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
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2013
DRIVING VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, EXPERIENCED ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER. AMBER WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. MOVED TO SHOULDER OF ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED OFF IGNITION & AFTER ABOUT 30 - 40 SECONDS RESTARTED VEHICLE, POWER RESTORED & VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY (WRENCH LIGHT OFF). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHERE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED, NOT UNDER WARRANTY (DESPITE TSB 09-19-12). ON FEB. 3, 2012, EXPERIENCED SIMILAR LOSS OF POWER PROBLEM, AND THE AMBER WRENCH LIGHT AND MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN (MILEAGE AT THIS POINT: 45,500 MILES). AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION & RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN NORMALLY FOR 45-60 SECONDS, THEN WOULD FAULT & SHUT DOWN. I WAS CLOSE TO MY WORKPLACE, SO I LIMPED IT BACK TO WORK. CALLED DEALER, WHO RECOMMENDED CALLING FORD'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO HYBRID CERTIFIED DEALER, WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY THIS TIME) AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. WHEN I CAME TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF POWER & WARNING LIGHTS (OPEN WRENCH LIGHT). DEALER NOW CLAIMS A SENSOR IN THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY IS BAD & IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM (CLAIMING THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY). VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALER AT THE TIME OF THIS POST. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 5, 2013
CAR STARTED AND AFTER BACKING OUT AND MOVING FORWARD, STOP ENGINE NOW MESSAGE CAME ON WITH A RED TRIANGLE ON DASH. SLOWLY MOVED TO A PARKING SPACE. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND WAITED FOR ONE MINUTE AND RESTARTED. MESSAGE WAS GONE AND CAR DRIVEN HOME. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOLLOWING WEEK WITH DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM. THEY DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND ASSEMBLY AT COST OF $629. READ IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT PROBLEM RESURFACES LATER. HAPPY THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING ON FREEWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. CONSIDERING FREQUENCY OF THIS AND OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO SHUTDOWN AND HYBRID, SHOULD A RECALL BE ISSUED? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 4, 2013
GAS PEDAL STICKS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. HAVE HAD TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL ON MORE THAN 1 OCCASION DUE TO PEDAL STICKING AT HIGH SPEED. ALSO STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEED, MAKING ACCELERATION ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. *TR
Engine, Dec 26, 2012
STOP SAFELY NOW-LIGHTS UP AND ENGINE KILLS/QUITS. WILL RESTART AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING VEHICLE ENGINE KILLS CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 7, 2012
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I-10, TOWARD ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE VEHICLE, WITH NO PRE-WARNING BEGAN TO DECELERATE (SLOW DOWN). THE VEHICLES SPEED DID NOT RESPOND TO DEPRESSING THROTTLE PEDAL; THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THERE, BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THE TRIP UNTIL THE SECOND AND THIRD OCCURRENCE. THIS SITUATION OCCURRED THREE MORE TIME ON THE RETURN TRIP HOME. ALL ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE I PROCEEDED IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE WHERE I COULD GET TO THE SHOULDER EASILY. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON FORD ESCORTS SINCE 2004 AT LEAST. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW IN AN AUTOMOBILE HAS PERSISTED SO LONG. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING THIS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIX LANE INTERSTATE WITH 18 WHEELERS ALL AROUND. AT BEST THERE WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY OF FATALITIES. *TR
Engine, Nov 22, 2012
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY TO SEE MT. RUSHMORE AT NIGHT WHEN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING A RED TRIANGULAR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TRIP AFTER THIS. HOWEVER, WHEN VACATIONING A YEAR LATER IN MICHIGAN, THIS EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHEN MAKING AN 8-HOUR TRIP. EACH TIME I'VE BEEN GOING CLOSE TO 70 MPH AND I'VE HAD TO CAREFULLY NAVIGATE MY WAY TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY... VERY DANGEROUS! IT WOULD SEEM THAT A RECALL WOULD BE IN ORDER FOR SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 25, 2012
TRANSMISSION ISSUE: STARTING REVVING HIGH ON 1ST GEAR SKIPPING 2ND TO 3RD. "SLIPPING" TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD AFTER A SCAN THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. WAS TOLD THIS ALSO BY FORD AS WELL AS ANOTHER 3RD PARTY TRANSMISSION PLACE. ALL 3 OF THEM ADMITTED THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. PAID 3000 TO REBUILD THE UNIT. I WAS 3,000 MILES OVER MY FORD ESP. FORD REFUSED TO HELP ME OUT AT ALL. MANY FORUMS ALSO LIST THIS AS A PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 22, 2012
