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, Engine, Jun 11, 2013
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID (FEH) "STOP VEHICLE SAFELY" RED TRIANGLE WARNING AND IMMEDIATE ENGINE SHUTDOWN DUE TO THE WELL-KNOWN DEFECT IN THE BOSCH OEM MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLING SYSTEM (MECS) PUMP IN THE 2005-2008 MODEL YEARS. SEE FORD TSB 08-24-5. IF THE NHTSA DID EVEN A CURSORY SEARCH ON THE INTERNET THEY WOULD SEE MANY, MANY HUNDREDS OF POSTINGS AND RELATED ACCIDENTS OR NEAR-MISSES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE FAILURE IS ONLY TRIGGERED BY DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR DRIVING UP STEEP HILLS AND THE SHUTDOWN IS IMMEDIATE (NO PRIOR WARNING), CAUSING SUDDEN AND SIGNIFICANT DROP IN SPEED AND FRANTIC ACTIONS BY THE DRIVER TO ABRUPTLY STEER THE UNPOWERED CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THERE ARE NO EXTERNAL INDICATORS TO WARN OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SUDDEN SLOWDOWN AND LANE CHANGE AND THE DRIVER DARE NOT USE THE BRAKES TO SIGNAL OTHERS BECAUSE TO HIT THE BRAKES WITH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE ALREADY QUICKLY SLOWING TO A STOP WOULD CAUSE THE FEH TO ABRUPTLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. ALTHOUGH THIS PART IS UNIQUE TO THE HYBRID VERSIONS OF ESCAPES, FORD REFUSES TO CLASSIFY IT AS A UNIQUE HYBRID COMPONENT (WHICH WOULD BE COVERED BY THE 8 YR 100,000 MI WARRANTY) AND ROUTINELY CHARGES $800 TO REPLACE IT. IN MY CASE FAILURES HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, ALWAYS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. TWO OF THE FAILURES NEARLY CAUSED MULTIPLE CAR PILEUPS BECAUSE THE INTERSTATE WAS FULL OF CARS AND SEMIS WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT. I AM FRANKLY SHOCKED THAT THE NHTSA DIDN'T REQUIRE A RECALL YEARS AGO FOR A WELL-KNOWN AND COMMON DEFECT THAT WITHOUT WARNING CAUSES FEH'S TO ABRUPTLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY SLOW DOWN SPECIFICALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS OR STEEP HILL CLIMBS, FORCING THE DRIVER TO ABRUPTLY CHANGE LANES TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ARE BEING PREPARED. ISN'T IT TIME THE NHTSA ADDRESSED THIS VERY SERIOUS DEFECT? *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 6, 2013
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE IN OVERDRIVE. IT THEN WENT OUT AND REVVED UP TO 5,000 RPM'S AND WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE IN OVER DRIVE OR DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET REAR ENDED. I HAD TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AND LIMP IT HOME. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 31, 2013
MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME APPROX 5:30 PM ON A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD FROM AN ERRAND AND THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" LIGHT CAME ON. AT THAT POINT SHE COULD NOT GET OVER DUE TO TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN A HILL INTO A TURN LANE NEARLY HITTING AN ONCOMING CAR AND STOP THE CAR. WE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND BRING IT HOME. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE COOLANT MOTOR TO THE BATTERY WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE HYBRID BATTERY TO OVERHEAT THEREBY SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY. THIS IS TO PREVENT THE HYBRID BATTERY FROM OVERHEATING. I DO UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THIS TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE, BUT THESE SHOULD BE REPLACED EVERY 50,000 MILES TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM SHUTTING OFF . WE WERE GETTING READY TO DRIVE ON A 600 MILE TRIP IN THIS CAR AND WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE WAY THE WARRANTY IS WRITTEN, IT IS NOT COVERED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY ESPECIALLY AFTER 50,000 MILES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND PROVIDE A RECALL AND/OR FIX TO THIS PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, May 28, 2013
DURING A 300 MILE TRIP, THE FEH "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING CAME ON AND CAR SHUT DOWN. WE WERE ON A BUSY LA HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY, READ UP ON THAT WARNING SYMBOL AND RESTARTED CAR WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT THEN. 25 DAYS LATER, DRIVING THE CAR ON 45 MINUTE TRIP, 'STOP SAFELY NOW' LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY. HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES, WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART CAR. AGAIN THIS WAS HIGHWAY DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NO CAR SHOULD JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING. *TR
Power train, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE REVVED BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Power train, May 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE CONDENSER AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,400.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 9, 2013
DRIVING ALONG, MY WIFE SUDDENLY NOTICED THAT BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. DASHBOARD STATES ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, AND REGEN SYSTEM FAILURE. SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF. RESTARTING, FAILURE LIGHTS STILL COME UP, BRAKING STILL EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE BRAKE FLUID IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE! IT'D BEEN FILLED AT LAST OIL CHANGE (LESS THAN 1500 MILES AGO) TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP. AFTER 2 DAYS, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HCU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THAT THEY WOULD BE SPECIAL ORDER PARTS AND THAT IT'D COST EXTRA $ FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE REPAIR. (I'D TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT I'D RESEARCHED AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE, FORD HAS MANY TSBS OUT FOR THIS, CALLS INTO QUESTION THE TRAINING OR THE ABILITY OF THIS DEALERSHIP TO PROPERLY DO THE REPAIR) FORD IS THE ONLY SUPPLIER FOR PARTS FOR THIS PARTICULAR REPAIR, AND THEY CHARGE A PREMIUM PRICE FOR THEM! $7000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO REPAIR A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD BE VOLUNTARILY RECALLING. IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST MAKE THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR A LOT LESS MONEY! *TR CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE IN JULY 2014 TO MARK MILLER TOYOTA IN SALT LAKE CITY, UT. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
