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: service brakes
292 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jul 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, IT BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC BUT RAN A RED LIGHT WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 8, 2014
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR JERKED/PULSATES AND ABS INDICATOR BLINKED. THE PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Mar 24, 2014
FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, WHENEVER I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND BEGIN TO BACK UP, I LOSE MY STEERING ABILITY. THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET MY STEERING WHEEL TO WORK AGAIN IS IF I TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. WELL, TODAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD NOT KICK BACK IN. I HAVE READ THROUGH MANY COMPLAINTS ON HERE AS WELL AS OTHER SITES AND SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2008 ESCAPE. I HAVE SEEN THAT IT CAN COST OVER $1400 TO GET IT FIXED!! I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY RIGHT NOW!! THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT TO TELL ME THAT SOMETHING IN THE POWER STEERING WAS GOING IS RIDICULOUS!! IN THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, GET A NEW BATTERY, GET BRAKES, TIRES,NEW GAS TANK, NEW SENSOR FOR THE HEATING CONTROL, AND THE LIST CONTINUES. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND JUST PAST 100,000 MILES!!! I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THESE THINGS ALREADY!! I AM NOT ABOUT TO PUT ANOTHER $1400+ IN THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER ESCAPES. TIME TO DO A RECALL PEOPLE OR YOU CAN GLADLY TAKE THIS CAR BACK!! *TR
Service brakes, Feb 25, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES ON IT WITH A HISTORY OF NO ACCIDENTS AND WELL KEPT MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THIS MORNING WITH NO NOTICE THE BRAKE ABS INDICATOR LITE UP WITH A WARNING "REGEN BRAKED DISABLE" AND "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE CENTER" FOR WHICH I DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. ONE HOUR LATER AND TWO CODES I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF C-1475 AND C-1312 AND AN ESTIMATE OF $5400 FOR THE REPAIR LEFT ME IN SHOCK. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND A CAR BARELY USED IN 5 AND A HALF YEARS COULD HAVE SUCH A MAJOR CATASTROPHIC PROBLEM IF IT COULD NOT BE LINKED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER? I AM LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY, AS THE BREAKS BECAME DIFFICULT TO USE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM, AS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS BEGINNING AS EARLY AS 2005 MODELS. I UNDERSTAND WEAR AND TEAR ON A CAR IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER, HOWEVER, IF IT IS MAINTAINED WELL AND EVEN THE MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN THE HCU AND ECU GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME, FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 21, 2013
I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY SLOPING DRIVEWAY ONTO A VERY NARROW AND BUSY HILLSIDE RESIDENTIAL STREET. WITH CARS COMING DOWN THE HILL PAST OUR DRIVEWAY IT IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL THAT I HAVE AN OPERATIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND I WENT SHOOTING OUT INTO THE STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY REPAIR SHOP THAT I FREQUENT FOR MOST SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. THEY GOT IN THE CAR TO TEST DRIVE IT AND HAD NO PROBLEM WHATEVER WITH THE BRAKES. THEY PUT AN ELECTRONIC SCANNER ON THE ENGINE AND IT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS ONE OR MORE PROBLEMS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM ALTHOUGH THE TEST DRIVE WENT FINE. THEY SAID THAT WITH THE SCANNER MESSAGE THAT WAS REPORTED, I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH SAME AND WILL HAVE THE OUTCOME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. NONE OF THAT REALLY MATTERS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I NOW HAVE A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, LET ALONE HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DRIVE IT. FROM ALL OF THE SIMILAR, IF NOT EXACT, INCIDENTS I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT ON THE WEB IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKELY THAT THE DEALER IS GOING TO FIND A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, THAT CAR IS USELESS TO ANYONE ELSE SO WHAT DO I DO WITH IT. *TR
Service brakes, Nov 25, 2013
