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: power train
372 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Nov 1, 2011
HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=-6XQ2ZYQMOI - THIS VIDEO DEPICTS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE FORD 2008 ESCAPES. MY VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID PROFUSELY LAST WEEK; WHICH IS NOT ONLY A PROBLEM IN MAJOR TRAFFIC IF THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 TRANSMISSION HAS NO FLUID, BUT ALSO IS AN SAFETY ISSUE TO THOSE WHO WALK IN PARKING LOTS WHERE MY CAR HAS LEAKED FLUID; IT MAY CAUSE A FALL... ESPECIALLY WITH SO MANY FORD ESCAPES 2008 HAVING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOW MANY FORD ESCAPES 2008 MUST ABRUPTLY RUN OUT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID BEFORE THIS DOES BECOME A DIRE SAFETY PROBLEM? SIDE NOTE: FORD HQ STATES THIS IS AN AC PROBLEM; HOWEVER, IF MY CAR LEAKS OUT ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, ISN'T IT A DRIVE LINE PROBLEM? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 1, 2011
PURCHASED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN JUNE 2007. AFTER AROUND 25K MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID ACCORDING TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER WE TOOK IT TO. THEY REPAIRED THIS AT NO COST SINCE THIS WAS UNDER THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. HAD A MINOR ISSUE BACK IN AUGUST WITH THE AIR FAN NOT BLOWING AIR PROPERLY. THE FAN HAD TO BE PLACED ON HIGH BEFORE IT WOULD BLOW OUT ANY AIR. THIS WAS FIXED AND COST APPROX. 200 DOLLARS SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT IN JUNE 2007. NO BIG DEAL. THEN ON OCTOBER 30, AROUND 73K MILES ON THE CAR, IT STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY. PUT ON BRAKES IT WOULD START TO STALL AND WHEN GIVING GAS IT WOULD SHAKE AND THEN STALL. TOOK IT TO THE FORD SERVICE SHOP WHICH IS ALSO THE DEALER WHERE WE HAVE PURCHASED AROUND 5 OR 6 VEHICLES AND WHO HAS ALWAYS SERVICED OUR FORD VEHICLES AND WERE TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AND SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THIS WILL COST $4,900.00. HAVE CHECKED ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPES. I ACTUALLY KNOW SOMEONE WHO BOUGHT HER VEHICLE AT THE SAME DEALER, THE SAME YEAR VEHICLE AND HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE WHEN HER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE FAN PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SINCE WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE BACK WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 25K MILES ON IT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED SO IT WILL SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
Power train, Oct 23, 2011
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK,A WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MY CAR THEN HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING AND SEEMED TO STRUGGLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND ENDED UP HAVING TO SPEND $3,400 ON A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. I DO NOT THINK THIS SHOULD BE SINCE I SERVICE MY CAR INCLUDING TRANSMISSION SERVICE ON A REGULAR BASIS.THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CONDENSER A WHILE BACK. THIS WAS CORRECTED. *TR
Power train, Sep 23, 2011
DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILS AND LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE LURCHES WHILE LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
Power train, Sep 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTING FRACTURED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION CONDENSER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,550. KMJ
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 23, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IT IS REALLY BAD SHIFTING TO SECOND, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE MOTOR IS DROPPING. MY A/C ALSO JUST STARTED HAVING ISSUES, THE FAN ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. *TR
Power train, Aug 9, 2011
THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 WITH 76,559 WAS MAKING A NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN PLACING THE REVERSE. ALSO THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE MOTOR LIKE A ZOOM . I TOOK THE SUV TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY CHECKED AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE MOTOR PULLEYS, BEARINGS AS WELL. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $3,099. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR HOME. WHILE DRIVING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 58.2 MILEAGE I WAS WAITING IN THE ROAD, THE LIGHT CHANGE FROM RED TO GREEN AND WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL TO PASS THE HIGHWAY THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 MAKE A HUGE NOISE AND DID NO MOVED. THE DRIVE AND REVERSE DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE PARKING WAS MAKING A HUGE CRANK NOISE. THERE WAS NOT WAY NO MOVE THEN I WAIT IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE ROAD SERVICE CAME TO TAKE THE SUV. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REQUIRED THE UNIT TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND SUPPORT. THEY WILL NEED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AND MAKE PULLEYS, BELTS ABD BEARINGS CHANGES. SO FAR THE DEALER WILL COVER 25%, THE FORD 50% AND THE CUSTOMER THE 25%. THE FORD ESCAPE NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR STARTED ABOUT THE SAME WEEK OF THE AUGUST 04, 2011. THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALER ON AUGUST 04, 2011 IN THE MORNING ABOUT 10:00 TO 11:00 AM AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE SAME DAY IN THE AFTERNOON ABOUT 5:30 PM. *TR
Power train, Jun 29, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, APPROX 65K MILES. DROVE APPROX 10 MILES ON EXPRESSWAY WHEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE LOSSES ENGINE POWER, RED TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT, AND MESSAGE "STOP SAFETY NOW." COASTED WITHOUT POWER TO PULL OVER ONTO SHOULDER. ANOTHER MESSAGE READ "ELECTRIC MOTOR TEMP HIGH." I TURNED OFF VEHICLE WAITED 2 MINUTES, TURNED ON VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROX 1/4 MILE AND AGAIN VEHICLE LOSSES POWER WITH SAME STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE. THIS OCCURRED 9 TIMES WHILE ON THE WAY HOME, AND ONCE ON THE JR EXPRESS WHICH IS 2 LANE SO I STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE AND HASSETT FORD SERVICE, NY TELLS ME THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. ARE THEY WAITING UNTIL THERE IS A DEATH AS A RESULT OF ENGINE POWER LOSS ON A 65 MPH EXPRESSWAY TO OFFER A REPAIR? NO ONE FROM FORD WILL OFFER A REPAIR. A PROPER INVESTIGATION IS NECESSARY AND A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE A SERIOUS CRASH FIRE OR DEATH OCCURS. *TR
Power train, Jun 15, 2011
MY FORD ESCAPE JUST STARTED LEAKING FLUID ONE DAY. EVEN THOUGHT FORD ADMITS ITS A HUGE HUGE PROBLEM THAT WILL EFFECT MY TRANSMISSION ITS NOT RECALLED OR COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE TRANNY COOLER/AC CONDENSER IS LEAKING. *TR
Power train, May 16, 2011
I TOOK MY 2008 ESCAPE LIMITED IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. I THEN NOTICED THE CAR WAS HESITATING BETWEEN SWITCHING GEARS. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BEING PUSHED OUT. WHEN THEY CALLED FORD THEY WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE I'VE HAD THE CAR 3.5 YEARS EVENTHOUGH THERE ARE ONLY 14,065 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW I'M READING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. HOPEFULLY THIS MEANS I WON'T HAVE TO PAY THOUGH BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING. *TR
Power train, May 12, 2011
LAST YEAR FORD HAD A RECALL ON 2008 FORD ESCAPES, WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT. THE ISSUE OF THE RECALL WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE AC SYSTEM (COOLER). THIS MAKES THE DRIVE VERY HARD, AND WHEN ONE IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO, THEN JERKS BACK AND FORWARD WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, I WAS ALWAYS SCARED SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, AND CAUSE A CRASH, I BELIEVE THIS MAY LEAD TO CRASHES. APPARENTLY THE VEHICLES START DOING THIS WHEN IT IS OVER 40,000 MILES DRIVEN, AND I AM CURRENTLY RIGHT AROUND THAT RANGE, AND MY ISSUE STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AM TOLD I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY; HOWEVER, I AM HAVING THE VERY ISSUE THAT THE FORD 2008 ESCAPE WAS RECALLED FOR LAST YEAR, SO IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES WHO WILL DEMONSTRATE THIS ISSUE, AND FORD HAS MISSED SOME VEHICLES AND SHOULD EXTEND THAT RECALL TO COVER THE NEW VEHICLES THAT ARE ALSO DEMONSTRATING THIS VERY ISSUE, BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THAT FLUID RUNS OUT THE VEHICLES MAY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CAUSE A NUMBER OF CRASHES, AS WELL AS THE JERKING MOTIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO MOVE WHEN AT THE STOPPED POSITION. *TR
