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, Dec 1, 2018
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN CITY, SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, NEARLY WRECKING. I GOT CAR TO MECHANIC, HE SAID THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR WAS BAD. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FROM FORD FOR THIS. I CALLED FORD BECAUSE THE YEAR AND MODEL DID MATCH THE RECALL. #14S05. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. I RELUCTANTLY PAID OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR BECAUSE THIS WAS DANGEROUS. I DO FIND IT COINCIDENTAL THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME EXACT THING ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS TOLD THIS ONE WAS NOT COVERED ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
Steering, Nov 29, 2018
WHILE DRIVING LOST POWER STEERING. NO LIGHTS OR CODES. WAS DRIVING HIGHWAY AND IN TOWN. HAD POWER STEERING THEN IT JUST QUIT ALMOST WRECKED.
Steering, Nov 28, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. RECALL REPAIR IN 2014 ONLY REPROGRAMED THE STEERING MODULE DID AND NOT REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, DASHBOARD WARNING ALERTED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SHOULD BE ANOTHER RECALL TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE SENSORS.
Steering, Nov 27, 2018
LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER.
Steering, Nov 24, 2018
DROVE TO WORK AT 6 AM WENT TO USE FOR LUNCH VEHICLE HAD NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING MORE LIKE MANUAL STEERING. MAKING VERY DIFFICULT IN PARKING , ON RAMPS TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME STEERING COLUMN PART FAILURE THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED IN SEVERAL ESCAPES & MARINERS. MY BOSS WENT ON LINE AND FOUND INFO ON RECALL OF 915,216 FORD ESCAPES & MERCURY MARINERS. PROBLEM WAS WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT TYING TO TO TURN TO RIGHT WAS VERY DIFFICULT MORE LIKE MANUAL STEERING
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 21, 2018
SOMETIMES MY STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD. IN ADDITION, MY CAR WON'T ABLE TO START WHEN TURN MY KEY - MY BATTERY IS GOOD AND MY STARTER IS OK. NO CRANK NO START
Steering, Nov 19, 2018
MY DAUGHTER STARTED TO DRIVE HER CAR WHEN THE STEERING QUIT WORKING. I DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT THE POWER ASSIST. IT WAS HARD TO TURN. NOW I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. THIS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD NO CODES ABLE TO READ ON A CODE READER. HAD TO TAKE DEALER TO USE A FORD COMPUTER TO READ WHAT IS GOING ON.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 16, 2018
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WENT AND GOT THE POWER STEERING RECALL FIXED 1 YR TO MAYBE 2 YRS AGO AND FORD SAID IT WAS FIXED. NOW I'M HAVING POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I THEN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND IT GOES BACK TO WORKING CORRECTLY. I WENT BACK TO FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN FIXED AND CLOSED OUT AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. NOW I'M HAVING POWER STEERING STILL GOING OUT AND NOW ALL MY LIGHTS (ABS,TRACTION CONTROL,TIRE,AIR BAG, ANTI THEFT LIGHT). AFTER SPENDING 200 AT FORD THEY TOLD ME ECM IS BAD AND NEED TO REPLACE. ALMOST 500 AT FORD FOR KEYS TO BE PROGRAMMED TO NEW COMPUTER I AM STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AND FORD WANTS ME TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.
Steering, Nov 16, 2018
PARK THE CAR WENT AND PAY A BILL CAME BACK OUT START THE CAR NO POWER STEERING COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL NO POWER STEERING. BOUGHT CAR IN 2012 CARRIAGE FORD USED.
Steering, Nov 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Steering, Nov 11, 2018
THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING, AND HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO STEER THE CAR IN TRAFFIC, THIS IS HARD TO TRY AND TURN THE WHEEL. IF THIS HAPPED IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC IT COULD BE A WRECK. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE HELD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT I DID NOT HAVE A WRECK BUT IT WAS A SURPRISE WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CORNER.
Steering, Nov 9, 2018
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER.
Steering, Nov 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
Steering, Nov 3, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILED BECAUSE OF A BAD SENSOR. FORD DEALER SAID PROGRAMMING WAS COVERED IN A RECALL NOT REPAIRING THE HARD PART THAT FAILED. STEERING WAS POSSIBLE WITH HUGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT WITH THE BAD SENSOR.. REPLACED SENSOR AND THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED.
Steering, Nov 2, 2018
LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT LOWER SPEED. AFTER SITTING FOR 10 HOURS, STARTED CAR AND HAD NO POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN BACKING UP. VEHICLE HAS RECALL 14S05. RECALL IS AS FOLLOWS: IF VEHICLE HAS CODE B2278, REPLACE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR. IF VEHICLE HAS CODE B3142 OR B2277, REPLACE STEERING ASSEMBLY. IF NO CODES STORED, REPROGRAM PSCM AND IC MODULE. MY CAR HAD NO CODES JUNE 2016 AND REPROGRAMING WAS DONE. TWO YEARS LATER, I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND CODE B2278. POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER STATES RECALL WAS ALREADY DONE AND WILL NOT PERFORM SENSOR REPLACEMENT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 1, 2018
STEERING SYSTEM FAULT APPEARS ON DASH...MAKING THE WHEEL LOCK UP IN DRIVE OR TURNING.WHEN I WAS PARKING STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD PLEASE RECALL THIS MATTER I SEEN IN 2006 A RECALL ON GOOGLE ON THE DATE OF 11/1/2018... FORD WILL SAY THERE ARE NO SUCH THING ITS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS WELL AS A DEFECT THAT CAME OUT OF BO WHERE
Steering, Nov 1, 2018
ELECTRIC STEERING PUMP TURNS OFF WHEN STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR QUITS WORKING CAUSING THE ELECTRIC STEERING PUMP TO TURN OFF. THIS IN TURN MAKES THE VEHICLE HARD TO STEER WHEN DRIVING AND MAY CAUSE A ACCIDENT.
Steering, Oct 31, 2018
THE POWER STEERING SENSOR HAS GONE OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME ON THIS VEHICLE.
Steering, Oct 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWER STEERING FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE AND WAS LATER DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
Steering, Oct 31, 2018
ON 10/25/2018, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. SHE COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING. THIS OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE STEERING THE CAR. NO WARNINGS OR CODES APPEARED. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN HER HAVING AN ACCIDENT AND PERHAPS KILLING SOMEONE OR HERSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL (LONG-LEWIS FORD) AND DIAGNOSED WITH CODE B2278/NEEDS STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED CONTACTING FORD AS THIS WAS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER TALKING WITH A SUPERVISOR, THEY INFORMED ME THAT SAFETY RECALL 14S05 WAS COMPLETED ON THE CAR ON JULY 2014, 2018 AT FORD SQUARE OF MOUNT VERNON IN MOUNT VERNON, IL SO THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. I PROCEEDED TO CONTACT THAT DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY ONLY REPROGRAMMED THE PSCM SINCE THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE A FAULT CODE. I DID NOT OWN THE CAR DURING THIS TIME SINCE I PURCHASED IT 5 MONTHS LATER. INTERMITTENT ISSUES OCCURRED AFTER THE PURCHASE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY BUT WERE TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK. AGAIN, NO WARNINGS OR CODES APPEARED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD MECHANICS THAT THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE PSCM REMOVED FORD FROM RESPONSIBILITY AND NOW OWNERS ARE STUCK WITH AN EXPENSIVE CAR REPAIR. SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS HAVE STATED THAT FORD WAS NEGLIGENT IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AND NOW MORE CARS ARE STARTING TO SEE THE PROBLEM AND CAUSING EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD TO BE AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DEATH. THE CAR HAS 113,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WILL BE REPAIRED AT LONG-LEWIS FORD AT MY EXPENSE WHICH IS VERY COSTLY. THE CAR WAS ASSEMBLED AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE RECALL.
Steering, Oct 30, 2018
POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON 2008 FORD ESCAPE WHEN TURNING OUT OF PARKING LOT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC; HE SAID THERE'S A RECALL (14S05) ON IT. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY RAN THE VIN # AND SAID THERE'S NO OPEN RECALL. THE INFO I'VE GATHERED STATES THAT IT'S ON MODELS ASSEMBLED IN KANSAS CITY, AND MY ESCAPE WAS ASSEMBLED IN KANSAS CITY, ACCORDING TO VIN. I'VE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. I REMEMBER TAKING IT IN FOR A RECALL A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS FOR; AND I'M LEARNING THAT FORD ONLY FIXED THE SOFTWARE BUT NOT THE PARTS RELATED TO THIS RECALL. I THINK THIS IS HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2018
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AFTER HAVING TRUCK FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS. I HAVE TO GET SUSPENSION PROBLEMS FIXED EVERY OTHER MONTH. AND THE MUFFLER EVERY OTHER MONTH.
Steering, Oct 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE ANGLE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WILLIS FORD (15 N DUPONT BOULEVARD, SMYRNA, DE 18877) PERFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE OF THE POWER STEERING PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) IN 2015. THE DEALER ONLY PERFORMED THE SOFTWARE UPDATE AND DID NOT REPLACE THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TT*JB
Steering, Oct 24, 2018
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AROUND APPROXIMATELY 3PM (10/21/2018) I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT. IN THE CAR WITH ME WAS MY FRIEND, AND MYSELF. ON THE FIRST INSTANCE THIS DAY, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, AND WITHOUT WARNING MY CAR BEEPED TWICE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT COMPLETELY STIFF. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO JUST PARK WHERE I WAS, TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE GONE. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, AS I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION COMING OUT OF THAT PARKING LOT, MY STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND NO BEEPING OCCURRED. I COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL, AND I WAS TRAVELING IN THE DIRECTION OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE TURNING, AND I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THEM. AGAIN, THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SPOT STRAIGHT AHEAD TO PARK AND I ENDED UP LEAVING MY CAR THERE OVERNIGHT. MY FRIEND AND I ALMOST WRECKED IN A BUSY 4-WAY INTERSECTION DUE TO A MANUFACTURER MISTAKE, AS I HAVE RECOGNIZED ONLINE THROUGH MULTITUDES OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR SITUATIONS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AS THE VEHICLE (A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID), GAVE ME NO WARNING WHATSOEVER BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UP.
Steering, Oct 18, 2018
MY 2008 ESCAPE (BUILT NOV '07) HAD RCL 14S05 PERFORMED NOV 2014 WHEN THERE WERE NO STEERING SYMPTOMS. HAD CAR IN FOR NEW TIRES ON MY OWN DIME, DEALER WANTED TO DO OPEN RECALL. I LET THEM. IN 2007 AND EVER SINCE, MY STEERING WENT BAD. INTERMITTENTLY THE WHEEL ROCKS IDLING IN PARK. ALWAYS LACK OF ASSIST PARKING MANUEVERS, DEPENDING ON AMBIENT TEMP. I SEEK FORD TO RE-OPEN RECALL 14S05 TO FIX THIS STEERING LACK OF ASSIST DESIGN PROBLEM. IT IS BAIT AND SWITCH FOR FORD TO CALL THE RECALL CLOSED IF YOU HAD REFLASH DONE AT EARLY POINT IN TIME WHEN STEERING DESIGN FLAW EXISTS THAT RIDES WITH VEHICLE FOR ITS LIFETIME. OR REIMBURSE/SEND ME NEW STEERING TORQUE SENSOR.