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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 2, 2018
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. AFTERWARDS WHEN I WOULD IDLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SHAKY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. NOW IT SHAKES EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING AND WILL GET JERKY OR STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN I'M PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY! FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS HAPPENS TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER FORD OWNERS. THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY GIVES OUT AND THEY WANT YOU TO PAY $1,500 TO HAVE THE WHOLE COLUMN REPLACED!
Steering, Dec 29, 2017
RECALL STEERING -AFTER HAVING A "SOFTWARE" UPDATES ON A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT IN 2014 FOR FORD RECALL #14S05, NOW IN 2017 MY STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING WHILE AT A STOP BOTH IN AND OUT OF GEAR. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM COULD BE A TORQUE STEERING SENSOR OR A FULL BLOWN STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. BOTH MAY LEAD TO INOPERABLE POWER STEERING OR STEERING AS WELL. LOCAL FORD DEALER QUOTED $800 FOR TORQUE SENSOR REPLACEMENT OR $1800 FOR FULL STEERING COLUMN.
Steering, Dec 28, 2017
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 125,000 MILES ON IT & THE STEERING WAS GREAT! WE HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 1,000 MILES. WHEN I GOT IN AND STARTED THE VEHICLE THE STEERING IS SO TIGHT I CAN NOT TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION! I HAD TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE STORE PARKING LOT & HAVE MY HUSBAND GO THERE AND DRIVE IT HOME. WE CHECKED WITH DEALER AND THEY INFORMED US THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE. SO WE WENT ONLINE & FOUND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM, WITH FORD DOING NOTHING TO HELP.
Steering, Dec 28, 2017
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUIT, WHEN FORTUNATELY IN THE DRIVEWAY NO WARNING OR ERROR CODES THAT WERE SUPPOSED BE THERE AFTER RECALL. NEEDS REPLACEMENT STEERING COLUM PARTS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NOT REPLACED. WHEN THE ASSISTS QUITS IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER AND CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL.
Steering, Dec 21, 2017
MY FORD ESCAPE GAVE ME A WARNING OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND THEN MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. AFTER DOING RESEARCH FORD COVERED 2008 ESCAPE MODELS AS A RECALL, BUT MY VIN NUMBER SAID MINE WAS MADE AT A DIFFERENT FACTORY SO IT IS NOT COVERED.
Steering, Dec 21, 2017
WHILE DRIVING DOWNTOWN CITY STREET, HAD TO MAKE A TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY ON SIDE OF THE STREET, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT SINCE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN.
Steering, Dec 19, 2017
WHEN DRIVING, STEERING LOCKS UP OR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Dec 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) FOR WHICH IT RECEIVED THE UPDATE FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN JUNE OF 2017. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING SOUND AND NOTICED A WARNING INDICATOR THAT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED REINEKE FORD LINCOLN OF LIMA (1360 GREELY CHAPEL RD, LIMA, OH 45804; 419-223-3673) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS/13702203. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AND SEPARATE FROM THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE NEW REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Steering, Dec 18, 2017
THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE BEGAN JARRING AROUND AND HAS FAULTED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORD DEALER STATES THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A "PROGRAMMING FIX," HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS MAKING MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO MYSELF, AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM AMONG THE 2008-2011 FORD/MERCURY MODELS AND ONE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF, OR BE FORCED TO.
Steering, Dec 15, 2017
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SHARP TURN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WENT AWAY ON ITS OWN AND NEXT DAY CAME IN AGAIN AND SINCE THEN MY CAR IS HARD TO STEER AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 14S05 BUT IT DOESNT SHOW FOR MY VEHICLE. MINE IS THE SAME YEAR AFFECTED BUT DOES NOT APPLY FOR SOME REASON AND DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO TAKE ANY ACTION TO REMEDIATE.
