Ford Escape Dashboard Warning Lights

Description: The airbag warning light should briefly illuminate when the ignition is switched on and go off when the engine starts. If the airbag warning light fails to illuminate with the ignition on, continues to flash or illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfunction. This means the Airbag Control Unit has seen an issue with the system and to avoid accidental deployment, has disabled the system. It’s unlikely they will operate in the event of a collision. This is often a sensor fault, involving:

• Accelerometers

• Impact sensors

• Side door pressure sensors

• Seat occupancy sensors.

Occasionally cables and connections related to the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) under the front seats become dislodged triggering the fault.

Description: The Ford Escape red brake warning light stays illuminated due to:

▷ The parking brake not being fully released.

▷ Low brake fluid.

▷ A brake system fault.

First check that the parking brake is fully released. If it is, open the hood and check brake fluid levels. A sudden loss of brake fluid may indicate a leak, though brake fluid level will fall over time as brake pads wear low. If brake fluid levels are acceptable, it may indicate a fault with the brake system. In this instance, the ABS warning light may also illuminate. A warning message such as ‘Service brake system’ or ‘Brake service needed’ may be displayed – See Ford Escape warning messages. This may be a simple procedure to fix or a serious issue where a loss of braking occurs. If the brake pedal feels spongy and a lack of braking occurs, prepare to use the parking brake to help slow the vehicle. Typical brake fault issues with the Ford Escape is the hydraulic control unit, brake system module harness or the master cylinder that need to be replaced This can be a very expensive repair, potentially costing thousands of dollars. Have the vehicle hooked up to a diagnostic tool to have fault codes read.

Description: The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety system developed to prevent the wheels from locking during emergency braking. Dues to the wheels not locking, it means the driver can continue to steer the vehicle. If the Ford Escape ABS warning light comes on, it means that only the ABS system has malfunction and that the vehicle brakes will not be affected. However, if the BRAKE warning light also illuminates, it’s potentially a far more serious situation (refer to BRAKE warning light above). ABS faults often relate to wheel speed sensors or wiring due to these components being situated at the wheels and subjected wear from the environment.

Drive with caution

Though normal brake will continue to work, be cautious particularly if braking hard as there’s an increased risk of wheels locking.

Description: The green indicator light illuminates when the engine has shut off. The Ford Escape Auto Start Stop system helps reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by automatically shutting off and restarting the engine while the vehicle has come to a standstill. In order to initiate, the system runs a set of vehicle checks. If these checks are not passed, Auto-Stop will be inhibited and the Auto Start Stop unavailable warning light illuminates

Ford Escape start stop system not working

If your auto-stop system frequently seems not to work, see Ford Escape start stop system not working for possible reasons why.

Description: The red battery warning light should illuminate with the ignition switched on and go off when the engine starts. If the Ford Escape battery warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a charging fault. Typical faults relate to:

▷ Alternator.

▷ Ageing battery.

▷ Connections / wiring.

▷ Drive belts.

Check any of the above if possible. If the battery warning light is illuminated while on the move, immediately switch off any non-essential vehicle utilities that consume electricity. When the battery becomes drained of charge, the engine will shut down. Make your way immediately to a vehicle repair shop.

Description: On each side of the vehicle is a blind spot – an area that cannot be seen in the mirrors. Using sensors located on each side of the rear bumper, the blind spot monitoring system warns the driver of approaching vehicle by use of a warning light in the corresponding side of an external mirror. A warning light illuminates on the dashboard when a fault has been detected. Ensure the sensors are free from dirt, snow etc and avoid covering them with stickers. If your vehicle has received an impact on the rear bumper, it may damage the sensors.

Description: The adaptive cruise control system may not function for the following reasons:

• A blocked sensor. Ensure the sensor is clean. It’s located behind a fascia panel in the front lower grille.

• High brake temperature.

• A failure in the system or a related system.

• Poor visibility or lighting conditions.

• Bad weather conditions.

Description: Your vehicle has an electric parking brake if it’s operated with a switch rather then the traditional lever. The brake warning light flashes

Electronic parking brake fault

If the brake warning light continues to flash or does not illuminate at all when the electric parking brake is applied, the system has malfunctioned. Low battery charge may be the reason for failure. In this instance, Hill Start Assist (if equipped) may also malfunction. Have vehicle checked immediately as the vehicle will not be secure when parked.

Description: The red oil warning light is one of the most urgent lights to come on. If the Ford Escape oil warning light illuminates while driving, it’s important to take immediate action as severe engine damage may arise.

1. Safely pull off the road and stop, ideally on a level surface and switch off the engine.

2. Wait a few minutes for the engine oil to drain into the pan of the engine.

3. Open the hood and using the dipstick, check engine oil level.

4. If the oil level is satisfactory (within the MIN. and MAX. dipstick markers), do not continue your journey and do not restart the engine. This indicates low oil pressure – continuing to drive will severely damage the engine.

5. If the oil level is low and you have added oil, restart the engine and check that the oil warning light goes off.

6. Only continue your journey if the oil warning light goes off. If it remains on, switch off the engine as this indicates low oil pressure. Low oil pressure is an engine lubrication fault that results in extreme heat and engine seizure. Arrange to have the vehicle towed.

Description: These symbols illuminate when the front and/or rear fog warning lights are activated.

1. Front fog lights (if equipped).

2. Rear fog lights.

Description: This blue warning light illuminates in the dashboard display when the main beam / high beam headlights are activated.

Description: The ‘i’ warning light stands for ‘information’ and illuminates when a message is available to read. Messages range from informational to warnings. The information / message warning light illuminates in red or amber depending on the importance and how serious the message is. For further information, see Ford Escape warning messages.

Description: The low tire pressure warning light illuminates for the following reasons:

▷ Briefly when the ignition is switched on as a function check.

▷ Stays on indicating low tire pressure. If driving, reduce speed gradually and avoid harsh steering or braking. Check tire pressures or replace flat tire with spare.

▷ Flashes then stays on indicating a malfunction with the system. Tires are fitted with pressure sensors inside them. Due to the spare wheel not being fitted with this device, the warning light will indicate a malfunction when it’s installed.

Description: This green symbol indicates that the parking lights are switched on.

Description: The Ford Escape check engine warning light illuminates with ignition cycle as a bulb check then goes out. If the check engine light stays on, it indicates a fault with the emissions system. Also referred to as the ‘service engine soon’ or ‘malfunction indicator light (MIL)’, the warning light may illuminate or flash:

▷ Illuminates: The on-board diagnostics system has determined that there’s a fault in the emissions system.

▷ Flashes: A flashing check engine warning light is often more serious as it indicates an engine misfiring. This can result in extremely high temperatures that can damage the catalytic converter or other engine components. Immediately reduce speed and avoid high engine loads. Have engine serviced and checked soon at a Ford workshop. Whether the check engine light is illuminated or flashing, faults can be related to numerous issues and so requires diagnostic equipment to locate. Diagnostic tools read faults codes that are stored by the vehicle computer.

Certain models of Ford Escape

On certain models of Ford Escape, the check engine warning light illuminates due to a temporary fault including:

• Poor fuel quality.

• Water in the fuel.

• Loose gas cap.

• Fuel level extremely low or running out of fuel.

• The vehicle electrical system is wet due to for example, driving through deep water.

• Engine overheating.

Reduced engine power

Certain conditions where the check engine warning light is on may induce reduced engine power mode. The is a self-protection software mode that prevents the engine from reaching higher speeds.

Description: The Ford Escape comes equipped with stability control which helps to reduce oversteer and understeer when cornering and also traction control which helps to prevent wheel spin. The warning light may illuminate or flash:

▷ Illuminates: This means that a fault has occurred with the stability / traction control system. As it uses the same sensors as the ABS, it may be a sensor issue.

▷ Flashes: This means the system is actively working.

Switching traction control off

The stability / traction control system is on by default. Though it’s recommended to keep it on at all times, certain situations such a being stuck in mud or snow may benefit from switching traction control off.

Description: The car and lock symbol is the Ford Escape immobilizer / anti-theft warning light and should flash every 2 seconds when the ignition is off to indicate that the system is armed. If there’s a fault with the system, the warning light will rapidly flash or remain constantly on. Sometimes switching the ignition off then back on resolves the issue. Alternatively, try starting the vehicle with a second key if possible. Other issues that can cause starting problems are having metal objects, cell phones, other coded keys within close proximity to the vehicle key. A dead key battery that requires replacement may also be the issue, or that the key requires reprogramming. Certain older models of Ford Escape can have the anti theft reset by removing the positive cable from the battery, switching on the ignition, then replace the positive cable, switching off the ignition, then back on again.

Description: The Ford Escape wrench warning light is an indication of a faulty throttle control body that requires replacing or an issue with the powertrain. Due to there being numerous potential fault reasons, diagnostic equipment is required to read fault codes. The engine may enter reduced power mode when the wrench light comes on. Occasionally, restarting the engine clears the fault, though this is usually temporary.

Description: The OD warning light flashing is an indication of a transmission fault. Faults are numerous and range from oil or sensor issues, up to a complete transmission failure where it requires replacement. Diagnostic tools are required to read fault codes to locate the error.