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, Apr 1, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO PULL AND SHAKE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING ALSO SHUTS OFF ENTIRELY WHILE DRIVING, AND RANDOMLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN THIS OCCURS, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO DRIVE. SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES RESTART THE POWER STEERING, BUT THE SHAKING AND PULLING DOES NOT STOP. *TR
Steering, Mar 31, 2014
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THAT THE POWERING STEERING HAS GONE OUT ON MY ESCAPE. I HAVE REPORTED THE OTHER INCIDENTS AS WELL. JUST IMPATIENTLY WAITING FOR FORD TO RECALL THIS ISSUE THAT IS LIFE THREATENING!! THESE LAST TWO TIMES HAVE BEEN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED THANK GOODNESS! ITS REALLY SCARY WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I REALLY LIKE MY VEHICLE BUT I THINK I AM GOING TO TRADE IT SO DRIVING WILL BE LESS STRESSFUL FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE INVESTED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THIS VEHICLE. FORD SUCKS AND NEEDS TO HELP SAVE LIVES... I WILL NOT BUY FORD AGAIN, THIS NEGLECT REALLY MAKES ME ANGRY! *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Steering, Mar 26, 2014
MY ESCAPE HAD A FAULTY POWER STEERING SENSOR OR STEERING COLUMN THAT WOULD ALLOW THE POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING AT UNKNOWN TIMES. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND AFFECTED THE WAY THE CAR WOULD STEER. I HAD TO REPLACE THIS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $1,200 TO ME. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM THAT FORD IS REQUIRED TO PAY FOR. *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2014
WHILE DRIVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHUDDER WHEN STOPPED. AFTER PARKING, SHUTTING OFF CAR, AND THEN RETURNING, MY CAR HAD LOST ITS POWER STEERING. IT HAS INTERMITTENTLY RETURNED AFTER TURNING CAR. OFF/ON, BUT IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH LISTED VERY SIMILAR ISSUES AND SYMPTOMS. ALL POINTING TOWARDS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSEMBLY. WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT COSTS NEARLY $1400 TO FIX USUALLY. I FIND THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WILL NOT BE HAVING MY WIFE OR CHILD IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2014
WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE SIMPLY WENT OUT. I HAD NO ISSUES OR INDICATION THAT THE STEERING WAS ABOUT TO FAIL AND SUDDENLY, THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. FORTUNATELY, THIS LOSS OF POWER STEERING DIDN'T RESULT IN A CRASH IN MY CASE. I QUICKLY SCHEDULED AN INSPECTION AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD IN FACT FAILED. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND SCORES OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAD CHANGED FROM A HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM STARTING IN 2008. CLEARLY THIS SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT ONE DAY SOME ONE WILL BE KILLED WHEN THIS SYSTEM FAILS AGAIN. DON'T LET THIS TURN INTO ANOTHER ISSUE LIKE IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING WITH GM IGNITIONS AND LIVES ARE LOST. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 25, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. AFTER RESEARCHING IT FOUND OUT IF YOU HAVE THE HEAT ON IT WILL CAUSE THE SENSOR TO OVER HEAT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Steering, Mar 24, 2014
LOST POWER STEERING TOTALLY ON MY FORD ESCAPE. NO WARNING LITES WERE DISPLAYED. HAVE HAD THE STEERING STOP A FEW TIMES BEFORE AND STOPPED VEHICLE AND RESTARTED AND NO PROBLEMS. PER FORD WHEN I ASKED IN PAST IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SENSOR LOCATED IN STEERING COLUMN BUT NOTHING SHOWED UP IN THE COMPUTER. I HAVE EMAILED FORD AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMEND I SAVE THE RECEIPT OF ABOUT $1700.00. IN CASE THEY DO A RECALL LATER. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Mar 24, 2014
FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, WHENEVER I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND BEGIN TO BACK UP, I LOSE MY STEERING ABILITY. THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET MY STEERING WHEEL TO WORK AGAIN IS IF I TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. WELL, TODAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND MY POWER STEERING WOULD NOT KICK BACK IN. I HAVE READ THROUGH MANY COMPLAINTS ON HERE AS WELL AS OTHER SITES AND SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2008 ESCAPE. I HAVE SEEN THAT IT CAN COST OVER $1400 TO GET IT FIXED!! I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY RIGHT NOW!! THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT TO TELL ME THAT SOMETHING IN THE POWER STEERING WAS GOING IS RIDICULOUS!! IN THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, GET A NEW BATTERY, GET BRAKES, TIRES,NEW GAS TANK, NEW SENSOR FOR THE HEATING CONTROL, AND THE LIST CONTINUES. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND JUST PAST 100,000 MILES!!! I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THESE THINGS ALREADY!! I AM NOT ABOUT TO PUT ANOTHER $1400+ IN THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER ESCAPES. TIME TO DO A RECALL PEOPLE OR YOU CAN GLADLY TAKE THIS CAR BACK!! *TR
Steering, Mar 24, 2014
WHILE DRIVING I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE SUV BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON THIS WENT AWAY FOR A SHORT TIME. THEN AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OR SO IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I CANT DRIVE WITHOUT THIS HAPPENING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Steering, Mar 22, 2014
THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES ON A LONG DRIVE OVER 30 MINUTES. AS I AM DRIVING THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT WILL FAIL AND I WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL SEVERE ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENS AT 70MPH. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ONLINE TO SIMILAR 2008 ESCAPES. FORD HAS BEEN SILENT ON THE ISSUE. THIS NEEDS A RECALL IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT. AVERAGE REPAIR COSTS ARE >1400. I CAN NOT AFFORD THAT AND WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE/RISK MY LIFE UNTIL THIS IS RECALLED BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. THE PROBLEM RESOLVES ITSELF AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT HAPPENS A SHORT TIME LATER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, I DON'T FEEL SAFE AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Mar 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. . THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSES OF THE FAILURE .THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APROXIMATELY 119,000.
Steering, Mar 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 19, 2014
SEVERAL TIMES SINCE BUYING MY CAR IN NOV 2013 MY STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP ON ME SO THAT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, TYPICALLY WHEN TURNING A CORNER, ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO PULL COMPLETELY OVER IN ONE CASE AND I WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN IN MY OWN LANE IN ANOTHER. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC AND MYSELF AND OTHERS COULD BE INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. AND NEITHER FORD OR WARRANTY COMPANY IS WILLING TO REPAIR/REPLACE. *TR
Steering, Mar 19, 2014
AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. MANY CONSUMERS I'VE RESEARCHED ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM FOLLOWED BY TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE AND EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 19, 2014
WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND THEN GOING TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR GAS AND STEERING SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ANY LONGER. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO GOT STUCK IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND. THE GAS PEDDLE ALSO HAVE BEEN GETTING STUCK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 3YRS 2011 UNTIL 2014 THE PRESENT WE HAVE GONE TO CHECK IT PUT NO DIAGNOSIS WAS DONE TO LET US KNOW THE STEERING COLUMN SYSTEM WAS OUT UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN THE CAR WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR
Steering, Mar 18, 2014
I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT UP A HILL. THE STEERING LOCKED AND FOR A SECOND OR TWO I COULDN'T TURN AND WAS AFRAID I WOULD CRASH INTO THE HILLSIDE. AFTER BRAKING THE STEERING COLUMN UNLOCKED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE WHOLE COLUMN AT MY EXPENSE. *TR
Steering, Mar 18, 2014
HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NOV 2013, WHILE PULLING FROM PARKED POSITION, STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. HAVE TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART TO HAVE STEERING OPERATIONAL. HAS OCCURRED 6 TIMES. *TR
Steering, Mar 17, 2014
THE STEERING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE "FAILED" INTERMITTENTLY. IN ESSENCE, THE POWER STEERING BECAME NON-POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON 3 OR 4 OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER THAN A CAR THAT HAD STANDARD STEERING. IF THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED, ON OCCASION IT WOULD RECOVER THE POWER STEERING. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, WHICH WAS A REPAIR THAT COST $970.60. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Mar 17, 2014
THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.... WHILE DRIVING SLOW (5-10 MPH) AND TURNING, POWER STEERING GOES OUT MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN NEAR HEAD-ON COLLISIONS MORE THAN ONCE WHEN THE TURNING RADIUS COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND I DRIFTED OVER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT MANY OTHERS WITH THESE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ESCAPE HYBRIDS HAVE HAD. I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW UNTIL WE HAVE SAVED ENOUGH TO FIX THE PROBLEM (QUOTED $1,400.00). *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2014
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, TURNED DOWN A BUSY STREET, WHEEL LOCKED UP. COMPLETELY FROZEN, TOOK AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF STRENGTH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT TO SAFETY. RESTARTED CAR AND IT WAS FIXED. HAPPENED AGAIN LATER THAT DAY GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. (IT'S LIKE I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL, BUT IT IS ALL ELECTRIC). THE WHEEL HAS CONTINUED TO LOCK AT RANDOM TIMES, WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER FOR 20 (TWENTY!) MORE TIMES, I HAVE DOCUMENTED THEM ALL. NOTHING PROVOKES THIS HAPPENING, LIKE TURNING, GOING UP OR DOWN HILL, SLOW SPEEDS, NOTHING, IT JUST HAPPENS OUT OF NO WHERE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO OUTLET AVAILABLE FOR ME TO TURN INTO. IT HAS HAPPENED WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT IN A TURN ONLY LANE, BUT I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I'VE HAD TO VERY FORCEFULLY ANGLE THE WHEEL SO I COULD GET ON THE SHOULDER. THE WHEEL UNLOCKS AFTER YOU RESTART THE CAR. MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON EVERY TIME THE WHEEL LOCKS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN (A $1,300 FIX) DUE TO A FAULTY SWITCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I COULD VERY EASILY WRECK IF IT HAPPENS IN A BAD TIME OR BAD LOCATION. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VERY CLOSE CALLS ALREADY AND I AM AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING EVERY DAY. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Steering, Mar 16, 2014
THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TO A NEARBY GARAGE THEY INFORMED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER WHERE THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES. THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. A QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FOR 2008 FORD ESCAPE POWER STEERING FAIL YIELDED MULTIPLE RESULTS AND A PENDING RECALL IN CANADA FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING SENSOR. *TR
Steering, Mar 15, 2014
WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE SIMPLY WENT OUT. I HAD NO ISSUES OR INDICATION THAT THE STEERING WAS ABOUT TO FAIL AND SUDDENLY, THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. FORTUNATELY, THIS LOSS OF POWER STEERING DIDN'T RESULT IN A CRASH IN MY CASE. I QUICKLY SCHEDULED AN INSPECTION AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD IN FACT FAILED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF MY STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS ALMOST A $1,600 REPAIR BUT HAD TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY DUE TO THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THE FAILURE. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND SCORES OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAD CHANGED FROM A HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM STARTING IN 2008. CLEARLY THIS SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT ONE DAY SOME ONE WILL BE KILLED WHEN THIS SYSTEM FAILS AGAIN. DON'T LET THIS TURN INTO ANOTHER ISSUE LIKE IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING WITH GM IGNITIONS AND LIVES ARE LOST. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2014
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. THIS IS A PROBLEM MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED, I CAN ONLY HOPE ENOUGH PEOPLE REPORT IT SO THAT YOU PERFORM A RECALL. THE POWER STEERING CAN COME ON AND GO OFF AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THIS ONLY GIVES THE DRIVER A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY AND ALLOWS THE PROBLEM TO GO UNCHECKED A LITTLE LONGER! *TR