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, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 10, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN A MALL PARKING LOT, AND WHEN I APPROACH A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STOP. I HAD TO USE THE FULL FORCE OF THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING/ CRASHING INTO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE ENGINE WAS STAYING ACCELERATED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO CLIMB IN RPMS EVEN THOU THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AWAY FROM OTHER CARS AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARKED. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO ABOUT 8000 RPMS. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE ENGINE WAS TO COMPLETELY TURN THE CAR OFF WITH THE KEY. UPON TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN THE PROBLEM DID NOT CONTINUE. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 17, 2012
MY WIFE LEFT WORK YESTERDAY AND WHEN SHE STARTED OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FWD THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. DURING HER SHORT DRIVE HOME THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM DISABLED WARNING CAME ACROSS THE INFO DISPLAY. BRAKING FELT FUNNY SO WE TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AND WERE SLAPPED WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $4700 TO REPLACE THEY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT AND WE FIND IT ABSURD THAT WE SHOULD BE MAKING A $4700 REPAIR IN THAT TIME FRAME WITH THAT MANY MILES. AFTER DOING A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED IN MULTIPLE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS SINCE 2005 AND IN MOST 2008 MODELS WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF MILES. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THE REPAIR, BUT WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD IN OUR LIVES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM THAT IS APPARENT FOR 2005 AND NEWER FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. DO SOMETHING FORD. AND IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT BUYING THIS VEHICLE, DON'T. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 12, 2012
RIGHT FRONT ABS TONE WHEEL IS CRACKED FOUND DURING OIL CHANGE. MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM... *TR
Service brakes, Sep 4, 2012
I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL WITH A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING, I STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKE. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND- ALMOST AS IF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY BUT SLOWED UNTIL I GOT TO THE STOP SIGN. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 4, 2012
AFTER MAKING A SLIGHT LEFT TURN, I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL WITH A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING, I STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKE. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND- ALMOST AS IF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT IMMEDIATELY AND THE BRAKES BEGAN WORKING APPROPRIATELY AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 2, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE WHEN VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER HOWEVER THE EXACT FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE SEVERAL REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE BUT THE SPECIFIC DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE PERMANENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DECLARE THE VEHICLE AS A LEMON THE FIFTH TIME THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE CEASED FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECURRING FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2012
THE STEERING WHEEL POPS WHEN TURNING. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD THE BRAKES WON'T PUSH DOWN. BATTERY GOES DEAD IF NOT DRIVEN DAILY. RADIO WONT PLAY AFTER REPLACE BATTERY THAT WAS DEAD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 23, 2012, crash
I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP WITH A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE. WE STOPPED IN BARSTOW, CA FOR LUNCH. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED JUMPING THE PARKING BLOCK AND THE CURB. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO THE BUILDING BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING SOME NEWSPAPER VENDING MACHINES. THE FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. BOTH MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF WERE PRETTY SHOOK UP AFTERWARDS. THE PERSON SITTING IN THE CAR NEXT TO US WHO WITNESSED THIS EVENT SAID THAT THERE WAS AN OLDER MAN STANDING RIGHT WHERE WE JUMPED THE CURB A FEW MOMENTS EARLIER. FORTUNATELY, HE HAD LEFT OR THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 13, 2012, crash
THIS IS MY SECOND SUBMISSION. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". IN THE PAST WHEN THIS HAPPENED I STILL HAD BRAKES BUT HAD TO MASH THEM DOWN TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THIS MORNING I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BY LYNCHED OUT AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH RATHER THAN A BUSY INTERSECTION. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I DON'T EVER WANT TO DRIVE THAT VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN WHO I AM THANKFUL WERE NOT WITH ME. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 10, 2012
THE ABS SYSTEM HAS BEEN GETTING DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK BREAK LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. BREAKS HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY RESULTING IN MY VEHICLE GOING TO FAR INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT STOPLIGHTS. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCUR YET. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER. ANOTHER PLACE DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND TOLD ME THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS FINE AND THE ALARMS ARE BEING SET OFF BECAUSE THE BATTERY PORTS WERE CORRODED. THEY CLEANED THEM, CLEARED THE CODES. A FEW DAYS LATER THE ALARMS WERE COMING BACK ON AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2012
STARTED VEHICLE AND BOTH THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WERE ON - THE MESSAGE SAID REGEN BRAKE HAD BEEN DISABLED AND THERE WAS A BRAKE ISSUE. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST 4 GRAND TO FIX. IT SEEMS THIS IS OCCURRING QUITE A BIT WITH FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS BUT THERE IS NO RECALL AS OF YET. *JS CONSUMER TRADED IN THE VEHICLE FOUR YEARS AGO AFTER THEY GOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE BRAKES. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Wheels, Feb 24, 2012
TIRES PROBLEM.... 04/09/2011-PURCHASED (USED) FORD ESCAPE 2008-XLT 4 WHEEL- MILEAGE 37583. 07/08/2011-MILEAGE- 40668- DRIVEN 3085 MILES* THE DEALER REPLACED ROTORS, BRAKES IN - (NO COST TO ME), DUE TO RUSTING & CORROSION, DEALER CLAIMED PROBABLY SAT ON LOT TOO LONG WITHOUT BEING MOVED. TIRES AT THIS TIME WERE REPORTED IN "GREEN" CODE- 08/11/2011-MILEAGE- 41229- DRIVEN 561 MILES* OIL CHANGE, TIRES AT THIS TIME WERE REPORTED IN "GREEN" CODE. 02/23/2012- MILEAGE- 44144- DRIVEN 2915 MILES* INSPECTION FAILED- DUE TO TIRES DRY ROT! TOTAL MILES DRIVEN IN 10 MONTHS* 6561. TIRES ARE GOODYEAR/MICHELIN X CROSS TERRAIN 225/65R17 DOTB93T. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Feb 8, 2012
THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 27, 2012, AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC NEAR MY HOME, THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FAILED, MY DASHBOARD READOUT INDICATING MY REGENERATIVE BRAKES HAVE DISENGAGED. I CAREFULLY RETURNED THE QUARTER MILE OR SO HOME, AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEARBY FAIRFIELD (CALIFORNIA) FORD DEALERSHIP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, BOTH IN ORDER TO AVOID OTHER DRIVERS, AND HAVE MY BRAKES REPAIRED. TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY TOOK MY VEHICLE WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED ME TO INFORM ME THAT TWO OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS ON MY VEHICLE HAD FAILED: ONE CONTROLLING THE REGENERATIVE BRAKES, THE SECOND CONTROLLING THE FANS USED TO COOL THE HYBRID VEHICLE'S BATTERIES. IN A MOMENT OF CANDOR, FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE[XXX] INFORMED ME THE UNUSUAL FAILURE WAS THE BRAKE-RELATED FAILURE, AS THE FORD OF FAIRFIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS REPLACING THE FAN-RELATED COMPUTER PART, "ALL THE TIME." MY CONCERNS ARE SIMILARLY TWO-FOLD: FIRST, THE THOUGHT THAT MY REGENERATIVE BREAKS SIMPLY DISENGAGED IS DISTURBING ENOUGH, AS IT PUT ME AND MY CHILDREN IN IMMEDIATE HARM. ALMOST MORE THAN THAT, THOUGH, IS THE FACT THAT THE COMPUTER PART CONTROLLING THE COOLING OF MY HYBRID'S BATTERIES APPEARS TO FAIL "ALL THE TIME." SINCE THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE PART OF MY VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE INFORMING ME THAT THE HYBRID BATTERY COOLING FAN WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, THERE IS SIMPLY NO KNOWING WHEN MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO THAT AFFECTING SOME VOLTS MANUFACTURED BY CHEVROLET. I AM INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE SIMILAR FAILURES TO NOT IMPACT OTHER OWNERS OF FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. SHOULD YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, MY DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, SHE NOTICED A JERKING SENSATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 3, 2012
THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ABS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RESULTING IN INTERNAL LOSS OF PRESSURE. THE ONLY REPAIR SOLUTION IS FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEN ENTIRE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AT A COST OF OVER $3000. IT SEEMS AWFULLY ODD THAT 1) ONLY THE DEALER CAN DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR ELEMENT, 2) ONLY THE DEALER CAN ORDER THE PARTS, 3) THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR JUST THE FAILING COMPONENT BUT THE WHOLE HCU MUST BE REPLACED, AND 4) THE COST IS SO EXTREME. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WHOSE HCU HAD FAILED AND IT SEEMS THIS MAY BE DEFECTIVE IN EITHER DESIGN OR IN FUNCTION. CERTAINLY MAKING IT A DEALER-ONLY REPAIR SEEMS SHADY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 21, 2011
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, THE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED, "SERVICE BRAKES" FLASHED ON THE DISPLAY, AND I LOST ALMOST ALL OF MY BRAKING POWER AS I WAS COMING UP ON A STOP SIGN. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP. LATER, AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, THE BRAKES WERE RESTORED. THIS HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. EACH TIME I START THE CAR, ALL IS OK, AS I ACCELLERATE, THERE IS A CLUNK AS IF THE ENGINE WANTS TO STALL BUT KEEPS GOING DUE TO MOMENTUM. A SCAN OF SYSTEM FAULTS SHOWS BRAKES ALL OK. I DRIVE THE CAR A FEW MILE AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CHECK BRAKES LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. CAR STILL SEEMS TO RUN FINE WITH ABS LIGHT AND CHECK BRAKES INDICATOR. BUT SOFT BRAKES ARE VERY WOORYSOME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 20, 2011
PURCHASED 2008 4 WHEEL DRIVE FEH USED IN NOV.2010. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FIRST OCCASION ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER START/STOP IGNITION BRAKES CAME BACK. TOOK TO FORD DEALER FOR CODES. NO CODES NOTED. SECOND OCCURRENCE OCT. 2011. BRAKES FAILED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE. ABS AND REGEN BRAKE DISABLED LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER KEPT CAR 8 DAYS. COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. CODES DID REGISTER. TALK OF A MASTER CYLINDER REPLACEMENT, BUT FAVORED RECHARGING ELEC. BATTERY AND CHANGED DIRTY FILTER ON IT. I WAS VERY LUCKY - IF THE BRAKES HAD FAILED AS THEY DID AND I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WITH ANOTHER CAR AHEAD OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. DEALER SAYS IT PROBABLY OK. BOUGHT CAR FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD SON TO DRIVE - TOO UNSAFE AND UNPREDICTABLE. TRADED IN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 5, 2011
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON, ALONG WITH MESSAGE "SYSTEM BRAKE FAILURE" AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". AT THIS TIME, THE BRAKES ALMOST FEEL TOTALLY OUT (1/2 PRESSED) OR VERY TOUCHY (FULL PRESS). TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE ABS MODULE ($2500) WHICH WE AGREED TO. A FEW DAYS AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, SAME THING HAPPENED (LIGHTS, MESSAGES AND BRAKES ISSUES). WE TOOK IT BACK, AND BY THE TIME IT WAS TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHTS, MESSAGES AND BRAKES WERE BACK TO NORMAL. THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ISSUES. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE IN A TRAFFIC JAM (VERY SCARY!!!) TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE CODES. TOOK THE CODES TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK MY ESCAPE FOR 2 DAYS, SAYING THEY RESET THE CODES AND IT WAS A COMPUTER ISSUE. 5 DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN OUR DOWNTOWN (VERY SCARY). NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE HOWEVER I HAVE SEEN OTHER MENTIONS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Aug 2, 2011
WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. 4 MONTHS AGO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR 300 DOLLARS THEN CAR SHUT DOWN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH SHE ALMOST HAD A BAD ACCIDENT SO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT PUMP ANOTHER 600 DOLLARS. NOW MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND CAR HAD NO BRAKES WITH MESSAGE REGEN BRAKES DISABLED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE COST TO FIX IT WILL BE LIKE 3,000 DOLLARS. BECAUSE THE ABS MODULE IS BAD. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THIS KIND OF MONEY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST NOVEMBER 2010. *KB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 16, 2011
ABS TONE RING CRACKS BECAUSE OF RUST ON THE AXLE AND THEN IT SPINS ON THE AXLE AND CAUSES THE ABS TO ACTIVATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL TO ACTIVATE BECAUSE IT BELIEVES YOU ARE SKIDDING. THEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATE TO SAY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND IS A SAFETY FEATURE FOR THE VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 25, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HEV NEEDS A HCU (HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT) REPLACED AT 61,667 MILES. CAR WAS PARKED (EMERGENCY BRAKE OFF) AND WHEN STARTED BOTH ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS FAULTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 AND LATER FORD ESCAPE HEVS. MIGHT BE WORTH INVESTIGATING. WE WERE LUCKY THE BRAKES DIDN'T ACTUALLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 12, 2011
AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS IN THE DASH INSTRUMENT DISPLAY COME ON A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING OUT ON A JOURNEY AND STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. FROM A FEW INSTANCES OF QUICK STOPS, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIVE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY EFFECT ON DRIVEABILITY AS A RESULT OF THE TRACTION LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THESE LIGHTS BEING LIT WAS A FAILURE OF A "ABS TONE RING"; SURE ENOUGH WHEN I JACKED UP THE CAR AND LOOKED CAREFULLY AT THESE TOOTHED RINGS JUST INSIDE THE WHEEL BEARING/STEERING KNUCKLE HOUSING, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE RING WAS BROKEN WITH ABOUT A 1/16 TO 3/32" GAP. THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE IS REPORTED TO BE CORROSION OF THE STEEL HUB THAT THE RING IS PRESSED ONTO. THE CORROSION CAUSES THE RING TO BE STRESSED BY THE EXPANSION OF THE AREA UNDER THE RING AS THE IRON TURNS TO RUST, PROBABLY ENHANCED BY THE COPIOUS AMOUNT OF ROAD SALT USED IN PA IN THE WINTER FOR ICE AND SNOW MELTING. REPORTED COSTS TO REPAIR THIS POORLY DESIGNED ENGINEERING FIASCO ARE IN THE $500-700 RANGE AT A DEALERS SHOP AND IRONICALLY THE RING ITSELF IS AVAILABLE FOR ABOUT $7-15. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 28, 2011
MY DAUGHTER (WHO DRIVES THE VAN) COMPLAINED FOR 6 MONTHS THAT HER ABS ON HER BRAKES WAS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LET GO THEN GRAB EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL TIRE PROBLEMS PLUS AN ALIGNMENT, SINCE THE TIRES HAD CUPPED, AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. AFTER CONTINUED PROBLEMS I HAD NEW BREAKS INSTALLED AT AN EXPRESS BRAKES PLACE IN SOUTH PART OF KANSAS CITY, KS. THEY ALSO INSPECTED THE ABS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH ADDITIONAL LOUD SQUEALING. FINALLY I TOOK IT TO BOB ALLEN FORD IN OVERLAND PARK, KS. WHERE THEY CHARGED ME $652.17 FOR REPLACING THE BROKEN RF TONE RING(S), UNFROZE THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT BARS (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT) THEN PUT ANOTHER SET OF BRAKE PADS ON, TURNED THE ROTORS THEN DID ANOTHER ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID THAT THE EXPRESS BRAKE PLACE HAD FAILED TO TURN THE ROTORS THAT THE BRAND-NEW BRAKES WERE EATEN UP. THE ESCAPE HAS 53K MILES ON IT BUT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. IN ADDITION, I WAS FORCED TO PUT NEW TIRES ON PRIOR TO ALL OF THIS BECAUSE TWO OF THE FACTORY TIRES HAD CUPPED AND ALL OF THEM HAD TURNED TO (SOMETHING LIKE) PLASTIC CAUSING THEM TO SKID AND SLIDE ON TAKE OFF AND ON STOPPING, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL FOR MY DAUGHTER. I KEPT THE OLD TIRES. THE REPLACED TIRES ARE ALMOST NEW WITH LITTLE TREAD WEAR. NOTE: THAT I TRIED TO ALSO ADD A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TIRES BUT THAT SECTION DEMANDED INFORMATION THAT I COULDN'T PROVIDE THEREFORE IT SIMPLY REFUSED THE ENTIRE COMPLAINT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 13, 2011
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEEDS. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ROAD CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACTIVATION WERE DRY. *TR