Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
ABS service light comes on intermittently, when light is on a "service brake system" warning comes across the guage cluster. While this service light is on the escape has little to no braking and requires upwards of 300ft to stop when going 45mph. Once the vehicle is brought to a stop you can hear the brake system attempting to pressurize but only making a repeated grinding noise directly in front of the driver in the engine bay. Once vehicle is parked and shut off the brakes continue to make the same grinding noise. After allowing the vehicle to sit over night you may get lucky and have fully functioning brakes or you may unlock the door and hear the grinding noise letting you know the abs warning will be illuminated once the car is started. …
The theft system randomly sounds off for no reason. The theft light keeps blinking as the key is placed in the run position. The vehicle is having issues starting and there's no sound at all when turning the key. When the vehicle does start it stalls, so the gas pedal must be pushed almost to the floor. I must apply strong pressure to the breaks, so that I can stop and not crash. The problem is not changing and other ownsers are having these same issue with this truck. I've already had the battery checked, starter replaced, purchased a new key , and fob.
Within a month of purchasing vehicle, mileage 67,000, complete brake system failure. Could have been fatal and will be if not corrected. Many exact complaints found online. Vehicle failed to stop coming to light. Had to pull off the side of the road into a wooded area for the vehicle to stop. Felt like vehicle was sliding on road. Later realized it was a ABS system failure not sliding. ABS light is on. Brake system needs service light on. Emergency brake light stays on. Approximately 75% of the time, when first driving vehicle, only the service brake display is on. The vehicle will begin to buck/stutter, steering wheel shakes, and traction control warning light illuminates. After accelerating, that stops and returns to what I described.above. I read since there were no fatalities reported Ford will not recall. …
For years my alarm goes off randomly, during the day to all hours of the night. When I'm driving the car the light inside will go on and off and on dashboard will say door ajar. I've called Ford, I've asked the dealer and I've asked mechanics not with Ford. Since the alarm is built into engine it can not be disabled. Only option is to pull horn wire so my neighbors will not be annoyed by my horn and alarm soundings at all hours. I've researched for years how to try to fix this issue, I've changed my car battery, I've changed battery in remote...nothing is working. Now the dealer is telling me there's a problem with the latch. Had my car in there many times for different things, but I refuse to pay 800. Per latch in the vehicle, since they're not even really sure it's a latch or which latch would be the problem. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in park, the horn independently activated. The head lamps and dome lamps also independently activated. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the door ajar was displayed across the message board even though all doors were locked and secured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. Upon inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that the negative battery cable was extremely hot to the touch. Mac haik's southway Ford (7979 interstate 35 access rd, san antonio, tx 78224, [phone]) was contacted and stated that diagnostic testing was needed. The contact declined due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,216.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle's alarm sounded on its own. The vehicle was taken to courtesy Ford (located at 3921 w river dr, davenport, ia 52802, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side door latch needed to be replaced, but the part was not available for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).'
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked and the key was turned, the vehicle had a loud noise from the front end, the instrument panel illuminated and the panel read "brake service needed" in addition, the ABS and the brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and all of the warning lights turned off. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The hydraulic brake system was replaced but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Updated 05/04/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the horn would independently sounded. The vehicle was taken to north bay Ford located at 1999 soquel ave, santa cruz, ca 95062, phone number: [phone] where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger door sensor failed but the dealer informed the contact that there was no remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Door ajar activates constantly setting off the car alarm and killing the car battery. This happens while car is sitting stationary, and or moving (while driving) this has been going on since the day the car was purchased in 4-2007, and it happens quite often, and is happening up to the day this was submitted (8-25-2016. This is a very well known issue with this car and Ford...yet nothing is being done about it. You say it isn't a safety issue, but if you go to Ford or a dealer to have the alarm and door switch disconnected they say they cant due to a safety issue.
Electrical complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2007 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2007 Ford Escape, 12% of the model year's 254 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › rear compartment/trunk (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Escape electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2007 Ford Escape, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Ford Escape electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.