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, Nov 18, 2017
RECALL ITEM #14S05 IS NOT BEING REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL AND I'M LEFT WITH NO POWER STEERING. CAME IN TO DEALERSHIP ON AUG 29TH TO GET RECALL ITEM LOOKED AT - NO CODES AT THE TIME AND DEALER DID 'MODULE REPROGRAM' WITH NO REPAIRS. RECALL ITEM THEN BROKE AND I CAME IN FOR SERVICE ON NOV 17TH. CODE B2278 THEN CAME UP TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN AND THE DEALER ALONG WITH FORD DENIES THE REPAIR SHOULD BE UNDER THE RECALL AND I WAS QUOTED $1,500. BOTH FORD AND NICK MAYER FORD LET ME LEAVE THE SERVICE DEPTH WITHOUT THE REPAIR. I'M FIGHTING TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE FOR FREE AS REQUIRED UNDER THE RECALL. I CAN SEND DOCUMENTATION UNDER SEPARATE COVER.
Steering, Nov 15, 2017
WHILE DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT, SUDDENLY LOSS POWER STEERING. ABLE TO DRIVE BUT HARD TO STEER. MECHANIC STATED THERE IS A FAULT CODE AND PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL. RECALL 14S05 SEEMS TO DESCRIBE EXACT ISSUE.
Steering, Nov 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WESLACO MOTORS IN WESLACO, TEXAS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Steering, Nov 13, 2017
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAILED AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN OVER A LITTLE GIRL AND HER MOTHER.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2017
I HAVE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. I HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE TRUCK IGNITION WENT OUT ON 10/31/17.
Steering, Nov 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLAN VIGIL FORD (275 GLYNN ST N, FAYETTEVILLE, GA). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS BEYOND A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR A SUBSEQUENT FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000(STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Steering, Nov 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. ALSO, THE POWER TRAIN FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Nov 6, 2017
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL ONE OR TWO YEARS AGO THEN RECENTLY POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETLY AND WENT BACK TO MANUAL STEERING AND COUND CAUSE A ACCIDENT. I AM ON DISABILTY DUE TO WEAK HEART AND IS TO HARD TO MAKE TURNS. DO I HAVE ANY LEGAL RECOURSE ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DROPPING OFF MY WIFE AND MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO BUSY TRAFFIC.
Steering, Nov 5, 2017
SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER STEERING WHILE IN MOTION. SOME WARNING WITH YAW CONTROL IN DAYS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. WAS IN MOTION IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN FAILED. NOW HAS NO STEERING ASSIST AT ALL. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED WHILE IN A CURVE OR TURN IT COULD OF RESULTED IN A CRASH.
Steering, Nov 5, 2017
HAVE HAD ALL RECALLS APPLIED. CAR STARTED NORMALLY BUT HAD NO POWER STEERING. FORD'S FINE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. STOPPED CAR, TURNED OFF IGNITION, RESTARTED. EVERYTHING FINE.
Steering, Engine, Oct 31, 2017
WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING BECAME REALLY HARD TO TURN STILL WAS ABLE TO GO DOWN THE ROAD BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. TOOK MY ESCAPE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD MY ELECTRONIC STEERING SENSOR IS BAD. I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME NOR THE MONEY TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE AND THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKING THREE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BROKEN OFF CAUSING A HISSING NOISE. I CAN SMELL THE EXHAUST IN MY VEHICLE WHEN PARKED.
Steering, Oct 25, 2017
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY RECALL 14S05 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR WHICH HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL AND IT SAYS THAT IS FOR FORD ESCAPE. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE ADVISE. NOTE; THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE IT. THANKS
Steering, Oct 24, 2017
MY STEERING IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE LOCKED UP ON ME DRIVING HOME LAST WEEK. THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN JUST WANTED TO GO STRAIGHT.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 19, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS GOING STRIGHT AND SOMETIMES DURING A TURN, THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TOO STEER, THE ENGINE REMAINS OPERATIONAL HOWEVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES INTO TEST MODE WHERE ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON AND THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER GO TO ZERO USUALLY WITHIN 5-10 SECONDS IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL OR THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE IS NORMAL FROM A FEW MINUETS TO A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE EVENT MAY RETURN. THIS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V264000. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLES WAS MANUFACTURED IN MAY 2008 AND ITS VIN #, PER FORD, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL WHICH STARTED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2010
Steering, Oct 14, 2017
WILL FREEZE UP AND NOT WORK WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE SOME HAVE BEEN RECALLED, OTHERS HAVE NOT. WHY?????
