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
2,417 reports, newest first.
Steering, Service brakes, Mar 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ABILITY, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY. THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE FOR THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR. THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. DICK MASHETER FORD (1090 S HAMILTON RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43227, (614) 861-7150) AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN 2014 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP15001 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RELATED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN SUGGESTING THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Service brakes, Mar 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND SYSTEM REGEN BRAKE DISABLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.
Steering, Mar 1, 2019
POWER STEERING ELECTRIC. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND JERKS WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING. STEERING COLUMN IS VERY NOISY. ELECTRIFING
Steering, Feb 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FORWARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE WAS RE-CALIBRATED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Steering, Feb 26, 2019
LAST WEEK THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHEN AT A STOP. YESTERDAY WE GOT AN ERROR CODE SAYING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE FOR OUR YEAR/MAKE/MODEL OF CAR FOR THE FORD PLANT WHERE OURS WAS BUILT (KANSAS CITY) BUT OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR US BUT TO CHARGE US FULL PRICE FOR THE REPAIR.
Steering, Feb 23, 2019
THE STEERING IN MY CAR WAS AFFECTED. FIRST SIGNS OF ISSUE WERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHILE STOPPED, PARKED AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT AND THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20MPH. I WAS NOT TURNING AND WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE WHEELS TO TURN OFF INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ON A CITY STREET IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
Steering, Feb 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK LEFT TO RIGHT AND STOPPED WORKING. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KAYSER FORD LINCOLN (2303 W BELTLINE HWY, MADISON, WI 53713, (608) 271-6000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ROTATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) IN 2014. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,261.
Steering, Feb 19, 2019
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE CODE SHOWS DTC B2278
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 11, 2019
THE BREAKS CONTINUE TO FAIL. HAS ALL NEW PADS, ROTORS AND THE MASTER CYLENDER REPLACED. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE BREAKS VIBRATE AND THEN NEED TO PUSH THE PETAL TO THE FLOOR TO BE ABLE TO SLOWLY SLOW DOWN. I THEN NEED TO PUMP VISIOUSLY UP TO 5 TIMES TO GET THE BREAKS TO TEMPORARILY WORK AGAIN. WAS THEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THE ABS IS THE ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE WITH THE YR OF MY VEHICLE TO FIND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH MANY 08 FORD ESCAPES AND HAVE YET TO FIND A RECAL FOR THIS DEADY MALFUNCTION. MY CAR ONLY HAS 135000 MILES AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX WITH A RECALL ASAP.
Steering, Feb 11, 2019
INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO SHAKE THEN STEERING FAILED MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN PLACING THE CAR AT RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL WAS PART OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 14V284000 AND FORD RECALL #14S05. UNFORTUNATELY THEY DID NOT INCLUDE OUR VIN # IN THE CARS THEY WOULD FIX. SAME PROBLEM AS ALL THE ONES THEY DECIDED TO FIX. SELECTIVE SAFETY ISN'T SAFE. SINCE THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME AS THE OTHERS, WE TOO NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS OF MAKING OUR CAR SAFE AGAIN.
Steering, Feb 8, 2019
WHILE BEING DRIVEN (VEHICLE IN MOTION) THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STEERING CUTS OUT RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY MANUAL STEERING CAPABILITY. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V284000 / FORD RECALL #14505, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL.
Steering, Feb 7, 2019
I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STEERING THE VEHICLE. IT FEELS LIKE MANUAL STEERING.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 6, 2019
FORD ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) ISSUE MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES RELATED TO AN ILL-DESIGNED ETB SINCE 2010 (WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE). IN THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE FREQUENCY OF ISSUE OCCURRENCE HAS PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED. CURRENT RATE OF OCCURRENCE IS 3 - 6 TIMES PER WEEK. RANDOMLY THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" WHILE DRIVING, WHERE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN TO NEARLY ZERO POWER. DASHBOARD DISPLAYS "PULL OVER SAFELY". IF THIS OCCURS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (WHICH IS MANY TIMES THE CASE ON OUR LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS), THERE IS NO WAY TO PULL OVER SAFELY WITH NEARLY ZERO ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE IS LITERALLY STRANDED IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC UNTIL THE ETB IS RESET. THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION MUST BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE ETB. THIS FAULTY ETB PART ACROSS MANY FORD MODELS FOR 10+ YEARS IS PUTTING VEHICLE OWNERS' SAFETY AT HIGH RISK. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES WITH THESE ILL-DESIGNED, FAULTY ETBS. VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT OF A PART WHICH IS CLEARLY FAULTY IN ITS DESIGN.
Steering, Feb 5, 2019
MY CAR EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS THIS EVENING, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. IT WAS VERY ALARMING TO IMMEDIATELY BE LEFT WITHOUT POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO MANEUVER MY WAY HOME SAFELY.
Steering, Feb 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (BOB SIGHT FORD, 610 NW BLUE, LEE SUMMIT, MO) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Steering, Feb 5, 2019
STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CLUNK NOISE SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING.DRIVING YESTERDAY THE STEERING GOT VERY STIFF.PARKED THE STEERING WOULD BE HARD. THERE WAS A RECALL #14S05 MAY 29 2014.WHEN I CALLED FORD THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. SAME PROBLEM EPS -ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST,TORQUE SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN OR UPDATED SOFTWARE NEEDED.IT'S VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. IT SHOULD BE ON RECALL LIST .IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD.
Steering, Feb 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE WRENCH ICON SYMBOL ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS REPAIRED FOUR YEARS AGO PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROCHESTER FORD (507-288-7564, LOCATED AT 4900 US-52, ROCHESTER, MN 55901) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY COMPLETED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,119.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 4, 2019
POWER STEERING LOSS
Steering, Jan 31, 2019
I CRANKED MY FORD ESCAPE I COULD FILL THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING
Steering, Engine, Jan 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
Service brakes, Jan 30, 2019
CHECK BRAKES LIGHT COMES ON WHEN REACHING 40 MPH, AND STAYS ON. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THAT. FORD DEALER INDICATES ENTIRE FRONT LEFT AXLE SHAFT NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO BROKEN TONE RINGS. VERY EXPENSIVE. OTHER REPAIR PROFESSIONALS SUGGEST THAT TONE RINGS CAN BE REPLACED SEPARATELY; MUCH LESS EXPENSE. FORD DEALER WON'T DO WITHOUT ENTIRE AXLE BEING REPLACED. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES AND IS DIFFICULT TO APPLY BRAKES.
Steering, Jan 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A CHIME SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *DT*JB
Steering, Jan 27, 2019
THE STEEERING STOPS WORKING EXTREAMLY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I TURN CAR BACK ON AND OFF AND IT WORKS! I WAS IN PARK. PUT INTO DRIVE I COULDN'T MOVE THOUGHT IT STALLED. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WORKED HAPPENED 2X TONIGHT!!
Steering, Jan 25, 2019
I DID THE STEERING RECALL BUT HOWEVER, AFTER 2-YEAR DRIVING. MY STEERING FAILED WHEN I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IN 70MILE. IT IS SO HORRIBLE THAT MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR. FORD THEY DIDN'T REALLY CARE ABOUT ESCAPE STEERING ISSUE. I GUESS THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE DEAD IN THE ACCIDENT. PLEASE LOOK THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY. THERE ARE SOME MANY OWER HAVE THE SAME ISSUE EVEN THEY DID THE RECALL.
Steering, Jan 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK MILDLY AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE VEHICLE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIRACLE FORD (1394 NASHVILLE PIKE, GALLATIN, TN 37066, (615) 442-8845), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.