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, Jul 22, 2014
I WAS MAKING A CORNER AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT. IF I HAD NOT BEEN A WRESTLING COACH, I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. I IMMEDIATELY GOT MYSELF TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF A BROKEN PART. I HAVE HAD TWO FRIENDS WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED. I JUST RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 14S05/NHTSA RECALL 14V-284. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THE RECALL WHICH AFFECTS THE STEERING MECHANISM IS A COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT PRODUCES THE SAME EFFECT AND NOT A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I AM HAVING THE REPAIR DONE TODAY, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER DANGEROUS STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS OUT THERE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. MY EXPERIENCE HAS NOT BEEN UNIQUE. *TR
Steering, Jul 19, 2014
12/26/2012 I WAS MAKING A U-TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. ALMOST HIT THE LIGHT POST, ANOTHER CAR, ALMOST RAN UP ON THE CURB AND ALMOST HIT A ROCK/BOULDER SIGN. PROBLEM WENT AWAY ONCE I RESTARTED CAR. CAR SAT IN MECHANIC SHOP FOR WEEKS, DUE TO BACK ORDER, AND WAS FINALLY FIXED. A NEW STEERING COLUMN COST ME $1064.35 - I ALSO HAVE THE ORIGINAL PART. 10/26/13 I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY, AT MIDNIGHT, AND WAS TWO HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. MY CAR KEPT SLIPPING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. I ALMOST HIT THE FREEWAY MEDIAN MULTIPLE TIMES, ALMOST HIT MULTIPLE CARS, AND ALMOST SPUN OUT WHILE ON MY DRIVE HOME THAT NIGHT. I DID NOT HAVE A TOW TRUCK COME BECAUSE STATE FARMS COMPUTERS WERE DOWN AND I'D HAVE TO PAY $69 A MILE IF A TOW CAME- AND I WAS STILL TWO HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD, AGAIN, THAT I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. MY U-JOIN WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS ALSO RELATED FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. I PAID ANOTHER $287.06 AND HAD A NEW U-JOINT PLACED. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS STEERING PROBLEM, WHEN MY COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NO DOCUMENTED REPORTS OF AN ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. THE INTERNET STATES OTHERWISE, AND I READ THOUSANDS OF ACCOUNTS OF PEOPLE GETTING INTO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THEIR STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. *TR
Steering, Jul 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (POWER STEERING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE ABOUT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
Steering, Jul 1, 2014
WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT 30 MILES PER HOUR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS DURING A DECELERATION PERIOD APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRYING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT IN THE CENTER OF THE LANE CORRECTION. *TR
Steering, Power train, Jun 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Steering, Jun 23, 2014, crash
DRIVING IN THIRD LANE ON INTERSTATE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED VEERING TOWARDS THE LEFT AND HAD NO CONTROL. IT VEERED ME INTO THE CONCRETE WALL AND THEN I STOPPPED. BOTH AIR BAGS EXPLODED. *TR
Steering, Jun 18, 2014
POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION UPON START UP AND A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING, ALTHOUGH SPEED AT THE TIME STEERING LOCKED UP IS UNKNOWN. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED IN JAN 2013 AT MY EXPENSE AND TOTALED $1244.60. DUE TO THE RECENT RECALL OF THE NUMEROUS FORD ESCAPE'S STEERING, I FEEL FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSES RELATED TO THE DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Power train, Jun 17, 2014
MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THE FORD RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. FORD IS REFUSING TO COVER IT, EVEN THOUGH OUR VIN IS REPORTED ON FORD'S RECALL WEBSITE AS PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
Steering, Jun 14, 2014
RECENTLY ON 2 OCCASIONS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND MY STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. ONCE MAKING THE TURN I HAD TO QUICKLY PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN ON AND THE STEERING WAS OK. *JS
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 13, 2014
FOR ALMOST A YEAR, TO START MY CAR I HAD TO PUSH KEY IN VERY FIRMLY, THEN TURN. FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH NOW, I HAVE TO PUSH IN, THEN JIGGLE IN AND OUT UNTIL IT CONNECTS AND STARTS CAR. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5 MINUTES TO FIND THE CONNECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM OF HAVING NO POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES - USUALLY NONE) WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS ALSO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JS
Steering, Jun 11, 2014, crash
FRIDAY JUNE 6TH, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30PM WHILE DRIVING AROUND A MODERATE CURVE IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED, LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL 'LOCKED' IN A RIGHT TURN. BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING, THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE TURN AND LEFT THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WENT HEAD ON INTO A LARGE STONE LINED CULVERT (APPROXIMATELY 6-8' DEEP), HIT THE FRONT END INTO THE CULVERT WALL, FLIPPED ACROSS THE DRIVE DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CULVERT, AND THEN ROLLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES UNTIL IT CAME TO REST ON IT'S WHEELS, APPROXIMATELY 20-30' FROM THE INITIAL POINT OF IMPACT. ALL OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. THERE WAS NO FIRE, BUT THE ENGINE DID SMOKE. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND, MIRACULOUSLY ONLY HAD SEVERE STRAINS, BRUISING, LACERATIONS, AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. THERE WERE MULTIPLE WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Jun 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Steering, Jun 9, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CROSSED OVER THE YELLOW LINE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE THREE PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,191.
