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.
Engine, May 8, 2015
TRANSMISSION WITH NO SECOND GEAR. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WITH UNDER 100,000 MILES!! NOTICED SAME COMPLAINT MULTIPLE TIMES ONLINE, SO FIGURED WOULD REPORT.
Engine, May 8, 2015
LEAKING NOTED. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP. TOLD ME COOLER LEAKING, NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ASKED IF WOULD BE COVERED UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WAS TOLD NO, THAT COOLER NOT PART OF POWERTRAIN, SO WOULD HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE.
Steering, May 7, 2015
I WAS COMING HOME FROM BATAVIA AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SOUNDING LIKE A MIXER HITTING THE SIDE OF THE BOWL AND WHEN I GOT NEAR HOME IT STARTED SEEMING LIKE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I GOT HOME BUT IT HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE. IT MAKE NO NOISE TO INFORM ME THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOTHING. I LOVE MY FORD BUT THIS IS REALLY NOT GOOD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD. I GOT A RECALL LAST YEAR. THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS.
Air bags, May 7, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER FELL ASLEEP DUE TO A HEALTH ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD CONCUSSION AND CRACKED RIBS. THE FRONT PASSENGER INJURED BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HANDS SEVERELY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,237.
Steering, May 4, 2015
I RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 14V-284 FOR THE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST STEERING ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE ROMEO MI FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL WORK ON 1/12/2015. THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED UNDER THE RECALL WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE SENSOR. FOLLOWING THE WORK I NOTICED ON THE DRIVE HOME (ON 1/12/15) THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SEVERELY MISALIGNED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CALLED BACK THE DEALERSHIP ON 1/12/15 AND MADE A FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT. FOLLOWING THE DIAGNOSTICS RUN THE VEHICLE SHOWED A FAULTY POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. BECAUSE THE RECALL WORK INVOLVED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEY RECALL WORK LEFT MY VEHICLE INOPERABLE I BELIEVE THAT FORD DID NOT FULL PERFORM THE RECALL WORK THAT WAS REQUIRED. I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE WORK THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED UNDER THE RECALL 14V-284. *TR
Steering, May 2, 2015
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY RECALL OF 2014 (PURCHASED VEHICLE NOV 2014). SEEMS THE SAME ISSUE AS WAS COVERED IN RECALL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Apr 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Engine, Apr 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION ONCE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED BY A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE PROGRAM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Apr 26, 2015
THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2013 MY CAR IGNITION WAS NOT STARTING THE CAR I HAVE TO PRESS IN THEN TURN SO THAT MY CAR CAN START THIS WAS GETTING SO AGGRAVATING SO I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY SWITCHED OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THAT DID NOT LAST LONG. I AM NOW DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE AGAIN AND IT IS EXPENSIVE. I AM SO TIRED OF MY CAR NOT STARTING WHEN I TURN THE KEY. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED BECAUSE OF IT AND I SOMETIMES GET STUCK AFTER SHOPPING OR AT WORK AND I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE KEY UNTIL IT START. I BELIEVE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL I HAD LAST YEAR ON MY CAR I HOPE THAT FORD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING GOING ON DEEPER THAN THE SWITCH AND FORD NEED TO FIX IT. I NEED HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENGAGED WITH A SLOW RESPONSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,902. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ
Steering, Power train, Apr 20, 2015
