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 and engine cooling
75 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2010
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (~75 MPH) MY COMBUSTION ENGINE SHUT OFF AND A RED WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH WITH A MESSAGE OF "PLEASE PULL OVER SAFELY". MY VEHICLE HAS APPROX 53000 MILES ON IT AND IS 3.5 YEARS OLD. LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND NOT IN ANY DANGER OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS TRULY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. HAD I BEEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR HAD SOMEONE TAILGATING ME, IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A MAJOR OR EVEN FATAL ACCIDENT. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS EVEN THOUGH I'VE SEEN ANOTHER OID ON THIS ISSUE THAT STATED THEY WERE # 891 IN LINE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL ANY VEHICLE THAT HAVE THIS PART INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT WITH A MORE RELIABLE PART. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2010
OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE (HYBRID) SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED COOLANT PUMP FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN WE TRIED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, WE LEARNED THAT THERE WERE 891 REPLACEMENT PUMPS ON BACK ORDER - THESE ARE NOT ORDERS FOR NEW MANUFACTURING, BUT FOR REPLACING FAILED PUMPS. THESE ARE JUST THE ONES ON BACK ORDER AND DO NOT INCLUDE ONES ALREADY REPLACED, OR THOSE OWNERS THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN THEIR ESCAPE FOR DIAGNOSTICS. OUR ESCAPE HAS SHUT DOWN SEVERAL DOZEN TIMES AND IT HAS ALMOST ALWAYS BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AN INTERSTATE. THERE IS NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND GIVES US A MESSAGE TO PLEASE STOP SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WILL RE-START ONCE IT HAS BEEN SHUT OFF, BUT THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WHILE AVOIDING OTHER VEHICLES. WE THEN HAVE TO MERGE BACK INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT HAVE TOLD US THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH "RECALLING THE PART" AS THAT IS UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 16, 2010
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. ON 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, MY COMBUSTIBLE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF. THE DISPLAY ON MY DASH THEN TELLS ME TO "PULL OVER SAFELY." I STILL DO HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF POWER FROM THE ELECTRIC ENGINE. AFTER PULLING OVER, I CAN TURN OFF THE CAR, WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IT WILL NOT LAST. AFTER MILKING THE GAS, TRYING NOT TO EXCEED 2,500 RPMS, MY CAR MIGHT LAST 1/2 TO 4 MILES BEFORE IT DOES IT AGAIN. LUCKILY, DURING THE TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME, I HAVE BEEN ON AN INTERSTATE THAT HAD 3 OR LESS LANES. HOWEVER, I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN AS LUCKY IF I WAS ON THE 8 LANE CONNECTOR OF I 75/85 IN ATLANTA. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND SPOKE TO THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AT GENE EVANS FORD IN UNION CITY. AFTER DESCRIBING MY PROBLEM, HE QUICKLY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND MENTIONED THAT HE HAS HAD QUIET A FEW PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S COOLANT PUMP. I DID SOME RESEARCH SAW SEVERAL POSTINGS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT REALLY CONCERNS ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS OCCURRING AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM MY DEALER OR FORD THAT THIS IS GOING ON, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE TOYOTA SCANDAL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRIC PUMP FROZE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER SINCE THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 83202. UPDATED 11/05/10 *BF UPDATED 11/05/10 UPDATED 11/17/10
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Apr 28, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE 2WD IN FEBRUARY 2008. IN JANUARY 2010, MY HUSBAND NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM MY HOOD AND SOMETHING DRIPPING ON A OUR DRIVEWAY. IT HAS SINCE BEEN DETERMINED THAT MY RADIATOR IS LEAKING WHERE THE PLASTIC AND METAL PARTS ARE "SEALED" TOGETHER. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS OUT OF MY 36K BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY & THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BUT CHECK THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEVEL WEEKLY. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT AN IDENTICAL RADIATOR WILL NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEREFORE, WE ARE HESITANT TO PAY THE $800 THE DEALERSHIP ASKED FOR TO FIX. ALSO, THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN. IT APPEARS TO LOCK & UNLOCK BUT THE DOOR DOESN'T CATCH THE HOOK TO RELEASE & OPEN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2010
STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING WENT OFF AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. MY WIFE WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, THE CAR DID RESTART AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING, BUT SO FAR IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 6 HOURS AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THE OWNERS MANUAL CLAIMS THIS IS A WARNING PRIOR TO FAILURE OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM IN HER FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS THE CONSUMERS WIFE PRESSED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL FIRMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CLOGGED INTAKE VALVE WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PRESSURE IN THE PEDAL RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED 06/02/10.*LJ UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/18/10
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 10, 2010
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE STARTED JERKING DURING ACCELERATION AND SHUTTERING AT STOP LIGHTS. NO LIGHTS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON, AND DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. FINALLY THE CAR STALLED AT A RED LIGHT AND I DECIDED TO BRING IT IN. MY FORD DEALERSHIP SAID ITS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING VIA THE AC CONDENSER. THEY ARE FIXING IT, $800 COST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 9, 2010
