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, Oct 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE LOCAL DEALER (BROADWAY FORD, 1010 SOUTH MILITARY AVE, GREEN BAY, WI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000(STEERING), BUT THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Steering, Sep 30, 2018, crash
THE AUTOMATIC STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY CITY STREET 30 MPH LAST NIGHT. AS SHE SLOWED AND TRIED TO CORRECT, SHE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION AS A RESULT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED TO A SECOND DAUGHTER. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE FOLLOWING THE MOST RECENT ISS, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD WAS NEGLIGENT DURING THE RECALL REPAIR. FORD RECALLED THIS SAFETY ISSUE, BUT ONLY UPDATED SOFTWARE RATHER THAN FIXED THE ISSUE. THIS WAS A DESIGN FAILURE BY FORD PUTTING PEOPLE, INCLUDING MY DAUGHTERS AT RISK. PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS REPAIR WILL COST BETWEEN $3,500 AND $5,000. AS THIS WAS IDENTIFIED AS A PREVIOUS POTENTIAL FAILURE DUE TO THE FORD ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY, HOW CAN THEY BE EXONERATED FROM RESPONSIBILITY.
Steering, Sep 28, 2018
AFTER SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, I STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I STARTED TO, THE POWER STEERING IN MY SUV STOPPED WORKING, A DASHBOARD LIGHT TURNED ON (DIDN'T SEE WHICH ONE), AND AN AUDIBLE WARNING ALERT TURNED ON. I HAD TROUBLE TURNING THE VEHICLE, THINKING I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD, BUT EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL A FEW SECONDS AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER DRIVING THE CAR HOME (A FEW MILES). I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE THIS HAPPENED.
Steering, Sep 26, 2018
MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, AND AFTER COMPLETING REPAIRS MY MECHANIC TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND MY MECHANIC CHECKED AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL YEAR FOR THIS ISSUE BUT MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE PARAMETERS FOR THE RECALL.
Steering, Sep 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL ROCKED BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANDERSON'S ROCK RIVER FORD (815-229-0510, LOCATED AT 224 N ALPINE RD, ROCKFORD, IL 61107) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A DISCOUNT TOWARD THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Steering, Sep 12, 2018
CONTACTED BARBER FORD AND DROPPED OFF VEHICLE FOR POWER STEERING RECALL NHTSA 14V284000 FORD NUMBER 14S05 AT 8 AM ON 9/11/18 WAS TOLD WILL BE DONE SAME DAY GOT CALL 11 AM WAS TOLD PART NOT THERE NEEDS TO BE ORDERED WILL BE DONE TOMORROW 9/12/18. NEVER GOT A CALL FROM BARBER FORD. CALLED AT 11 AM TODAY 9/12 WAS TOLD SHOULD BE DONE BY END OF DAY. NEVER GOT ANOTHER CALL. CALLED AFTER 4 AND GET VOICEMAIL SAYING NO ONE AVAILABLE LEAVE MESSAGE. NEVER GOT A CALLBACK.
Steering, Aug 31, 2018
IN 2014 I TOOK MY ESCAPE INTO FORD FOR THE RECALL. WEEKS LATER, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE...THEN BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. FORD SAID I'D HAVE TO PAY $1600 TO GET THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED, AND THEIR PART ON THE RECALL WAS DONE WITH HOOKING IT UP TO A COMPUTER. BUT I COULDN'T TURN IT. I DRIVE A 3 YEAR OLD, AND I AM NOT ABLE TO PAY TO FIX OR BUY SOMETHING NEW. I BOUGHT A FORD BC I THOUGHT THEY CARED ABOUT SAFETY. AND STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I PUT LIVES IN DANGER BC I NEED TO WORK. AND I HAVE TO DRIVE THERE. HELP!!!!
Steering, Aug 14, 2018
TAKARA RECALL. THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. DRIVING VEHICLE AND IT JUST STOPPED. WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY
Steering, Aug 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE "NEED SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Steering, Aug 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
Steering, Jul 31, 2018
LOST MY POWER STEERING AS I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ALMOST ROLLED AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD I S SIMPLY DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS BADLY HURT OR KILLED. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL 14S05 ON JAN. 1ST 2018. THEY SIMPLY DID A COMPUTER UPDATE AND THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE.
Steering, Jul 29, 2018
THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS AND IT COULD'VE BEEN A LOT WORSE IF I HAD NOT BEEN CAUTIOUS OR STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AT TIMES.
