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: engine
231 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 7, 2009
2008 FORD ESCAPE - I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLUID LINE LEADING FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE CONDENSER HAD SPRUNG A LEAK. AFTER ASKING TWO SEPARATE FORD DEALERS AND DOING A LOT OF WEB RESEARCH, I HAVE COME TO FIND THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY PREVALENT WITH THIS MODEL AND IS A RESULT OF A DESIGN FLAW. I ASKED ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT PART AND IF IT WOULD SUFFER THE SAME FATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART, ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED BY FORD HAS BEEN DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY TO ACCOMMODATE THE ORIGINAL FLAW. THIS TO ME REPRESENTS A SITUATION WHERE FORD KNEW OF THIS ISSUE AND FAILED TO INFORM CUSTOMERS OR ISSUE A RECALL. AS A RESULT I AM OUT ALMOST $800 FOR THE REPAIR. FORD WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETINS ISSUED ON THIS DEFECT TSB -08-5-7 IF I RECALL RIGHT. IT TOOK ME ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO DISCOVER THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND THAT ALL OTHERS AFFECTED WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR FORD ESCAPE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE SAME BRUSH OFF BY FORD. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THE RESULTING ISSUE CREATED BY THIS PROBLEM, DOCUMENTED SEVERAL PLACES IS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SOME HAVE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE JUMPING INTO GEAR AND OTHERS CREATING A LURCHING ISSUE WHICH ULTIMATELY LEADS TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT SITUATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 13, 2009
2008 FORD ESCAPE: FAILURE MILEAGE 21,775. ENGINE REV-ED FOR NO REASON AT < 10 MPH. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE COMING TO STOP. VEHICLE LEAKED LARGE PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDER RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. FORD REPLACED TRANSMISSION COOLING ASSEMBLY (PART #8L8Z-19712-J) UNDER WARRANTY NOTING TSB 09 09 04. I PURCHASED THIS ESCAPE ON 08-04-09 AS A CERTIFED USED FORD OFF A FORD LEASE WITH MILEAGE 20,227. I HAD NOT YET MADE THE 1ST PAYMENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS AND OVER THE LONG TERM CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A DANGEROUSLY FLAWED DESIGN. THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 30, 2009
THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE I OWN LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH THE A/C CONDENSER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ENGAGED INDICATING A PROBLEM AND THE SUDDEN STARTS BEGAN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT AND PROVIDES AN UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT GIVEN THAT THE AUTOMOBILE'S TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY DUE TO THE LACK OF FLUID AND SURGES FORWARD. THERE IS CURRENTLY A TSB ON THIS DEFECT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO ALL ESCAPE'S MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO A FEBRUARY OF 2008. THE SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE CONDENSER THAT HAS THE FAULTY SEAM DESIGN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUED TO WORK AND THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY MOVED TWO METERS. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO FIND A MECHANIC A MILE AWAY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE KNOWS AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, AND ARE EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,148.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 12, 2008
AFTER COMING FOR A DRIVE OUT TO PARKER LAKE, A 50 MILE DRIVE FROM MY HOME, MY NEW FORD ESCAPE XLT AWD STALLED. LOOSING POWER AND CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LUCKILY I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD. I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T. I LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 2-5 MIN. AND IT STARTED. I GOT IT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK YESTERDAY FEB. 11, 2008, AND IT AGAIN STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH-WORK-HOUR TRAFFIC. IT AGAIN WOULDN'T START, BUT AFTER ABOUT 2-5 MIN. IT DID. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER HERE IN TOWN, NOT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND THIS HAPPENED I'M NOT SO SURE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE. YOU HAVE DONE TEST AND INSPECTIONS IN THE PASS ON TRIBUTES AND OTHER CARS WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AGAIN. BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 5, 2008
TOTAL HYBRID / GASOLINE SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. *TR