Engine Cooling System problems of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled after an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to continue driving on the battery power and then independently restarted. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure. A few weeks later, the exact failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who advised taking the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised him that the failure was caused by the coolant pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000. The VIN was unavailable.

While driving my 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid the following occurred. I was stopped at an intersection and when I began making a left turn, an alarm sounded, a red wrench symbol, and red exclamation mark lit up on the dash. I immediately pulled to the curb and the car lost all power and steering locked up. The car restarted and I took it to Ford. The service rep said the car went into a "fail safe mode" which it does to protect the hybrid battery from overheating. I was told that the alarm and symbols occur to give you about 5 minutes to safely get off the road. This did not happen. The car just lost power immediately. The Ford dealership determined that a coolant pump for the hybrid battery needed to be replaced which was done. Five weeks later the same thing happened again. I was stopped at a light and when I began turning right, the alarm sounded, the red wrench and exclamation light lit up and the car lost all power immediately. Again, I was able to restart the engine so I took it back to Ford to be looked at. They replaced a "suspect" cooling pump relay and road tested the car. The problem could not be duplicated. My concern is that this vehicle's "fail safe mode" makes the car completely shut down immediately. Both times I was able to move into an emergency lane, but what would have happened if I was on a freeway and the car just stopped? I am concerned that other Ford Escape Hybrids may have the same problem and it is a real safety hazard. The second time it happened my grandchildren were in the backseat and I could have been rear ended. After having the Ford dealership look at it and replace the cooling pump relay I traded in the vehicle the next day. I would like to have this documented in case there is a pattern with these cars or other hybrids. I will never purchase one again.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that when driving above 60 mph the overheat indicator illuminated on the instrument control panel, then the vehicle stalled. As a consequence his risk of a serious injury was increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the technicians have been unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. The current mileage was 79,000. Updated 10/29/09 the pump for the cooling system was defective. Updated 10/29/09.