Power train, Mar 1, 2013
ON, OR ABOUT THE DATE LISTED ABOVE, AND SEVERAL INCIDENTS LATER, OUR 208 FORD ESCAPE CONTINUES TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS YIELDED NO CODES. AFTER ALMOST TWO WEEKS IN THE SHOP, WE NEEDED OUR CAR BACK, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO DRIVE IT AND LET MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER DRIVE MY HONDA BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, AND DOCUMENT ON THIS OFFICIAL WEBSITE, THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY NHTSA AND AN INVESTIGATION TO THIS PROBLEM WAS STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2013 BY YOUR AGENCY. THIS PROBLEM, AS NOTED BY SO MANY OTHERS, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED IN MVAS AS A RESULT. NOT SURE IF ANYONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET, BUT THAT IS INEVITABLE DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INITIATE LEGISLATURE OR A MANDATE, OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO, SO THAT FORD IS FORCED TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM PERSONALLY HOLDING FORD, AND THE NHTSA RESPONSIBLE IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN AN EXPEDITIOUS MANNER. GOD FORBID THAT THERE SHOULD BE ANYMORE INJURIES, OR ANYONE KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS ALREADY DOCUMENTED AND BEING INVESTIGATED. REMEMBER: ONCE YOU START AN INVESTIGATION, YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2013
DRIVING ALONG AND THE WRENCH ICON COMES ON WHILE THE VEHICLE STALLS AND DECELERATES. THIS ISSUE REOCCURS CONSISTENTLY AND APPEARS TO BE THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO SMOOTHLY TRANSITION AUTOMATICALLY INTO 2ND/3RD GEAR. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED SINCE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Feb 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY BOTH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO BOTH ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 03/01/13*LJ UPDATED 03/07/13
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
Power train, Feb 6, 2013
AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES WITH THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND THEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, UPON STARTING BACK UP THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS UNTIL THE ENGINE GOT UP TO 5000RPM. WHEN IT DID SWITCH IT SEEMED TO CHANGE INTO 3RD GEAR INSTEAD OF 2ND BECAUSE I HAD ALMOST NO POWER AND HAD TO VERY SLOWLY ACCELERATE FROM THERE. FURTHER, IT REMAINED IN 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NEVER SWITCH TO 4TH. THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHERE THE CARS BEHIND ME EXPECTED A CONTINUOUS ACCELERATION TO 50MPH. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR-ENDED. MY MECHANIC HAS DETERMINED THAT 2ND GEAR AND 4TH GEAR ARE GONE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST 2008 FORD ESCAPES AND A $2500 REPAIR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 1, 2013
MY GAS PEDAL STICKS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. I'VE TALKED TO FORD ABOUT IT AND 3 OTHER MECHANICS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY. I HAVE A HEATED GARAGE SO IT'S NOT FROZEN. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT IS EMBARRASSING AND DANGEROUS! *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 13, 2012
WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL IS STICKING, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILURES RESULTING IN STALL/SURGE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IA A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY . THERE CURRENTLY IS NOT A RECALL TO THIS YEAR MODEL. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
Power train, Dec 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
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
Power train, Nov 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH 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 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Power train, Nov 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power train, Nov 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CONNECTOR THAT LINKED THE TRANSMISSION TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.
Power train, Nov 8, 2012
TRANSMISSION LUNGING BACK AND FORTH FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS. THESE HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Nov 7, 2012
A PROBLEM THAT SURFACED AGAIN AFTER EXPERIENCES MANY TIMES SINCE THE ABOVE MENTIONED INCIDENT DATE: A WRENCH SIGN WAS COMING ON THE DASHBOARD FREQUENTLY, AND SOMETIMES DISAPPEARED ITSELF WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING.SIMILAR SIGN OR INDICATION FOR OIL CHANGE WAS ALSO EXPERIENCED EVEN AFTER A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE WAS DONE WITH THE DEALER. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED IN EARLY PERIOD, I (THE CUSTOMER) WAS ADVISED TO DISREGARD, BECAUSE THE MECHANIC FORGOT TO RESET AFTER THE OIL SERVICE, WHEN FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOTIFIED TODAY (11/7/12), IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SERVICE ISSUE, WHICH I DO NOT AGREE. SINCE THE PROBLEM EXISTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IN EARLY STAGES AFTER THE PURCHASE, MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH BATTERY DOOR WHICH MALFUNCTIONS, AND DOES NOT ALLOW VENTILATION ON & OFF. THE BATTERY WAS DOWN, ALL CONTROLS DISAPPEARED AND THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN POSITION ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO (APPROXIMATE JUNE 2010). THAT TIME A MAJOR SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, WHICH REQUIRED A MONTH LONG PERIOD TO FIX IT. (SAFECAR REFERENCE 365127). UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM YOUR OFFICE ON THIS PAST ISSUE AND COMPLAINT. SINCE BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE TO DO WITH BATTERY AND MONITORING DEVICES, I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM FOR SAFETY OF ALL USING THIS MODEL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS ON BATTERY VENT DOOR FUNCTIONING. THANKS *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.
Power train, Oct 22, 2012
2008 FORD ESCAPE WITH 76500 MILES. STARTED VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, WHEN I DID IT SHIFTED REAL HARD AND MADE A SQUEELING NOISE. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING WHEN PLACING IN REVERSE. *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