Total Complaints
156 filings
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID · model year
156 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2007FORDESCAPE HYBRID carries 156 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2007 ESCAPE HYBRID is service brakes with 31 filings, followed by engine (27) and electrical system (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2007 ESCAPE HYBRID, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
156 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 31 |
| ENGINE | 27 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 14 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12 |
| STEERING | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 7 |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, nearly causing a crash. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V526000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, after which the message "Service Engine Nowâ was displayed. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the hybrid propulsion system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V526000 (Hybrid Propulsion System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 227,000.
Mileage: 227,000
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted, and parts were ordered for the repair. The dealer sent the parts to the independent mechanic who repaired the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light illuminated as the grinding noise returned. The contact also stated that the brake pedal had begun to depress to the floorboard. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Mileage: 43,000
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted, and parts were ordered for the repair. The dealer sent the parts to the independent mechanic who repaired the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light illuminated as the grinding noise returned. The contact also stated that the brake pedal had begun to depress to the floorboard. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle has been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Mileage: 43,000
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.
Mileage: 300,000
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.
Mileage: 164,857
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.
Mileage: 125,000
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.
Mileage: 125,000
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.
Mileage: 125,000
2014. BRAKE FAIL. FIX. FOR. $1500. MOVING. TO. CALIFORNIA. NOW 2018. 12-5-2018. POWER STEERING. NEEDS. SERVICES. AND. ALSO. EMISSIONS. HAVE PROBLEMS TOO. ?
Mileage: 92,340
2014. BRAKE FAIL. FIX. FOR. $1500. MOVING. TO. CALIFORNIA. NOW 2018. 12-5-2018. POWER STEERING. NEEDS. SERVICES. AND. ALSO. EMISSIONS. HAVE PROBLEMS TOO. ?
Mileage: 92,340
2014. BRAKE FAIL. FIX. FOR. $1500. MOVING. TO. CALIFORNIA. NOW 2018. 12-5-2018. POWER STEERING. NEEDS. SERVICES. AND. ALSO. EMISSIONS. HAVE PROBLEMS TOO. ?
Mileage: 92,340
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
Mileage: 227,000
BRAKE FAILURE. PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN, APPLIED BRAKES, VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING. BRAKES RELEASED AND I HAD TO SLAM MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AM TOLD THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
Mileage: 160,000
FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET. POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. PROPOSED REPAIR IS TO REPLACE HYDRAULIC ABS UNIT AT A COST OF $5400. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 104,000 MILES AND COULD BE DRIVEABLE IF REPAIRED. I SEE FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM.
Mileage: 104,000
ON 7/10/18, WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT TO ENTER A HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED/LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. TWO MONTHS EARLIER IN MAY 2018, THE CAR ISSUED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING WHILE MOVING AT 65MPH. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TIME BEFORE LOSING POWER. BOTH INSTANCES RESULTED IN RESTARTING THE CAR WITH NO ISSUES AFTER A PERIOD OF REST. MECHANIC ON BOTH OCCASIONS COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. WATER PUMP (RECALL) WAS ALREADY REPAIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN 2012 AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH STALLING UNTIL 2018.
Mileage: 177,000
I HAVE A 2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH 92518 MILES ON IT. THE BREAK LIGHTS COME ON AND THEN IT HAS LITTLE BREAKS.IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE HCU WAS BAD AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $6000 - $7000 TO HAVE IT FIXED.I PUT A USED HCU ON IT AND THEY SAID THAT ONE WAS ALSO BAD. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO PUT AN HCU ON BEFORE.I GOT ON LINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. SO HOW COME THERE IS NO RECALL SINCE THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE BREAKS..IF THIS WAS A TOYOTA THIS WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADDRESSED..I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VECHIAL AGAIN..I WORK AT A VERY BIG SHOP IN TOWN AND ANYONE WHO ASKES WHAT KIND OF CAR TO BUY I WILL TELL THEM TO BUY A TOYOTA AND NOT A FORD. CAUSE APPARENTLY FORD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT SAFETY. P.S. HOW COME I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BREAKS BLEED.
Mileage: 92,000
THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND I HAVE MINIMUM BRAKES. WHEN ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT GOES ON I HAVE ALMOST NO BRAKES AND I END UP SKIDDING WHEN STOPPING. I HAVE HAVE MULTIPLE NEAR MISSES AND BURNED RUBBER TRYING TO STOP. THESE LIGHTS ARE SPORADIC BUT THEY COME ON AT LEAST 90% OF THE TIME. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE OFF, THE BRAKES ARE FINE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO BECAUSE MY BRAKES ARE FINE WHEN THEY CHECK IT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT LOOKS LIKE ITS THE ELECTRICAL UNIT THAT IS ON BACK ORDER AND NOT EVEN AVAILABLE. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FROM MANY FORD OWNERS AND THAT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT TO HAVE THIS RECALLED.
Mileage: 125,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ON ONE OCCASION, THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AIRPORT MARINA FORD (5880 W CENTINELA AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HCU ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
Mileage: 107,000
ABS LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY APPEAR AND MY BRAKES WILL STOP WORKING! I TOOK IT INTO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT I NEED A REPLACEMENT MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKE TRAVEL SENSOR IS THE PROBLEM AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ, MOST PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AGAIN AND AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. LIGHTS COME ON. BRAKES STOP WORKING. *TT *JS
Mileage: 170,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.