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 5, 2018
SUDDEN TEMPORARY FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING, THE DEALER SAID THE TORQUE SENSOR IS FAILING. THEY DID THE REPROGRAM IN AUGUST 2017, NOW FORD WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE THE RECALL HAS BEEN DONE AND THEIR WERE NO CODES IN PCM, GUESS WE ACTED TOO SOON ON A RECALL, IF THE SENSOR WAS BAD IN AUGUST THEY WOULD'VE COVERED IT. THEY WANT $600 TO REPLACE A PART THAT THEY KNOW IS FAILING AND CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS.
Steering, Jan 4, 2018
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS AND CAR IS UNABLE TO BE STEERED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, WITH VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. THIS IS NOT A NUISANCE, IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AS CAR CONTROL IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS. RECALLS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN INITIATED SURROUNDING THIS PROBLEM, I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS THE CASE. FORD MUST STAND BEHIND FIXING THIS UNSAFE CONDITION.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 3, 2018
THE VEHICLE GAS PEDAL BECOMES STIFF IN COLD WEATHER CONDITION AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE FROM STOP. ONE TIME THE GAS PEDAL CABLE ALSO CAME OUT AND PEDAL WOULD NOT COME BACK UP.
Steering, Jan 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED ZEIGLER FORD PLAINWELL AT (269) 685-5801 (1260 M-89 SUITE 200, PLAINWELL, MI 49080) AND COULD NOT BE ASSISTED DUE TO COMPUTER ISSUES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2018
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING ON VACATION THE SUNROOF JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. NO ACCIDENT, NO DAMAGE, NO ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND AND I, WHO OWN THE CAR WERE JUST DRIVING ALONG AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT WENT OFF AND THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, WE OPENED THE COVER AND IT WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. WE WERE IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE I75 NORTH HEADED TOWARD CHATTANOOGA. JUST SAW THE ADD IN THE CONSUMER REPORT MAGAZINE ON 1/2/2018 FOR SUNROOF SAFETY.
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. FRONTIER FORD IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 2, 2018
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. AFTERWARDS WHEN I WOULD IDLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SHAKY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. NOW IT SHAKES EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING AND WILL GET JERKY OR STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN I'M PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY! FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS HAPPENS TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER FORD OWNERS. THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY GIVES OUT AND THEY WANT YOU TO PAY $1,500 TO HAVE THE WHOLE COLUMN REPLACED!
Steering, Dec 29, 2017
RECALL STEERING -AFTER HAVING A "SOFTWARE" UPDATES ON A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT IN 2014 FOR FORD RECALL #14S05, NOW IN 2017 MY STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING WHILE AT A STOP BOTH IN AND OUT OF GEAR. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM COULD BE A TORQUE STEERING SENSOR OR A FULL BLOWN STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. BOTH MAY LEAD TO INOPERABLE POWER STEERING OR STEERING AS WELL. LOCAL FORD DEALER QUOTED $800 FOR TORQUE SENSOR REPLACEMENT OR $1800 FOR FULL STEERING COLUMN.
Service brakes, Dec 29, 2017
HE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT HAS ARISEN WITH A GREAT DEAL OF OWNERS OF FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE HCU SYSTEM REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AS IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, NOR CONSIDERED BY THE COMPANY TO BE AN ISSUE DESERVING OF A RECALL, I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE ENTIRE THING, WHICH TOTALED $4,863.00 (AND IT TOOK FIVE DAYS TO GET THE WORK COMPLETED). I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO RENT A CAR FOR THE SEVERAL DAYS IT TOOK TO GET THE PART AND PERFORM THE WORK, WHICH WAS ANOTHER $200.00. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF THIS REPAIR AND THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH IT IS AFFECTING CONSUMERS, I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BECOME A RECALL AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE HAD TO MAKE.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 28, 2017
DEC. 26, 2017 ACCELERATOR PEDAL CABLE SNAPPED AND FELL TO FLOOR. HAD TO GET TOW AND NOW IN SHOP. THROTTLE BODY AND CABLE NEED REPLACEMENT. $700! THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. IT HAS UNDER 150,000 MILES ON IT. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. THE PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING A LOT AND NOW THIS. VEHICLE WAS IN CHICAGO BUSY INTERSECTION. COULDN'T EVEN PRESS PEDAL DOWN TO MOVE THE CAR AND THEN SOMETHING SNAPPED. AND PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR.
Steering, Dec 28, 2017
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 125,000 MILES ON IT & THE STEERING WAS GREAT! WE HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 1,000 MILES. WHEN I GOT IN AND STARTED THE VEHICLE THE STEERING IS SO TIGHT I CAN NOT TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION! I HAD TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE STORE PARKING LOT & HAVE MY HUSBAND GO THERE AND DRIVE IT HOME. WE CHECKED WITH DEALER AND THEY INFORMED US THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE. SO WE WENT ONLINE & FOUND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM, WITH FORD DOING NOTHING TO HELP.