Steering, Dec 13, 2017
I WAS DRIVING HOME THIS MORNING AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME UP. THIS FAULT HAS NEVER BEEN ON BEFORE. I READ A COUPLE OF ONLINE SITES AND IT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF 14S05 BUT IT DOESNT SHOW FOR MY VEHICLE. MINE IS THE SAME YEAR AFFECTED BUT DOES NOT APPLY FOR SOME REASON.
Steering, Dec 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST ABILITY. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (VIDALIA FORD LINCOLN, 2607 E 1ST ST, VIDALIA, GA 30474) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FAULTY SENSOR CITED BY THE RECALL DID, IN FACT, FAIL CONTEMPORANEOUS TO THE STEERING SOFTWARE UPDATE. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO SO UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 9/18/18*JB
Steering, Dec 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. PAUL MILLER FORD IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPIARED UNDER MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 14S05, A SECOND REPAIR WOULD NOT BE FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202,000.
Steering, Dec 11, 2017
THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HAS FAILED AND THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER. (RECALL 14S05) FOUND OUT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, BUT WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF THAT! NOW WE FIND THAT THE RECALL IS CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHAKES AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER.
Steering, Dec 10, 2017
I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL ON 12/9/17 WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS DUE TO SNOWY CONDITIONS AND TODAY ON 12/10/17 POWER STEERING LOSS WAS FELT UPON LOWER SPEED TURNS ONLY FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE POWER STEERING LOSS BY END OF HOUR LONG ROUND TRIP ON MOSTLY HIGHWAY FOLLOWED BY BACK ROADS UNTIL HOME. IT IS STRANGE THAT NO RECALLS COME UP PAST OR PRESENT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE IN 2014 FORD DID ISSUE A RECALL FOR "2008-2011 FORD ESCAPES, MERCURY MARINERS AND 2011-2013 FORD EXPLORERS FOR FAULTY TORQUE SENSORS IN STEERING COLUMNS THAT RESULT IN LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING...MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS...WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF CRASH". WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? IS THIS RECALL EXPIRED OR SOMETHING? RECALLS SHOULD NOT EXPIRE IF THAT IS THE CASE! I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT I AM AWARE OF. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE REPAIRS! I AM CONTACTING FORD NEXT.
Steering, Dec 9, 2017
WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE GAS STATION THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" CAME UP. I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS TONIGHT 12/9/2017
Steering, Dec 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED EDWARDS COUNTY MOTORS (51 E MAIN ST, ALBION, IL 62086), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Steering, Dec 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN OPEN RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING MODULE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY FORD AND CLOSED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL PERMANENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. LITHIA FORD OF KLAMATH FALLS (2833 WASHBURN WAY, KLAMATH FALLS, OR 97603 (541) 205-4501) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,308.
Steering, Dec 5, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME, BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT. HOPKINS FORD IN ELGIN, ILLINOIS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,917.
Steering, Dec 5, 2017
THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR GOES OUT EVEN AFTER FORD DID A RECALL ON THE SOFTWARE AND CLOSED THE RECALL. I WENT TO A FORD GARAGE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AT MY EXPENSE.
Steering, Dec 4, 2017
THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING MAKING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. WITH NO POWER STEERING YOU CAN STILL STEER THE CAR BUT THE EFFORT REQUIRED IS VERY VERY LARGE.
Steering, Nov 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,019. *BF UPDATED 8/15/18*JB
Steering, Nov 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. TWO DAYS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE STEERING WHEEL INADVERTENTLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EWALD'S VENUS FORD (2727 E LAYTON AVE, CUDAHY, WI 53110 (414) 481-8500), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Nov 21, 2017
THERE IS A POWER STEERING PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO SHAKE AT FIRST AND GOT VERY STIFF TO TURN AROUND AND MOVE FROM MY GARAGE EVENTUALLY. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT MY SITUATION AND THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS AT THE SHOP AT THE MOMENT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH IT WILL COST ME.
Steering, Nov 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND NO SOUNDS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.