Power train, May 11, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE HAD FRACTURED CAUSING THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 28,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Fuel system, Other, Power train, May 9, 2011
TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION IN RED CAME ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 15 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
Power train, Apr 27, 2011
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION COOLER. *TR
Power train, Apr 19, 2011
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION COOLER (PART 19712) WENT BAD AT 36,451 MILES. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE COST AS I WAS 451 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED. I'VE READ OVER 50 COMPLAINTS FROM MULTIPLE WEBSITES THAT DEAL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO HAVE PARTS IN A CAR THAT DO NOT HOLD UP AND BEGIN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE FOR THIS? *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED NOTICE OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURERS RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED OR HEAR ANY MENTION OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FIVE MONTHS LATER WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE TOOK AT LEAST TWENTY MINUTES TO RESTART AS SHE PULLS BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Power train, Mar 29, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A VERY LOW SPEED OR A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONDENSER TO HELP COOL THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Mar 16, 2011
I OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS ONE OF THOUSANDS THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION COOLER. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS WHO WANT SOMETHING DONE A RECALL PRODUCED AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEFECTIVE PART SEEMS TO BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. THE PART DEVELOPS A CRACK AND LEAKS ALL OF THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT WHICH CAN CAUSE 2 ISSUES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN IGNITE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD BY BLOWING BACK ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR BY GOING UNDETECTED ALL THE FLUID CAN DRAIN OUT AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO NOT ENGAGE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR HIGHWAYS CAUSING A CRASH. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART AS PART OF A MISTAKE IN THEIR MANUFACTURING. THEY WILL HAVE A MINIMUM WAGE CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATE SAY SORRY UNTIL YOU GET FRUSTRATED AND HANG UP ON THEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED AS WHEN I BROUGHT UP THAT FACT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T CARE AND THEY TOLD ME TO HOPE FOR A RECALL. THE OWNERS THAT HAVE PAID TO FIX THEIR CARS ARE ALSO OUT ANOTHER $1000 ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 3 OR LESS YEARS OLD. I HOPE WHOEVER GETS THIS TAKES THIS SERIOUSLY AND DOES THE RESEARCH. YOU CAN CALL FORD AND QUESTION THEM AS I'M SURE THEY HAVE AT LEAST THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS, VIDEOS, AND MANY CONCERNED OWNERS. AGAIN THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED AND I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ALL OF US OWNERS GET RECOURSE BY GETTING A RECALL ISSUED AND KEEPING THE ROADS SAFE FROM THESE DEATH TRAPS FORD CONTINUES TO MANUFACTURE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Mar 10, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: TURNED ON THE CAR, TURNED INTO A DRIVE WAY TO TURN AROUND NOTICED PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. BRAKE NOT ENGAGED? BRAKE FAILURE CAR ROLLING INTO PARKED VEHICLE HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO STOP. BACKED OUT OF DRIVE WAY ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE FAILURE ON DASH, GET BRAKES CHECKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. NO BRAKES. I BACKED UP AGAIN AND THEN THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND THE CAR HAD HYPER BRAKES.... LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAY SENSITIVE. OVER STOPPAGE... TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY? THEN MY SON TOLD ME ABOUT THE HYDRAULIC PROBLEM????? FORD STILL HAS CARE SERVICING OTHER ISSUES, 34,485 MILES>. *TR CONSUMER STATED DAMAGED WAS REPAIRED, BY STATE FARM. TRADED THE CAR SHORTLY THERE AFTER. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
