Ford Escape Electronic Stability Control (esc) Problems
Owners have filed 225 complaints with NHTSA about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the Ford Escape across 19 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (40). The words owners use most often: “throttle body” (7% of reports).
- 225electronic stability control (esc) complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Throttle body: mentioned in 15 of 225 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do electronic stability control (esc) problems happen?
Based on 199 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 225 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 5 an injury.
Ford Escape electronic stability control (esc) complaints by model year
| Model year | Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Escape | 2 | 0% | 8,000 |
| 2018 Escape | 3 | 0% | 6,500 |
| 2017 Escape | 7 | 0% | 26,500 |
| 2016 Escape | 8 | 1% | 28,450 |
| 2015 Escape | 10 | 1% | 53,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 11 | 1% | 14,046 |
| 2013 Escape | 40 | 1% | 80,000 |
| 2012 Escape | 6 | 1% | 89,250 |
| 2011 Escape | 15 | 1% | 66,366 |
| 2010 Escape | 27 | 1% | 63,410 |
| 2009 Escape | 22 | 1% | 109,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 36 | 2% | 99,777 |
| 2007 Escape | 7 | 3% | 68,851 |
| 2006 Escape | 3 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 16 | 1% | 119,500 |
| 2004 Escape | 3 | 1% | 111,364 |
| 2003 Escape | 2 | 0% | 116,000 |
| 2002 Escape | 4 | 0% | 162,500 |
| 2001 Escape | 3 | 0% | 99,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and Escape vehicles. The cover for the electric brake booster's ECU may cause the printed circuit board to overheat and result in a loss of vehicle stability control systems (anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction control) or a loss of brake power assist.
Risk: Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 17, 2025.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the messages "Hill Start Assist Not Available", "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available", "Service Advance-trac" and "Service All Wheel Drive" remained displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed…
On october 19, 2020 my grandchildren and i where traveling back home from san diego, ca to georgia and as we where driving on hwy 20 in texas, i hit a bump the car became very difficult to steer. I slowly drove the car to kilgore, texas took the care to automotive super center 1505 us hwy 259 north…
1. Hands free tailgate/trunk will automatically shut when objects or a persons body is present. Faub/ keys are not being pushed by accident, nor is there any movement under number that would sensor door to close. When it does do this, it takes quite a while for the sensor to realize there is an…
Last night leaving from work, in the dark at 9;30pm, started car and started to pull off the shoulder onto the roadway, pressed onto gas pedal and car went slow then the abs sensor came on and a short distance later the traction control came on along with hill assist not available. I had this exact…
I'm scared to drive my car. Sometimes the wheel locks when i'm driving , also the wheel shakes like i'm on a rollercoaster . I can't drive over 20 mph because the wheel starts to shake even more
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have electronic stability control (esc) problems?
No. NHTSA has 225 owner complaints about electronic stability control (esc) for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape electronic stability control (esc)?
Yes: 1 safety recall list electronic stability control (esc). Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “throttle body”, in 15 of 225 complaints.
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Power Train problems (4,655)
- Steering problems (3,945)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
See all Ford Escape problems.