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, Jan 23, 2019
THE ERROR MESSAGE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH EVEN WHEN IN PARK. THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE AND TAKES A LOT MORE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT NOW DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY MOVE THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Jan 23, 2019
THE INITIAL PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED IS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR THOUGH STOPPED. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING A TORQUE ANGLE STEERING SENSOR, WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER SHAKES UPON BRAKING. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PRESSURE TO THE RIGHT, BUT NO RESISTANCE TO THE LEFT, AND IS THEREFORE ALWAYS STEERING TO THE LEFT. I DID ALERT THE SHOP TO THE PROBLEM AND THEY MADE CERTAIN IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE ALIGNMENT. THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WHICH THE NEW TORQUE ANGLE STEERING SENSOR IS NOT ABLE TO CALIBRATE AGAINST. THE VEHICLE IS NOW LARGELY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE SECOND ROUND OF REPAIRS ARE DONE. THE SHOP WHERE I HAD THE REPAIRS DONE, BELIEVE FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ASSEMBLY - THE REASON THEY BELIEVE FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE IS BECAUSE THEY CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS THIS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IN STOCK. THE CHOICE TO KEEP THIS ASSEMBLY IN STOCK, I WAS TOLD, IS INDICATIVE OF ROUTINE NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART.
Steering, Jan 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENESEE VALLEY FORD (1675 INTERSTATE DRIVE, AVON, NY 14414, 833-755-3455) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CORTESE FORD (2500 WEST HENRIETTA ROAD, ROCHESTER, NY, 585-277-3280) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
Steering, Jan 18, 2019
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, FORD WON'T COVER IT, $1500.
Steering, Jan 7, 2019
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL TO BE FIXED ON 1/2/18 AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP JUST REPROGRAMMED MY TORQUE SENSOR. ON 5/24/18 MY CAR WAS BACK IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR HAVING ABOUT 8" OF PLAY IN MY STEERING WHEEL. THEY SAID THAT WAS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL AND CHARGED $299.19 TO FIX A U JOINT. MY STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY SHAKES, INCLUDING WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHILE TURNING, ETC. MY WRENCH LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. THEY SAY THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS FAILING. THEY SAY THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BUT DENY THAT IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL.
Steering, Engine, Jan 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SEVERELY AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO MATTHEWS CURRIE FORD (LOCATED AT 130 N TAMIAMI TRAIL, NOKOMIS, FL 34275, (800) 248-2378) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,588.
Steering, Jan 2, 2019
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. FORD HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL MODELS. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON THE SAME MODELS BUT LIMITED BY VIN #. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR THREAT TO HUMAN LIFE HAD THE OPERATOR NOT HAD THE STRENGTH TO OVER COME THE LACK OF POWER STEERING. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ESCAPE/MARINER STEERING SYSTEM.
Steering, Jan 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LINDSAY FORD OF WHEATON (11250 VEIRS MILL ROAD, WHEATON, MD 20902) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,063.
Steering, Dec 29, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILURE DUE TO BAD SENOR
Steering, Dec 29, 2018
EPSA HAS FAILED. DROVE TO WORK AND RAN ERRANDS AFTER WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS. WENT TO DRIVE SISTER TO WORK AND COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. DID NOT KNOW CAR DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR OR NEED FLUID. CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT VERY HARD TO TURN. DID NOT KNOW OF ANY RECALL ON THIS PART UNTIL I LOOKED UP ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND FAILS TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS. NOW LOOKING AT EXPENSE I REALLY CANNOT AFFORD.
Steering, Dec 26, 2018
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. SAME SAFETY RECALL WITH OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS MAKE AND THIS MODEL AND YEAR NUMBER.
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 21, 2018
THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE CALIPER KEEPS SEIZING. I REPLACED IT IN JULY ALONG WITH THE ROTOR AND PADS AND NOW ITS STARTED SEIZING YET AGAIN. THE STEERING SHAFT U JOINT WEARS OUT EASY AND CAUSES THE STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE.
Steering, Dec 19, 2018
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, BUT STOPPED AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD RATTLE/SHAKE SIDE TO SIDE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP THE NEXT MORNING THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL SO VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND NOT MOVED. TWO DAYS LATER, VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AGAIN AND POWER STEERING WAS STILL NOT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO NOTICED A RECALL THAT WOULD COVER THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO FORD (LANDMARK FORD DEALERSHIP, TIGARD, OR) THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IN 2014 A RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED FOR THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR OF VEHICLE BUT NO NOTICE WAS RECEIVED BY OWNER. THE 2014 RECALL DOESN'T SEEM TO BE RESOLVED.
Steering, Dec 19, 2018
WHEN IN IDLE, PARK OR OR IN DRIVE. THE CARS STERRING WHEEL WOULS SHAKE. JUST SHAKE LIKE IT WAS VIOLENT RATTLE, NOT THE WHOKE CAR JUST THE SREERING WHEEL. LIKE IF IT WERE HAVIBG A SEIZURE. LIKE WISE HAPPENS WHEN ITS DRIVEN
Steering, Dec 18, 2018
STEERING COLUM STARTING SHAKING LIKE HAVING A SEIZURE
Steering, Dec 11, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, JERKED, AND LOST POWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG VALLEY FORD LINCOLN (3282 AUTO CENTER CIR, STOCKTON, CA 95212, (800) 867-1516) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE AND FAILED TO MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING SEIZED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 215,000.
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL, BUT HAD EXPIRED PRIOR TO IT'S PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED FOR THE RECALL WITH THE PRIOR OWNER, BUT ONLY A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED NO WORK WAS COMPLETED DUE TO NO ERROR CODES.*JS
Steering, Dec 8, 2018
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN PARKED/IDLE AND WILD STOP AFTER EXCEEDING 10MPH. ISSUE ESCALATED AND NOW HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN NOT TURNING (TRAVELING STRAIGHT). SHAKING HAS BECOME MORE VIOLENT IN WHEEL. FIRST MECHANIC DETERMINE CODES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL #14S05. FORD CLAIMS THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND CLOSED IN 2015. NOW, ISSUE HAS RESURFACED, AND ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SECOND MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL AND WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT FORD AGAIN. STEERING POWER ASSIST FAILURE DISPLAYED.
Steering, Dec 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO A BARN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANDERSON LINCOLN FORD (2500 WILDCAT DR, LINCOLN, NE 68521, (402) 458-9800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, A SYSTEM PATCH UP WAS COMPLETED INSTEAD. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAWK EYE FORD (2027 US-34, RED OAK, IA 51566, (712) 623-5147), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,000.
Steering, Dec 6, 2018
IT'S HARD TO TURN THE CORNER
Steering, Dec 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) BY BOB MAXEY FORD OF HOWELL, INC. (2798 E GRAND RIVER AVE, HOWELL, MI 48843, (517) 545-5700); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILED. THE EPS INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, BUT THE EPS CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. BOB MAXEY FORD OF HOWELL AND BRIGHTON FORD (8240 GRAND RIVER AVE, BRIGHTON, MI 48114, (810) 227-1171) WERE CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED TO DETERMINE IF THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WRENCH SYMBOL WAS ALSO FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP15001 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Dec 3, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. RECALL 14S05. SOFTWARE UPDATE PERFORMED NOW THE TORQUE SENSOR HAS FAILED. FORD DEALER SAYS THE REPAIR IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE OWNER.