Water Pump problems of the 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid

While traveling on an interstate highway, the vehicle displayed "stop safely now" message along with an audible chime and a red triangle with exclamation point symbol. The gas engine shut down and the vehicle lost power coasting from highway speed to around 35 mph. The vehicle remained under hybrid electric power allowing me to move to the side of the road. My vehicle is around 7. 5 years old and has 89,000 miles. I researched this issue and it appears to have occurred with several of these type vehicles. The dealership reported that they retrieved error codes p1aod, p0a3e, b139. The dealership says that it requires replacement of the hybrid drive train motor electronics cooling system (mecs) water pump (part# 5m6z8c419a) and (part# al8z19e66f). There is a technical service bulletin (TSB) 08-24-5 that seems to relate to similar problems. The problem is not covered by the manufacturer 8 year /100,000 mile hybrid warranty according to Ford customer relations despite both parts being part of the hybrid drive system.

While backing out of a parking space, the right front wheel separated from the vehicle. Upon closer inspection, it appeared that the bolt sheared, dislocating the wheel from the drivetrain. This was later confirmed at the repair center--the bolt had sheared and had to be drilled out. The front lower control arm bolts (forward bolt) removed and threads had to be repaired. The right front axle also had to be replaced. This vehicle is only 6. 5 years old, and is not driven off road. Ford does not acknowledge this as an issue. As noted elsewhere on this site, we also have had issues with brake squealing, as well as the water pump issue.

On June 24,2013 I was coming back from arizona traveling on the two lane freeway at 70 miles an hour with the air conditioning running. With no warning what so ever the engine just quit and fortunately, I was able to coast to the shoulder of the road. Had I been on a four lane freeway in the fast lane at traffic time it would have been a different story. I am very concerned this could have resulted in a rear end collision. After sitting on the shoulder for 10 minutes the engine started and I continued my trip without any additional problems. I didn't drive the car again after I got home until I took it to huntington beach Ford for inspection. The dealer found the electric water pump was faulty and failed their test. The water pump was repaired, the system flushed and it tested ok. A test drive was also performed by the dealer with passing results. The cost of this work was $829. 99 dollars. I am writting to you out of concern for our family and others that own this vehicle since we no longer can trust we won't have another no warning engine shut down some place we won't be able to get to the shoulder of the road. Richard l. Scholl.

The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the pull over and stop warning light displayed on the instrument panel. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool for a few minutes before restarting the vehicle. The failure recurred several times. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 103,000.

I was traveling northbound on I-95 in maryland, about 10 miles south of elkton. While driving in the second from the right lane, in heavy traffic just after dark, the engine completely shut down, with no warning. My information screen said "hybrid system failure, pull over immediately. " I had no power of any kind, had to navigate heavy traffic at high speeds, and pull over to the shoulder. It was very difficult and very dangerous to navigate. After sitting on the shoulder for several minutes, the car finally started, and I was able to continue on for a few miles before it happened again. At least I was in the right lane this time. I again waited, and once again the engine started. I pulled off at the elkton exit, and spent the night at a local hotel. The next morning, I called the local Ford dealer, and was told that, since I was not a regular customer, they could not help me for two days. After towing the car to my home dealer, about 75 miles, I was informed that it was a water pump failure, not a hybrid system failure, and therefore not covered by the warranty. This seemed curious to me as there was no indication that the engine was overheating, and the car itself indicated that there was a hybrid system failure. Why would they design a vehicle to completely shut down, with no warning. I can not imagine the panic this may have caused with a less experienced driver. This had disaster written all over it. Further, I do not understand why this was not a warranty issue. The hybrid system is supposedly warranted for 100,000 miles. The system should be designed to warn the driver that a problem is imminent, and the engine will shut off in a short period of time. As designed, this is a terrible and dangerous warning system, and the warranty service from Ford is vague and awful.