2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOSS ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING *TGW WHEN THE MECHANIC OPENED THE HOOD, HE DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING, AS WELL AS THE COOLANT.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 10, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN A MALL PARKING LOT, AND WHEN I APPROACH A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STOP. I HAD TO USE THE FULL FORCE OF THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING/ CRASHING INTO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE ENGINE WAS STAYING ACCELERATED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO CLIMB IN RPMS EVEN THOU THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AWAY FROM OTHER CARS AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARKED. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO ABOUT 8000 RPMS. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE ENGINE WAS TO COMPLETELY TURN THE CAR OFF WITH THE KEY. UPON TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN THE PROBLEM DID NOT CONTINUE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 8, 2012
STARTING IN THE FALL OF 2009 WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLDER, THE THROTTLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND HARDER TO DEPRESS, REQUIRING A GREATER EFFORT TO PRESS DOWN THE PEDAL TO UN-STICK AND ONLY THEN WOULD THE THROTTLE PEDAL DEPRESS BEYOND THE IDLE POSITION. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO LURCH FORWARD CREATING A SUDDEN, DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTENT AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 28, 2012
DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE FORD RECALLS THESE CARS TO FIX THE HYBRID COOLING SYSTEM IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM ONCE MYSELF (TWO YEARS AGO) AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THESE CARS SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OUT WARNING BECAUSE OF SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED. ONE DAY SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ON A HIGHWAY) THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT COMES ON AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. SOME FAMILY WILL BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS AND FORD WILL BE CAUGHT KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 20, 2012
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH APPROX. 50K MILES. AS WITH MANY COMPLAINTS RELATED TO ESCAPE HYBRID, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS AT APPROX. 70MPH WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING LAMP LIT UP. STEERING AND BRAKING WERE NORMAL BUT I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF BUSY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC TO STOP. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I GATHERED MYSELF AND MY THREE TERRIFIED CHILDREN AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED THREE MORE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION, BUT I WAS ANTICIPATING THE ISSUE AND STAYED IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THIS ISSUE IS BEING REPORTED TIME AND AGAIN YET NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO ADDRESS THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. WHAT IS FORD AND NHTSA WAITING FOR? THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE! PLEASE, BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR DIES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2012
DRIVING AT 55 MPH, ENGINE STOPPED, KICKED OUT OF GEAR, LOUD BEEP SOUNDED, AND DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TRIANGLE WITH BOLT INSIDE. MESSAGE SAID "SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER." THIS HAD HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL, BUT I WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL THIS TIME. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I CONSULTED THE MANUAL. IT SAID TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART. I DID, AND WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF. SAME NEXT 2 INSTANCES. I ATTEMPTED THIS FIX FOUR TIMES ON THIS LAST OCCASION. CAR WOULD RESTART, THEN ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN IN A FEW HUNDRED FEET. FINALLY CALLED TOW TRUCK. FORD DEALER FOUND BAD AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CONNECTED TO HYBRID SYSTEM. IN RESEARCHING THIS, I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE REPAIR, WHICH COST $700. FELT VERY UNSAFE WITH THE WAY THE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A ROAD WITH A SHOULDER. IF I HAD BEEN ON A BRIDGE, TUNNEL, OR IN TRAFFIC, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SO QUICKLY. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE WATER PUMPS, AS THEIR FAILURE CAUSES A DANGEROUS ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 30, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A LONG TRIP (9 HOURS) A TRIANGULAR WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON: STOP SAFELY NOW, AND THE CAR DECELERATED QUICKLY AS THOUGH THE ENGINE HAD ABRUPTLY STOPPED, BARELY ALLOWING TIME TO PULL OFF ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A SHOULDER AT THAT SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY STOP A CAR THIS SUDDENLY THAT IS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY! AFTER READING THE MANUAL WHICH DIRECTED DRIVER TO WAIT A BIT AND THEN RESTART CAR, THE DRIVER DID SO AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN, TWICE, ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR ONLY 2 HOURS. PLEASE; JUST BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A CRASH, INJURY, FIRE, OR DEATH DOES NOT MEAN THIS IS "SAFE ENOUGH." *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 30, 2012
