High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a design defect affecting serviceability and safety on my 2019 Ford Escape. On this vehicle, replacement of a standard headlight bulb requires removal of the fender assembly in order to access the headlight housing. This design transforms a routine, safety-critical maintenance item into an excessively complex and costly repair. I have had to replace a headlight twice within the past two years. The most recent replacement cost approximately $800, with the majority of the cost attributable to labor required solely because of the vehicle’s design, not due to damage or abnormal conditions. The headlight bulb itself represents only a small portion of the total cost. Headlights are a required safety component that must be replaced periodically. A design that makes replacement prohibitively expensive discourages timely maintenance and may result in vehicles being operated with failed lighting, creating a potential safety risk. I believe this represents a failure to design for serviceability and places an unreasonable maintenance burden on consumers for a basic safety function. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this design as a potential defect. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a design defect affecting serviceability and safety on my 2019 Ford Escape. On this vehicle, replacement of a standard headlight bulb requires removal of the fender assembly in order to access the headlight housing. This design transforms a routine, safety-critical maintenance item into an excessively complex and costly repair. I have had to replace a headlight twice within the past two years. The most recent replacement cost approximately $800, with the majority of the cost attributable to labor required solely because of the vehicle’s design, not due to damage or abnormal conditions. The headlight bulb itself represents only a small portion of the total cost. Headlights are a required safety component that must be replaced periodically. A design that makes replacement prohibitively expensive discourages timely maintenance and may result in vehicles being operated with failed lighting, creating a potential safety risk. I believe this represents a failure to design for serviceability and places an unreasonable maintenance burden on consumers for a basic safety function. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this design as a potential defect. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
he freeway I notified future ford of concord and I was told I would receive a call back but as I recall I didn’t receive a call back. The car started acting as if nothing was wrong about a week or so later then two days ago December 13,2025 first my head lights went out and a message saying there’s a bulb outage or electrical issue appeared and also the hill assist unavailable warning light appeared , following the 911 calling assistance is unavailable as well, and I also noticed my radio is no longer producing sound so I believe the engine ( block , head gasket etc) component also electrical system, sync 3 system has also failed or malfunctioned. During the second occurrence I was driving as I was before which led to The safety of my children, my husband and myself put at risk being it was night time and I could no longer see the road the car acted as if it was turning off and slowing down.. yes there was warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem during the failures, and they first appeared at the exact time of the failures . Also below are photos captured from the ford vehicle app alerting me about issues for the car
he freeway I notified future ford of concord and I was told I would receive a call back but as I recall I didn’t receive a call back. The car started acting as if nothing was wrong about a week or so later then two days ago December 13,2025 first my head lights went out and a message saying there’s a bulb outage or electrical issue appeared and also the hill assist unavailable warning light appeared , following the 911 calling assistance is unavailable as well, and I also noticed my radio is no longer producing sound so I believe the engine ( block , head gasket etc) component also electrical system, sync 3 system has also failed or malfunctioned. During the second occurrence I was driving as I was before which led to The safety of my children, my husband and myself put at risk being it was night time and I could no longer see the road the car acted as if it was turning off and slowing down.. yes there was warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem during the failures, and they first appeared at the exact time of the failures . Also below are photos captured from the ford vehicle app alerting me about issues for the car
Simply put, the headlights repeatedly blow out with no apparent reason found. Bulbs have been changed multiple times personally and by professionals -- both headlights went out nearly simultaneously in September of 2024 and I replaced the bulbs myself, assuming it was a fluke or the bulbs had simply aged out. At the beginning of March, 2025, the passenger-side bulb went out again and I brought it to my dealership to get checked out. They couldn't find anything wrong, and I had them replace the bulb again. Now, for the third time since I bought the vehicle in April or May of 2024, I have to replace the passenger-side bulb again. I'm returning to the dealership to see if there's anything else to look for, but a quick internet search shows that there are lots of others experiencing this same problem without any kind of solution in sight. This is obviously not normal.
Simply put, the headlights repeatedly blow out with no apparent reason found. Bulbs have been changed multiple times personally and by professionals -- both headlights went out nearly simultaneously in September of 2024 and I replaced the bulbs myself, assuming it was a fluke or the bulbs had simply aged out. At the beginning of March, 2025, the passenger-side bulb went out again and I brought it to my dealership to get checked out. They couldn't find anything wrong, and I had them replace the bulb again. Now, for the third time since I bought the vehicle in April or May of 2024, I have to replace the passenger-side bulb again. I'm returning to the dealership to see if there's anything else to look for, but a quick internet search shows that there are lots of others experiencing this same problem without any kind of solution in sight. This is obviously not normal.
There is something wrong with either the bcm, headlight assembly, or headlight wiring harnesses. My low beam headlight bulbs only last about 6 months and then they go bad. I have tried using OEM bulbs, sylanvia bulbs, and led bulbs and have the same result = replacing within 6 months! This causes a severe safety issue as I lose visibility from a headlight. This issue is well documented all over the Internet and no one has been able to find any answers, except for a couple people being able to just use OEM bulbs and replace yearly.
There is something wrong with either the bcm, headlight assembly, or headlight wiring harnesses. My low beam headlight bulbs only last about 6 months and then they go bad. I have tried using OEM bulbs, sylanvia bulbs, and led bulbs and have the same result = replacing within 6 months! This causes a severe safety issue as I lose visibility from a headlight. This issue is well documented all over the Internet and no one has been able to find any answers, except for a couple people being able to just use OEM bulbs and replace yearly.
I have a 2019 Ford escape. I’ve replaced the lightbulbs on both sides several times. The housing has burned out several times not just the bulbs. Twice they have burned out at the same time. The 2019 and the 2017 have the same light fixtures. The 2017 headlights were recalled. I contend that my car should be covered under the recall. I’ve called two local Ford dealers both are familiar with my problem and have told me there’s recall “yet”.
I have a 2019 Ford escape. I’ve replaced the lightbulbs on both sides several times. The housing has burned out several times not just the bulbs. Twice they have burned out at the same time. The 2019 and the 2017 have the same light fixtures. The 2017 headlights were recalled. I contend that my car should be covered under the recall. I’ve called two local Ford dealers both are familiar with my problem and have told me there’s recall “yet”.
The contact's brother owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH at night, the headlights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlight module failed to operate as needed and the contact was forced to drive to the residence without headlights. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer on three separate occasions to be repaired. On the first visit, the dealer replaced the battery and the headlight bulbs. The second visit, the dealer replaced the BCM (Body Control Module) and two other light bulbs that were not initially replaced. On the third visit, the headlight switch was replaced. Despite each repair, the headlight failure persisted. The contact was recently informed by the dealer that the wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, the dealer could not guarantee that the repair would fix the headlight failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact's brother owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH at night, the headlights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlight module failed to operate as needed and the contact was forced to drive to the residence without headlights. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer on three separate occasions to be repaired. On the first visit, the dealer replaced the battery and the headlight bulbs. The second visit, the dealer replaced the BCM (Body Control Module) and two other light bulbs that were not initially replaced. On the third visit, the headlight switch was replaced. Despite each repair, the headlight failure persisted. The contact was recently informed by the dealer that the wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, the dealer could not guarantee that the repair would fix the headlight failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.
Low beam headlight bulbs keep burning out, literally replacing bulbs at least once a year
Low beam headlight bulbs keep burning out, literally replacing bulbs at least once a year
Vehicle has 32K miles on it and both low beam headlight bulbs failed at the exact same time. My daughter had just left her house and as soon as she got away from street lights she realized this. The odd part is that the in-dash indicators showed everything working normally with NO FAULTS, so we assumed it was an electrical issue. We got it to a Ford dealer (she has an extended warranty), and they "fixed a connection that had corroded, causing both bulbs to fail." NOT covered under warranty, $250 to replace two bulbs and clean sockets. There are numerous Ford forums with the same complaints. Just felt that you folks should be made aware...
Vehicle has 32K miles on it and both low beam headlight bulbs failed at the exact same time. My daughter had just left her house and as soon as she got away from street lights she realized this. The odd part is that the in-dash indicators showed everything working normally with NO FAULTS, so we assumed it was an electrical issue. We got it to a Ford dealer (she has an extended warranty), and they "fixed a connection that had corroded, causing both bulbs to fail." NOT covered under warranty, $250 to replace two bulbs and clean sockets. There are numerous Ford forums with the same complaints. Just felt that you folks should be made aware...
2019 Ford Escape SEL. Left and right front headlamps simultaneously stopped working during nighttime driving. Dangerous safety issue. Dashboard headlamp green symbol continued to display headlamps were functioning properly. There was no warning symbol. Vehicle electrical issue was repaired at dealership at no charge. I am aware of an identical problem occurring on a similar 2019 Ford Escape SEL. My belief is the headlamp failure is not a random issue and is a serious safety defect that has not been addressed by Ford Motor Company.
2019 Ford Escape SEL. Left and right front headlamps simultaneously stopped working during nighttime freeway driving. Dangerous safety issue. Dashboard headlamp green symbol continued to display headlamps were functioning properly. There was no warning symbol. Vehicle electrical issue was repaired at dealership at no charge. I am aware of an identical problem occurring on a similar 2019 Ford Escape SEL. My belief is the headlamp failure is not a random issue and is a serious safety defect that has not been addressed by Ford Motor Company.
2019 Ford Escape SEL. Left and right front headlamps simultaneously stopped working during nighttime driving. Dangerous safety issue. Dashboard headlamp green symbol continued to display headlamps were functioning properly. There was no warning symbol. Vehicle electrical issue was repaired at dealership at no charge. I am aware of an identical problem occurring on a similar 2019 Ford Escape SEL. My belief is the headlamp failure is not a random issue and is a serious safety defect that has not been addressed by Ford Motor Company.
2019 Ford Escape SEL. Left and right front headlamps simultaneously stopped working during nighttime freeway driving. Dangerous safety issue. Dashboard headlamp green symbol continued to display headlamps were functioning properly. There was no warning symbol. Vehicle electrical issue was repaired at dealership at no charge. I am aware of an identical problem occurring on a similar 2019 Ford Escape SEL. My belief is the headlamp failure is not a random issue and is a serious safety defect that has not been addressed by Ford Motor Company.
LIGHTING ON CONSOLE AND HVAC FLICKER OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR MOVES WHEN EXCITING VEHICLE.
LIGHTING ON CONSOLE AND HVAC FLICKER OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR MOVES WHEN EXCITING VEHICLE.
WE WERE DRIVING ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. SUDDENLY, THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD - NO LIGHTS OR POWER. CARS DRIVING AT BETWEEN 40-50 MPH WERE COMING UP BEHIND US, BUT COULD NOT SEE US BECAUSE WE COULD NOT EVEN GET HAZARD LIGHTS ON. WE WERE LOCKED IN - THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN!! AFTER SEVERAL NEAR MISSES, WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A STRANGER STOP AND HE WAS ABLE TO ALERT ONCOMING CARS SO WE WOULD NOT GET HIT. ENDS UP THAT THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY WAS VERY LOOSE AS WELL AS THE SURROUNDING FASTENERS OF THE BATTERY. WE PURCHASED THE CAR 5 WEEKS EARLIER, BRAND NEW WITH 11 MILES ON IT. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS AN EASY FIX, BUT MY SAFETY CONCERN WAS THE FACT THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN!!! IF THERE WAS A FIRE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED, AND WE COULD NOT GET OUT IN CASE WE WERE HIT BY THE VEHICLES COMING UP BEHIND US, WHICH CAME CLOSE A FEW TIMES!
WE WERE DRIVING ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. SUDDENLY, THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD - NO LIGHTS OR POWER. CARS DRIVING AT BETWEEN 40-50 MPH WERE COMING UP BEHIND US, BUT COULD NOT SEE US BECAUSE WE COULD NOT EVEN GET HAZARD LIGHTS ON. WE WERE LOCKED IN - THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN!! AFTER SEVERAL NEAR MISSES, WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A STRANGER STOP AND HE WAS ABLE TO ALERT ONCOMING CARS SO WE WOULD NOT GET HIT. ENDS UP THAT THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY WAS VERY LOOSE AS WELL AS THE SURROUNDING FASTENERS OF THE BATTERY. WE PURCHASED THE CAR 5 WEEKS EARLIER, BRAND NEW WITH 11 MILES ON IT. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS AN EASY FIX, BUT MY SAFETY CONCERN WAS THE FACT THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN!!! IF THERE WAS A FIRE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED, AND WE COULD NOT GET OUT IN CASE WE WERE HIT BY THE VEHICLES COMING UP BEHIND US, WHICH CAME CLOSE A FEW TIMES!
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, GAUGES, AND DISPLAY SCREENS WENT OUT. THE GAUGE NEEDLES RETURNED TO THEIR 'HOME' POSITIONS. THERE WAS AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE MAIN TOUCH SCREEN THAT SAID: NETWORK COMMUNICATION FAILURE. WORRIED, I TOOK THE NEXT AVAILABLE EXIT AND FOUND A PARKING LOT TO INVESTIGATE. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, FIGURING THAT IF I COMPLETELY SHUT THE CAR DOWN THE SYSTEM WOULD SOMEHOW CORRECT ITSELF AFTER A 'REBOOT' OF THE THE PCM AND BCM. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 'SMART KEYLESS START SYSTEM' BUT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I WOULD TRY PUSHING THE BUTTON. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR OPERATED PROPERLY AFTER THE SYMPTOMS COMMENCED I FIND IT DOUBTFUL THAT ALL OF THE CAR'S SAFETY FEATURES WOULD HAVE OPERATED AS DESIGNED, IF NEEDED. IF I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO IN ACCIDENT AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS WOULD THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WORK PROPERLY AND DEPLOY THE APPLICABLE AIR BAGS??? WOULD THE 'AUTO FUEL PUMP SHUTDOWN' DO ITS JOB IF NEEDED??? ALSO, WHAT IF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AT THIS TIME AND I COULD NOT SHUT OFF THE CAR??? NOT SAFE!!!
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, GAUGES, AND DISPLAY SCREENS WENT OUT. THE GAUGE NEEDLES RETURNED TO THEIR 'HOME' POSITIONS. THERE WAS AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE MAIN TOUCH SCREEN THAT SAID: NETWORK COMMUNICATION FAILURE. WORRIED, I TOOK THE NEXT AVAILABLE EXIT AND FOUND A PARKING LOT TO INVESTIGATE. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, FIGURING THAT IF I COMPLETELY SHUT THE CAR DOWN THE SYSTEM WOULD SOMEHOW CORRECT ITSELF AFTER A 'REBOOT' OF THE THE PCM AND BCM. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 'SMART KEYLESS START SYSTEM' BUT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I WOULD TRY PUSHING THE BUTTON. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR OPERATED PROPERLY AFTER THE SYMPTOMS COMMENCED I FIND IT DOUBTFUL THAT ALL OF THE CAR'S SAFETY FEATURES WOULD HAVE OPERATED AS DESIGNED, IF NEEDED. IF I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO IN ACCIDENT AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS WOULD THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WORK PROPERLY AND DEPLOY THE APPLICABLE AIR BAGS??? WOULD THE 'AUTO FUEL PUMP SHUTDOWN' DO ITS JOB IF NEEDED??? ALSO, WHAT IF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AT THIS TIME AND I COULD NOT SHUT OFF THE CAR??? NOT SAFE!!!