Steering, Oct 14, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING WHEN EVER I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT AND I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN.
Steering, Oct 10, 2017
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT THE POWER ASSIST AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I BARELY MISSED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.
Steering, Power train, Oct 7, 2017
100300 MILES ON MY 2008 ESCAPE. CAR STRUGGLES TO CHANGE FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. NOW POWER, ENGINE REVS UP BUT GEAR WILL NOT CHANGE, I HAVE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL THEN LIFT OFF, OVER AND OVER BEFORE IT CHANGES GEAR. CAR WILL JERK AND ALMOST LOSE POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC
Steering, Sep 26, 2017
I WAS DRIVING AND THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON 9/25/2017
Steering, Sep 20, 2017
THIS VEHICLE STARTED MINOR STEERING PROBLEMS JAN 23, 2014 AND HAS SHOWN MINOR TO NOW MAJOR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO GO OUT, THEN REVIVE WHEN RESTARTED. NOW THE INCIDENTS ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND FOR THIS FEMALE, NOW NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS UPON STARTING THE CAR.
Steering, Sep 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. REDLANDS FORD INC, (1121 W COLTON AVE, REDLANDS, CA 92374, (909) 793-3211) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,715.
Steering, Aug 17, 2017
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY FROM VIRGINIA TO CALIFORNIA AND BACK THROUGH TEXAS ON HIGHWAYS AND BACK ROADS. SHE STOPPED FOR GAS IN TEXAS AND WHEN SHE BEGAN DRIVING AGAIN SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING,POWER STEERING WAS OUT. SHE HAD TO DRIVE BACK TO VIRGINIA WITH NO POWER STEERING WHICH CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE. UPON RETURNING TO VIRGINIA THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WYNNE FORD WHICH DETERMINED AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAULT AND THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE LOCK MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE DISCOVERED THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. SAFETY RECALL 14S05- ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. WE WERE THEN TOLD HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL BECAUSE ONLY VEHICLES FROM THE KANSAS PLANT WOULD BE COVERED. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM JUST A DIFFERENT PLANT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.
Steering, Aug 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER (RIVER VIEW FORD, 2200 US-30, OSWEGO, IL) WAS CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. ...UPDATED 11/15/17 *BF UPDATED 11/28/2017*JS
Steering, Aug 11, 2017
. IN 2012 AND 2013, I HAD POWER STEERING FAILURES WHILE DRIVING, LUCKILY RESULTING IN NO COLLISIONS. BOTH TIMES I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO A FORD DEALER. BOTH TIMES, I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. IN 2014, FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT MY FORD TO MY DEALER FOR SERVICE. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN, THEY CHOOSE A 2ND OPTION (CHEAPER) AND SIMPLY REPROGRAMMED/ REBOOTED THE SENSOR. ON JULY 21ST, 2017, I PARKED MY CAR AND WHEN I CAME OUT A STARTED THE CAR, I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ACCORDING TO THE COMPUTER THE SAME PART FAILED AGAIN. THEY RE-SET THE SENSOR AND WE TOOK THE CAR INTO OUR FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED FOR THE RECALL. BOTH THE FORD DEALER AND FORD NA TOLL FREE SERVICE CENTER (I SPOKE TO DARREN IN AUGUST 8TH) TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE FORD HAD ALREADY PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE THAT THEY WILL NOT HONOR THIS ISSUE AS PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER, SINCE THE FORD DEALER TOOK THE 'CHEAPER' OPTION AND REPROGRAMMED THE SENSOR, FORD SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS THE SERVICE THAT OUR FORD DEALER STATED IS NOW REQUIRED TO FIX THE ISSUE. WE ARE FACED WITH SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OR DRIVING ESSENTIALLY AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BECAUSE FORD WAS ALLOWED TO OFFER THIS 'CHEAPER' RECALL SERVICE TO FORD OWNERS. IT'S A DISGRACE.
Steering, Jul 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN BACK AND FORTH INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (POWER STEERING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL REPAIR REMEDY WAS PERFORMED AT WESTLIE MOTOR COMPANY (LOCATED ON 500 S BROADWAY ST, MINOT, ND, 58701). DUE TO THE CONTACT BEING OUT OF TOWN DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HAVRE FORD LOCATED AT 1991 2ND AVE, HAVRE, MT, 59501) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BEGUN TO FAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER, WESTLIE MOTOR COMPANY, ONCE SHE RETURNED AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT LIKELY THE SAME PART THAT FAILED AND, EVEN IF IT WAS, IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE FOR A SECOND OPINION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ACTIVE RECALLS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE IT UP WITH HER LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.