MAY 2014 RECALL INVOLVED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND TORQUE SENSORS THAT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD BEEN NOTICING SLIPPING IN MY STEERING WHEEL WITH SLIGHT PULLING TO OPPOSITE SIDE. IT HAPPENED IN STRAIGHT DRIVING CONDITION SUCH AS INTERSTATES BUT SEEMED MORE NOTICEABLE AS I WAS NAVIGATING A CURVE. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP WITH A RECALL NOTICE I HAD AND TOLD THEM I WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AND CONCERNED. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THEY HAD RESET A POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. IT SEEMED ALITTLE BETTER AT FIRST BUT THEN STARTED NOTICING AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. 10 MONTH LATER I TOTALLY LOSS MY POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY FAMILY. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND I ALMOST HIT A TRUCK COMING AROUND CURVE. TOOK IT BACK TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD TORQUE SENSOR GONE OUT AND FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS CALL RECALL HOT LINE STAYING THEY FELT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF UNDER RECALL SINCE I HAD BEEN IN WITH IT BEFORE AND TORQUE SENSOR WAS PART OF RECALL. I CALL HOT LINE SET UP CASE AND WAS DENIED BY FORD SAYING AT THE TIME OF SERVICE DURING FIRST RECALL VISIT I MADE THEY HAD FOUND NO DEFAULTS SO THEY ONLY RESET POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND CLOSED RECALL OUT ON MY ESCAPE. I AM OUTRAGED THAT FORD DID NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR ON CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND STAFF WHO ADVISES ME THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN DETECTED AND FIXED WITH MY VISIT THAT I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS. INSTEAD THIS CONTINUED TO ESCALADE UNTIL I TOTALLY LOST POWER STEERING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED WRECK AND ENDING BADLY. I FEEL FORD HAS TAKEN RECALL EFFORTS AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE WITH RESETTING THESE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULES RATHER THAN TAKING EXTRA STEPS IN REPLACING TORQUE SENSORS THAT WERE PART OF. *TR
Steering, Apr 19, 2015, crash
INITIALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE A POP IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT AND AN ACCELERATION ISSUE CAUSING SPUTTERING DURING CLIMBS TO HIGHER SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY. THE ACCELERATION ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED AT AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE OF $720. THE STEERING ISSUE WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS CAUSED FROM A DEFECT THAT HAD PROMPTED A RECALL THAT WAS NOT MADE KNOWN TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. THE DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING PROGRAMMING WAS TO BE UPDATED AND THAT ALL ISSUES WOULD CEASE. MONTHS LATER, FIRST OF THE YEAR, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AT THE OWNER'S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, PROCEEDED OUT OF PARKING SPACE TO THE SURPRISE OF NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING, CAUSING THE CURRENT DIRECTION OF THE FRONT WHEELS TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING GARAGE COLUMN AND DISLODGING THE FRONT RIGHT BUMPER COVER AT THE COVER/FENDER SEAM. OWNER RETURNED VEHICLE TO THE PARK GEAR, DISENGAGED THE IGNITION, ASSESSED THE DAMAGE, AND ONCE AGAIN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO THE ADDITIONAL SURPRISE OF WORKING POWER ASSISTED STEERING. OWNER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE FOR A CONTINUING FOUR MONTHS, AT RANDOM INTERVALS, WITH SEEMINGLY INCREASINGLY FREQUENCY. REPAIR ESTIMATES ARE AT THE $1500. RANGE AND ONCE ALERTED TO THE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES OF SAME MODEL OWNERS, BELIEVES THIS IS A DEFECT OF THE RECALL SOLUTION FOR A DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Apr 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Service brakes, Apr 16, 2015
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I WAS PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR, AFTER DRIVING THRU THE INTERSECTION, LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING, I PULLED OVER AND THE ABS LIGHT AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON , I SHUT THE CAR OFF WAITED 10 MINUTES STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE BRAKES WORKED THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF A HALF OF DOZEN TIMES NOW. DEALER QUOTED ME $4659.00 TO FIX MASTER CYLINDER, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM ID BE SURPRISED IF NO ONE HASN'T GOT HURT BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
Power train, Apr 15, 2015
IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE CAR LUNGED AS IT WAS GOING THROUGH THE TURN LANE. THE CAR IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEARS. IT STALLS AND THEN LUNGES. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT. WE TOOK IT TO FINISH LINE FORD IN PEORIA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM. THE 2008 ESCAPE DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY BETWEEN 1&2 GEARS AND 3&4 GEARS. THE REPAIR COSTS $1300 SO FORD IS MAKING MAJOR PROFIT. I WAS PREVIOUSLY OFFERED A SERVICE CONTRACT TO CONTINUE THE WARRANTY WHICH THEY POINT TO AND SAY I COULD HAVE TAKEN IT. IF FORD WAS HONEST AND KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND TOLD EVERYONE THAT OWNED A 2008 ESCAPE THAT FAILURE WAS GOING TO HAPPEN ON THIS TRANSMISSION THEN I MIGHT HAVE PURCHASED THE CONTRACT BUT THEY WITH-HELD INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. THIS LUNGING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Steering, Apr 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING NOISE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Service brakes, Apr 14, 2015
WENT SHOPPING ON A SATURDAY, 4/4/15. CAME OUT TO MY CAR AND STARTED IT. ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH MESSAGES STATING, "SERVICE BRAKES SOON" AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". BRAKES WERE SENSITIVE AND UNPREDICTABLE, BUT CAR DIDN'T NEED ANY EXTRA EFFORT TO STOP. HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT MADE NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, LIKE A STRIPPED GEAR SOUND. TOOK CAR TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC WITH AN UPDATED MODIS. CHECKED CODES AND CAME UP WITH A DOZEN CODES. ( P1A0D, P1A0E, P1A0F, P1A10, P1A14, U0418, C1321, U2023, C1475, B2172, P0A0A, P1A0A) ALSO, WHEN HE TRIED TO GET CERTAIN TESTS TO WORK, THESE ERRORS CAME UP: (AN ERROR OCCURRED 34 (0X22) [#155] (MANUAL MSG - FORD (CAN) HYBRID BRAKE SYSTEM AIR BLEED CHECK) (TEST HAS ABORTED ERROR 22 - CONDITIONS NOT CORRECT. CYCLE KEY AND RETRY.) AFTER DOING THESE TASKS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO COMPLETE THEM, ANY ASSISTANCE TOWARDS BRAKING WAS GONE. THE CAR REVERTED TO FAIL SAFE MODE AND REQUIRED MUCH MORE EFFORT TO STOP. IT TOOK THE MECHANIC MUCH MORE TIME AND PERSISTENCE, BUT HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GO THROUGH HIS TESTS AND CLEARED THE CODES AND RESET THE BRAKE SYSTEM. AS OF NOW, EVERYTHING WORKS AS IT SHOULD. THERE'S ONLY ONE PROBLEM. NOTHING WAS ACTUALLY A CONFIRMED FIX. THE IS NO GUARANTEE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WON'T GIVE OUT AGAIN. I'M MORE THAN CERTAIN IT WILL AND I DON'T LIKE TAKING CHANCES WITH MY VEHICLE. JUDGING HOW OTHER HYBRID ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED ON THIS PROBLEM, I GUESS I FEEL A LITTLE LUCKY THE BRAKES DIDN'T GIVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. YET. WHO KNOWS WHEN THEY WILL AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THEY DO. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AS I'VE HEARD IT'S OVER $4000. I ALSO CANNOT SELL IT AS-IS IN GOOD CONSCIENCE. I AM AT A LOSS HERE AS I AGREE WITH OTHERS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE WAY BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 13, 2015
WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL & THEN IT FEELS LIKE I AM IN NEUTRAL. AS SOON AS I PRESS DOWN ON GAS PEDAL THE CAR JERKS FORWARD. WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT SAME THING HAPPENED & THE TRACTION LIGHT & ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS INFORMED BY A CO WORKER SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM & IT WAS THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY THAT WAS ON RECALL. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS BY THE DEALER & NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $2,000.00. *TR
Steering, Apr 12, 2015
WHILE DRIVING 2008 FORD ESCAPE APRIL 11, 2015 RECEIVED A MESSAGE LIGHT STATING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". NOW STEERING WHEEL SHAKES EXCEPT WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. STEERING WHEEL ALSO RANDOMLY MOVES WHILES DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING OVER 35MPH THERE IS CONSTANT SHAKE IN STEERING WHEEL. IN JULY 2014 THE CAR WAS NOT HAVING ANY POWER STEERING ISSUES, BUT FORD RECALL NOTICE FORD 14S05 WAS RECEIVED AND CAR WAS SERVICED BY DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON SEPT 30, 2014 TO CHANGE WHAT THE CAR DOES WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST OCCURS. I WILL NEED TO TAKE THIS A DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WILL FIX THE ROOT PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING ASSIST. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I SEE THIS IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD DID NOT FIX THE ROOT PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WITH THEIR REMEDY FOR RECALL 14S05, BUT THEY ONLY REPROGRAMMED THE CAR TO REPORT THE PROBLEM DIFFERENTLY. THIS IS ALSO SAME ISSUE REPORTED IN OFFICIAL NHTSA INVESTIGATION #DP15001. *TR
Steering, Apr 9, 2015