Power train, Mar 7, 2011
I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE WAS LEAKING SOME FLUID ON THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD ALSO NOTICED SOME SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. MY SERVICE STATION ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE IT WAS LIKELY UNDER WARRANTY. THE ESCAPE WAS A "CERTIFIED PRE'OWNED" MODEL WHICH CARRIED AN ADDITIONAL WARRANTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER CONFIRMED THAT TRANSMISSION LEAK, BUT DECLINED TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS, BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THE ITEM WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. AFTER LEARNING OF THE PROBLEM, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS OF 2008 FORD ESCAPES. I FEEL THAT THIS TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE PROBLEM POSES A SAFETY RISK TO THE PUBLIC. IF FORD IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, THEN THIS MODEL SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 31, 2011
DRIVING OFF ROAD UP A STEEP INCLINE (40-45 DEGREES), THE VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT. THERE WASN'T ANY POWER GOING TO THE TIRES EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE RPM WOULD ONLY REV UP TO ABOUT 1200 RPM. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE AS THERE WAS NO POWER BEING DELIVERED TO THE TIRES. THE TIRES DID NOT LOOSE TRACTION OR SPIN EITHER. WHAT WAS ESPECIALLY UNSAFE ABOUT THIS IS THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BACKING DOWN THE STEEP HILL I HAD TRIED TO ASCEND. I WAS TRYING TO BACK DOWN SLOWLY BY USING THE BRAKE, BUT MANY TIMES THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT AND SLIDE SOMETIMES SIDEWAYS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. I TRIED TO AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY THE US FOREST SERVICE IN WHICH MANY TIMES THE VEHICLE IS REQUIRED TO GO OF ROAD ON FOREST SERVICE ROADS. THERE IS A SECTION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT OFF ROAD DRIVING, BUT IT MAKES NO MENTION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UP STEEP INCLINES.
Power train, Jan 26, 2011
THE CAR BEGAN STALLING AND OR JUMPING AS STOP AND PULL WHEN PULLING OFF TO DRIVE. I WAS TOLD TOCHECK FLUID LEVEL THE TRANSMISSION. LEVEL WAS LOW SO I PUT SOME IN IT LASTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEN IT STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM WAS CRACKED AND IT WILL COST $900 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. FORD ALSO DID THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 09B10 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION STYLE CRACKED. *TR
Power train, Jan 5, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE LTD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE PEDAL WOULD HESITATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL A COUPLE OF TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START MOVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAS THE VEHICLE BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 05/05/11
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 5, 2011
A/C CONDENSER-TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAK. TRANS. OIL ALL OVER ENGINE BAY WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD. CAR WANTS TO TAKE OFF ON IT'S OWN WHICH IS CAUSED WHEN TRANS. FLUID GETS LOW. PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE'S HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND FORD IS YET TO DO A RECALL. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Dec 15, 2010
I BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT IN 2007. IN AUG. OF 08' I HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. THEY FOUND THAT THE PUMP SUPPORT WAS WORN AND WORN THROUGH THE SEAL RINGS. I WAS AT 29,094 MILES. FORD FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOW DECEMBER OF 10' AND I AM AT 73,000 MILES AND HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES ONLY THIS TIME I TOOK IT IN AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. THE TECH REPORT I RECEIVED STATES THE EXACT SAME THING IT DID WHEN I TOOK IT IN 08'. I WENT TO THIS WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2008/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_COOLER_FAILURE-TSB_EXISTS.SHTML AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I PAID 25,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE THROUGH 2 TRANSMISSIONS! WHAT I NOTICED BOTH TIMES IS THAT IT WOULD SHIFT HARD INTO REVERSE AND IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SLIPPING ONCE IT WARMED UP. *TR