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON HEARD A BEEP AND HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER . I EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY ENTERING THE CAR IN TO NEUTRAL AND HITTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED ON AGAIN IT WENT AWAY, MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS GOING TO COST $1200 MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE PARTS RELATED WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE IT'S SAFETY RELATED. *TR
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
Service brakes, Oct 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Service brakes, Sep 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS, BRAKE AND REGENERATIVE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND SPONGY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Service brakes, Sep 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY APPLIED THE BRAKES ITSELF, WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT ALL, RAPIDLY BRINGING THE CAR FROM 40 MPH TO ABOUT 5 MPH. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD WITH NO ONE BEHIND ME, SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. IN ORDER TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY TO SOMEWHERE SAFE ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I HAD TO SHIFT DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR AND ALMOST FLOOR THE GAS IN ORDER TO FIGHT AGAINST THE HEAVILY APPLIED BRAKE SYSTEM. ONCE OUT OF THE WAY, I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A LOCAL GARAGE. THE GARAGE FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING A BROKEN "TONE RING" ON THE CAR - A TOOTHED RING AROUND THE AXLE THAT THE ABS SYSTEM USES TO MEASURE WHETHER THE WHEELS ARE SLIPPING. A CRACK IN THE RING HAD WIDENED THE GAP BETWEEN TWO OF THE TEETH, MAKING THE ABS COMPUTER GO HAYWIRE THINKING THAT THE WHEELS WERE SLIPPING. SINCE THEN IN 15000 ADDITIONAL MILES, I'VE HAD ALL THREE OTHER TONE RINGS BRAKE, CAUSING SIMILAR SITUATIONS TO DIFFERENT DEGREES. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THE FORD ESCAPE, AND THAT THE TONE RING - DESPITE BEING HIGHLY EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR - IS MADE OUT OF VERY CORRODIBLE MATERIAL AND THEY SEE THEM BREAK ALL THE TIME. MY EXPERIENCE AFFIRMS THIS OBSERVATION, AND HIGHLIGHTS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD EASILY BE FIXED BY FORD USING MORE ROBUST QUALITY MATERIALS TO MAKE THE TONE RING. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 30, 2013
THE TONE RING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPLIT CREATING A PULSATING SENSATION SIMILAR TO THE ABS PULSATING-HOWEVER THE ABS WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T ENGAGE THE STABILITY SENSOR FLASHES FOR AS LONG AS THE PULSATING OCCURS. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHILE DECELERATING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED. I HAD THE ISSUE FIXED. THEN THE ISSUE APPEARED AGAIN IN MARCH 2013. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO BE FIXED AND AFTER THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CV AXLE AND RING THE ISSUE STILL WASN'T CORRECTED AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED FURTHER. THIS ISSUE IS AN ANNOYANCE AND UNCOMFORTABLE FOR ANY PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCES THIS ISSUE. THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM ARE NOT 'CHEAP.' FORD SHOULD ADDRESS AND PROVIDE A REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T CAUSE UNDUE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO THE OWNER. *TR
Structure, Service brakes, Jul 22, 2013, crash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SPEED OF < THAN 5MPH AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SPED UP OUT OF CONTROL TO A SPEED OF 40-50MPH TRIED TO MASH BRAKES TO THE FLOOR, BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED JUMPED A FENCE AND HIT A HUGE TREE OFF IN A RAVINE. TWO MEN WERE WATCHING AS THE CAR SPED UP AND RAN TO PULL ME FROM THE WRECKAGE AFTER THE CRASH, I WAS PINNED IN ON THE DRIVER SIDE, I SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 10, 2013
SAME THING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING. I HAVE PHOTOS FOR EACH INCIDENT. ABS LIGHTS, CHECK BRAKES LIGHT. AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS LIGHT UP. REGEN BRAKES DISENGAGED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX] AT FUTURE FORD HE ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT TIME IT DOES IT, DURING BUSINESS HOURS SINCE THERE ARE NO OPTIONS FOR AFTER HOURS. I GET OFF WORK AT 5PM AND PICK UP MY KIDS AND BY THE TIME THAT IS DONE THERE IS NOT TIME TO MAKE IT BACK TO DEALER. I AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE PICK UP KIDS SO WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN TOMORROW I CAN GO STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP AFTER WORK OR ON MY LUNCH. I ALSO PLAN ON HAVING THEM CHECK THE TONE RINGS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP, BUT HAVE STILL NOT ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OTHERS HAVE HAD REGARDING SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 9, 2013
I LEFT WORK. PICKED UP DAUGHTER. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON @ 530PM. DROVE TO PICK UP BOYS FROM SUMMER PROGRAM. GET IN CAR. LIGHTS OFF. 553PM. PUT CAR IN REVERSE. SAME LIGHTS REAPPEAR. 555PM. REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. TAKES PEDAL TO FLOOR TO STOP AND FEEL PRESSURE OF BRAKES. CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND ROLLING BACK ON INCLINE UNLESS BRAKES ARE ALL THE WAY APPLIED. TALKED TO [XXX] AT DEALERSHIP EARLIER. SAID TO BRING IN WHEN LIGHTS WERE ON, DURING BUSINESS HOURS. SAID THAT FORD WAS UNABLE TO HELP DUE TO NO WARRANTY. SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE HCU UNIT. I ASKED WHY THIS WASN'T MENTIONED AT MY INSPECTION A WEEK AGO. HE SAID IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING FINE WHEN THEY LOOK AT IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Jul 9, 2013
BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. THEY HAVE NOT COME ON FOR 2 DAYS, AND THEY ARE BACK ON. HAD CAR SERVICED A WEEK EARLIER. FORD SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES, BUT THEY "SUSPECT" MASTER CYLINDER POSSIBLY. INTERNET SEARCH YIELDS DISTURBING INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER FORD ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. LIGHTS SEEM TO OCCUR MORE ON DAYS WHERE TEMPERATURE IS HIGHER. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 2, 2013
I WAS JUST ABOUT TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR FELT FUNNY. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND SAW THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS. THE DISPLAY READ, "CHECK BRAKES SOON" I CALLED A FRIEND FOR ASSISTANCE. HE ADDED SOME BRAKE FLUID AND SUGGESTED I BRING IT TO BE SERVICED. I DROVE HOME. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO DROP THE CAR OFF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING, THE LIGHTS WERE OFF, BUT I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP ANYWAY. THE SERVICE PROVIDER,[XXX], SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT THEY "THOUGHT" THAT IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER. THEY SAID THE BRAKES LOOKED FINE, AND IF I HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS TO CALL BACK. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. DROVE AROUND THE CORNER TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. (5:35PM). I STOPPED AS SOON AS I COULD GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND CALLED [XXX] BACK. HE SAID TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN THE MORNING AND HE WOULD LOOK AT IT AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN THE MORNING 7:15AM. THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AGAIN. I PICKED THE CAR UP AT 5:15 PM AND [XXX] RE-ITERATED HIS PREVIOUS SUGGESTIONS. I DROVE THE CAR HOME, AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AS I WAS EXITING THE FREE-WAY. AGAIN, THE BRAKES TOOK MORE PRESSURE TO STOP. I CALLED DON AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE. HE SAID NO. I ASKED IF I REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE PROBLEMS PERSISTS, WHAT WOULD OUR NEXT STEP BE? HE SAID ESSENTIALLY THAT WE WOULD ADDRESS THAT IF THAT SHOULD HAPPEN, BUT THAT TYPICALLY ONE PROBLEM MAY CO-EXIST WITH ANOTHER PROBLEM, SO UNTIL THEY ADDRESS THE FIRST PROBLEM, THEY MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE 2ND PROBLEM. I ALSO SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE FORD COMPANY THIS AFTERNOON. I ASKED IF FORD HAS TAKEN ANY ACTION AGAINST THE NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR SITUATIONS AS ARE POSTED ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Service brakes, Jun 12, 2013, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AROUND 5-10 MPH, HIT THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. THE CAR TOOK OF AT AROUND 40-50MPH JUMPED A FENCE AND CRASHED INTO A RAVINE, HITTING A BIG TREE. I WAS PINNED IN THE AUTOMOBILE HIT MY HEAD AND INJURED MY LEG. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE I SUFFERED A SPINAL CORD INJURY AND A HUGE HEMATOMA ON MY LEFT LEG. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Apr 23, 2013
