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, Oct 25, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILED. SAME ISSUE AS ALMOST ALL THESE POSTS. BASICALLY IT COMES AND GOES, THE BIG PROBLEM IS IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL IT HOWEVER IM WORRIED ABOUT BEING LAX ON THE WHEEL AROUND A FREEWAY TURN GOING 60. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD! IM GOING TO TAKE IT IN BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE POSTS I DON'T HAVE 1000 TO DROP. I HONESTLY JUST DROPPED 3000 ON A NEW TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE JUST OVER 3000 MILES OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. FORD OF COURSE REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY. *TR
Steering, Oct 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR IN THE PARK POSITION HE WOULD NOTICE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. ..UPDATED 11/28/12 *BF UPDATED 11/29/12
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 28, 2012
DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE FORD RECALLS THESE CARS TO FIX THE HYBRID COOLING SYSTEM IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM ONCE MYSELF (TWO YEARS AGO) AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THESE CARS SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OUT WARNING BECAUSE OF SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED. ONE DAY SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ON A HIGHWAY) THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT COMES ON AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. SOME FAMILY WILL BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS AND FORD WILL BE CAUGHT KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 26, 2012
ISSUE HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS--TWO TIMES WITH MY WIFE-TWO WITH ME-WAS ONCE ON HIGHWAYS WITH EACH OF US -AND ONCE IN JUST GOING INTO A PARKING LOT WHILE TURNING AT 5 MPH OR LESS-HAVE A WITNESS ON LAST OCCASION A COUPLE DAYS BACK AT WORK LOT. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE A BATTERY DEAD-TOOK TO ADVANCE AUTO OF HAMMONTON, NJ AND ADVISED ON SUNDAY PASSED THAT BATTERY TESTED FINE. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN LOOSE-AND IS GETTING WORSE -THE KEY WIGGLES -AND ON JUST A NORMAL INPUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER --HAVE TO PUT IN 2ND OR 3RD TIME -PUSHING IN HARD TO GET CONTACT. FEEL , BUT DO NOT KNOW , THAT THIS ISSUE EFFECTS BOTH THE BATTERY AND THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON THE FOUR OCCASIONS--IN ANY CASE IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE-WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR-SHE USES NOW THE 2000 SEL FORD VAN WE HAVE FOR SECOND CAR. WE LOVE THE ESCAPE-BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ALL MY RECORDS ON MY HOME PAGE FORD FOR YEARS-AND ALL SERVICE RECORDS-99 PER CENT FROM DEALERSHIP WHERE BOUGHT THIS AND MANY OTHERS. THEY HAVE IN PAST BEEN GREAT. CONTACTED FORD.COM -RECEIVED A REPLY TO MY E-MAIL IN A DAY FROM A [XXX] OF FORD -THEY ARE DOING A VERY INTENSIVE STUDY AND ARE ALSO SAYING THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON WHAT OUR DEALERSHIP SAID COULD COST AROUND $400 TO PULL DOWN AND REPAIR.[XXX] OF FORD.COM PROMISED A REPLY AND HOPE FOR SOLUTION WITH AND IN CO-OPERATION WITH MY DEALERSHIP AND FORD. FORD IN THE PAST HAS ALWAYS STOOD UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR US , AS HAS OUR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LILLISTON FORD , VINELAND, NJ . THANKS FOR ALLOWING TO SHARE THIS WITH OTHER FOLKS -WILL FOLLOW UP ON A CONCLUSION IN THE NEXT WEEKS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Sep 22, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILED AS A U-TURN WAS BEING ATTEMPTED...AT RUSH HOUR. *TR
Steering, Sep 13, 2012
DRIVING HOME FROM DROPPING MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND START IT AGAIN TO GET POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY 3 CARS TRYING TO AVOID ME AS I WAS STRUGGLING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOPPING POINT. MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED V6 AUTOMATIC. *TR
Steering, Aug 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, SHE WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND WHERE THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 127,000.
Steering, Aug 6, 2012
STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE CAUSING VEHICLE TO WEAVE BACK AND FORTH ON ROADWAY..TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND LOWER STEERING ARM WAS REPLACED CORRECTING PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2012
THE STEERING WHEEL POPS WHEN TURNING. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD THE BRAKES WON'T PUSH DOWN. BATTERY GOES DEAD IF NOT DRIVEN DAILY. RADIO WONT PLAY AFTER REPLACE BATTERY THAT WAS DEAD. *TR
Steering, Jun 29, 2012
THE POWER STEERING FALTERED GOING AROUND A CORNER AND I HAD TO MANUALLY STEER THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK WITHOUT INTERVENTION BUT IT WAS QUITE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE MANUALLY IN THE TURN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY. I AM STILL AWAITING THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 27, 2012
VEHICLE GAVE "STOP SAFELY NOW" READOUT ON DISPLAY AND RED TRIANGLE LIGHT ON DASH. POWER DROPPED OFF AND I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING FROM LA TO SANTA CRUZ IN THE EVENING. HAPPENED FOUR MORE TIMES ON THE SAME DRIVE. JUST HAPPENED AGAIN COMING BACK FROM PALM SPRINGS ALSO IN THE EVENING. TOOK ME SEVEN HOURS TO DRIVE 140 MILES. CAR STOPPED OVER TWENTY TIMES. *TR
Steering, May 28, 2012
POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON I40 IN TENNESSEE. CAR VIBRATED AND STEERING SHOOK WHENEVER CAR WAS STEERED STRAIGHT. DRIVER HAD TO WEAVE THE CAR WITHIN THE LANE TO MINIMIZE DRIVING IN THE STRAIGHT POSITION. POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY WHEN CAR WAS STARTED THE NEXT MORNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER MANUALLY WHILE DRIVING A MILE TO THE DEALERSHIP. FORD DEALER SERVICE (CROSSROADS FORD, CARY, NC) FOUND THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING COMPONENTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, INCLUDING THE STEERING COLUMN, AT A COST OF $1400. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER PROVIDE ME WITH THE OLD PARTS AFTER THE REPAIR. THIS SAME PROBLEM IS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THE 2008 ESCAPE AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC STEERING, ALTHOUGH FORD REPORTEDLY DENIES THAT IT IS SERIOUS ISSUE. FOR EXAMPLE, SEE HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/STEERING-PROBLEMS.PHP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND A CONSUMER RIPOFF, AND I ASK THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE. FORD SHOULD PERFORM ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS AND RECALL FOR CORRECTION, INSTEAD OF DENYING PROBLEM. HIGH-SPEED STEERING FAILURE IN A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 75,000 MILES SHOWS POOR DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ONLY AVOIDED DEATH OR INJURY THROUGH LUCK. HAD DRIVING CONDITIONS BEEN DIFFERENT, THEY COULD HAVE DIED. *TR
Steering, May 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL. NO FURHTER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Steering, Apr 20, 2012
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. ON EACH OCCASION THE ANTI-SKID WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL ABLE TO BE STEERED AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH. THE POWER STEERING WILL RESET AS SOON AS YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT WHILE DRIVING ON THE 408 AT ABOUT 60 MPH IN ORLANDO, FL. THE 408 IS A TOLL ROAD EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF TOLL USAGE (E PASS). THIS HAPPENED WHILE PASSING ONE OF THE ELECTRONIC RECORDERS. ON OTHER OCCASIONS IT TENDS TO HAPPEN ON WARM AFTERNOONS, AND THEN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING WILL ONLY RESET IT FOR A SHORT TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND FROM RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NOT WIDE SPREAD, IS CERTAINLY NOT UNIQUE WITH FORD ESCAPES OF THAT YEAR, YET FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. NO MECHANIC, FORD OR OTHERWISE HAS A CLUE AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH THIS. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE THIS IN TO THE FORD GARAGE FOR THEM TO BLINDLY REPLACE PARTS AND PIECES AT HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER VISIT. I SINCERELY HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP BEFORE PEOPLE BEGIN DYING ON OUR ROADS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. TO: FORD MOTOR, PLEASE REMEMBER TOYOTA'S EXPERIENCE OF THE PAST YEARS BEFORE BLINDLY DISMISSING THIS PROBLEM. *JS *TR
Steering, Apr 5, 2012, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL WHEN ENTERING A CURVE IN THE ROAD HER STEERING LOCKED UP SHE THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD AN STRUCK A CULVERT WENT AIRBORNE AND WHEN COMING DOWN STARTED ROLLING SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON AS THE POLICE REPORT STATED SHE SPENT 5 DAYS IN THE ICU WITH HER BACK BROKEN IN 3 PLACES SHE JUST TURNED 17 SHE HAS ALEAST 2 MONTHS BEFORE MAYBE SHE WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL WE WILL HAVE TO HOME SCHOOL HER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. I WILL BE CONTACTING A LAWYER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND AS I HAVE READ FORD IS AT FAULT WHETHER THEY ADMIT IT OR NOT. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Mar 21, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER BACK INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Steering, Mar 8, 2012
POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE. AT FIRST IT WOULD RESUME AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING, HOWEVER IT THEN BEGAN JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. WE LIVE IN AN AREA WITH EXTREME WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS SO THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. FINALLY WE HAD IT REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER AT A COST OF $1500.00. THIS DEALER SEEMED TO THINK THAT THE FAILURE IS COMMON. AFTERWARDS, LOOKING ONLINE, WE FIND THAT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCURRENCE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS MODEL HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHICH CLEARLY WASN'T PERFECTED BEFORE BEING PUT INTO PRODUCTION. *TR
Steering, Mar 6, 2012
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE GOING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR, THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCK UP MAKING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WERE TOLD IT IS AN ELECTRONIC CENSOR THAT IS IMBALANCED VS. HAVING POWER STEERING FLUID IT RUNS ELECTRONICALLY. THE WAY IT IS BUILT, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT VS. JUST THE CENSOR. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL. IT IS A DEFINITELY SAFETY CONCERN. WE CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND NEITHER IS WILLING TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OR ASSIST. *TR
Steering, Mar 4, 2012
WHILE ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC ONTO A BUSY STREET THE STEERING FAILED. WAS ABLE (WITH GREAT EFFORT) TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE AND THEN SAFELY PULL TO SIDE(FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING AS SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO CARRY THIS OUT AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CRASHED). TURNED IGNITION OFF AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO SEE IF BELT HAD BROKEN, ETC. COULD NOT FIND TRADITIONAL POWER STEERING PUMP. TURNED IGNITION ON AND STEERING WORKED! AND HAS WORKED SINCE. DISCOVERED THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP. AND THEY ARE FREQUENTLY FAILING. CALLED DEALER-ROUGHLY 3 WEEK BACKLOG FOR PART-WHICH IS THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN-PUMP NOT ABLE TO BE REPLACE SEPARATELY. HOW COULD A CAR DESIGNER OR THE GOVERNMENT ALLOW THIS TYPE OF STEERING PUMP TO BE PUT ON A VEHICLE(PROBABLY JUST TO SQUEEZE OUT AN EXTRA MPG)? IT IS NOT ONLY PLAIN DANGEROUS, BUT IMPRACTICAL. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THIS WAS HOW THE STEERING WAS ON THIS CAR I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT! THE NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE (FORD AT LEAST) TO ISSUE A RECALL AND STOP THIS TYPE OF POWER STEERING BEING OFFERED ON NEW VEHICLES. I HAVE HAD PUMPS AND BELT SNAP ON VEHICLE IN THE PAST WHILE DRIVING, BUT NEVER WITH THIS AMOUNT OF STEERING LOSS. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Steering, Feb 24, 2012
MY POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK WHEN I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IF I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING DAILY, THEN MANY TIMES A DAY AND NOW, SOMETIMES I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL, AND SOMETIME IT WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT IT GOES OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE REPAIRS WILL BE ABOUT $1200, WE ARE WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR
Steering, Feb 22, 2012
LIKE MANY OTHERS THE EPS (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING) SYSTEM GAVE OUT ON MY 2008 ESCAPE (106,000 MI.). IT STARTED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OCCASIONALLY CLUNKING AND SHAKING BOTH WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLE (AS LONG AS IT WAS STARTED). AS SOON AS THE WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE POWER STEERING WOULD ENGAGE AND IT WOULD BE FINE. THE PROBLEM QUICKLY GOT WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CLUNKING/SHAKING WAS HAPPENING AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THE POWER STEERING JUST FLAT OUT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS IN A POSITION TO REACT AND MANUALLY STEER WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT I WAS DEFINITELY WORRIED AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING THERE IS NO FIX WITHOUT SWAPPING OUT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. $1250 PARTS+LABOR+TAX. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY JUST TOSSED ME AROUND SAYING THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT AND SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT AS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. AFTER FINDING THIS WEBSITE I REALIZED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS MUCH BIGGER THAN INDICATED ON THIS FORUM. I AM FRUSTRATED IN TRYING TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE. FORD EXPLAINED THAT RECALLS ARE JUSTIFIED BY CRASH DATA AND THERE IS NO WAY TO GET ONE STARTED PRIOR. THIS IS CRAZY, SO NOT ONLY IS SOMEONE GOING TO NEED TO CRASH, BUT SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NEED TO CRASH IN ORDER FOR ANYTHING TO GET DONE. *TR
Steering, Feb 16, 2012
STEERING LOCKS UP PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, AND SITUATIONS, THERE IS A GRINDING WHEN YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL BOTH DIRECTIONS EVEN WHILE PARKED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE & MODEL. *TR
Steering, Feb 11, 2012
MY STEERING WHEEL KEEPS SHAKING WHILE DRIVING FOR THE LAST WEEK. IT FREEZE UPON INITIAL START-UP AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN FOR THE STEERING FUNCTION TO BE RESTORED. THE FREEZING OCCURRED SPORADICALLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS BUT NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR. HAVEN'T TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP YET BUT WILL DO SO SOON BEFORE THIS PROBLEM PROGRESSES ANY FURTHER AND CAUSES AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM I FEAR THAT IS WHAT TO COME. WHO HAS TO DIE FOR THE FORD COMPANY TO CONDUCT A RECALL? I SUBMITTED THIS INFORMATION TO MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AND MAYBE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE MATTER. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 10, 2012
I WAS DRIVING WITH TWO FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED ON A FREEWAY OFF RAMP. STEERING FAILED WHEREAS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A MAJOR COLLISION. VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH ELECTRIC STEERING FAILURE. *TR