I HAD BEEN TRAVELING IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE SO I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET SOMEWHERE NEAR 35 OR 40MPH. THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE CLEARED UP AND I RETURNED TO NORMAL SPEED BUT LEFT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I ACCELERATED ON MY OWN TO ABOUT 70MPH. A MINUTE LATER THE GAS PEDAL LEFT MY FOOT AND WENT TO THE FLOOR ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE. ONCE AT ABOUT 80MPH THE PEDAL LET GO AND SLAPPED THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT (WHICH WAS STILL IN THE POSITION IT WAS IN AT DOING 70MPH. THE GAS PEDAL (ON IT'S OWN) MOVED TO THE FLOOR AND SLAPPED MY FOOT ABOUT 6 TIMES BEFORE I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. AND AGAIN, THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED WAS SET AT ABOUT 40MPH. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 23, 2012
THIS IS THE SECOND OF TWO INCIDENTS WHERE POWER WAS LOST AND THE CAR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. FIRST, WAS ONE WEEK PRIOR DRIVING FROM LA TO SAN DIEGO AT 5PM. WE GOT A FLAT ON THE HIGHWAY IN IRVINE CA. WE PULLED OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE BUT WHEN WE STARTED THE ENGINE IT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS CAME ON BUT WITH A WARNING LIGHT TO "STOP SAFELY NOW". I THOUGHT THIS WAS FROM THE TIRE AND PRESSED THE RESET BUTTON BUT THE WARNING WOULD NOT CLEAR. WE JUMPED THE CAR ONCE AND WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, WE JUMPED IT AGAIN AND AGAIN NOTHING, WE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THE TOW TRUCK TRIED TO JUMP IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. WE JUMPED WHILE HOLDING THE BUTTON FOR THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY WHICH WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IN THE MANUAL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE PAID THE TOW AND CALLED FOR A RIDE HOME. I MISSED WORK AND MY MOTHER TOOK ME BACK TO LA TO WAIT FOR THE CAR. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BATTERY. I WAITED 8 HOURS FOR THE MECHANIC TO SAY THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF A SAFETY MODE AND THAT THIS CAN'T BE DONE MANUALLY IN THE EVENT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE NEXT WEEK, AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO GO HOME SUNDAY NIGHT THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON AND WARNED ME TO "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND THEN I COULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20MPH AND THEN 10MPH AS I SLOWED TO PULL OVER. I KILLED THE ENGINE, WAITED TEN MIN. AND RESTARTED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAITED UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, GOT A RIDE, AND I AM NOW ON THE BUS UNTIL SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. AFTER RESEARCHING OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM SAD TO FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON, IT IS UNRESOLVED, IT IS DANGEROUS FOR A SAFETY MECHANISM TO CAUSE THE DRIVER TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, AND IT IS INCONVENIENT TO BE STRANDED AND UNABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE CAR IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND IT IS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 19, 2012
WE WERE DRIVING UP I-95 FROM FL TO VA WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY GAVE A LOUD WARNING TONE AND DISPLAYED THE MESSAGE STOP SAFELY NOW. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AS WE QUICKLY TRIED TO CROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC TO REACH THE SHOULDER. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE CAR WE STARTED IT UP AGAIN WITH NO CONSEQUENCE AND CONTINUED ON OUR TRIP. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL I DISCOVERED THE WARNING MESSAGE INVOLVED A COMPONENT OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I DECIDED TO TRY SHUTTING OFF THE ECON SWITCH (WHICH ACTIVATES BATTERY) AND ALL AC/ ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THIS WORKED BEAUTIFULLY FOR 100+ MILES UNTIL AT NIGHTFALL THE HEADLIGHTS KICKED ON AND OUR TROUBLES RETURNED. SINCE IT WAS SUNDAY NIGHT WE DECIDED TO STAY OVERNIGHT WHERE WE WERE AND GET IT CHECKED BY THE NEAREST FORD IN THE MORNING. THE DIAGNOSTICS ($95) REVEALED IT WAS THE MOTOR ELECTRONIC COOLING PUMP AT FAULT WHICH THIS DEALER DID NOT CARRY. WE CAUTIOUSLY CONTINUED USING THE NO ELECTRICAL METHOD AND WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY REACH OUR DESTINATION 400MILES AWAY WITH NO MORE INCIDENTS, WHERE WE THEN TOOK IT TO OUR HOME DEALER FOR REPAIR. A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH UPON RESEARCH I'M LEARNING IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS. *JS
Engine, Jun 18, 2012
THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE INFO SCREEN TOLD ME TO STOP SAFELY AS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THAT DAY, AND THEN DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL TODAY, JUNE 17, 2012. THIS RECENT TIME A HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING CAME UP ON THE INFO SCREEN. I CHECKED ALL OF THE FLUIDS AND THEY ARE FULL AND ALL HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2012
TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. WITHOUT WARNING, ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. CHIME SOUNDED AND WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD SAYING "STOP SAFELY NOW." RED TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT IN CENTER APPEARED ON DASH. I WAS INFORMED BY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT DURING REPAIRS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE PROBLEM AS RELATED IN FORD TSB 09-18-6, AFFECTING SIMILAR VEHICLES UP TO 2007. *TR
Engine, Jun 2, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT AROUND 55-65MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE BUT WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AT AN EXIT THAT HAPPENED TO BE NEARBY. DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AND THE REMOVAL OF THE SHOULDER LANE, HAD THIS HAPPENED MERELY A MILE EARLIER IN THE ROUTE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO PLACE TO STOP SAFELY. THE SAME WARNING LIGHT AND ENGINE POWER LOSS OCCURRED ABOUT 10 MONTHS PRIOR WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO- LANE HIGHWAY. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP SAFELY THEN AS WELL, BUT WE'RE AGAIN LUCKY TO BE IN LITTLE TRAFFIC AND IN AN AREA WITH SUFFICIENT SHOULDER SPACE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO OUR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE WE WERE TOLD NO PROBLEM COULD BE IDENTIFIED. EACH TIME THIS OCCURS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND COMPLETE OUR TRIP. THE INABILITY FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE INSTANT POWER LOSS WITH THIS WARNING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL PARTICULARLY IF THIS IS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY PART. *TR
Engine, May 29, 2012
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60-65 MPH IN MODERATE/HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE GASOLINE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND GAVE ME A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD, BUT IT WAS A RATHER FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS ORDEAL TO CROSS TWO LANES OF MODERATE/HEAVY TRAFFIC AFTER THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS "A PRETTY COMMON" PROBLEM AMONGST ESCAPES (TRANSAXLE COOLING PUMP / WATER PUMP). RESEARCHING THIS FURTHER, IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHERS ON MESSAGE BOARDS AND THE LIKE THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, May 24, 2012
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND I RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT, AND THE MESSAGE "STOP SAFELY NOW." THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE OCCURRED ON 1-95 SOUTH JUST SOUTH OF WASHINGTON ON A PORTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION WITH NO SHOULDER, IT IS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT NO MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HOWEVER, KNOWING THAT THIS ISSUE IS FREQUENT AS CAN BE SEEN BY FELLOW COMPLAINTS, AND FROM THAT FACT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD RECEIVE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL, AS DID THE IDENTICALLY MODELED TOYOTA HYBRID VERSIONS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEONE. *TR
Engine, May 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A WARNING LIGHT ADVISING HER TO PULL OVER ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine, May 16, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON A BRIDGE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, I HEARD A BEEP AND A TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY JOLTED AS IT LOST POWER AND IT DISPLAYED A MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY. THIS WAS IN LATE MORNING TRAFFIC AND A SEMI WAS ABLE TO SLIGHTLY SWERVE TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME AS I HAD SUDDEN REDUCED POWER AND LITTLE MEDIAN SPACE TO COAST TO ON MY LEFT SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES. A FORD DEALER HAS RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND CONFIRMED IT IS A FAILURE OF THE MOTOR ENGINE COOLING PUMP AND THE OVERALL COST FOR PARTS AND LABOR, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC IS $738. AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS TO THIS AGENCY AND ONLINE ENTRIES, I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN ABOUT THIS SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE TWO ISSUES, THE FIRST BEING THAT THE COOLING PUMP IS KNOWN TO FAIL ON THESE VEHICLES AT DIFFERENT MILEAGE LEVELS, AND IS SUPPOSEDLY NOT COVERED BY THE HYBRID WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS ONLY FOUND ON HYBRIDS. FORD DEALERS WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT IS KNOWN AS ONE CAUSE THAT LEADS TO THE SHUT OFF OF THE CAR AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. SECOND, FORD'S SHUTOFF DESIGN ITSELF IS SERIOUSLY FLAWED SINCE IT ALLOWS THE CAR TO UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTOFF AT HIGH SPEEDS RISKING COLLISION AND INJURY. I AM FORCED TO PAY THE HIGH COST OF THIS PARTICULAR REPAIR BECAUSE I CANNOT DO IT MYSELF, HOWEVER, I NO LONGER CONSIDER THIS A RELIABLE SAFE VEHICLE. I URGE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINTS RATHER THAN WAIT FOR ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS TO RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. AT THE VERY LEAST FORD SHOULD BE NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE COOLING PUMPS AND NEED FOR REPLACEMENT.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 4, 2012
PLEASE ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FOR THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLING SYSTEM PUMP ON ALL 2005-2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO FORD AND THE SUBJECT OF TSB 08-24-5. THIS PART FAILURE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHILE THE CITED COMPLAINTS FORM AN ALARMING PICTURE OF THE MECS PUMP FAILURE ISSUE, THIS LIST IS BY NO MEANS EXHAUSTIVE. A SEARCH OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2005-2007 ESCAPE HYBRIDS RETURNS ADDITIONAL HORRIFYING INCIDENTS INVOLVING THIS PART FAILURE. IT IS APPALLING THAT WITH SO MANY REPORTS OF HIGH-SPEED ENGINE SHUTDOWNS AND NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS THAT THIS ISSUE DOES NOT EVEN HAVING A PENDING DEFECTS INVESTIGATION. PLEASE RIGHT THIS WRONG BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR