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, Electrical system, Apr 10, 2021
I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND I GOT A WARNING BEEP SAW THE DISPLAY SAYING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AND A LOUD MOTOR TYPE NOISE WAS SOUNDING. I WOULD DRIVE AND I COULD FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED MY CAR AND DISPLAY SHOWED RIGHT AWAY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DEFAULT. AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING FROM THEN ON. OTHER 2008S HAD RECALLS FOR POWER STEERING BUT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR RECALLS
Steering, Apr 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE POWER STEERING NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,710.*DT
Steering, Apr 2, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.
Steering, Mar 21, 2021, crash
ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME WAY THAT IT FAILED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL THAT ONLY INCLUDED A LIMITED NUMBER OF FORD ESCAPES, OF WHICH MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, IT JUST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT. IN DOING RESEARCH I FOUND AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON MY MODEL CAR PRODUCED IN THE SAME PLANT AS RECALL BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED SO DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX ISSUE. IN DOING MORE RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT MOST EVERYONE WITH THIS MODEL CAR HAS HAD AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER. THE NTSB NEEDS TO STEP IN AND REQUIRE FORD TO RECALL ALL OF THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN.
Steering, Mar 19, 2021
ELECTRIC STEERING SHAKES WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE TURNING EITHER WAY. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET, AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN.
Steering, Mar 13, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER THE SPEED BEING DRIVEN. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IT IS TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND START IT AGAIN. BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAN VERY WELL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2021
RED BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. ALL ACCESSORIES WENT OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I JUST REPLACED MY 12V BATTERY THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 2 MILES, AT MOST. THE BRAND NEW BATTERY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR LESS THAN 24 HOURS. I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY AS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T SHIFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED MY FOOT BACK LIKE IT WAS "PUMPING" MY FOOT. PUT ANOTHER FULLY CHARGED BATTERY INTO MY CAR AND STARTED RIGHT UP. DROVE HOME AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. BOTH BATTERIES WERE DRAINED COMPLETELY DRY OF ANY VOLTAGE. ABS LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM/REGEN BRAKE DISABLED ON DRIVE INFO.
Steering, Mar 2, 2021
RECEIVED A POWER STEETING ASSIST FAULT ON MY VEHICLE WHEN TURNING IT ON IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE UNLESS I GAVE IT BRUT FORCE. WHEN CALLING FORD, THEY SAID THAT RECALL 14S05 WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE IN 2014 WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH SOME SOFTWARE UPDATE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE DID NOTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE AND MANY TIMES, CAUSED STEERING FAILURE AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. FORD IS LEAVING MANY PEOPLE OUT IN THE COLD MAKING THEM PAY FOR THEIR DEFECT AND FOUND A WAY TO "PRETEND" TO FIX THE ISSUE WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO BEGIN WITH, NOT A SOFTWARE FIX. THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE FIXED BY FORD, ESPECIALLY IF THE SOFTWARE FIX WAS NOT THE CORRECT SOLUTION.
Steering, Feb 24, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITH THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN CEASED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEARNY MESA FORD (7303 CLAIREMONT MESA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Feb 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING SOUND DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Steering, Feb 22, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING AND EVENTUALLY THE STEERING STARTED SHAKING AND IT LOST ALL POWER TO STEER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR ESCAPE. IT APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM.
Steering, Power train, Jan 24, 2021
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE SHORT DISTANCE HOME. WAS LEAVING A GROCERY STORE ONTO THE STREET
Steering, Jan 22, 2021
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE TORQUE SENSER IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ON THE FORD ESCAPES. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO RESET IT. I DRIVE IN FEAR OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN. HE SAID IT WOULD LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN. MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ON THE RECALL.
Steering, Jan 18, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
Steering, Jan 8, 2021
MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM WENT OUT COMPLETELY LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN MANUAL MODE. THIS WAS NOT 1 OF THE ORIGINAL FORD RECALLS BUT YET WAS MADE IN THE SAME PLANT AS ALL THE OTHER RECALL.
Steering, Jan 6, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL ROCKS BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN.
Steering, Dec 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE SERVICED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
Steering, Dec 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWN'S A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY STEERING BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *BF
Steering, Dec 7, 2020
THE VIN OF MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IS NOT HAVING ANY RECALLS, YET SOME OF THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING ASSIST MODULAR, WHICH MY FORD ESCAPE HAS A FAULTY MODULAR AS MY VIN SAY NO RECALLS, $1000.00 PART AND LABOR IS A VERY HIGH PRICE NEED HELP TO FIX THE STEERING KNOWING WE ARE GOING THROUGH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE PANDEMIC IT'S VERY HARD TO STEER AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN A PARKING SPOT FOR NOW
Steering, Nov 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INADVERTENTLY MOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UPON STARTING THE NEXT MORNING THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PROGRESSIVE AUTO SALES (69 JEWETT AVE, SWANTON, VT 05488) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Steering, Nov 12, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TP HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER RICHMOND FORD WEST (10751 W BROAD ST, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23060, (804) 273-9700) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
Steering, Structure, Wheels, Nov 10, 2020, crash
THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS VERY FAST IF YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL. YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTROL IT ON THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. IF YOU TRY TO BACK UP, AND TURN THE WHEEL ONE WAY, IT WILL NOT STEER THE CORRECT DIRECTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS ON IT'S OWN. VERY DANGEROUS. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 6, 2020
I HAVE HAD REPLACED STEERING UJOINT.AND NOW NO POWER STEERING IT DONT WORK AND THE GARGAGE CANT EVEN FIGURE IT OUT.RIGHT AFTER REPLACEING IT.
Steering, Oct 28, 2020
WE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING CAME ON AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING TO THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Power train, Oct 27, 2020
POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT, WAS WORKING JUST FINE THEN JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN QUIT WORKING. DRIVING WENT TO TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS JUST EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN ALMOST WRECKED. PRIOR TO THIS I WAS DRIVING AND TURNED WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO I HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL A TOW TRUCK, THE SHOP SAID THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. BUT NO ISSUES BEFORE THIS, JUST WENT OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN LIKE THE POWER STEERING NOW.