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 9, 2009
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000. I NOTICED IT RUNNING STRANGELY AND UPON CLOSER INVESTIGATION, NOTICED A FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FRONT. THE DEALER SAID IT IS TRANSMISSION FLUID. I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER/AC CONDENSER AT A COST OF AROUND $750. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH 2008 ESCAPES. ONE PERSON COMPLAINING SAID THAT HIS DEALERSHIP HAS AROUND 10 OF THESE A WEEK TO FIX. IF IT IS SO COMMON, SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL? TRANSMISSION FAILURES CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS-I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS AND HOPE SOMEONE WILL CHECK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE FORD FIX THEM! *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
Power train, Oct 27, 2009
TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING ON 2008 6CYL FORD ESCAPE CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO ACT ERRATICALLY VIBRATES AND LURCH FORWARD DUE TO LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALSO A FIRE HAZARD AS UNDERCARRIAGE AND RADIATOR HAVE HEAVY DEPOSITS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. CAR HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES AND MAJORITY OF MILEAGE HAS BEEN ON INTERSTATE. CURRENTLY CAR IS IN REPAIR SHOP AWAITING REPLACEMENT PARTS. FROM COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR FORD ESCAPES AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY FORD. SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ADVISED OF NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL 2008 FORD ESCAPES AND REIMBURSE ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO ABSORB THE REPAIR COSTS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Oct 27, 2009
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE COOLER. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE AFTER A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN GOING ON BUT HAVE LOST NEARLY 2 QUARTS OF FLUID. THE FORD DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND FORD HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN ON HOW TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WHICH BASICALLY INVOLVES REPLACING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. *TR
Power train, Oct 13, 2009
THROUGHOUT THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION HAS ACTED STRANGELY. SOMETIMES IT SHIFTS VIOLENTLY AND JERKS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE FORWARD. OTHER TIMES IT SEEMS THAT IT SIMPLY WON'T SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN FIRST STARTED. LAST MARCH I WAS WAITING FOR A TRAIN TO PASS SO I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK WHILE I WAITED. TWO OR THREE SECONDS AFTER I PUT IT IN PARK, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD A COUPLE FEET. IT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME SINCE THE TRAIN WAS MOVING AT 60+ MPH AND WAS ONLY MAYBE TEN FEET IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE TRAIN PASSED I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND IT DIDN'T ENGAGE. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND MOVED THE SHIFTER THROUGH THE GEARS. AFTER THIS IT WORKED AGAIN, BUT I WAS WORRIED. I NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE RADIATOR AREA THIS MORNING. I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE ANYWAY SO I TOOK IT IN TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION / AC COOLER THAT IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE WARRANTY SUPPORT, BUT THAT I SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A FORD DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ, THE WARRANTY IS NOT GOING TO COVER IT SINCE I HAVE 51,000 MILES ON IT. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT BIG O TIRES GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR $512 FOR THE REPAIR WORK, WHICH IS MUCH LESS THAN WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN PAYING. BUT IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ON COMPONENTS BELOW THE ENGINE. I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT THESE EVENTS ARE SOMEHOW RELATED. ESPECIALLY WHEN FACTORING IN ALL OF THE PRIOR COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE FOUND EASILY WITH SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCHES. UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS THAT IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE BEING HIT BY A TRAIN FOR ANYTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. FOR NOW I AM GOING TO WAIT UNTIL I TAKE IT IN FOR MY APPOINTMENT AT THE FORD DEALER. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT MAKE A VEHICLE SAFE TO TRANSPORT THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR EVERY DAY LIVES. *TR
Power train, Oct 12, 2009
THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE RUNNING TO THE A/C CONDENSER LEAKS AND SPRAYS TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE. STARTED AT AROUND 36,000 MILES FOUND IT AT 38,000 AND FORD HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HOSE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS AN AC PART. *TR BOGUS
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
Power train, Sep 24, 2009
TRANS FLUID LEAKING ON FLOOR. DEALER SAYS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY FORD AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. TSB # 08-5-7 .MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS FORM AND OTHERS . MAY CAUSE TRANS FAILURE AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET KILLED IN TRAFFIC. *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
Power train, Sep 9, 2009
2008 FORD ESCAPE - 41,800 MILES. RPM'S WOULD FLUCTUATE - CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE - CAR WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS ON INCLINE- CAR WOULD STALL OUT . TOOK IN FOR SERVICE DEALER ADVISED TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING DUE TO CRACKED IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. DEFECT IS NOT COVERED BY POWERTRAIN BECAUSE THEY SAY THIS PART IS NOT PART OF THE TRANSMISSION IT IS A COOLING UNIT. APPROXIMATELY $750 TO FIX. *TR
Power train, Sep 6, 2009
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK WITHIN CONDENSER RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AND GEAR SLIPPAGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY NOT ACCELERATE OR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST IT WAS CAUSED BY AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, RATHER A FAULTY LINE THAT CRACKED. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER 36K MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WAS $1025, PLUS OUT OF POCKET TOW BECAUSE IT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Sep 4, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED AN OILY SUBSTANCE LEAKING IN THE ENGINE AREA OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING FLUID AND THE COST TO REPAIR THE LEAK WAS 1,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSUME THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL 07V453000, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,200.
Power train, Aug 21, 2009
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR MANY OTHER FORD SUV'S BUT NOT THE ESCAPE. STARTED LEAKING JUST AFTER MY 36,000 WARRANTY RAN OUT SO THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $750 TO REPAIR. MY CAR IS 1 YEAR OLD. *TR
Power train, Aug 20, 2009
2008 FORD ESCAPE--LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID---BROUGHT TO DEALER--CRACK IN TRANSMISSION COOLER. NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY WE BOUGHT WITH THE CAR. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2009
CONDENSER/TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AND/OR FAILURE. 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THIS IS 3RD TIME LEAK/TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH THE FIRST 2 HAPPENING UNDER WARRANTY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF TRANSMISSION REPAIR D/T THE "CONDENSER" NOT BEING MANUFACTURED BY FORD. THANKFULLY, NO VEHICLES WERE BEHIND ME WHEN I LOST TRANSMISSION FIRST TIME WHILE GOING UP A STEEP HILL. *TR
Power train, Aug 7, 2009
I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. IT WAS REPLACED LAST AUGUST 31ST AND WENT AGAIN YESTERDAY AUG.6TH. I AM BEING TOLD FORD HAS A TSB FOR THIS PART, AND IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE CAR SIMPLY WILL NOT MOVE IN DRIVE. THE COOLER LEAKS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION TO SLIP AND THEN EVENTUALLY DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. I CAME TO A RED LIGHT YESTERDAY AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE!!! LAST AUGUST FORD REPLACED THE PART UNDER WARRANTY. I AM BEING TOLD I HAVE TO PAY THIS TIME EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE TBS. *TR
Power train, Jul 30, 2009
CAR IN REVERSE BACKING INTO MY DRIVE --I REMOVE FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL AND CAR IMMEDIATELY ROLLS BACK DOWN INTO STREET STAYING IN REVERSE BUT GOING FORWARD. WHEN IN DRIVE ENTERING DRIVEWAY AND I REMOVE FOOT IT AGAIN ROLLS BACK DOWN INTO STREET BEING IN DRIVE BUT MOVING IN REVERSE . I MUST USE THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES. IT IS NOT A STEEP DRIVE AT ALL. FORD SAYS THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT SO IT ISN'T TRUE AND REFUSED TO PUT IT ON A LIFT TO CHECK FOR DEFECTS. ANOTHER MECHANIC SAYS IT'S DANGEROUS AND SO DID SEVERAL FRIENDS WHO ALSO EXPERIENCED IT. I AM AFRAID IT WILL ROLL INTO THE STREET OR FAIL TO STAY IN DRIVE WHEN OR IF I TRY TO TRAVEL OVER A HILL OR STEEP GRADE. IT IS AUTOMATIC BUT SEEMS TO ACT LIKE A STICK SHIFT. *TR
Power train, Jul 21, 2009
2008 FORD ESCAPE. NO PROBLEMS UP UNTIL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT. AT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS CONDENSATION FROM USING MY A/C. HOWEVER, IT TURNED OUT TO BE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO FAIL AND SLIP OUT OF GEAR ON HIGHWAYS AND RURAL ROADS. *TR
Power train, Jun 9, 2009
TRANSMISSION COOLANT LEAK. ROLLS BACK, ENGINE SHUTS OFF, LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID. ACCIDENT RISK. FORD NOT GOING TO REPLACE BAD PART. *TR
Power train, Jun 2, 2009
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED 4WD WITH APPROX. 29,000 MILES STARTED RUNNING A LITTLE LOUDER THAN NORMAL. THEN IT BEGAN SHAKING WHILE IN MOTION, USUALLY BETWEEN 35 TO 40MPH. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT HAS A BAD TRANSFER CASE. WHEN THE PART NEVER CAME IN I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A STOP SHIPMENT ON THE PART BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THEY FOUND IN THE MANUFACTURING. ALMOST A MONTH LATER THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE PART. HAD I NOT STILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY EXPENSIVE AND UPSETTING REPAIR. *TR
Power train, May 12, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN 02/2008. LAST WEEK MY ESCAPE STARTED STICKING WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PETAL AND IT WOULD LAG THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN JUMP AND JERK FORWARD. THEN I NOTICED THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOOK IT IN FOR THEM TO CHECK BECAUSE TRANSMISSION ISSUES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WELL BOY WAS I SURPRISED WHEN THE FORD DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM CALLED ME AND SAID THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $1600.00 TO FIX BECAUSE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND LINE WAS LEAKING AND THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN EXTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND HENCE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, ONLY INTERNAL PARTS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND NOW SEE THAT MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR 08 ESCAPES YET FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT BUT RIPPING OFF THEIR CONSUMERS. THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALER EVEN TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY WERE SEEING IN THE ESCAPES LATELY AND THAT THEY ARE FIXING THESE DAILY. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? HERE I THOUGHT I WAS DOING GOOD BY BUYING A NEW CAR LAST YEAR AND I AM HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH IT THAN I DID WITH MY 10 YEAR OLD MAZDA I TRADED IN FOR IT. *TR
Power train, May 8, 2009
I BOUGHT A FORD ESCAPE 2008 ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AGO. THE CAR STALLED OR DIED OUT SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. I THEN HAVE A FORD DEALER TO FIX THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING AND THE LEVEL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS VERY LOW. THEY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND THE CAR LOOKS NORMAL NOW. HOWEVER, I DID BRIEF RESEARCH OVER INTERNET, AND FOUND TRANSMISSION COOLER SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD ESCAPE. I SUSPECT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND RECALL SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PREVENT SIMILAR FAILURE HAPPEN ON OTHER CARS. *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
Power train, Apr 27, 2009
I HAD COME BACK FROM A BUSINESS TRIP AND HAD PARKED THE CAR AT THE AIRPORT. WHEN I STARTED DRIVING, THE CAR WAS LURCHING, FEELING LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THIS CONTINUED ALL THE WAY HOME. THE NEXT DAY, IT WORSENED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND DO MANY OTHER THINGS SURROUNDING THAT AS ALL THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. LUCKILY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Apr 17, 2009
I PURCHASED MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN DECEMBER, 2008 WITH 35K MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A LEAK IN MY TRANSMISSION COOLER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 ESCAPE. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE, BUT IT STILL IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. *TR