Steering, May 21, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHICH MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TURN CORNERS. *TR
Steering, May 21, 2014
MY WIFE WAS TURNING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SHE HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN. *TR
Steering, May 19, 2014
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. IT COMES AND GOES NOW. USUALLY IF CAR IS TURNED OFF, IT WORKS FOR AWHILE. NO WARNING WHEN IT GOES AGAIN--NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. *JS
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 13, 2014
CAR GOES LIMP. FORD HAS TSB 08-24-05. MECP FAILS. POOR DESIGN. HAS GONE LIMP ON ME ~8 TIMES. EACH TIME CAR DRIFTS TO A STOP REGARDLESS OF LOCATION, SPEED, ETC...(EG, CAN BE GOING 75MPH ON HIGHWAY) AND IT GOES LIMP. CANNOT MOVE AFTERWARDS FOR MINUTES. MANY CASES OF THIS HAPPENING HAVE BEEN REPORTED. TSB 08-24-5 STATES THAT SOME 2005-2008 ESCAPE HYBRID AND 2006-2008 MARINER HYBRID VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A RED TRIANGLE LIGHT AND CODES INDICATING A TRANSAXLE OVERTEMP. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN REDUCED POWER AS THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES FAIL SAFE OPERATION. CODES P1A0E, P1A0F, P0A3C, P0A3E, P0A7A, P0A7C AND P1A0D MAY ALSO BE SET. *TR
Steering, May 11, 2014
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING GOES OUT. *TR
Steering, May 8, 2014
COMPLAINT DESCRIPTION CASE # [XXX] IN THE PAST I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF THE "AMERICAN" COMPANY, FORD. FORD HAS NOT STOOD BY ITS PRODUCT (AND POST THE LINKS THAT ARE ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING YOUR "STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM"!) I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED THE DAY THE STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT!!! I WANT MY MONEY BACK! $1,300.00 (I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN, JUST 7 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I AM DEFINITELY OF AGE, I WORK HARD AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, AND KNOW THAT YOU HAVE/ARE ROBBING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, BY NOT DOING A RECALL. (LET ALONE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN POSSIBLE INJURY AND EVEN DEATH!!!) IN YOUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. YOU; AN AMERICAN COMPANY, MEANING I AM NOT DEALING WITH SOME FOREIGN CAR DEALER! I HAVE HEARD THAT YOU HAVE REPLACED 5 COMPUTERS IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR STEERING COLUMNS . STEERING COLUMN PHONED: 1-800-392-3673 8:46AM ON MARCH 21ST. CASE #[XXX]YOU THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE :YESVIN : [XXX] CONTACT INFORMATIONFIRST NAME : [XXX] LAST NAME :[XXX]ADDRESS :[XXX]: [XXX] STATE :[XXX], ZIP :[XXX]EMAIL ADDRESS :[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, May 7, 2014
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK ON AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RESTARTED. *TR
Steering, May 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,101.
Steering, Apr 29, 2014
THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE CAR BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO BE DRIVING VERY SLOWLY AT THE TIME AND SHUT OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED IT. AFTER I RESTARTED IT THE STEERING WORKED FINE. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE WHY THAT WOULD HAPPEN AND I FOUND 302 OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/FORD/ESCAPE/STEERING. THE COMPLAINTS SAY THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY AND CAN HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. FORD IS NOT DOING A RECALL APPARENTLY EVEN THOUGH THIS LACK OF STEERING HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING AS PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! *JS
Steering, Apr 29, 2014
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT AT A STOP SIGN. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TURNED, THEN PARKED FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AT MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE STEERING WORKED CORRECTLY AGAIN. *JS
Steering, Apr 27, 2014
AS I WAS DRIVING, I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN AND THAT'S WHEN I LOST POWER TO MY STEERING WHEEL. THE WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I STOPPED MY VEHICLE, SHUT IF OFF, AND RESTARTED. IT BEGAN TO GO BACK TO NORMAL BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING ON IT'S OWN. EVER SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, OFF AND ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL HAVE NO POWER. TODAY, I ALMOST CRASHED WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HIT THE MEDIAN. I WAS COMING TO A STOP TO MAKE MY TURN AND IT WENT OUT RIGHT THEN AND THERE. AFTER LEAVING WORK TODAY AGAIN IT FAILED. I WAS ONLY BACKING OUT WHEN I LOST POWER. I ALREADY GOT IN TOUCH WITH FORD AND THEY DID SAY IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NOT A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Apr 25, 2014
SPORADIC LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT NOTICE. NO ERROR CODES. STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. KNOWN FAILURE IS SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN. POTENTIAL OF AN ACCIDENT IS HIGH. CANADA ALSO HAS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION. ( [XXX]). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR