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, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2014
WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE, A WARNING LIGHT IN THE SHAPE OF A WRENCH STAYED ON. I LOOK IN THE MANUAL AND THIS SAID POWERTRAIN. UPON FURTHER CHECKING, I FOUND THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THESE ESCAPES. WHEN I STOP AT THE RAILROAD TRACK OR AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD WHEN I TAKE OFF. THE SHIFTING IS ROUGH AT TIMES. I ALSO JUST HAD TO HAVE THE DOME LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE REPLACED. THIS, TOO, I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AND ALSO THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON. THIS WAS A 103.88 REPAIR JOB AND THE DOME LIGHT, AFTER BEING REPLACED, IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY. WHEN THIS HAVING TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY, I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A REPLACEMENT LIGHT THAT FIT THE ROOF CORRECTLY. *TR
Power train, Jan 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE 2-4 BAND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Power train, Jan 15, 2014
WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP OR EVEN START TO SLOW DOWN AND START TO GO AGAIN MY CAR (TRANSMISSION) WOULD JUMP, REV UP TO 4/5 RPMS AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AS SOON AS IT WOULD DO THIS AND IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING WITHOUT ME EVEN ON THE GAS, ALWAYS TWICE MEANWHILE AGAIN STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. MY (WRENCH) LIGHT ALSO CAME ON WHICH SHOWED POWERTRAIN/CONTROL THROTTLE. AFTER TAKING IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP THEY ARE QUOTING ME $3500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM OH AND DID I MENTION MY WARRANTY ENDED A MONTH IN A HALF AGO! I KNOW I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHERS THIS IS HAPPENING TO AND SINCERELY BELIEVE FORD IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT OR WANTING TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Dec 9, 2013
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE; ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR
Power train, Nov 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 595 SPEED OF 65 MPH THE CAR JUST LOST POWER CAUSING TO REDUCE SPEED FAST WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. HAD TO MOVE FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE ON RUSH HOUR ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Nov 11, 2013
I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD STALL AND THEN PUNCH IN AND TAKE OFF. THEN I WOULD PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WAS KIND OF SCARY. IF SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I COULD HAVE HIT THEM. THAT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND FINALLY IT WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. MY TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT ON ME. WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT AND I STILL OWE $15,600 ON IT NOW AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO I HAVE TO TRY TO COME UP WITH $3700 TO FIX THIS????? THIS VEHICLE JUST GOT BROKEN IN WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. I'M SO UPSET. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THIS VEHICLE! WHERE IS THE RECALL ON IT? I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS! *TR
Power train, Nov 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2013
WHILE EXITING A STATE ROUTE ON A OFF RAMP I WAS APPLYING BRAKES ON A TURN. THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, CHECK BRAKES WARNING CAME ON AND I LOST ALL OF MY BRAKES. FAULT CODES THAT ARE SETTING ARE U2023,C1526,C1477. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO REPAIR IT YOU MUST REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER $850 AND ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY $3500. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 17, 2013
IT WAS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013. THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 62 DEGREES. IT WAS SUNNY. THE STREETS WERE DRY. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH FROM AUSTIN TO NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS ON I-35 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 A.M. I HAD THE SPEED CONTROL SET FOR 55 M.P.H. AS I WAS LEAVING SAN MARCOS, AN ALARM TONE SOUNDED, AND THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY SHOWED "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER USING BATTERY POWER ONLY AT LESS THAN 20 MILES AN HOUR, CAUSING ISSUES WITH OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE, WITH MANY OF THE OTHER DRIVERS ANXIOUS TO GET TO WORK. I STOPPED THE CAR, AND WHEN IT WAS SAFE TO DO SO, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DID A PERIMETER SCAN FOR ISSUES. NONE WERE DETECTED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND CHECKED FOR UNTOWARD ISSUES. THERE WAS NO SMOKE. THE ENGINE WASN'T OVERLY HOT. OIL WAS FULL TO THE APPROPRIATE MARK. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD THE VEHICLE TO ME ABOUT 1790 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND A FULL DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WITHOUT ANY ISSUES DETECTED. AFTER COMPLETING THIS CHECK, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE FOR ANOTHER 20 OR SO MILES WHEN THE ALARM AND DISPLAY REPEATED AS ABOVE. AGAIN THERE WERE NO ISSUES. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE 75 MILE COMMUTE. THE RETURN TRIP HAD NO ISSUES. SINCE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING IN FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC, THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE THE FIRST ESCAPE HYBRIDS WERE ON THE ROAD, AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO DEFINITIVE PROBLEM OR CORRECTION. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA EXAMINE THIS TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL SHOULD BE PERFORMED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY ALARM THAT SHUTS THE VEHICLE DOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Power train, Oct 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COOLING PUMP SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Sep 16, 2013
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS UNTIL 3250-3750 RPM. WRENCH WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON. *TR
Power train, Sep 16, 2013
AS I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE INTERSTATE MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE SURGED AND SPEED DECELERATED. THE WRENCH WARNING SYMBOL CAME ON WHICH IS THE "THROTTLE/POWERTRAIN" WARNING LIGHT. THE RPM'S GO AS HIGH AS 4,000 RPM'S BEFORE IT CHANGES GEARS. I TOOK IT INTO AAMCO TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED $3,000.00 SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH IS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM NOW. AS I READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED, NOT JUST A SERVICE BULLETIN. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND CORRECT THERE MISTAKES. I FEEL THIS IS A STRONG SAFETY ISSUE AS IT MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Power train, Aug 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TT
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 27, 2013
FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM CAUSES THE IMMEDIATE SHUTDOWN OF THE VEHICLE LEAVING DRIVER NO POWER TO MOVE TO A SAFE AREA. THERE IS NO WARNING BUT JUST AN IMMEDIATE ELECTRICAL SHUTOFF UNTIL DRIVER CAN MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE AND LEFT US IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BEFORE I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART CLAIMING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR HYBRID WARRANTY ALTHOUGH THE PART IS INTEGRAL TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM. PART SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE FATALITIES OCCUR. *TR
Power train, Aug 21, 2013
MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 55,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM HAVING TONS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE ISSUES. I AM VERY STRICT WHEN IT COMES TO CHANGING MY OIL AND HAVING THINGS SERVICED ON THIS VEHICLE. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES, ESPECIALLY AT UNDER 60,000 MILES. I FEEL FORD SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE. THEY KNOW THERE IS ISSUES WITH THIS MODELS TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE HELP, ANY ADVISE WELCOME. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 19, 2013
JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE GIVE OUT ON ME. AFTER READING MULTIPLE ARTICLES ON THE WEB, I SAW IT WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A SERVICE NOTICE FOR A FORD CAR WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS MY ESCAPE. I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT I HAVE LESS THAN 50K MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW AM HAVING TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO ME BECAUSE THEY ARE USING FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. THAT THEY KNOW ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR
Power train, Aug 6, 2013
I WAS ACCELERATING UP A HILL, WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER. THE CAR WOULD REV UP BUT NOT CHANGE GEARS. WHEN I GOT IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID AN INTERMEDIATE BAND BROKE ON THE TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY THE ESCAPE IS KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE 2ND AND 4TH GEARS GO OUT ON THEM. FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIR WHICH WAS $1358.41. THIS IS THE SECOND ESCAPE I HAD WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD SUV AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 21, 2013
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A SUMMER NIGHT AT AROUND 9:00 PM, THE CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED, A RED WARNING TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE DASH MESSAGE SCREEN SAID, "STOP SAFELY NOW." I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF, AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING AFTER A FEW MINUTES. ON 5 SEPARATE TRIPS SUBSEQUENTLY, THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER HAS HAPPENED, OFTEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. THE FAILURE OFTEN HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME TRIP. EACH TIME THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED HAS BEEN IN THE SUMMER AND IN THE LATE AFTERNOON OR EVENING. EACH TIME THE CAR CAN BE RESTARTED ONCE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jul 20, 2013
DRIVING HOME, CAME TO A STOP (RED LIGHT) WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND MY TRUCK WOULDN'T MOVED, THEN I LET GO OF PEDAL AND DID IT AGAIN AND MY TRUCK JOLTED AND STARTED MOVING. AS I WAS DRIVING AND TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED MY TRUCK WOULD SHIFT..IF I TRIED TO PASS 30 MPH IT FELT LIKE IT WAS DECREASING. EVERY TIME I CAME TO A FULL STOP IT KEPT REPEATING THE SAME SITUATION, PRESS GAS PEDAL AND NO MOVEMENT. IT WAS PRETTY SCARY BECAUSE HERE IN CALIFORNIA THERE ARE FAST DRIVERS AND I WAS AFRAID THAT IF MY CAR WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER I WOULD BE HIT, AND I HAD MY SON AND NEPHEW IN THE CAR. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING, NEVER DID I EVER HAVE ISSUES WITH FORD TIL NOW AND WHAT MAKES IT WORSE THERE ARE NO WARNINGS IT JUST HAPPENS. NOW ITS COSTING MORE THEN $300 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS. BUT WHO IS TO SAY THAT AFTER I SPEND ALL THAT MONEY THIS WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. I SHOULD BE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AND THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED ME ABOUT THIS AND FIXED IT. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 14, 2013
VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. RPM'S ARE RAISED TO HIGH BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 6, 2013
VEHICLE STARTUP IS VERY SLOW AND AFTER 35 MPH CHANGEUP MAKES A VERY STRONG AND WHEN I STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS COME BACK AGAIN THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 21, 2013
ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ALL OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER AT LEAST 40 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON A HOT DAY, THE CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED RAPIDLY. A RED TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS: "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW AND TURN OFF ENGINE". ALL 4 TIMES I WAS DRIVING AROUND 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE. ALL 4 TIMES THE CAR STARTED AGAIN NORMALLY AFTER A FEW MINUTES. AFTER THE 3RD INCIDENT, I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN SOON, AND IT STALLED AGAIN AFTER 10 MORE MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. FIRST INCIDENT LATE JULY 2012, THEN LATE AUGUST 2012, AND TWICE ON JUNE 19, 2013. THIS IS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE, AND I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY NOT TO BE REAR ENDED. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR SEE ANY CODES IN DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER, REFUSES TO PURSUE. HELP!!!! *TR
Power train, Jun 12, 2013
ADDENDUM: ORIGINAL NHTSA#10283836 (SEPT 2009) BOUGHT CERTIFIED USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN 2009. BEFORE THE FIRST PAYMENT, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING ASSEMBLY BLEW, DUMPING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO MY DRIVEWAY (PART #8L8Z-19712-J, TSB 09 09 04). MILEAGE: 21,775. COST OF $1000+ REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FAST FORWARD, MAY 2013 (MILEAGE: 59,391). AS PREDICTED BACK IN 2009 BY MANY HERE ON THIS WEBSITE: COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT DIED IN 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC, AS I BLOCKED VEHICLES, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FLUSHED: 2009, 2011, 2012, AND TOPPED OFF OTHERWISE; MEASURES I TOOK TO PROTECT AGAINST THIS EXACT FAILURE. YET IT COMPLETELY FAILED, <60,000 ODOMETER MILES. THIS $3000 REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. CURRENT WARRANTY: NOW 12 MONTHS/12,000 MILES. MINUS TOW TRUCK, 2 MISSED WORK DAYS, AND LOSS OF USE OF MY VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS. IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THIS DANGEROUSLY FLAWED DESIGN (SHARING AN AC/TRANSMISSION CONDENSER) WILL FAIL YET AGAIN, EVEN AS SOON AS 6 MONTHS. THERE IS NO MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE CONDENSER ASSEMBLY ALLOWS THE FLUID TO REMAIN CHRONICALLY LOW FOR LONG PERIODS. I TOPPED MY FLUIDS REGULARLY & PROACTIVELY FLUSHED 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, YET THE TRANSMISSION STILL BURNED UP AND FAILED. NOTE THE REPETITION OF THE WORD ?BURNT? IN THE TECHNICIAN NOTES, EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS WERE LISTED AS OK. THE CONDENSER ASSEMBLY (W/ AC & TRANSMISSION SHARING A CONDENSER W/ A FLAWED WELD THAT BURSTS), AND THE CHRONIC PROBLEM W/ THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING THAT COMPLETELY FREEZES THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE ON FAILURE ARE HUGE SAFETY ISSUES. TRAGEDY IS PREDICTED. FOLLOWED W/ CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. MEMOS WILL REVEAL DISCUSSIONS ALL ALONG REGARDING THE EPIC FAIL OF THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. OUR SAFETY AND MAJOR INCONVENIENCE ARE MINOR COLLATERAL DAMAGE. *TR