2008 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 2,417 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 72 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 45 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemSep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Campaign 14V526000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Campaign 14V284000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
200 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 2, 2026
Electronic power steering went out a couple times on me .
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 2, 2026
Check engine light keeps flashing, car vibration, bad head gasket, oil and fluid leak
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2025
driving down the road and out of nowhere all the dash light come on, the speedometer and rpm all go to zero. I am able to still control the car and drive down, the only thing that won’t work besides the dash cluster is the air conditioning. Hitting a bump or smacking the dash normally turns off the dash light and I can see my speed and rpm’s again. I took it to ford for them to diagnose and they said the dash cluster is what’s bad. It’s very scary to drive because the lights come on so often and I’m fearful I’m going to lose more control of the vehicle.
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 29, 2025
Hazard flashers turn on by themselves any rime night or day even while driving. Transmission oil cooler leaks. Transmission shift lever bushing in shift cable broke [ Thankfully while not on the road ] This car only has 25,000 miles on it
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon arriving to her destination and pulling into a parking lot, after shifting the vehicle into park(P), the vehicle inadvertently lost electrical power and all electrical functionality, and the contact became locked inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to exit the vehicle and suffered heat strokes during a hot summer day. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to provide the cause for the failure. The contact stated that the mechanic at the dealer was also locked inside the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 8, 2025
It has the no power steering problem just like the other vehicles of the same model and year.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Mar 2, 2025
While the person was driving the wheel suddenly became stiff and very difficult to turn but luckily was in his neighborhood to park it. This could have been a very deadly crash if it happened anywhere else or suddenly on the main road. The person could have been seriously injured due to this malfunction or other people as well. This problem has been confirmed by ford and they issued a recall in 2014 for this exact same issue. The issue with the recall is my vehicle was manufactured during this 3 year period time of faulty manufacturing but is still not included in the recall list and so many other Americans are dealing with the same issue and no repairs. I would like ford to be held accountable and extend the vin list of cars needing repairs. No the vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning lamps prior until the incident which it now says power steering assist fault.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2025
The vehicle frequently shuts down with a stop safely now light displaying on the dash. Gives maybe a 5-10 second warning before the vehicle is immobile. Has not caused an accident for us but has occurred abruptly on busy roads increasing the risk of one. However, it usually occurs when idling in a drive through or light etc. The vehicle also frequently does something that causes the clock and date to reset to 2004. This seems to always occur between drives overnight.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 2, 2024
I’ve bought this 08 escape from a mechanic shop out right as is… had to problems with it at all until a couple of months my steering wheel started to shake, then it got worse to the point where I had to put a firm grip on the wheel, looked it up and did some research on it apparently there was a recall on this a while back due because of the power steering motor,
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 19, 2022
Electric power steering system not working causing the vehicle to default to manual steering which makes the vehicle extremely hard to drive. My safety is at risk because I do not have sufficient control of the steering of the vehicle. The car has been inspected by the dealership. There were no signs or lamps prior to the problem starting.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2022
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR A FEW MONTHS . AT TIMES MY CAR WONT START. EVERYTHING COMES ON. iT FEELS VERY LOOSE AND HAVING TO PUSH IN THE KEY AND TURN IS VERY DIFFICULT AND HURTS MY HAND. PLUS THE ALARM BUTTON GETS PRESSED WHEN I TURN THE KEY.. i HAVE TO TURN KEY ON AND OFF WHILE PUSHING KEY INTO IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES AND PRAY THAT IT WILL CRANK. i HAVE HAD NO OTHER ISSUES OR REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED. i NOW HAVE MY CAR IN THE SHOP TO REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY i HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF $400 FOR THIS REPAIR. i HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON REPAIR FOR THIS PART ON THE VEHICLE I OWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 6, 2022
My 2008 Ford Escape XLT electrical power steering will stop working while driving the vehicle. It is available for an inspection at anytime. The safety issue is the car is next to impossible to steer once it stops working. My wife just missed running into a power pole while driving in a roundabout when it stopped working while she was driving it. It has happened more then this one time. If it happens at low speed it’s even harder to steer. I called a recall number to see if it was in a recall but was told it was not in a recall due to where it was manufactured. I have not taken the Escape to a Ford dealer yet because of what I was told about the recall. However since that time I found out my Escape was manufactured at the plant where the recall is for. There has not ever been a warning light that comes up on the dash before it stops working, it just stops working. It has the same symptoms that are given in the recall.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 10, 2021
I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND I GOT A WARNING BEEP SAW THE DISPLAY SAYING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AND A LOUD MOTOR TYPE NOISE WAS SOUNDING. I WOULD DRIVE AND I COULD FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED MY CAR AND DISPLAY SHOWED RIGHT AWAY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DEFAULT. AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING FROM THEN ON. OTHER 2008S HAD RECALLS FOR POWER STEERING BUT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR RECALLS
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2021
RED BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. ALL ACCESSORIES WENT OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I JUST REPLACED MY 12V BATTERY THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 2 MILES, AT MOST. THE BRAND NEW BATTERY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR LESS THAN 24 HOURS. I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY AS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T SHIFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED MY FOOT BACK LIKE IT WAS "PUMPING" MY FOOT. PUT ANOTHER FULLY CHARGED BATTERY INTO MY CAR AND STARTED RIGHT UP. DROVE HOME AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. BOTH BATTERIES WERE DRAINED COMPLETELY DRY OF ANY VOLTAGE. ABS LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM/REGEN BRAKE DISABLED ON DRIVE INFO.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2020, fire
VEHICLE FIRE. FIRE STARTED IN AREA OF DRIVER'S SIDE TAILLIGHT WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT. SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 19, 2020
I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. SOMETIMES THE WHEEL LOCKS WHEN I'M DRIVING , ALSO THE WHEEL SHAKES LIKE I'M ON A ROLLERCOASTER . I CAN'T DRIVE OVER 20 MPH BECAUSE THE WHEEL STARTS TO SHAKE EVEN MORE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 4, 2020
SUDDENLY THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP PROPERLY.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 1, 2020
"STOP SAFELY NOW". IT DID A COUPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT WON'T TURN ON AT ALL.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 17, 2020
ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY FORD 2008 THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP AND HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING AN ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILURE, WHICH IS SIMILAR TO HAVING NO POWER STEERING FLUID. AS A RESULT, I CAN'T DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS AND IT'S INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR PERIOD. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND IT'S A $1500.00 FIX TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN; WHICH IS WHAT'S NEEDED, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ON YOUTUBE, I FOUND IT TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COMES UP OFTEN. FORD IS AWARE OF IT AND IT SEEMS WILL ONLY INCLUDE VIN'S THEY WANT TO. I THINK MINE AND ALL 2008 SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT THEY NEW ABOUT AND REFUSE TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT CAUSE TO MUCH? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, NOT KNOWING THIS PROBLEM. MY REACTIONS AS A SAFE DRIVE IS WHAT PREVENTED ME FROM BEING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT THAT TIME. I'M INCLUDING THE INVOICE WHICH SHOWS THE EVALUATION OF THE CAR, FORD SHOULD NOT HAVE A CHOICE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD COVER A VEHICLE. FORD PRODUCED A VEHICLE THAT HAS A PROBLEM, THAT SHOULDN'T BE ON THE CONSUMER. PLEASE VIEW YOUTUBE ON THIS TOPIC, THERE ARE NUMEROUS VIDEOS ON THE 2008 TOPIC AND THE PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE HAVING. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP THIS SITUATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 19, 2020, crash
MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS BEEN OUT FOR SOME TIME NOW AND BEEN USING WITHOUT POWER STEERING. MY VEHICLE FITS THE EXACT DESCRIPTION AS THE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUR DEACRIBES AND WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE KC PLANT AS WELL AND IS A 2008 ESCAPE XLT BUT YET I'M LEFT RESPONSIBLE AND WOULD RATHER BLOW THE THING UP THAN FIX AND NEVER DRUVE ANOTHER FORD AGAIN FOR THEM NOT CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 29, 2020
RECALLED OTHER MODELS IDENTICAL TO MINE FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING; HOWEVER, DID NOT RECALL MINE FOR SOME REASON. CAR HAS 99.7K MILES I AM ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SELECT CARS WHILE OTHERS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. THE DEALERSHIP MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO WAS TOO INCOMPETENT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE.(CACTUS JACKS)
Electrical system, Oct 31, 2019
IGNITION SWITCH NOT ALLOWING CRANKING DURING ENGAGING. SWITCH FEELS UNSECURED. ALSO DIFFICULT TO INSERT KEY . THIS IS A CONSTANT ONGOING PROBLEM . MILEAGE IS 85,XXX .
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 1, 2019
TODAY IS 10/1/2019. I DROPPED MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL CAME HOME AND MY NEIGHBOR SON HAD MISSED THE BUS. I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAKE HIM TO SCHOOL WHEN AFTER I STARTED MY CAR MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG SO I PARKED IT AND TRIED TO REVERSE AND TURN THE WHEEL AGAIN SAME THING HAPPENED. MY ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL HAS GONE OUT OR IS NO LONGER WORKING THERE WAS A RECALL BEFORE I GOT THE VEHICLE 14S05 BUT WITH PREVIOUS OWNER. I WENT TO 3 DIFFERENT PLACES SAYING THE SAME THING HOW CAN A RECALL THAT CLAIMS TO BE FIXED NOT BE FIXED THANK GOD MY TRUCK WAS PARKED ALREADY SO NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT COULD COST 800-1800 AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A FORD PLACE SO DISAPPOINTED. I PURCHASE THE TRUCK IN 2017 SO APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER AND THIS HAPPENS.
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2019
POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING LOST IT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING, PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW HAS LOST POWER. LOST IT WHILE DRIVING
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING FROM MIDLAND TEXAS TO EL PASO TEXAS ON THE WAY BACK MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IT STATED SAFELY STOP THIS WILL BE THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME I WAS INFORMED THAT IT CAN BE THE MEC PUMP BUT WHEN CALLING FORD AND PUTTING IT IN MY VIN NUMBER IT DOESN'T SHOW THAT MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT PARTICULAR HAS A RECALL ON, IT IS ALSO HAVING STEERING ISSUES PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, YET STILL THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS LOOSE