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, Engine, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,600.
Steering, Nov 4, 2013
WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT I WENT TO DRIVE AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG BUT I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THEN POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. THIS HAS SINCE HAPPENED AGAIN ON 11/4/2013 WITH MY WIFE DRIVING. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THEN RESTART AND EVERYTHING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO BE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Nov 4, 2013
MY DAUGHTER HAS HER CAR ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS AND DRIVING AROUND THE DRILL FIELD AT 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. THE DATE LISTED WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP BUT HAS DONE IT A SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. I MYSELF WAS IN A KROGER PARKING LOT AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT LOCKED UP. IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS THE POWER STEERING HAS LOCKED UP ON MY DAUGHTER 3 TIMES WHILE ON CAMPUS - NEARLY CAUSING A 10 CAR PILEUP BEHIND HER. AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR US. I HAVE READ MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS TO FORD ON THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE CONTINUING TO PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER BY NOT RECALLING AND FIXING THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Oct 25, 2013
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH, 2013. WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS WAS LIKE TRYING TO DRIVE A TANK. WHEN I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE STEERING WORKED OK AT THAT TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE STEERING CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY PACE TO GET THIS FIXED WAS AT A FORD DEALER AND THAT THIS TYPE FAILURE ON THE 2008 ESCAPE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. LOOKING ON LINE I CONFIRMED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY FREQUENT WITH THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED TO ME ON A QUITE SUNDAY MORNING WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT ENDANGERING MYSELF OR OTHER DRIVERS. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR A LOSS OF LIFE ACCIDENT. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES EQUIPPED WITH THIS TYPE STEERING AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF BOTH THE FORD DRIVERS AND OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED ON THE ROAD SHOULD THE STEERING FAIL. *TR
Steering, Oct 23, 2013
MY STEERING COLUMN WOULD SHAKE WHILE I WAS AT A STOP AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS I HAVE LOST THE ELECTRICAL STEERING (POWER STEERING). I NOW HAVE NO ELECTRICAL ASSIST FOR THE STEERING AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Oct 20, 2013
WHILE SETTING AT A HANDICAP SPACE AFTER EATING. I STARTED MY CAR AND THE STEERING WAS HARD TO STEER GOING INTO REVERSE OR FORWARD. IT STILL HASN'T COME BACK TO ME YET AFTER SETTING FOR A WHOLE DAY. THE ONLY THING THAT I DID BEFORE PARKING WAS GO OVER A SPEED BUMP WITH ONE SIDE OF THE CAR AND MAKING ONE TURN AFTER 50 YARDS OF STRAIGHT DRIVING TO THE SPACE. *TR
Steering, Oct 17, 2013
THE INCIDENT REPORTED IS ONLY ONE OF MANY SIMILAR -IN 2012 REPORTED TO FORD-DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED CAR DID WORK ON THEIR OWN TO FIX-(NO-CHARGE-AND ONLY HAVE THE PARTS NUMBERS USED TO REPAIR-DO NOT KNOW THE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM THEN) IN 2013 THE STEERING ELECTRONIC ASSIST HAS FAILED BOTH MY WIFE AND I ON MORE THAN MULTIPLE TIMES! ALL EXCEPT ONE TIME AT LOW MPH IN PARKING LOTS-MALLS-AND BACK YARD. THE ONE EXCEPTION TIME WAS ON A HIGHWAY AT NORMAL 45 TO 50 MPH -COLOGNE AVE, MAYS LANDING NJ ONLY SOLUTION TO GET POWER STEERING BACK TO NORMAL IS TO STOP -SHUT ENGINE DOWN-RESTART ENGINE-AND THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST IS BACK AND OK AGAIN. ALL EXCEPT ONE TIME -HAD TO RESTART AND RUN AROUND THE BACK YARD -SHUT DOWN AND RESTART AGAIN. THESE INCIDENCES OF ACTUAL TIMES AND EVENTS REPORTED TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS--NO ACTION EXCEPT TO ADVISE RETURN TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. AT OUR COST>WE KNOW AND FORD KNOWS -WHY SHOULD WE PAY ANOTHER $100 FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS AS IN 2012? THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY-NOT ONLY TO DRIVER OF SUBJECT VEHICLE , BUT TO OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. OUR ESCAPE A 2008 -BUT ACTUALLY BOUGHT IN MARCH 2007; ALSO WE UNDERSTAND THRU SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO OURS THAT THE 'ELECTRONIC ASSIST POWER STEERING FIRST PUT ON THE ESCAPE MODEL IN THE 2008 YEAR. POSSIBLE THAT FORD FOUND OUT THE PROBLEMS AND LATER CORRECTED--BUT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING EVEN THAT A PROBLEM EVER EXISTED! WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY SAME AS OURS ON SO MANY FORUMS AS FORD FORUMS, CAR COMPLAINTS, EDMUNDS , AND TWO OR THREE OTHER PLACES THAT CAN NOT RECALL AS WRITE THIS--HOW CAN IT JUST BE PASSED OFF AS A RARE INCIDENT TO JUST A FEW? *TR
Steering, Sep 24, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING JUST LOST ALL POWER, THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC STEERING CONTROL, WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT DOWN . RESTARTED AND STEERING CAME BACK. UPON RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE SEEMS TO BE QUITE A FEW OF THESE STEERING INCIDENTS AND FORD IS NOT DOING ANY RECALL. *JS
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
THIS OCCURRED IN 2012 ALSO. LOSS OF POWERSTEERING -WHEN PULLING INTO OUR YARD. HAD SON CHECK THE BELTS-FLUID LEVELS-ALL OK;RESTARTED AND IT WAS OK. TOOK AROUND BACK YARD AND IT IMMEDIATELY LOSS THE POWER ASSIST AGAIN. ACTUALLY STEERED IT AS WAS FOR ABOUT 400 YARDS AROUND THE LARGE BACK FIELD OF OUR FARM AS IT WAS-IT NEVER BECAME NORMAL AGAIN DURING THAT APPROXIMATE 400 YARDS --UNTIL I SHUT OFF ENGINE-RESTARTED AGAIN AND TIL TODAY SEPTEMBER 19, NO RE OCCURRENCE. HAVE BEEN ON MANY FORUMS AND SEEN SO MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEMS. A STEERING ASSIST ELECTRIC MODULE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE TWO TIMES -ONE IN THE BACK YARD AND ONE IN MALL PARKING LOT AREA. WE KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW-SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RESTART; HOWEVER, IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE ON HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EITHER PASS OR GET BACK IN YOU LANE --IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING TO NOT ONLY US BUT THE OTHERS ON HIGHWAY. PLEASE, THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR A REMEDY -OR AT LEAST AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY FORD -NOT AS OUR E-MAIL TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND A REPLY BY A REPRESENTATIVE, [XXX], WHO STATED THEY HAVE DONE WHAT THEY FEEL NECESSARY AND AS TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS PROBLEM, BY TELLING US TO TAKE TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AN ANALYSIS TEST BY THEIR PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS AND TECHNICIANS. WE AS DO SO MANY FORD OWNERS KNOW THE PROBLEM-CAUSE-AND WHY MUST WE PAY A LARGE ANALYSIS PROBLEM FOR SAME. THANK YOU NHTSA-WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME ONE THAT IS CONCERNED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Steering, Sep 15, 2013
THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED SO THERE WAS NO RISK OF ACCIDENT AT THE TIME. THIS ISSUE HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. I DID AN ON ONLINE SEARCH AND DISCOVERED THIS IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. I FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS REPORTING SUDDEN STEERING LOSS PROBLEMS WITH CHARACTERISTICS MATCHING PRECISELY WHAT I EXPERIENCED. THESE COMPLAINTS SEEMED TO BEGIN TO SURFACE WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS. IT APPEARS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MOUNTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS TO BLAME FOR THE FAILURES. I BELIEVE 2008 WAS THE FIRST YEAR FORD INTRODUCED THE ECU TO REPLACE CONVENTIONAL POWER STEERING PUMPS. WELL IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WHICH FORD HAS APPARENTLY IGNORED SO FAR. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT THE NHTSA WILL COMPEL FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE, THIS A LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. IF POWER STEERING FAILS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT AND QUITE POSSIBLY DIE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. AND PLEASE DO IT SOON. *TR
Steering, Sep 15, 2013
THE CAR HAS RANDOMLY STARTED LOOSING POWER STEERING. *TR
Steering, Sep 9, 2013
2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING COLUMN ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
Steering, Sep 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Steering, Aug 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAP OF THE U-JOINT HAD BECOME DETACHED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Steering, Aug 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED WITHOUT AN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Aug 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Steering, Jul 23, 2013
AFTER BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, I PUT MY VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO POINT IT TO DRIVE DOWN THE ALLEYWAY AND SUDDENLY REALIZED I COULD NOT TURN THE FRONT WHEELS. I ALMOST HIT THE TREE BESIDE THE GARAGE AND HAD TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND HIT THE BRAKES HARD. I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN TO TURN THE WHEELS AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED AS IT WAS FINE WHEN I DROVE IT AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE THE DAY BEFORE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED AND FOUND I COULD BARELY STEER SO HAD TO BACKUP AND THEN GO FORWARD A COUPLE INCHES AT A TIME UNTIL AFTER ABOUT 30 TIMES BACK AND FORTH COULD LINE UP ENOUGH TO PULL STRAIGHT INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL WAITING TO BE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. I HAD BEEN STARTING ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER, SON-IN-LAW AND THREE YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER SO THANK HEAVENS THE POWER STEERING DID NOT GO OUT WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING TO OR FROM THE AIRPORT BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND BEEN KILLED.
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT SOMETIME WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STEER. IF THIS HAPPENED DURING A HIGH RATE OF SPEED DURING A TURN IT WOULD 100% CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Jun 21, 2013, crash
I WAS TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE POWER STEERING/STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND I CRASHED INTO A CURB, *TR
Steering, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 07/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND SHE HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.
Steering, May 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE TO RESUME PROPER STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS HAD NOT BEEN PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 2, 2013
I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT! I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN THE ESCAPE ON THE CURVE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE CAR, WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL BUT THAT DIDN'T LAST VERY LONG. I PARKED IT FOR AWHILE AND BORROWED A CAR BUT I HAD TO RETURN IT SO NOW I'M DRIVING AND JUST PRAYING I DON'T LOOSE ALL CONTROL. TODAY IT WAS DIAGNOSED, NEED A NEW POWER STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR, COST BETWEEN 1300-1500 DOLLARS! THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING, FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE WHEN I CHECKED IT OUT AT ALL LOCATIONS ONLINE. *TR
Steering, Apr 30, 2013
THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO WORK. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THE STEERING WORKED, BUT HAD VIBRATIONS WHICH WERE MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN STOPPED. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CLICK AND MOVE ON IT'S OWN. IT HAS CONTINUED AND I AM NOT CONFIDENT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Apr 23, 2013
DURING LUNCH HOUR SLOWED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND BRAKES SEEMED TO LOCK AND GRIND. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE LOCKED UP FOR A FEW SECONDS. VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME DUE TO VEHICLE FAILURE. LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE AFTER ACCELERATING TO ABOUT 25 MPH. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MORE MINUTES THEY ILLUMINATED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. DURING DRIVE HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES AND ALWAYS WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. NOW ABS LIGHT WON'T GO OFF AT ALL. *TR