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, Dec 11, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, JERKED, AND LOST POWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG VALLEY FORD LINCOLN (3282 AUTO CENTER CIR, STOCKTON, CA 95212, (800) 867-1516) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE AND FAILED TO MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING SEIZED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 215,000.
Power train, Air bags, Service brakes, Dec 10, 2018
WHEN YOU TAKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH ON CHANGING GEARS AND AFTER A CHANGE OUT OF LOGAN HER INTO HIGH GEAR IS SYKES WORKING FINE WINE STEP ON THE BRAKES THE TRUCK STARTS BOUNCING FEELS LIKE THE FRONT END IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK AND I TOLD YOU TO THE FORD COMPANY AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO ANY RECALL ON MY VIN NUMBER BUT I HAVE A PART THAT IS LISTED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT SITE IS GOOD THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE IS A FORD ESCAPE 2008.
Suspension, Dec 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THE SHOCK BRACKET ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. *TT*JB
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT, I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING
Steering, Dec 10, 2018
2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE THAT WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL, BUT HAD EXPIRED PRIOR TO IT'S PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED FOR THE RECALL WITH THE PRIOR OWNER, BUT ONLY A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED NO WORK WAS COMPLETED DUE TO NO ERROR CODES.*JS
Steering, Dec 8, 2018
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN PARKED/IDLE AND WILD STOP AFTER EXCEEDING 10MPH. ISSUE ESCALATED AND NOW HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN NOT TURNING (TRAVELING STRAIGHT). SHAKING HAS BECOME MORE VIOLENT IN WHEEL. FIRST MECHANIC DETERMINE CODES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL #14S05. FORD CLAIMS THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND CLOSED IN 2015. NOW, ISSUE HAS RESURFACED, AND ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SECOND MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL AND WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT FORD AGAIN. STEERING POWER ASSIST FAILURE DISPLAYED.
Steering, Dec 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO A BARN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANDERSON LINCOLN FORD (2500 WILDCAT DR, LINCOLN, NE 68521, (402) 458-9800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, A SYSTEM PATCH UP WAS COMPLETED INSTEAD. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAWK EYE FORD (2027 US-34, RED OAK, IA 51566, (712) 623-5147), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,000.
Steering, Dec 6, 2018
IT'S HARD TO TURN THE CORNER
Steering, Dec 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) BY BOB MAXEY FORD OF HOWELL, INC. (2798 E GRAND RIVER AVE, HOWELL, MI 48843, (517) 545-5700); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILED. THE EPS INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, BUT THE EPS CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. BOB MAXEY FORD OF HOWELL AND BRIGHTON FORD (8240 GRAND RIVER AVE, BRIGHTON, MI 48114, (810) 227-1171) WERE CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED TO DETERMINE IF THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WRENCH SYMBOL WAS ALSO FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP15001 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Dec 3, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. RECALL 14S05. SOFTWARE UPDATE PERFORMED NOW THE TORQUE SENSOR HAS FAILED. FORD DEALER SAYS THE REPAIR IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE OWNER.
Steering, Dec 1, 2018
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN CITY, SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, NEARLY WRECKING. I GOT CAR TO MECHANIC, HE SAID THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR WAS BAD. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FROM FORD FOR THIS. I CALLED FORD BECAUSE THE YEAR AND MODEL DID MATCH THE RECALL. #14S05. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. I RELUCTANTLY PAID OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR BECAUSE THIS WAS DANGEROUS. I DO FIND IT COINCIDENTAL THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME EXACT THING ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS TOLD THIS ONE WAS NOT COVERED ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
Steering, Nov 29, 2018
WHILE DRIVING LOST POWER STEERING. NO LIGHTS OR CODES. WAS DRIVING HIGHWAY AND IN TOWN. HAD POWER STEERING THEN IT JUST QUIT ALMOST WRECKED.
Steering, Nov 28, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. RECALL REPAIR IN 2014 ONLY REPROGRAMED THE STEERING MODULE DID AND NOT REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, DASHBOARD WARNING ALERTED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SHOULD BE ANOTHER RECALL TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE SENSORS.
Steering, Nov 27, 2018
LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER.
Steering, Nov 24, 2018
DROVE TO WORK AT 6 AM WENT TO USE FOR LUNCH VEHICLE HAD NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING MORE LIKE MANUAL STEERING. MAKING VERY DIFFICULT IN PARKING , ON RAMPS TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME STEERING COLUMN PART FAILURE THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED IN SEVERAL ESCAPES & MARINERS. MY BOSS WENT ON LINE AND FOUND INFO ON RECALL OF 915,216 FORD ESCAPES & MERCURY MARINERS. PROBLEM WAS WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT TYING TO TO TURN TO RIGHT WAS VERY DIFFICULT MORE LIKE MANUAL STEERING
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 21, 2018
SOMETIMES MY STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD. IN ADDITION, MY CAR WON'T ABLE TO START WHEN TURN MY KEY - MY BATTERY IS GOOD AND MY STARTER IS OK. NO CRANK NO START
Steering, Nov 19, 2018
MY DAUGHTER STARTED TO DRIVE HER CAR WHEN THE STEERING QUIT WORKING. I DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT THE POWER ASSIST. IT WAS HARD TO TURN. NOW I NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. THIS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD NO CODES ABLE TO READ ON A CODE READER. HAD TO TAKE DEALER TO USE A FORD COMPUTER TO READ WHAT IS GOING ON.
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2018
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A BASIC OIL CHANGE THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE CONCERNING THE STEERING. THEY PROCEEDED TO CORRECT WHATEVER RECALL NEEDED. UPON RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE BACK I HAD A HARD TIME TURNING MY KEY TO START THE CAR. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT "I MUST PRESS VERY HARD JAM IT IN THERE TO START IT" NOW A YEAR LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AND WAS GOING TO COST ME $700 TO REPAIR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY 2008 FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THIS WAS A RECALL. NOW I AM STUCK WITHOUT MY VEHICLE UNLESS I PAY THE MONEY FOR THE VEHICLE THAT APPARENTLY HAS BEEN AN ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 16, 2018
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WENT AND GOT THE POWER STEERING RECALL FIXED 1 YR TO MAYBE 2 YRS AGO AND FORD SAID IT WAS FIXED. NOW I'M HAVING POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I THEN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND IT GOES BACK TO WORKING CORRECTLY. I WENT BACK TO FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN FIXED AND CLOSED OUT AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. NOW I'M HAVING POWER STEERING STILL GOING OUT AND NOW ALL MY LIGHTS (ABS,TRACTION CONTROL,TIRE,AIR BAG, ANTI THEFT LIGHT). AFTER SPENDING 200 AT FORD THEY TOLD ME ECM IS BAD AND NEED TO REPLACE. ALMOST 500 AT FORD FOR KEYS TO BE PROGRAMMED TO NEW COMPUTER I AM STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AND FORD WANTS ME TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.
Steering, Nov 16, 2018
PARK THE CAR WENT AND PAY A BILL CAME BACK OUT START THE CAR NO POWER STEERING COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL NO POWER STEERING. BOUGHT CAR IN 2012 CARRIAGE FORD USED.
Steering, Nov 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2018
THE IGNITION WENT OUT AND OTHERS I KNOW WITH THE SAME CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM
Steering, Nov 11, 2018
THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING, AND HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO STEER THE CAR IN TRAFFIC, THIS IS HARD TO TRY AND TURN THE WHEEL. IF THIS HAPPED IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC IT COULD BE A WRECK. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE HELD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT I DID NOT HAVE A WRECK BUT IT WAS A SURPRISE WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE CORNER.