2006 MY GAS PEDAL STARTED TO STICK AS I WAS DRIVING FROM TIME TO TIME. I GOT STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION ONE MORNING AND COULDN'T GET THE PEDAL UNSTUCK. WHEN I FINALLY DID I DROVE THE CAR OVER THE CAPITOL FORD IN SAN JOSE, CA. AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN FORD TEST DROVE THE CAR, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I TOLD THEM SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE GAS PEDAL AND I WAS NOT DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT UNTIL THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND SAID THE PEDAL WAS STICKING AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. FORD COVERED BECAUSE I WAS UNDER WARRANTY. ON 12/6/2011, MY PEDAL STARTED TO STICK AGAIN THIS TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. STUCK 4 TIMES. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME FORD AND TOLD THEM MY PEDAL WAS GETTING STUCK I HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2006 AND THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AND THEY NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I GOT THE SONG AND DANCE OF HOW THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE AND I COULD PAY TO GET IT FIXED. AFTER INSPECTING FORD SAID THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AGAIN. AFTER STATING MY CASE WITH THEM THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THEY GOT FORD INVOLVED TO SEE IT THEY WOULD COVER. FORD CAME BACK AND SAID NO. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AGAIN I EXPLAINED THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. FORD DIDN'T WANT TO BUDGE AND KEPT USING THE WARRANTY EXCUSE. SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY AND GET THIS FIXED. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CARS AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO FORD. *TR
PROBLEM: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON. DATE BROUGHT VEHICLE FOR SERVICE WAS 03/07/06 WITH MILEAGE 15239 AND REPLACED BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OFF THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, 9500 MILES, DROVE 20 MILES IN 5 DEGREE WEATHER. SHUT CAR OFF FOR 15 MINUTES. WHEN RESTARTED POWER STEERING FAILED. DROVE 5 MILES WITH POWER STEERING OFF. RESTARTED CAR AFTER 2 HOURS. POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. *NM
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPE ~ 1.5 YEARS AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ~ 40 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. SHARDS OF GLASS BLEW INTO MY TRUNK AS WELL AS THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY EXPLAINED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT HELP ME. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A LOCAL GLASS SHOP SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS SO OVER-PRICED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FOREIGN OBJECT HITTING MY EXTERIOR WINDOW, SO I WOULD LIKE TO WARN ALL FORD ESCAPE OWNERS OF THIS HAZARD TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. *NM
FUEL MILEAGE IS TERRIBLE. 11/12 CITY AND 15/16 HIGHWAY, DEALER CHECKED THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND FOUND NOTHING. STATING I'M NOT ALONE. *NM
OUR GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING IN MY WIFES ESCAPE SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2005. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. FORD KEEPS PUTTING BANDAIDS ON IT. THEY WILL CLEAN OUT A CASING OR REPLACE A SMALL PART. THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN THAT FORD WON'T ADMIT TO. THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM IS CLOSED AND NOW FORD REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE PART WITHOUT CHARGING ME BECAUSE WE DONT' HAVE A WARRANTY ANYMORE. THIS ISSUE ALMOST KILLED MY FAMILY THIS MORNING. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK BUT THE CAR IDLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC. MY WIFE COULDN'T MAKE THE CAR MOVE EXCEPT IN IDLE. MEANWHILE CARS HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND SWERVE TO MISS HER. IT WAS A VERY UPSETTING SITUATION. FORD WON'T CARE UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WILL ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD SLAM TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE AND THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP AND THE PEDAL WOULD IMMEDIATELY RETURN TO THE UP POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIME IN THE LAST YEAR. THE LAST TWO TIMES LISTED BELOW I FIND THAT THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE INTERNET IN VARIOUS SITES, SOME RESULTING IN CRASHES. THIS DOES NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. *JB