Steering, Jul 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERMAIN FORD OF BEAVERCREEK (2356 HELLER DR, DAYTON, OH 45434, (937) 429-1300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. *TT *TR
Steering, Jun 27, 2018
RECALL 14S05. DEALERSHIP UPDATED MODULE 8/19/14. TORQUE SENSOR FAILED MAY 2018 CAUSING AN UNSAFE INCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART WITHOUT CHARGE. HAD TO REPLACE THE PART AT A COST OF ABOUT $800. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEIR REFUSAL TO REPLACE PART AT THEIR COST WE HAD ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP REPLACE THE PART. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THIS POINT BUT A RECALL ITEM SHOULD BE HONORED AT WHATEVER POINT SAID PART FAILS FOR CONSUMER. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN RECALLED. IF THE PART WASN'T BAD IT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. PLEASE CONSIDER REQUIRING THAT FORD SHOULD EXTEND THE REPLACEMENT AND/OR REIMBURSEMENT PERIOD OF THESE PARTS AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMERS.
Steering, Jun 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROWN FORD INC (420 MERRICK RD, LYNBROOK, NY 11563, 516-599-0600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Steering, Jun 15, 2018
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORD PROVIDED COMPUTER FLASH AS PART OF RECALL 14S05 IN 2014 BUT NEEDED NEW STEERING ANGLE SENSOR IN 2018. THE RECALL WAS NOT FIXED BY THE NEW COMPUTER SOFTWARE YET THAT SATISFIED THE RECALL REQUIREMENT FOR FORD. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FINANCIAL BURDEN OF $701.51
Steering, Jun 1, 2018
I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO THE TOWN ROAD, DRIVING SLOWLY AND THE POWER STEERING WEN OUT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO TURN THE WHEELS USING MANUAL STEERING FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR AS I DROVE HOME. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR AND LET IT SIT AND THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE POWER STEERING CAME ON.
Steering, May 29, 2018
POWER STEERING NOT WORKING.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, May 27, 2018
OK AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY I FELT MY STEERING WHEEL TIGHING UP TO POINT I HAVE TO A MAKE SUDDEN STOP BECAUSE OF THE LOSS STEERING.LOOK IT THE MESSAGE CENTER LOST MESSAGE SHOWING PASSAGES AIR BAG OFF. SHOWING CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.SHOWING BATTERY LIGHT ON LOST THING GOING MESSAGE CENTER.
Steering, May 23, 2018
CAME OUT FROM COFFEE SHOP TO MY PARKED CAR AND STARTED CAR AND STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF. HARD TO STEER LIKE POWER STEERING NOT WORKING. DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS. DROVE TO NEARBY MECHANIC WITH HAZARDS ON.
Steering, May 7, 2018
WHEN I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT FROM A RECENT ERRAND I REALIZED MY WHEEL WAS NOT ALLOWING ME TO STEER. I WAS ALREADY HALF WAY OUT AND COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BUT TO PULL AS HARD AS I COULD TO GET IT TO TURN AS THIS WAS NOT SAFE TO LEAVE AS IS. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS A STREET AWAY FROM HOME AND DID NOT HAVE TO MAKE ANY MAJOR TURNS AS I HAD TO MAKE SURE TO GET MYSELF AND MY OCCUPANT TO SAFETY. I HAD NO TURNING ABILITY AND WAS USING ALL MY POWER TO TURN THE WHEEL AS BEST AS I COULD JUST TO GET US BACK HOME. IF WE HAD LOST OUR STEERING IN ANY OTHER SITUATION SUCH AS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO US.
Steering, May 3, 2018
I HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STREERING AND HAVE A DASHBOARD ALERT. COMPUTER TESTING STATES THE P2278 STREERING TORQUIE ANGLE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AS THE FORD 14S05 RECALL: SUMMARY: 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. I PURCHASHED THIS VEHICLE USED IN AUGSUT 2015. THE POWER STEERING WHEN OUT IN FEBRUARY, 2016.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 1, 2018
CAR LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING
Steering, May 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PADUCAH FORD INC. DEALER AT 270- 444-0011 (3476 PARK AVE, PADUCAH, KY 42001) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Steering, Apr 24, 2018
RECEIVED DASH NOTIFICATION "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" AND STEERING NOW OPERATING MANUALLY. REPROGRAMMED POWER STEERING COMPONENT 10/2014 AND ISSUE RESURFACED 4/2018. REPROGRAMMING OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED PRIOR TO ME HAVING POSSESSION OF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCE FAULT ISSUES THAT ARE PART OF A 2014 SAFETY RECALL. FORD DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE ISSUE UNDER THE RECALL, BUT DID OFFER THE OPTION OF SPEAKING WITH A SALES PERSON TO BUY A NEW CAR...FORD DEALER ALSO ASKED CURRENT MILEAGE OF VEHICLE AND EXPLAINED THAT THERE WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY BE A COST TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. NOTE: I HAVE ONLY ADDED APPROXIMATELY 18000 MILES TO THE CAR SINCE THE RECALL HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN REPAIRED. THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE: I HEARD A CHIME AND THE NOTIFICATION CAME UP. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR AND RESTARTING IN THE HOPES OF THE ISSUE CORRECTION, THE POWER STEERING DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY.