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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 2,417

Of the 2008 reports, 72 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 45 people were injured.

Primary concernSteering1,237 reports · 51% of complaints
Owner complaints2,417Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering1,237
  2. Power train372
  3. Service brakes292
  4. Electrical system200
  5. Vehicle speed control200
  6. Engine157
  7. Engine and engine cooling75
  8. Other or unspecified68

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  1. Steering, Mar 1, 2014

    OUR FORD ESCAPE LOST POWER STEERING RIGHT AS WERE GOING INTO A CURVE IN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NOT WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN THE STEERING STARTED TO WORK. THIS PROBLEM STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHICH PROMPTED ME TO RESEARCH WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I WAS SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THAT MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ STATES THE STEERING COLUMN IS FAULTY AND NEEDS REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THIS IS MY WIFE'S DAILY DRIVER. *TR

  2. Steering, Mar 1, 2014, crash

    POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD FAST ENOUGH FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC. I SEE THAT THERE HAD BEEN QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN MADE. *TR

  3. Steering, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Feb 26, 2014

    POWER STEERING WORKS INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL HAS A SLIGHT TWITCH MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT JUST RANDOMLY STOPS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG FORD ESCAPES. *TR

  4. Steering, Feb 26, 2014

    AT FIRST IT WAS HARD TO START UNLESS I PUSHED THE KEY IN WHILE STARTING THEN THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT TOTALLY. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATED WHEN SITTING AND IDLING PRIOR TO THE STEERING GOING OUT. *TR

  5. Steering, Feb 26, 2014

    TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE, IT THEN BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. RK

  6. Steering, Feb 25, 2014

    STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING, NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. NOW WHEN YOU SIT STILL THE STEERING WHEEL JITTERS AND A KLICKING SOUND FROM WHERE STEERING GOES THRU FIREWALL. POWER STEERING WORKING AGAIN BUT STILL NERVOUS ABOUT IT. CAR IS NOW SETTING AT AUTO MECHANIC. *TR

  7. Steering, Feb 25, 2014

    STEERING WHEEL DEVELOPED EXCESS PLAY AND NOW PULSES AND VIBRATES WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. STEERING HAS NOT YET FAILED BUT TAKING CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. AFTER READING ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH FORD'S ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. OTHER PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE REPORTED AT SIMILAR MILEAGE TO OUR VEHICLE'S. *TR

  8. Steering, Feb 25, 2014

    SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK, AND WHEN IT DOES THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING AS WELL AS WHEN IT'S DRIVING. *TR

  9. Steering, Feb 24, 2014

    TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVING TO SCHOOL WHEN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. OBVIOUSLY IT IS THE POWER PORTION ONLY THAT FAILS, BUT SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST IN A VEHICLE THE SIZE OF A FORD ESCAPE FOR A YOUNG DRIVER IS RATHER TRAUMATIC. HAD IT BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A CORNER (LIKE 5 MINUTES EARLIER) INSTEAD OF A PARKING LOT THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE. RESEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE I SEE THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON COMPLAINT FOR SUCH A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE. *TR

  10. Steering, Feb 24, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

  11. Steering, Feb 24, 2014

    I WAS PULLING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON AND PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE. HOWEVER, THAT WAS 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY DAY SINCE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL NOW VIBRATES FROM SIDE TO SIDE ALL THE TIME. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT! I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT GO OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING. IT'S A COSTLY REPAIR THAT OUR FAMILY CAN'T AFFORD. I'VE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON MULTIPLE WEBSITES. HOW CAN FORD NOT ISSUE A RECALL? THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR

  12. Steering, Feb 24, 2014

    THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE JUST WENT OUT, BEFORE IT WENT OUT THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN AT A IDLE. SOON AFTER THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WHERE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS AND THAT I SHOULD BRING IT IN AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER SEARCHING FOR THIS PROBLEM I FOUND OUT THERE ARE VERY MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS THE ONE I OWN EVEN THE SAME MILEAGE AT THE POINT OF BREAK DOWN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IT WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO, THE REPAIR IS CLOSE TO 2,000.00 AND I'M WONDERING WHY THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE CONSIDERING LIVES COULD BE LOST VERY EASILY IF IT DECIDES TO GO OUT DURING A SHARP TURN OR AT FASTER HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

  13. Steering, Feb 23, 2014

    MY WIFE COMPLAINED ONE DAY THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SHAKING. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER SHE SAID THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. TO GET IT TO WORK, SHE TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND OFF UNTIL IT WORKED. I DROVE IT A FEW DAYS LATER AND FOUND THE COLUMN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. APPARENTLY THE SENSOR IN THE COLUMN DID NOT TELL THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF AND IT DRAINED THE BATTERY. TOW TRUCK STARTED THE BATTERY, I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME IT WILL BE $1000. RIDICULOUS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD NOR HAVE MY FRIENDS HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF ISSUE IN A CAR WITH LESS THAN 200,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THIS IS INFREQUENT BUT FROM MY READING ON THIS SITE I AM DOUBTING THEIR WORD. FORD SHOULD BE MORE HELPFUL WITH THIS. SHARE THE COST OR REPAIR FOR FREE. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. OTHER THAN FIRES, OR BRAKES CAN YOU IMAGINE A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR

  14. Steering, Feb 23, 2014

    WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AND JERK WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED. THIS CONTINUED FOR THE DRIVE TO WORK, AT EACH STOP THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVING. WHEN LEAVING WORK, AFTER STARTING THE CAR, FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. SINCE THAT TIME THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING ACTIVATES. WE JUST DROPPED IT OFF AT A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, OUR LOCAL GARAGE COULD GET NO HELP FROM FORD ON WHAT WAS REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR OR WHAT THE COMPUTER CODES MEANT, OTHER THAN THEY WERE RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. SO NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD BY FORD THAT THE REPAIR CAN RANGE FROM $600 TO $1,500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT IT IS, AND THAT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT WAS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET IS THE CAUSE. IF ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS MATCH THE OTHERS LISTED HOW CAN THE PROBLEM BE SOMETHING ELSE? *TR

  15. Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 21, 2014

    POWER STEERING ALL OF SUDDEN WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

  16. Steering, Feb 21, 2014

    SUDDENLY I BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING NOISE IN THE DASH OF MY 2008 ESCAPE WITH 96,800 MILES. NEXT I BEGAN HEARING A RASPY NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE IN IDLE MY STEERING WHEEL JERKS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT ON IT'S OWN. BOTH THE JERKING AND THE NOISES COME AND GO WITH OUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE IN MANY OF THE 2008 ESCAPES, AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEW NOTHING OF THE ISSUE. UNTIL THIS POINT I HAVE BEEN PRETTY PLEASED WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT THE FACT THAT FORD HAS NOT HAD A RECALL AFTER SO MANY INCIDENTS, MAKES ME NOT WANT TO BUY A FORD EVER AGAIN. MY MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN. THE COST WILL BE AROUND $1300.00 WITH PARTS AND LABOR. *TR

  17. Steering, Feb 21, 2014

    WAS MAKING A LFT HAND TURN OUT OF MY CHURCH PARKING LOT AND STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE. IT TOOK BOTH HANDS TURNING WITH ALL MY STRENGTH TO MAKE THE TURN. WHEN ARRIVING HOME I HAD TO GET A MALE PERSON TO GET THE CAR INTO MY PARKING SPOT AS I COULD NOT. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT SAT FOR 10 MIN OR SO AND THEN WORKED JUST FINE. I AM SCARED TO DEATH THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN DURING HEAVIER TRAFFIC TIMES. *TR

  18. Steering, Feb 21, 2014

    I PURCHASED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE ON SEPTEMBER OF 2013 EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING PROPERLY UNTIL THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2 ,2014 MY POWER STEERING BEGAN TO GET DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND BACK ON AGAIN IT WOULD RESUME TO ITS NORMAL PROCEDURES. ALSO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAKES WHEN I START THE VEHICLE IT NOW IT OCCURS MORE THAN BEFORE MY CONCERN IS DRIVING AND IT WOULD LOCK UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT .I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE FOR AN ESTIMATE WHICH WILL BE AROUND 1400 TO 1500 BEING THAT I AM BARELY PURCHASING I AM UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.. THIS HOWEVER IS A GREAT CONCERN FOR OTHER PERSONS WITH PROBLEM THIS DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL ALERT!!! *TR

  19. Steering, Feb 21, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109000.

  20. Steering, Feb 20, 2014

    AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO, SHE DROVE IT. AFTER SHE PARKED IT AND STARTED IT AGAIN THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. THE POWER STEERING NOW GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, SO WE TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING IS RESTORED. AT STOPS THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES SIDE TO SIDE, BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING THE VIBRATION GOES AWAY. I SEE MANY POSTS ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE, IS SOMEONE GOING TO HAVE TO GET HURT OR DIE BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

  21. Steering, Feb 19, 2014

    MY POWER STEERING JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NOT WORK, I COULD TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WOULD WORK INITIALLY. BUT THEN IT WOULD GO OUT AS I WAS DRIVING. NOW IT DOESN'T EVER WORK. ITS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO TURN ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER. I CALLED ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $908 FOR THE PART ALONE!! *TR

  22. Steering, Feb 19, 2014

    WENT TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING, IN THE COLD, A COUPLE DAYS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUGGESTED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON BUT THIS DIDN'T WORK. I WAS NOT CLOSE TO HOME SO I DROVE THE CAR, WITH NO POWER STEERING TO THE CLOSEST AUTO SHOP. AT THIS TIME I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK ON AT THE REPAIR SHOP THE POWERSTEERING WORKED FINE AND I DROVE HOME. OVER THE NEXT MONTH THIS WAS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE AND I STARTED HEARING A "NOISE" AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE WHEN IDLING. YESTERDAY, DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I LOST ALL POWERSTEERING. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF/ON SEVERAL TIME TO GET IT TO WORK AND WHEN IT IS WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES! I WAS ASTOUNDED WHEN LOOKING ON LINE TO CHECK FOR A RECALL, THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE...SAME MODEL AND YEAR, AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I SPOKE WITH FORD THIS AFTERNOON, BOTH MY DEALERSHIP AT HOME AND THE MAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO WHICH I WAS TOLD "THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, AND THEY RECOMMEND THAT I GET THE REPAIR COMPLETED". OF COURSE THE REPAIR HAS TO BE DONE, TO THE TOON OF $1500...THIS IS CRAZY. THIS IS CLEARLY AND ISSUE WITH A MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLE, A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL. NO POWER STEERING ON A 4WD VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS! *TR

  23. Steering, Feb 18, 2014

    STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. AS I WENT TO BACK OUT, I REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. TURNED VEHICLE OF, THEN BACK ON AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK. HOWEVER, NOW THE STEERING CHATTERS AT IDLE. AFTER HAVING READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SIGHT, I DECIDED TO ADD MINE TO THE LIST. OVER 1/3 OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FOR THIS MODEL ARE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL? *TR

  24. Steering, Feb 16, 2014

    TWICE THIS MORNING, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEGUN TO MOVE ON ITS OWN. THE MOVEMENTS ARE SMALL, RAPID ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. WHILE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM REPORTED WITH THIS 1ST YEAR MODEL FORD ESCAPE WITH "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING", AND HAS BEEN CITED, BY MANY, TO RESULT IN NUMEROUS, NO-WARNING, LOSSES OF POWER STEERING. THE PROBLEM REPORTED IS A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING TORQUE SENSOR, AND THE REPAIR IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, PART #3C529 ($908.00) PLUS LABOR. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

  25. Steering, Feb 16, 2014

    I DON'T KNOW WHO TO CONTACT BUT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LOSS. THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES. THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING MAKING CONTROLLING THE ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE. YOU HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART TO GET POWER STEERING TO COME BACK. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHILE MOVING AT A FAST SPEED IT WOULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TOMORROW BUT THERE HAS BEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SITUATION (HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/FORD/ESCAPE/STEERING). FORD ESTIMATED REPAIR PRICE IS $1700. *TR