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: steering
1,237 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Apr 29, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 2018 NOW WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Apr 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ELDER FORD (777 JOHN R. RD, TROY, MI) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Steering, Apr 25, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDESWIPED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CRASH WAS MINOR AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Apr 24, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
Steering, Apr 13, 2019
TAKATA ARE ALL, I HAVE AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND IT'S HAS A MALFUNCTIONING. IT IS EFFECTING MY ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO USE SLOT OF FORCE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. I REVIEWED FOR RECALLS AND SAW ONE FOR MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER WHEN I PUT IN MY VIN NOTHING IS FOUND.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS LOCATED ON A LOCAL STREET IN JAMAICA NY.
Steering, Apr 11, 2019
CUANDO GIRO EL TIMN TIENE UN RUIDO VIBRANTE Y FUERTE EN LA LNEA DEL VOLANTE
Steering, Apr 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Steering, Apr 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOZEMAN FORD LINCOLN AND RV CENTER (2900 N 19TH AVE, BOZEMAN, MT 59718, (406) 587-1221) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REMAINED AND WORSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Steering, Apr 8, 2019
WHEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED OR STOPPED IT IS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL .
Steering, Apr 4, 2019
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING OUITS WORKING AND IT WILL NOT STEER NO P0WER ASSIST IT IS VERY DANEROUS FORD GARAGE TODD JUDY IN HUNTINGTON WEST VIRGINIA AND BILL COLE IN ASHLAND KY WONT LOOK AT IT UNLESS I GIVE THEM $110.00 THIS COULD KILL SOMEONE FORD DOES NOT CARE EVERY TIME IT GETS TURN A LITTLE TO MUCH IN A TIGHT CORNER IT GOES OUT I HAVE TALKED TO THE 2009S AND OTHERS WITH THIS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND FORD QUIT PUTTING IT IN CARS THEY KNOW ITS BAD DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST THEY PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE
Steering, Apr 2, 2019
STEERING WHEEL SNAKES, LOCKS AND THEN WILL NOT MOVE
Steering, Apr 1, 2019
ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING - MY VEHICLE HAS GONE WITHOUT POWER STEERING FOR OVER 2 YEARS , THERE IS AN ISSUE IN THE ELECTRIC ASSIST TORQUE SENSOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT SENSE THE NEED FOR POWER STEERING IN TURNS. THIS BEING A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE CAUSES DIFFICULTY IN BEING ABLE TO STEER REGULARLY. I HAVE OBSERVED A RECALL ONLINE FROM THE KANSAS CITY PLANT , MY VEHICLE IS KANSAS CITY BUILT AND I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MECHANIC SHOP FOR THE REPAIR ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER THE ISSUE THAT I WILL BE OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THIS WAS A SECONDHAND VEHICLE FOR ME AND FINANCIALLY I WAS AND AM NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE COSTLY REPAIR OF WHAT THEY WILL CHARGE FOR WORK. THUS LEAVING ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING OR HAVING THE TROUBLE CODE CLEARED TO ALLOW A VERY LOOSE STEERING COLUMN WHERE IT SHAKES AND RATTLES WHILE IDLING AND CAN BE OBSERVED FROM EXTERIOR SIDE SEEING THE DRIVE WHEELS SHAKING AS IF THE VEHICLE IS ATTEMPTING TO TURN ITSELF. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE AS I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE OPTION AT THIS TIME. MY CHILDREN TRAVEL IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING IT.
Steering, Mar 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE FAILURE CODE: B2278 (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, TORQUE SENSOR) WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO EIDE FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 800 E BISMARCK EXPY, BISMARCK, ND 58504, (701) 222-3500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
Steering, Mar 28, 2019
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT - COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AFTER RECALL 14S05 WAS PERFORMED. EXPERIENCED WHEEL "SHUDDER" WHEN STOPPED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND THEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
Steering, Mar 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF YEARS AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Steering, Mar 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TO SPRADLEY BARR FORD & LINCOLN OF GREELEY (4901 W 29TH ST, GREELEY, CO 80634, (970) 506-3600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *BF *TR
Steering, Mar 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LOCATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE: 2278 (TORQUE SENSOR SIGNAL FAILURE). THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO CLEAR THE FAULT CODE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE FORD DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Steering, Mar 23, 2019
TAMARA IRECALL- STEERING COLUM PION IS THE PROBLEM SHAKING WHILE DRIVING AND COME TO A STOP CONTINUES TO SHAKE . FOR A WHOLE WEEK WE'VE CALLED FORD AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK AND I HAVE CALLED EVERYDAY AND NO ANSWER FROM ANYONE WE ARE NOT VERY HAPPEN WITH ANYBODY THANK YOU IF U CALL OR EMAIL US (XXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Mar 18, 2019
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT - UNABLE TO USE POWER STEERING RENDERING VEHICLE A SAFETY HAZARD 1.1 MILLION OTHER FORD ESCAPES RECALLED FOR SAME ISSUE
Steering, Mar 17, 2019
POWER STEERING FAILURE. SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN NHSTA CAMPAIN# 14V284000. BEGAN WITH A STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION (INTERMITTENT, WORST AT IDLE BUT PERSISTENT) AND EVENTUAL "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT".
Steering, Mar 14, 2019
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CHATTERS, AND MOVES ON ITS OWN ACCORD WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT IN A NEUTRAL POSITION (NO FORCE APPLIED LEFT OR RIGHT). THE CHATTERING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WITH NEUTRAL STEERING WHEEL FORCES. THIS SYMPTOM CREATES EXTREME CONCERN THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL ACCORDING TO FORD.
Steering, Mar 14, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING SHOOK AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED PRIORITY FORD AT 757-583-3673 (LOCATED AT 7520 N MILITARY HWY, NORFOLK, VA 23518) AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Steering, Mar 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR AND WRENCH SYMBOL FLASHED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER EXCLUDED THE VEHICLE FROM NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP15001 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 11, 2019
'FORD ESCAPE STEERING " CAR WAS PARKED. I PULLED OUT TO END OF DRIVEWAY AND MADE LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY STREET. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED HAVING ANY POWER. SINCE I WAS MOVING IT WAS NOT REAL BAD. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE PROBABLY COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS AS IF THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I DROVE A BLOCK AND WAS ASTOUNDED THAT AS I MADE ANOTHER TURN IT WAS SO DIFFICULT. I PARKED AND CHECKED THE CAR OVER. I COULD SEE NOTHING AND I WAS AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS (1983-2013). I COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG EXTERNALLY. I WAS LUCKY, SOMEONE MOVING FASTER COULD HAVE DIED. I DROVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART BUT ONLY FOR 2008 ESCAPES BUILT IN KANSAS CITY. I THINK IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE RISKING THE LIVES OF CONSUMERS FOR SOMETHING THEY KNOW IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Steering, Mar 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP15001 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.