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, Jan 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO FRIENDLY FORD (2250 SOUTH ROAD, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601) WHERE THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Steering, Jan 23, 2019
THE ERROR MESSAGE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH EVEN WHEN IN PARK. THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE AND TAKES A LOT MORE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT NOW DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY MOVE THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Jan 23, 2019
THE INITIAL PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED IS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR THOUGH STOPPED. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING A TORQUE ANGLE STEERING SENSOR, WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER SHAKES UPON BRAKING. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PRESSURE TO THE RIGHT, BUT NO RESISTANCE TO THE LEFT, AND IS THEREFORE ALWAYS STEERING TO THE LEFT. I DID ALERT THE SHOP TO THE PROBLEM AND THEY MADE CERTAIN IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE ALIGNMENT. THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WHICH THE NEW TORQUE ANGLE STEERING SENSOR IS NOT ABLE TO CALIBRATE AGAINST. THE VEHICLE IS NOW LARGELY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE SECOND ROUND OF REPAIRS ARE DONE. THE SHOP WHERE I HAD THE REPAIRS DONE, BELIEVE FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ASSEMBLY - THE REASON THEY BELIEVE FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE IS BECAUSE THEY CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS THIS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IN STOCK. THE CHOICE TO KEEP THIS ASSEMBLY IN STOCK, I WAS TOLD, IS INDICATIVE OF ROUTINE NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART.
Steering, Jan 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENESEE VALLEY FORD (1675 INTERSTATE DRIVE, AVON, NY 14414, 833-755-3455) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CORTESE FORD (2500 WEST HENRIETTA ROAD, ROCHESTER, NY, 585-277-3280) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
Steering, Jan 18, 2019
POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, FORD WON'T COVER IT, $1500.
Suspension, Jan 16, 2019
REAR PASSENGER STRUT MOUNT RUSTED THRU. STRUT ONLY FASTENED BY LOWER PORTION. CAN SEE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE IN HOLE FROM OUTSIDE WHEEL WELL.
Service brakes, Jan 14, 2019
I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR. IT HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT . AFTER DRIVING FOR ONE WEEK. I NOTICED THE CAR BRAKES HAVE BECOME VERY HARD TO STOP. ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO PRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF MY AND I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES. I HAD AN EXTREME DELAY IN THE BRAKES AND ALMOST SMASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT . LUCKILY THERE WAS ANOTHER LANE TO MERGE INTO OR I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I NOW ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE MY FOOT READY FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THE BRAKES WILL GO OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE CAR HAS A FAULTY HCU. THE COST TO REPLACE IS OVER 5000 DOLLARS. HOW DOES A CAR WITH 18K MILES REQUIRE A PART THAT COST MORE THAN AN ENGINE? THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. UPON RESEARCH WE NOTICED THAT THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS HAVE THE SAME BRAKING ISSUE AND ITS A HAZARD. A RECALL MUST BE ISSUED AND FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR FAULTY CAR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND WE WILL BE TAKING A HUGE LOSS AND DISPOSING IT IF THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED.
Service brakes, Jan 10, 2019
ABS LIGHT / BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WITH A MESSAGE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM - REGEN BRAKES DISABLED - REPLACED BROKEN TONE RING, NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON - SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS UNSAFE ISSUE WITH THE 08 HYBRID - FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT
Service brakes, Jan 10, 2019
BREAKS PERIODICALLY JUST WON'T WORK...GO OUT...THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS LISTED ON THE INTERNET. ITS SAYS YOU CAN REPLACE A 4000 PART...HOWEVER THE CAR REALLY ISN'T WORTH THAT MUCH. NOW IT WILL SAY REGEN BREAKS DISABLED
Steering, Jan 7, 2019
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL TO BE FIXED ON 1/2/18 AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP JUST REPROGRAMMED MY TORQUE SENSOR. ON 5/24/18 MY CAR WAS BACK IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR HAVING ABOUT 8" OF PLAY IN MY STEERING WHEEL. THEY SAID THAT WAS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL AND CHARGED $299.19 TO FIX A U JOINT. MY STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY SHAKES, INCLUDING WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHILE TURNING, ETC. MY WRENCH LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. THEY SAY THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS FAILING. THEY SAY THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BUT DENY THAT IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL.
Steering, Engine, Jan 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK SEVERELY AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO MATTHEWS CURRIE FORD (LOCATED AT 130 N TAMIAMI TRAIL, NOKOMIS, FL 34275, (800) 248-2378) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,588.
Steering, Jan 2, 2019
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. FORD HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL MODELS. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON THE SAME MODELS BUT LIMITED BY VIN #. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR THREAT TO HUMAN LIFE HAD THE OPERATOR NOT HAD THE STRENGTH TO OVER COME THE LACK OF POWER STEERING. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL VEHICLES IN THIS MODEL KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ESCAPE/MARINER STEERING SYSTEM.
Steering, Jan 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LINDSAY FORD OF WHEATON (11250 VEIRS MILL ROAD, WHEATON, MD 20902) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,063.
Steering, Dec 29, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILURE DUE TO BAD SENOR
Service brakes, Dec 29, 2018
I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH 113,000 MILES ON IT. A FEW DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT I WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT FROM A SPEED OF 50MPH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST ALL BRAKE POWER. I WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER AND ALMOST INTO A DITCH TO PREVENT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DASH READ "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AND I AM BEING TOLD IT IS LIKELY A FAILED HYDRAULIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND VERY EXPENSIVE. HOW HAS FORD NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND KNOWN PROBLEM?
Steering, Dec 29, 2018
EPSA HAS FAILED. DROVE TO WORK AND RAN ERRANDS AFTER WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS. WENT TO DRIVE SISTER TO WORK AND COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. DID NOT KNOW CAR DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR OR NEED FLUID. CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT VERY HARD TO TURN. DID NOT KNOW OF ANY RECALL ON THIS PART UNTIL I LOOKED UP ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND FAILS TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS. NOW LOOKING AT EXPENSE I REALLY CANNOT AFFORD.
Steering, Dec 26, 2018
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. SAME SAFETY RECALL WITH OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS MAKE AND THIS MODEL AND YEAR NUMBER.
Power train, Structure, Wheels, Dec 24, 2018
THE FRONT WHEEL HUB STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS AROUND 10 THREE 2018. THEN ON 12 20 2018 THE HOOD CAME UNDONE AND SMASHED MY WINDSHIELD. EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 2015 IT HAD POWER ASSIST PROBLEMS IN THE STEERING.
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 21, 2018
THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE CALIPER KEEPS SEIZING. I REPLACED IT IN JULY ALONG WITH THE ROTOR AND PADS AND NOW ITS STARTED SEIZING YET AGAIN. THE STEERING SHAFT U JOINT WEARS OUT EASY AND CAUSES THE STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE.
Steering, Dec 19, 2018
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, BUT STOPPED AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD RATTLE/SHAKE SIDE TO SIDE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP THE NEXT MORNING THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL SO VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND NOT MOVED. TWO DAYS LATER, VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AGAIN AND POWER STEERING WAS STILL NOT WORKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO NOTICED A RECALL THAT WOULD COVER THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO FORD (LANDMARK FORD DEALERSHIP, TIGARD, OR) THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IN 2014 A RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED FOR THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR OF VEHICLE BUT NO NOTICE WAS RECEIVED BY OWNER. THE 2014 RECALL DOESN'T SEEM TO BE RESOLVED.
Steering, Dec 19, 2018
WHEN IN IDLE, PARK OR OR IN DRIVE. THE CARS STERRING WHEEL WOULS SHAKE. JUST SHAKE LIKE IT WAS VIOLENT RATTLE, NOT THE WHOKE CAR JUST THE SREERING WHEEL. LIKE IF IT WERE HAVIBG A SEIZURE. LIKE WISE HAPPENS WHEN ITS DRIVEN
Service brakes, Dec 19, 2018
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WHEN THE BRAKES WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND CAME BACK UP AFTER I PUMPED THEM. THEY CONTINUED DOING THIS EVERY TIME I STOPPED UNTIL I GOT HOME. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM EACH TIME AND HE CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HIS ONLY SUGGESTIONS IS THAT "MAYBE" THE ABS MODULE IS TRYING TO GO OUT AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON AND SEE IF THAT FIXES IT FOR THE TIME BEING. THE ONLY COMMON ELEMENT I CAN THINK OF IS THAT ONE TIME, I HAD DRIVEN OVER A VERY ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD, ONE TIME I HAD JUST HIT A POTHOLE, AND ONE TIME I WAS MAKING A TURN AS I HIT A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THIS WAS MAKING THE ABS SYSTEM THINK IT NEEDED TO ENGAGE BUT OFFERED NO SUGGESTIONS OF HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE OTHER THAN WHAT I MENTIONED ABOVE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2018
THE FORD REPAIR SERVICE CENTER HAS INFORMED ME THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT MEC PUMP ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS FAILED. THE MEC WAS PART OF A RECALL ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 FOR 2005-2008 FORD ESCPAES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # IS 14V526000. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT TELL MY WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE ADDED TO THE RECALL AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING SO. THANK YOU.
Steering, Dec 18, 2018
STEERING COLUM STARTING SHAKING LIKE HAVING A SEIZURE
Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2018
MY FRONT AXEL BROKE WHILE DRIVING ONE NIGHT WITHOUT ANY EARLY SIGNS OF ISSUES.