DURING LUNCH HOUR SLOWED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND BRAKES SEEMED TO LOCK AND GRIND. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE LOCKED UP FOR A FEW SECONDS. VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME DUE TO VEHICLE FAILURE. LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE AFTER ACCELERATING TO ABOUT 25 MPH. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MORE MINUTES THEY ILLUMINATED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. DURING DRIVE HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES AND ALWAYS WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. NOW ABS LIGHT WON'T GO OFF AT ALL. *TR
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
Service brakes, Mar 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SEIZED THEN STALLED. THE ABS BAND AND SKID CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED BUT THE COMPUTER RESET ITSELF AND SHOWED NO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ABS BAND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED TO CONTACT NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 12, 2013
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS MODULE FAILURE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS, BEFORE IT WAS DETERMINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
Service brakes, Jan 27, 2013, crash
APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO WHEN DRIVING I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HAD VERY LITTLE EFFECTIVENESS DURING A STOP IN SLOW SPEED TRAFFIC. INSTINCTIVELY I KEPT PRESSING THE PEDAL DOWN HARDER WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING BUT WAS SHAKEN UP. I BLEW IT OFF THINKING I BRAKED TOO LATE. ON 1/26/2013 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING LOW SPEED TRAFFIC AGAIN SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND WE WERE ROLLING ABOUT 15 MPH. BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND EFFECTIVELY, CAUGHT MY ATTENTION AND PUSHED VERY HARD. PLENTY OF ROOM IN FRONT THOUGH TO SOMEWHAT COAST-BRAKE TO A STOP. LESS THEN 30 SECONDS LATER, TRAFFIC STILL STOP AND GO, WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO BRAKE I PUSHED ON BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO BRAKING. PUSHED THE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE- NOTHING- AND COASTED INTO THE REAR END OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LOW SPEED IMPACT WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO CAR IN FRONT. FRONT BUMPER, GRILL AND RADIATOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THANKFUL IT WAS NOT DURING HIGH SPEED DRIVING. DID SOME RESEARCH ON INTERNET TO FIND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE HYBRID VEHICLES WITH THE "HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT" SOMETIMES NOT FUNCTIONING. TAKING CAR TO DEALERS TO DROP IT OFF FOR COLLISION ESTIMATE AND HAVE THEM LOOK INTO BRAKING SYSTEM. APPROXIMATE COST REPAIR ACCORDING TO OTHER REPORTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS $4,000.I FEEL VERY UNSURE ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN ONCE IT IS FIXED AND IF PROBLEM CAN BE IDENTIFIED. AND IF FORD CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM WHERE DO I GO WITH IT? NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS IN REPORTS I READ LAST NIGHT WHERE FORD COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN TO OWNER AGAIN. I AM NOW IN THAT SAME BOAT. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 12, 2012
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATION. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESUMES NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS UNLESS THE MALFUNCTION WAS ACTUALLY OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 5, 2012
MY THIRD FORD AND AGAIN RIGHT FRONT ABS RING CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 1, 2012
THE HCU UNIT WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO HYBRID ESCAPES WENT OUT ON ME CAUSING ABS TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY (BRAKES TURNED TO SPONGE). I WAS INSIDE OF WARRANTY 8YEARS/ 100000 MILES UNIQUE HYBRID COMPONENT. I HAD LESS THAN 48,000 AND WAS INSIDE OF FOUR YEARS OF HAVING BOUGHT THE HYBRID SUV BRAND NEW. CONTACTED FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH THEN DIRECTED ME TO FORD CORPORATE OFFICE. THEY SAID THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE UNIQUE HYBRID COMPONENT!! I HAD ROOM TO STOP SO I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THE HCU UNIT WENT OUT. *TR CONSUMER SOLD THE TRUCK IN 2012. CONSUMER TOOK FORD TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT IN ALEXANDRIA, VA AND WON 4K. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB