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
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 26, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AT ABOUT 65MPH IN THE LEFTMOST LANE SHORTLY AFTER MERGING FROM I83 SOUTH ONTO I395 (BALTIMORE BELTWAY) WHEN, WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING WHATSOEVER, THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT AND THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" (AS IF I HAD ANY CHOICE) MESSAGE APPEARED. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. I WAS ANXIOUS TO GET HOME TO FEED THE DOGS, AND MY HUSBAND WAS OUT OF TOWN, SO RATHER THAN CALL A TOW TRUCK I RESTARTED THE CAR AND KEPT GOING IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE FOR ANOTHER 3 OR 4 MILES UNTIL THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. IT TOOK ANOTHER 2 HOURS (WITH AN 15-20 ADDITIONAL STALLING EPISODES) UNTIL BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME TO ANNAPOLIS. THROUGH THE INTERNET (AND MY HUSBAND CRAWLING UNDER THE CAR) WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED FAULTY OEM HYBRID DRIVE TRAIN MECS COOLANT WATER PUMP. SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT IS EVERY BIT AS SERIOUS AS THE GM IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM, AND A FATAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, AND UNCONSCIONABLE THAT NHTSA HAS NOT FORCED FORD TO DO SO. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 16, 2014
MY CAR ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE FORD THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 13, 2014
CAR GOES LIMP. FORD HAS TSB 08-24-05. MECP FAILS. POOR DESIGN. HAS GONE LIMP ON ME ~8 TIMES. EACH TIME CAR DRIFTS TO A STOP REGARDLESS OF LOCATION, SPEED, ETC...(EG, CAN BE GOING 75MPH ON HIGHWAY) AND IT GOES LIMP. CANNOT MOVE AFTERWARDS FOR MINUTES. MANY CASES OF THIS HAPPENING HAVE BEEN REPORTED. TSB 08-24-5 STATES THAT SOME 2005-2008 ESCAPE HYBRID AND 2006-2008 MARINER HYBRID VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A RED TRIANGLE LIGHT AND CODES INDICATING A TRANSAXLE OVERTEMP. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN REDUCED POWER AS THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES FAIL SAFE OPERATION. CODES P1A0E, P1A0F, P0A3C, P0A3E, P0A7A, P0A7C AND P1A0D MAY ALSO BE SET. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 12, 2014
I BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE USED IN NOVEMBER 2013. IN DECEMBER 2013 THE GAS PEDAL STARTED STICKING EACH TIME I WENT TO ACCELERATE. IT GETS STUCK "UP", MEANING I HAVE TO POUND MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. MY FORD IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THIS MAKES IT NOT ONLY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD BUT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT STALL OUT ALL THE TIME. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. SAID CAR WAS USED AND IT IS WHAT IT IS. IT IS NOW MAY 2014 AND IT MY FAMILY AND I CAN HARDLY GET ANYWHERE. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK CAR TO MIDAS FOR A TUNE UP AND AN ESTIMATE. MIDAS STATED MY CAR NEEDS A BRAND NEW THROTTLE UNIT, THROTTLE CABLE AND A 3 PART FUEL KIT. THIS WILL COST ROUGHLY $1000.00 MIDAS STATED. WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT FORD EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR FORD ESCAPES 2009-2012 FOR THIS SAME EXACT FUEL KIT AND THROTTLE ISSUES. 2008 FORD ESCAPES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE FOR MANY CONSUMERS. PLEASE HELP ME. MY FAMILY AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THIS REPAIRED AND MY 6 AND 8 YEAR OLD (AND MY FIANC) CAN'T BE DRIVEN AROUND IN THIS CAR. MY OWN SAFETY IS ONE THING AND I WILL ENSURE I GET TO WORK EVERYDAY, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT IF THIS IS WARRANTY ISN'T EXTENDED OR RECALLED FOR FORD 2008 ESCAPES AS WELL. I HAVE ALL MIDAS SERVICE PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED. PLEASE HELP US. WE ARE IN DANGER EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR AND WE NEED A CAR TO DRIVE. THANK YOU-CINCINNATI, OHIO/ MAY 2014. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 28, 2014
WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS THE ABS LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SLOWLY LOSING POWER. WHEN WHEELS WERE STRAIGHTENED AGAIN IT RAN AS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE, EACH TIME WHEN I WAS TURNING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WAS DIMMING AND THE GAS PEDAL LOST ABILITY TO PROPEL CAR. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2014
I LEFT THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER AFTER HAVING MY CAR EXHAUST REPAIRED AND LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE DOWN THE ROAD I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR AND COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS TRAVELING ON A VERY BUSY ROAD AND I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO ROLL INTO A PARKING LOT WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE FORD DEALER SHIP FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTIONED. I FOUND THAT FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEARS UNDER A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM". I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE THROTTLE BODY FOR MY CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHY MY CAR IS EXCLUDED FROM THIS PROGRAM. THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD PER THIS PROGRAM. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 5, 2014
I OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT , V6 3.0 ENGINE. AT ABOUT 49,000 MILES, IT STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES . THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM, BUT NEVER TRIPS ANY SERVICE LIGHTS. I GO DOWN THE DRIVE WAY PRETTY GOOD, BUT WHEN I GET ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAVE TO HAMMER ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO GO AND THE RPMS GO WAY UP. THE FORD DEALERS CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE KNOW THAT IT'S FUEL RELATED AND HAVE CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND SEVERAL SENSORS. IT HELPED FOR A SHORT TIME, SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER. BUT ITS RIGHT BACK TO STALLING OUT. I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES AT ALL. THIS VEHICLE IS A COFFIN ON WHEELS ! P.S. THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE ELECTRICAL THROTTLE BODY.
Power train, Engine, Apr 4, 2014
CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF AT 70 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF, ONLY THE "WRENCH INDICATOR" WAS ON; IT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. SERVICE CENTERS CAN NEVER DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE ONCE THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF. WARNING LIGHT ON DASH SAID "SAFETY MODE" AT THE TIME OF ENGINE SHUT-OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES. DASH WARNING INDICATORS TURNED OFF. GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE ONLY FOR THE CAR ENGINE TO TURN-OFF AGAIN AT THE BASE OF AN OFF-RAMP ABOUT FOUR MILES FARTHER UP THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 55-60 MPH BEFORE THE SECOND INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 25, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. AFTER RESEARCHING IT FOUND OUT IF YOU HAVE THE HEAT ON IT WILL CAUSE THE SENSOR TO OVER HEAT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Mar 18, 2014, crash
SINCE THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED A BRAKING FAILURE INCIDENT I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH&VISITS TO MECHANICS TO RETRIEVE CODES THROWN FROM THE CAR OFF DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES. REPLACING THE HCU CARRIES A PREMIUM PRICE TAG OF $5K-7K. PRIOR TO THE FIRST ACCIDENT,THERE IS NO OBVIOUS WAY THAT I COULD HAVE DAMAGED THE HCU WITH MY VERY NORMAL DRIVING HABITS (I.E.NO HISTORY OF TOWING, NO LONG DOWNHILL BRAKING)&THE HCU IS NOT A COMPONENT SUSCEPTIBLE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF EARLY FAILURE. I BELIEVE THAT THE ESCAPE HYBRIDS BRAKING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE BY DESIGN (HENCE THE TSB)&FAULT LIES WITH FORD.I CONSIDER THIS BRAKE FAILURE VERY SERIOUS&A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAD NEVER BOTHERED TO NOTIFY ME ABOUT OR RECALL.MY ATTEMPTS TO GET FORD'S ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS.TO SUMMARIZE NHTSA IS NOT CONCERNED B/C NOBODY HAS GOTTEN KILLED BY THESE DEFECTIVE BRAKES. FORD CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS&SIGNIFICANTLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW.AFTER SEVERAL EPISODES OF BRAKE FAILURE I FOUND TSB 05-8-5 (8/5/05 NHTSA ID#10017553:ESCAPEHYBRIDVEHICLES EXHIBIT THE YELLOW ABS&RED E- BRAKE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATING AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED,&AN INCREASE INBRAKE PEDALEFFORT)FORD CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY TO DEAL W/THE PROBLEM.ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE W/O THE REPAIR,IT HAD NO VALUE BEING BROKEN,&I DID NOT HAVE THE CONSCIENCE TO SELL THE VEHICLE W/A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.FORDS FAILURE TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS RATHER APPALLING.FORD ABANDONED ME W/A$7,000 BILL TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT IS SOLELY RELATED TO THEIR POOR DESIGN.FIRST ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION:ABS WARNING LIGHT&SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON CLUSTER."SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM"&"REGENERATIVE BRAKING DISABLED" ILLUMINATED ON MESSAGE BOARD. ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC,UPON EXTREME BRAKING, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 9, 2014
MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF THE VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN OCCURRED ON 3/8/2014 BEGINNING WHILE TRAVELLING ALONG A 2-LANE HIGHWAY (CA-74 AROUND IDYLLWILD AREA) AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 P.M. VEHICLE DISPLAYED RED TRIANGLE ICON WITH EXCLAMATION POINT INSIDE THE TRIANGLE AND WORDS IN RED "STOP SAFELY NOW", AT WHICH POINT POWER TO THE ENGINE WAS DISABLED ALTHOUGH POWER STEERING APPEARED TO STILL BE ACTIVE. I THEN PULLED OVER AT A TURN-OUT (LUCKILY ONE WAS NEARBY SINCE I WAS GOING UPHILL AND LOSING SPEED QUICKLY). I PROCEEDED TO TURN THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION AND WITHIN MINUTES RE-STARTED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT UNTIL APPROXIMATELY MIDNIGHT AT WHICH POINT I WAS TRAVELLING ALONG A MAJOR FREEWAY IN SAN DIEGO I-15 SOUTHBOUND AT A SPEED OF 65-70 MPH. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED AFTER DISPLAYING THE RED ICON AND WORDS DESCRIBED ABOVE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 4 SEPARATE TIMES. THESE 4 INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITHIN A 6 MILE STRETCH OF EACH OTHER AND WITHIN A 20 MINUTE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO OTHER INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE - NO SYSTEM NOTICE OF OVERHEATING, FAULTY ELECTRICAL, ETC. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 6, 2014
CAR LIGHTS COME ON .I CHANGED WATER PUMP.NOW SIGN COMES AGAIN IT IS HEAT SENSOR WHAT I HEAR FROM OTHER PEOPLE .SIGN SAYS STOP NOW SAFELY, , ONCE YOU STOP TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON THEN CAR STARTS , BUT IT HAPPENS AGAIN EVERY WEEK, I HAVE FAMILY LIKE MOST OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ARE GOING WITH SAME ISSUE,S .FORD IS NOT DOING ANY THING ABOUT IT, WHEN SIGN COME ON THE FREE WAY THAT IS VERY DANGER. HOW COME THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. WHEN JAPANESE TOYOTA PRIUS OR ANY CAR HAS PROBLEM THAT BE CAME BIG ISSUE BUT WHEN THAT IS FORD MADE IN USA NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT, SO SAD, I HOPE FORD WILL DO SOME THING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2014
THIS WEEK THE NEWS HAD STORIES ABOUT GENERAL MOTORS RECALLING SEVERAL CARS BECAUSE THE IGNITION CAN SUDDENLY TURN OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE EVEN DEATHS DUE TO BAD ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THE IGNITION FAILURE AND CAR LOSING POWER. THIS REMINDED ME OF AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME WHICH WAS SIMILAR. I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID LAST DECEMBER, ON I-280 IN SAN FRANCISCO DURING RUSH HOUR AT 65 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASH BEEPED AT ME, FLASHED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, DISPLAYED A MESSAGE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, AND THE ENGINE HAD NO POWER! I SUDDENLY FOUND MYSELF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY AND NO POWER TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I WAS LOSING SPEED AND SLOWED TO WHERE I CUT BETWEEN OTHER CARS AND OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I'M SURE I CUT SOMEONE OFF IN THE PROCESS. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THERE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS BEFORE I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE. THE FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED IT WITH CODE P1A0D, WHICH WAS A BAD COOLANT PUMP FOR THE ELECTRIC GENERATOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION AS I DID WHERE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE AT HIGH SPEED AND PUT THEM INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS FINDS SEVERAL BLOG REPORTS OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR SITUATIONS. FORD HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD: MACDONALD V. FORD, CASE NO. 3:13-CV-02988, IN THE US DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2014
WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE ODOMETER READ "STOP SAFELY NOW." I LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEM AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY. WHEN I REACHED 60 MILES PER HOUR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN 6 TIMES AND THEN THE ODOMETER READ "HIGH ENGINE TEMP" AND THE VEHICLE THEN DIED AND MADE A "WHIRLING" SOUND. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I GOT THERE THEY TOLD ME "I WAS ABLE TO START IT RIGHT UP." THE DEALERSHIP FOUND IT TO BE TSB 8-24-5. THE COOLANT PUMP WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND STILL HAVE NOT PLACED A RECALL ON THIS!! WHAT WILL IT TAKE, PEOPLE TO DIE WHEN THIS HAPPENS? FOR ME, THIS WAS THE LAST STRAW. I TRADED IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AS I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE!!