WIFE LOST POWER STEERING AND WE TOOK ESCAPE TO FORD DEALER. THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. FORD DEALER UPDATED SOFTWARE PER FORD RECALL INSTRUCTIONS. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING EVEN WHILE STANDING STILL AND WE RECEIVED POWER STEERING WARNING FROM DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER. FORD DEALER SAID THE CAR COULD LOSE STEERING ENTIRELY (NOT JUST POWER STEERING) IF NOT REPAIRED. WE REPLACED STEERING COLUMN AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL. AGAIN, THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE CAR'S MEMORY. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO "CODES" IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER MEMORY, FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AS DESCRIBED IN FORD'S DIRECTION TO DEALERS FOR THE RECALL. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT MULTIPLE TIMES TO COMPLAIN. THREE CALLS TO WILLIAM FORD WERE UNANSWERED. FORD MADE THE PROCESS TO OBTAIN PAYMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALLED PART VERY DIFFICULT. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE FORD'S PROCESS. HOW MANY STEERING COLUMNS WERE REPLACED?, HOW MANY WERE PAID FOR BY FORD AS PART OF THE RECALL? THEY ALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY THE RECALL! *TR
Steering, Apr 8, 2015
I WAS DRIVING FROM PA TO NY WHEN THE CAR SAID "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. THE CAR DROVE FINE WHILE I WAS GETTING TO MY DESTINATION. ONCE THERE I PARKED IT. WENT OUT TO START IT AGAIN TO GO SOMEWHERE, AND THE STEERING WAS LIKE DRIVING A MAC TRUCK. I HAD TO FLAT BED IT BACK TO PENNSYLVANIA FROM NEW YORK. I GOT ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THERE WAS, BUT NOT AT THE FACTORY MY CAR WAS ASSEMBLED, SO I WASN'T NOTIFIED ON THE RECALL. SPEAKING TO MY MECHANIC AT WENTWORTH AUTO SALES IN GUYS MILLS PA, HE SAID THAT THE FACTORIES WERE DIFFERENT, I FEEL THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HIGH MILEAGE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING. I FOUND IT DISTURBING THAT MINE WAS NOT COVERED. THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A TYPICAL THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR CAR. THE GARAGE PUT A NEW STEERING ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR IN. PARTS AND LABOR COST $347.71. THEY DID NOT HAVE TO REMOVE MY STEERING WHEEL AND DO ANYTHING TO THE MOTOR. I HAVE MY CAR BACK, BUT IF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS TO IT , IT MAY COST ME UP TO $1,300.00. I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT TODAY, SO THEY HAVE RECORD OF THE SITUATION. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OTHER CARS FROM THE PLANT MINE WAS ASSEMBLED IN HAVE ANY ISSUES. IT WAS BUILT IN CLAY COMO MICHIGAN. SOME ONE SUGGESTED, I SEND OUT THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU ALSO. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 8, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,500. UPDATED 5/15/15*CN UPDATED 06/02/15*JB
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2015
THE VEHICLES WARNING LIGHT SYMBOLIZED AS AN ORANGE/YELLOW WRENCH ILLUMINATES ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS LAGGED IN RESPONSE TO APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, OR HAD DELAYED ACCELERATION RESPONSE. THE ISSUE IS ONGOING, AND CONTINUAL ON A DAILY BASIS STARTING APPROXIMATELY ON MARCH 2, 2015. *TR
Power train, Apr 6, 2015
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 15 TO GO OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS. UPON ACCELERATION THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 3500 RPM BEFORE SHIFTING. AT THAT POINT THE 2ND AND 4TH GEARS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. DIAGNOSTIC AT FORD INDICATED THE GEAR BAND HAD BROKEN. $4463 REPAIR FOR A TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 86,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Apr 6, 2015
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE CAR WENT TO AROUND 3500 RPM BEFORE SHIFTING OUT OF FIRST GEAR. WE TOOK IT THAT DAY TO THE FORD DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN OVERDRIVE BAND AND THE CAR IS MISSING 2ND AND 4TH GEAR. I HAVE DONE A GOOGLE SEARCH OF THIS ISSUE AND IT IS A VERY COMMON ONE ON THIS CAR. THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. IT IS SO COMMON THAT WHEN I PICKED IT UP AT THE FORD DEALER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT HAD IT FIXED YET AS THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITHOUT TAKING IT APART. THEY SAID THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WAS EXPECTING IT TO TAKE OFF LIKE NORMAL SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A WRECK AS THE CAR WILL NOT TAKE OFF LIKE NORMAL. SHE WAS VERY LUCKY. HOW FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT DOING A RECALL WHEN THIS IS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE IS BEYOND BELIEF. I AM NOW LOOKING AT A MINIMUM $1300 BILL JUST TO FIX THAT PART. THAT IS IF I DON'T DO A REBUILD OR NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS THE 6 CYLINDER VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR