One problem related to dashboard failed has been reported for the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
At highway speed, the engine suddenly shut itself off. At the same time, a dashboard readout displayed the message "stop safely now. " in order to get to the shoulder of the road I was forced to cut across a lane of traffic without warning and without power. No other warning lights or signals displayed. Had there been no shoulder, I could easily have been a high-speed crash. The engine started again as soon I turned the key after stopping the vehicle, but still no warning lights or explanations displayed. This happened three times during a 3-hour trip across maryland, and it happened again once on the return trip two days later. An internet search reveals that this is not an uncommon problem with Ford hybrids, yet no recall has been issued to remedy this extremely dangerous defect.