VEHICLE IS LEAKING SEVERE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID JUST AT WARRANTY MARK. DEALER WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET IN REGARD TO THIS, IT COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE IN VEHICLE OR ACCIDENT DUE TO LOW LEVELS OF FLUID, THE CONTROL PANEL DOES NOT ALERT DRIVER IF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL IS LOW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 6, 2010
THE CAR STARTED TO DRIVE SLUGGISH AND HESITATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. AFTER CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID I FOUND THAT I WAS NEARLY EMPTY. I REFILLED THE TRANNY WITH ABOUT 3 QUARTS OF FLUID. THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED IT AGAIN AND THERE WAS NO FLUID ON THE STICK. I LOOKED AT THE RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW WERE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE RADIATOR. AFTER HAVING THIS CHECKED OUT I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND LINES AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. IT CAN BE REPLACED BUT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. NOW, I HAVE TO PUT A QUART OR MORE IN EVERY DAY. THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. THIS FLUID LEAK COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND BY DRIPPING OUT SO FAST IT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 4, 2010
MY 2008 ESCAPE HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR FOR MAJOR ISSUES. 1) I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL 2) I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK, 3) I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE LEAK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID I THANK GOD THAT THE THIS HAPPEN TO THE CAR WHILE ITS UNDER WARRANTY, SO THE DEALER REPLACE THE PARTS FOR FREE. I JUST CANT UNDERSTAND WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO MANY UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS HAS TO SPEND EXTRA MONEY IN HARD TIMES TO GET THERE CAR REPAIR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY JUST TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOTED IN MY ACCOUNT. WHAT WILL THAT DO FOR ME NOTHING! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 4, 2010
CAR STARTED JERKING (OR STOPPING) WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGNS/STOP LIGHTS. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION COOLER / A/C COMBO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 4, 2010
1) LIMITED USE OF VEHICLE, 28,000 MILES ON A 2008 ESCAPE (USED MODERATELY IN COLD WEATHER SITUATIONS) 2) TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE, LEAKS COOLER FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE "SPRINGS" FORWARD OR STALLS AFTER COMING TO A STOP (DAILY). VEHICLE LOSES A QUART OR MORE OF FLUID MONTHLY. VEHICLE SHIFTS VERY LOUDLY AND ROUGHLY (DAILY - IS AN AUTOMATIC) 3) REPAIR IS QUOTED AT $1000 DOLLARS FOR REPLACEMENT COOLER PIECE. EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY (FOR MILES, NOT TIME WHICH ENDED A WEEK AGO). DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS UNCOOPERATIVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 4, 2010
THE AC/CONDENSER THAT ALSO COOLS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. THROUGH RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY OTHER CARS DOING THIS AS WELL. ALSO HAVE NOTICE MY VEHICLE SURGING AT STOPS. VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT DEALERSHIP. ADVISED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 2, 2010
I BOUGHT A 2008 FORD ESCAPE (USED) AND APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND 38,000 MILES, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND SURE ENOUGH, FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I HAVE TO REFILL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WEEKLY DUE TO THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS ITS LEAKING AND AM LOOKING INTO GETTING THIS FIXED NOW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 16, 2010
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS I NOTICED MY CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH AND JERKY WITH NO PEP AT ALL GOING UP HILLS EITHER. ON 2 OCCASIONS MY CAR ALMOST STALLED AS I WAS PULLING FROM A STOP SIGN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. I ALSO BEGAN NOTICING OIL SPOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY. I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE AN OIL LEAK SINCE I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION THE FORD TECH. ADVISED IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY OIL CHANGE BUT RATHER A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A/C CONDENSER. I QUESTIONED THE TECH ON HOW HE CAN DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM SO QUICKLY WITH OUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE AND HE ADVISED FORD HAS TSB FOR THIS. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ASKED IF THIS IS A RECALL OR COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I WAS ADVISED IT WAS NEITHER AND THAT I NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DIRECTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED PART # 818Z19712J. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE YEAR AND MAKE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I'M DEALING WITH IE: TRANSMISSION & AC CONDENSER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 16, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT BEFORE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. WHEN HE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER THE LIGHT, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING A POSSIBLE REASON FOR FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COMPARTMENT AND THE RADIATOR WAS ALSO DESTROYED. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COMPARTMENT AND OTHER COMPONENTS (NOT KNOWN TO THE CONTACT) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIRS IF HE SIGNED A CONTRACT STATING THAT HE WOULD NO LONGER COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 24, 2009
THE AC/CONDENSER THAT ALSO COOLS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. THROUGH RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY OTHER CARS DOING THIS AS WELL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 29, 2009
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE WOULD SLIP OR STALL WHEN ACCELERATING. LOOKED ON WEB AND FOUND OUT NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD TO HAVE REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE SINCE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. *TR
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