Bear in mind this thread is about one person's/family's experience with one Ford Escape Hybrid. All the other shocks reported are of the normal, static electricity variety, which happens to all of us at some point or another. The suggestions on how to reduce static electricity shocks apply to all vehicles, and can be followed to minimize/control static discharge in excessively dry climates/seasons.

My 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid has yet to static shock me, but it's been rather humid here (typical San Antonio summer) and thus I can't remember the last time I've encountered any static shock except indoors with our cats.

 

Please please PLEASE do not make a decision based on a single, possibly alarmist (though perfectly reasonably concerned), anecdote. That is exactly the kind of paranoia that turns great products into pariahs in the public eye, and only performs a disservice to all.

I and several other professional electrical engineers, as well as the Ford technicians who deal with their vehicles' electric systems every day, here have weighed in that this is very very probably NOT 'live juice.' (I only qualify it because, well, anything is possible in the extreme) Especially since that vehicle's electric system has been checked (although the OP never answered with the specifics of what was checked and how).

Some vehicles tend to build up larger static charges than others, and if that is your concern, then that's fine. Static isn't pleasant, but it is not harmful. But I do see how knowing a particular model has a tendency towards lots of static can factor against buying the vehicle. Or, get a sround strap to dangle underneath.

If there were an inkling that there was live current in the vehicle frame, at least a few of the hundreds/thousands of technically-inclined people who have bought the vehicle would have spoken up by now, if not here then at Edmunds or Yahoo or a news article somewhere.

Several members here (not FEH specifically, but illustrative anyway) have gone to great lengths to probe, measure, and generally push the envelope of their hybrids with all manner of instrumentation. If there's a hazard, you'll hear about it from them first, and with a high degree of reliability and specificity- not simply a post saying "ouch - the dang car zapped me and keeps doing it"

I'm not trying to be heavy handed, just trying to make sure you understand the massive probability against there being a hazardous electrical problem inherent to the vehicle. Please weigh that accordingly in your decision.

 

People fear what they can't or don't want to bother to understand. Opponents of nuclear energy would raise the fear of a nuclear explosion, yet it's impossible since the fuel is nowhere close to weapons-grade. Cheroynobly (sp) happened on a reactor that would never meet a safety inspection in the US or Western Europe. One of the founders of GreenPeace - Patrick Moore actually favors nuclear energy to check global warming.

Some make it almost seem like the hybrid battery pack is as dangerous as plutonium. They are safer than lead-acid batteries that have been around for a century. They are condemned for overly depleting the Earth's resources, yet cell phone battery usage is far greater (and overlooked). Most of us are around TVs, phones, and computer monitors hours a day, and the hybrid electromagnitic radiation is somehow a hazard.

People ignore the real hazards of drinking and driving, or an article yesterday. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. (Watch cameras catch drivers driven to distraction -- 2:28) (rest of CNN article)

Distracted drivers are three times more likely to get in an accident - isn't that a much greater risk than a possible hybrid electrocution? The list of proven hazards you are more likly to get in could go on and on.

 

There is no shock hazard. In some climates, the car may be a bit worse than most others for static discharges. An anti-cling spray or strap would solve that if it occurs.

 

The problem is a point-blank statement like that doesn't satisfy people, especially if they are convinced to the contrary. And it shouldn't in general- its always good to ask 'why.' Although many cannot (or pretend to not be able to) understand technical explanations, seeing details seems to comfort them that some 'research' has been done. Unless they have already decided there IS a problem regardless of anything. In which case, why even bother asking the question in the 1st place, other than to simply moan?

 

Thank you everyone for all your help. Ford was not willing or able to answer any questions. To those of you who feel we are bad mouthing hybrids, we love the technology and plan to continue supporting it. Our mistake is that we bought a Ford. Ford has admitted that they do not have many technicians that are trained to work on hybrids. Our plan is to buy a Toyota and I urge everyone who reads this to do the same. We know several people who own Toyota Hybrids (including family mambers) and all of them are happy with their purchase.

The facts are:

#1 At no time did Ford express any concern about the safety of our family.
#2 The inspections done on the car only involved driving the car for a short period of time (5 minutes), then entering and exiting the doors a couple of times.
#3 At no time in the 5 months that Ford has had the car was any electrical diagnostic test done.
#4 There was never any instrument used to test for electrical leaks.
#5 If indeed this car builds up static, Ford has never offered any remedies to alleviate the problem. That's why we came to this board in the first place.
#6 Ford admitted to the fact that they do not have the time or personnel to do any additional testing.
#7 Ford never inspected the battery to make sure that the safeguards are intact.

Perhaps there is a reason that Ford has posted their biggest loss ever and Toyota's profits continue to grow. We have always tried to buy American cars, so we choose Ford, but this time it proved to be the wrong choice.

So in closing, if anyone is still interested in buying one of these, we have a 2005 Escape Hybrid for sale with very low milage and fully loaded.

 

Also to the people who feel we are just making a mountain out of a molehill. This is our daughter's safety we are talking about. We will always take our children's safety seriously no matter who we may insult along the way! I think Ford should feel the same about the safety of their vehicles, and by the way we have been ignored, they obviously don't.

 

hell YES! How many miles?
I think $15k sounds fair since it is defective and likely to kill someone. What city are you near again?
I get to the L.A. area about every 6 months.
( AND I'M SERIOUS... I'D LOVE TO HAVE A SECOND ONE )

 

How come you keep saying "your daughter's safety"?
Doesn't this have an equal chance of shocking anyone?

 

I'd also be interested. I agree with Ford's response.