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, Parking brake, Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Mar 10, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: TURNED ON THE CAR, TURNED INTO A DRIVE WAY TO TURN AROUND NOTICED PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. BRAKE NOT ENGAGED? BRAKE FAILURE CAR ROLLING INTO PARKED VEHICLE HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO STOP. BACKED OUT OF DRIVE WAY ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE FAILURE ON DASH, GET BRAKES CHECKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. NO BRAKES. I BACKED UP AGAIN AND THEN THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND THE CAR HAD HYPER BRAKES.... LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAY SENSITIVE. OVER STOPPAGE... TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY? THEN MY SON TOLD ME ABOUT THE HYDRAULIC PROBLEM????? FORD STILL HAS CARE SERVICING OTHER ISSUES, 34,485 MILES>. *TR CONSUMER STATED DAMAGED WAS REPAIRED, BY STATE FARM. TRADED THE CAR SHORTLY THERE AFTER. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 5, 2010
2008 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE PREVIOUSLY HAD A MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TONE RING AS A RESULT OF BRAKE FAILURE. YESTERDAY THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN THIS TIME THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. THE MECHANIC AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, BUT A COMPLETE PART FAILURE THAT INVOLVED THE ABS SYSTEM. THE PART IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED, BUT I WILL HAVE IT RETAINED. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS ONLY AND HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE 3RD ISSUE OF BRAKE FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO ATTEMPT TO MAKE FIXES TO NO AVAIL. *TR CONSUMER STATED HE MADE A COMPLAINT PROBABLY 7 YEARS AGO. VEHICLE HAS LONG SINCE BEEN REPAIRED SO THERE IS NOTHING TO TEST. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 2, 2010, crash
BRAKES HAS BEEN SQUEALING AND SOFT, PEDAL GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OFF AND ON SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE A YEAR AGO. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE TO DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ON 10/30/2010, WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY THEREFORE GOING ONLY ABOUT 40MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT, BRAKED HARD AND AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE ONLY WAY I STOPPED WAS BECAUSE I REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I'M AFRAID IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING ANY FASTER, THE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC, CONSIDERING MY TWIN 4 YR OLD NEPHEWS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT. AS SOON AS VEHICLE IS REPAIRED, I WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Sep 10, 2010
2008 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE, 26,000K MILES ON IT. THE ABS, REGENERATIVE BRAKES FAILED WHILE PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE LEAVING ONLY MANUAL BRAKES WORKING. THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON IDENTIFYING REGENERATIVE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WHEN TURNED ON THE ISSUE COULDN'T BE REPLICATED INITIALLY AND APPEARED TO WORKING FINE. THE TECHNICIAN DID TESTS AND FOUND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAILING. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND AGAIN THE WARNING LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE ISSUE. I LEFT THE CAR WITH THEM TO LOOK AT AND THEY DROVE IT AROUND TESTING IT WHEN THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED AGAIN WHILE A TECHNICIAN WAS DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD. THEY ORDERED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE BUT HE REPLACED THE BRAKES HIMSELF. THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE SO HE CONTINUED TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THE SENSING RING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AXLE WAS BROKEN. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. UPON EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THE SENSING RING ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE AXLE WAS BROKEN. HE AGAIN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,600.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Traction control system, Jul 15, 2010
ABS FAILURE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO 2 BROKEN TONE RINGS . THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL YEAR ESCAPES . SUDDEN LOSE OF ANTI LOCK CAUSES LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES AND CAN CAUSE LOCK UP WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 1, 2010
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD AT LEAST TWO ISSUES PRIOR WITH THE ABS SYSTEM FAILING. CURRENTLY THE ABS AND THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEMS BOTH FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP WITH THE BRAKES "CUTTING OUT" IN THE LAST 5 MPH. THE DEALER WAS CLOSED SO THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHO FOUND THAT THE ABS CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND THE TRAVEL SENSOR IN THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 29, 2010
2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE FAILURE AND PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLES THAT ARE SIMILAR. *TGW
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 20, 2010
JUST LUCKY WE PULLED OVER FOR GAS. OUR VEHICLE KEEP RUNNING EVEN WHEN IT WAS TURNED OFF. 2008 FORD ESCAPE 4DR 2WD XLS WITH 48,0087 MILES WOULD NOT TURN OFF. WE STOPPED, PURCHASED NEW BATTERY $90 AND CONTINUED 15 MILES TO CHARLOTTE PARKING LOT. WE WERE ADVISE TO PULL OUT GAS MODULE, DISCONNECT THE CABLE TO BATTERY AND WE WOULD GET HOME. WRONG, AFTER AAA TOW 109 MILES BACK TO SC BUDD'S DELIVERED IT TO BENSON'S FORD FOR REVIEW. AFTER 5 HOURS NO CLUE BY CO. NEXT DAY AFTER 12 PM. CO SAID FORD ENGINEERING TOLD THEM HOW TO FIX MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WITH $589 MODULE, F80 FUSE AND $39 RUBBER HOSE LEAKING.HOSE HAD HOLE IN IT. THIS CAR NEVER IN COLLISION YET. WE WERE SAVED BY TOW FROM AAA IN CHARLOTTE NC TO EASLEY AREA. THEY SAY CHARGES $1300 FOR SURE. I KNOW THIS MUST BE THE FIRST REPORT. BUT I WANTED TO LET OUR NATIONAL AGENCY KNOW ABOUT THE DEFECT. PLEASE CALL IF NEEDED. EMAIL IS [XXX]. WE GOT LUCKY, WE STOPPED BEFORE WE LOST BRAKES. THERE WAS HOWEVER REPORTED LEAKING RUBBER HOSE TO REPLACE. WE WERE LUCKY, OTHER MAY NOT BE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CAUTIOUS WITH CARS..ALSO REPORTED 091B10 RECALL NOT ADVERTISED BY FORD. THAT'S LEAKY COOLANT. NOT FIXED YET. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Mar 22, 2010
IN SEPT 2009 I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE & UNEXPECTED BRAKE FAILURE IN MY 08 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS ABLE TO NURSE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT FAILED WHICH THEY SAID WAS PART OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD NO OPERATOR ERROR, JUST A DEFECTIVE PART. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T JUST REPLACE THE TRAVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH ENDED UP COSTING ME $1530.63. MY SAFETY WAS TOTALLY JEOPARDIZED-I WAS JUST LUCKY I DIDN'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND WASN'T ON FREEWAY WHEN BRAKES FAILED. THIS WAS EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE FAILED FOR YEARS, IF EVER, ESPECIALLY NOT IN A CAR WITH ONLY 40569 MILES ON IT. I WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND HAD TO CANCEL CLIENT MEETINGS AND RENT A CAR. I TRIED TO CONTACT FORD TO HAVE THEM REIMBURSE ME FOR PARTS/LABOR ($1530.63)BUT WAS TOLD THEY WOULDN'T/COULDN'T DO THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS NOT OPERATOR ERROR, BUT A FORD DEFECT. *DT
Service brakes, Electric, Feb 5, 2010
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID (NEW) THE BRAKES HAVE EITHER BEEN SPONGY OR SEEMINGLY, TEMPORALLY, NON-EXISTENT. WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED/HAPPENS IT SEEMS TO BE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE TRANSITIONING FROM GAS TO ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID I HEARD A SQUEAKY NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THIS NOISE HAS INCREASED OVER TIME. I HAVE TAKEN MY SUV ABOUT THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND HAVE EXPLAINED MY CONCERNS ABOUT IT. THE MECHANIC SPECIALIZED IN HYBRID CARS HAS SAID IT IS FINE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AND SUGGESTED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE. HOWEVER, I STOPPED ONE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM AND THE MECHANIC DROVE WITH ME AND HEARD IT. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID THAT UNFORTUNATELY THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE DEFAULT PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. I LEARNED THAT NOTHING WAS GOING TO BE MADE FOR NOW. HONESTLY, I DID NOT FEEL HAPPY ABOUT THE SERVICES AT FORD CAPITAL IN RALEIGH,NC AND DECIDED TO CALL FORD CAPITAL IN WILMINGTON, NC. I EXPLAINED I WANTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE BRAKING DEFAULT ISSUE AND FORD WAS WORKING ON HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS LAST YEAR AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR A SOLUTION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 3, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES FAILED. HE WAS ABLE TO PREVENT A VEHICLE CRASH BY USING THE PARKING BREAK TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, IN WHICH A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AND EXPENSE OF 1,200.00 . HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS OFFERED AN $800.00 DISCOUNT. HE HAD THE COMPONENT REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $400.00 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000. UPDATED 09/23/09 *BF UPDATED 09/29/09.*JB CONSUMER STATED HE GOT RID OF THE CAR COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER BRAKES FAILED. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 17, 2009
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2008 CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE WITH ABS LIGHTS ON THEN GOT REGEN BRAKES DISABLED WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL PRIOR TO TAKING OUT OF PARK. 41438 MILES (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY OF COURSE) AND JUST EXPERIENCE NO BRAKES WHEN I BACKED OUT. I CALLED THE SERVICE DESK AND THEY CLAIMED THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANY ISSUES WITH REGEN BRAKES ON MY CAR OR RECALLS. I LOOK ONLINE AND I FIND POSTS SUCH AS HTTP://WWW.EPINIONS.COM/REVIEW/2006_FORD_ESCAPE_HYBRID/CONTENT_442261278340 AND I'M ABOUT READY TO JUST SICK A LAWYER ON FORD INSTEAD OF EVEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK OF HARMS WAY. NOT SURE HOW THIS WILL RESOLVE AS IT'S FRIDAY AND THEY SEEMED TO HAVE VACATED THE BUILDING SINCE I CALLED JUST BEFORE 6 AND WAS DISCONNECTED, CALLED BACK AND NO ANSWER. NOT EVEN A MANAGER AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO ME. I AM SCARED FOR MYSELF AND MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR... *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Apr 23, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE EXITING THE DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DAMAGES EXCEEDED $2,400. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DAMAGES EXCEEDED $8,000. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. HE STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 20, 2008
THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WHILE TRAVELING AT 50MPH ON RT. 3 IN CLIFTON NJ. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER BY SHIFTING IN TO NEUTRAL AND PUTTING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WHICH PROVIDED VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. BOTH THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH, IN ADDITION TO A MESSAGE THAT SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF BRAKES REQUIRE SERVICE. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 7000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT. 2007. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 1, 2007
BRAKE ABS FAILURES ON TWO 2008 FORD ESCAPES IN 6 MONTHS. *TR