Steering, Dec 28, 2017
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUIT, WHEN FORTUNATELY IN THE DRIVEWAY NO WARNING OR ERROR CODES THAT WERE SUPPOSED BE THERE AFTER RECALL. NEEDS REPLACEMENT STEERING COLUM PARTS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE AND NOT REPLACED. WHEN THE ASSISTS QUITS IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER AND CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL.
Steering, Dec 21, 2017
MY FORD ESCAPE GAVE ME A WARNING OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT AND THEN MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. AFTER DOING RESEARCH FORD COVERED 2008 ESCAPE MODELS AS A RECALL, BUT MY VIN NUMBER SAID MINE WAS MADE AT A DIFFERENT FACTORY SO IT IS NOT COVERED.
Steering, Dec 21, 2017
WHILE DRIVING DOWNTOWN CITY STREET, HAD TO MAKE A TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. HAD TO STOP IMMEDIATELY ON SIDE OF THE STREET, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT SINCE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN.
Steering, Dec 19, 2017
WHEN DRIVING, STEERING LOCKS UP OR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Dec 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) FOR WHICH IT RECEIVED THE UPDATE FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN JUNE OF 2017. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING SOUND AND NOTICED A WARNING INDICATOR THAT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED REINEKE FORD LINCOLN OF LIMA (1360 GREELY CHAPEL RD, LIMA, OH 45804; 419-223-3673) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS/13702203. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AND SEPARATE FROM THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE NEW REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Steering, Dec 18, 2017
THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE BEGAN JARRING AROUND AND HAS FAULTED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FORD DEALER STATES THAT THE RECALL HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A "PROGRAMMING FIX," HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS MAKING MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO MYSELF, AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM AMONG THE 2008-2011 FORD/MERCURY MODELS AND ONE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF, OR BE FORCED TO.
Engine, Dec 18, 2017
ENGINE STOPPED DEAD WHILE DRIVING.STATED STOP SAFELY NOW.WELL AS CAR STOPPED DEAD WITH NO WARNING IS WAS NOT SAFE..SERVICE SAYS NEEDS NEW THROTTLE BODY. THATS FINE BUT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED
Steering, Dec 15, 2017
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A SHARP TURN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WENT AWAY ON ITS OWN AND NEXT DAY CAME IN AGAIN AND SINCE THEN MY CAR IS HARD TO STEER AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 14S05 BUT IT DOESNT SHOW FOR MY VEHICLE. MINE IS THE SAME YEAR AFFECTED BUT DOES NOT APPLY FOR SOME REASON AND DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO TAKE ANY ACTION TO REMEDIATE.
Steering, Dec 13, 2017
I WAS DRIVING HOME THIS MORNING AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME UP. THIS FAULT HAS NEVER BEEN ON BEFORE. I READ A COUPLE OF ONLINE SITES AND IT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF 14S05 BUT IT DOESNT SHOW FOR MY VEHICLE. MINE IS THE SAME YEAR AFFECTED BUT DOES NOT APPLY FOR SOME REASON.
Steering, Dec 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST ABILITY. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (VIDALIA FORD LINCOLN, 2607 E 1ST ST, VIDALIA, GA 30474) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FAULTY SENSOR CITED BY THE RECALL DID, IN FACT, FAIL CONTEMPORANEOUS TO THE STEERING SOFTWARE UPDATE. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER UNDER THIS RECALL, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO SO UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 9/18/18*JB
Steering, Dec 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. PAUL MILLER FORD IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPIARED UNDER MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 14S05, A SECOND REPAIR WOULD NOT BE FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202,000.
Steering, Dec 11, 2017
THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HAS FAILED AND THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER. (RECALL 14S05) FOUND OUT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, BUT WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF THAT! NOW WE FIND THAT THE RECALL IS CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHAKES AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER.
Steering, Dec 10, 2017
I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL ON 12/9/17 WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS DUE TO SNOWY CONDITIONS AND TODAY ON 12/10/17 POWER STEERING LOSS WAS FELT UPON LOWER SPEED TURNS ONLY FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE POWER STEERING LOSS BY END OF HOUR LONG ROUND TRIP ON MOSTLY HIGHWAY FOLLOWED BY BACK ROADS UNTIL HOME. IT IS STRANGE THAT NO RECALLS COME UP PAST OR PRESENT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE IN 2014 FORD DID ISSUE A RECALL FOR "2008-2011 FORD ESCAPES, MERCURY MARINERS AND 2011-2013 FORD EXPLORERS FOR FAULTY TORQUE SENSORS IN STEERING COLUMNS THAT RESULT IN LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING...MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS...WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF CRASH". WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? IS THIS RECALL EXPIRED OR SOMETHING? RECALLS SHOULD NOT EXPIRE IF THAT IS THE CASE! I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT I AM AWARE OF. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE REPAIRS! I AM CONTACTING FORD NEXT.
Steering, Dec 9, 2017
WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE GAS STATION THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE" CAME UP. I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS TONIGHT 12/9/2017