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 25, 2014
MY VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF WHEN I STOPPED FOR RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES THEY SAID THE AC CONDENSER WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. IN 2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 25000 MILES. I BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THAT I WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST $800 TO REPLACE THE AC CONDENSER AGAIN. I PURCHASED AN AC CONDENSER FROM THE INTERNET AND HAD SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE DEALER REPLACE. NOW FEBRUARY 2014, I NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDER MY VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ONCE AGAIN MY AC CONDENSER NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. ONCE AGAIN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS ITEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE 150000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Feb 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 209,000.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 29, 2014
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, AT A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT WORK--THEN THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. THE ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS THEN CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY--I HAD IT REPLACED AT A FORD DEALER 3 YEARS AGO, AND NOW IT IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2008, AND I'M ON MY 3RD THROTTLE BODY--THE ORIGINAL ONE, THE ONE REPLACED AT THE FORD DEALER, AND NOW THIS ONE. THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IS STRESSFUL ENOUGH, BUT THEN ADD ON THE FACT THAT, AT ANY TIME, THE THROTTLE CAN FREEZE UP AND STOP WORKING WHICH CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2014
PULLING AWAY FROM COMPLETE STOP AT STOP SIGN THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT ANY POWER TO PULL TO CURB OR TO SAFELY LEAVE ROADWAY. MESSAGE ON DASH READ "STOP SAFELY NOW". CAR TOTALLY DISABLED. RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. STAR FORD OF GLENDALE HAD CAR FOR A COMPLETE DAY TO DETERMINE NATURE OF PROBLEM - AT END OF DAY HAD NO REASON FOR COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. DRIVER AFRAID TO TAKE CAR ON FREEWAY FOR FEAR CAR WILL LOSE POWER ON FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 6, 2014
CAR STALLED WHEN DRIVING ON HWY IN SNOW STORM ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ALSO, RPM'S CLIMB, JUST HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 2, 2014
WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT OR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM THROUGH THE INTERSECTION IT WILL STALL OUT. *TR
Engine, Jan 1, 2014
ENGINE JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND I ALMOST GOT INVOLVED INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER MY CAR AND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO P AND RE-STARTED THE ENGINE. IT WORKED BUT I FELT ENGINE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING OKAY. IT FELT LIKE IT KEPT BURPING CONSTANTLY. I COULD FEEL THE MOVE. I DROVE BACK HOME TO WORRY ABOUT THE ISSUE. *TR
Engine, Dec 28, 2013
WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 80 GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUDDERED AND QUIT. A RED TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT IN THE CENTER APPEARED ON THE DASH WITH THE MESSAGE "STOP SAFELY NOW". FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A SHOULDER AND NO TRAFFIC IN THE RIGHT LANE, SO WE PULLED OFF. WE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED IT A FEW MINUTES LATER. WE PROCEEDED, STAYING IN THE RIGHT LANE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS OCCURRED 5 TIMES INCLUDING ONCE ON THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY BRIDGE. IN RESEARCHING THIS, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS AND THAT IT IS A FAULTY MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM (TSB08-24-5), BUT HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL. SINCE THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO FORCE FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Dec 9, 2013
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE; ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR
Steering, Engine, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,600.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 17, 2013
IT WAS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013. THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 62 DEGREES. IT WAS SUNNY. THE STREETS WERE DRY. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH FROM AUSTIN TO NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS ON I-35 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 A.M. I HAD THE SPEED CONTROL SET FOR 55 M.P.H. AS I WAS LEAVING SAN MARCOS, AN ALARM TONE SOUNDED, AND THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY SHOWED "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER USING BATTERY POWER ONLY AT LESS THAN 20 MILES AN HOUR, CAUSING ISSUES WITH OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE, WITH MANY OF THE OTHER DRIVERS ANXIOUS TO GET TO WORK. I STOPPED THE CAR, AND WHEN IT WAS SAFE TO DO SO, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DID A PERIMETER SCAN FOR ISSUES. NONE WERE DETECTED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND CHECKED FOR UNTOWARD ISSUES. THERE WAS NO SMOKE. THE ENGINE WASN'T OVERLY HOT. OIL WAS FULL TO THE APPROPRIATE MARK. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD THE VEHICLE TO ME ABOUT 1790 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND A FULL DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WITHOUT ANY ISSUES DETECTED. AFTER COMPLETING THIS CHECK, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE FOR ANOTHER 20 OR SO MILES WHEN THE ALARM AND DISPLAY REPEATED AS ABOVE. AGAIN THERE WERE NO ISSUES. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE 75 MILE COMMUTE. THE RETURN TRIP HAD NO ISSUES. SINCE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING IN FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC, THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE THE FIRST ESCAPE HYBRIDS WERE ON THE ROAD, AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO DEFINITIVE PROBLEM OR CORRECTION. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA EXAMINE THIS TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL SHOULD BE PERFORMED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY ALARM THAT SHUTS THE VEHICLE DOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. *TR