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.
Power train, Jul 22, 2014
WHEN THE VEHICLE APPROACHES 15-20 MPH THE RPM'S REV. VEHICLE ALSO WANTS TO STALL AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN IDLING. WHILE ALL THESE ISSUES START OCCURRING THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON IN THE VEHICLE. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE USELESS TO DRIVE AND DOWN RIGHT DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Engine, Jul 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Steering, Jul 19, 2014
12/26/2012 I WAS MAKING A U-TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. ALMOST HIT THE LIGHT POST, ANOTHER CAR, ALMOST RAN UP ON THE CURB AND ALMOST HIT A ROCK/BOULDER SIGN. PROBLEM WENT AWAY ONCE I RESTARTED CAR. CAR SAT IN MECHANIC SHOP FOR WEEKS, DUE TO BACK ORDER, AND WAS FINALLY FIXED. A NEW STEERING COLUMN COST ME $1064.35 - I ALSO HAVE THE ORIGINAL PART. 10/26/13 I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY, AT MIDNIGHT, AND WAS TWO HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. MY CAR KEPT SLIPPING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. I ALMOST HIT THE FREEWAY MEDIAN MULTIPLE TIMES, ALMOST HIT MULTIPLE CARS, AND ALMOST SPUN OUT WHILE ON MY DRIVE HOME THAT NIGHT. I DID NOT HAVE A TOW TRUCK COME BECAUSE STATE FARMS COMPUTERS WERE DOWN AND I'D HAVE TO PAY $69 A MILE IF A TOW CAME- AND I WAS STILL TWO HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD, AGAIN, THAT I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. MY U-JOIN WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS ALSO RELATED FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. I PAID ANOTHER $287.06 AND HAD A NEW U-JOINT PLACED. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS STEERING PROBLEM, WHEN MY COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NO DOCUMENTED REPORTS OF AN ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. THE INTERNET STATES OTHERWISE, AND I READ THOUSANDS OF ACCOUNTS OF PEOPLE GETTING INTO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THEIR STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. *TR
Steering, Jul 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (POWER STEERING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE ABOUT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
Power train, Jul 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE MAINTENANCE SERVICE SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS WERE FAULTY AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Air bags, Jul 12, 2014, crash
MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, ON THE HWY, IN WHICH THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND THE CAR ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE 2 FRONT AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. NONE OF THE 3 ADULT PASSENGERS WERE SERIOUSLY HURT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR $15,000, USED. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE OPENED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR
Steering, Jul 1, 2014
WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT 30 MILES PER HOUR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS DURING A DECELERATION PERIOD APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRYING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT IN THE CENTER OF THE LANE CORRECTION. *TR
Power train, Jun 30, 2014
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE KEPT SURGING UP TO 5 RPM WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT! WRENCH SYMBOL APPEARED THAT SAID: THROTTLE/POWERTRAIN. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME I HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. CALLED FORD DEALER AND APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH ON 6/27; OF COURSE, I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AGAIN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED AND SAID IT IS MY TRANSMISSION!!?? HOW COULD THIS BE! I ONLY HAVE 80K MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN 5 YEARS! HOW IS THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE?! ONT HE NHTSA WEBSITE, I SEE THERE ARE MYRIADS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE, YET NO RECALLS?? NO WAY SHOULD I (CONSUMER) BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 80K MLIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S EVIDENT IT'S A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT! MY SUV IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT HAD TO BE RE-EVALUATED BY ONE OF THEIR TRANSMISSION EXPERTS. *TR
Steering, Power train, Jun 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Seat belts, Jun 23, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND I CAN PUT THE SEATS DOWN FOR STORAGE AND WHEN I TRIED AND LIFTED THE PASSENGER SEAT UP BEHIND THE DRIVERS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WON'T RELEASE AND I CANNOT PUT THE SEAT UP. I HAVE TRIED A CAN OF AIR AND TAPPING ON THE RETRACTOR AND THIS WON'T RELEASE THE SEAT BELT SO I CAN PUT THE SEAT UP. *TR
Steering, Jun 23, 2014, crash
DRIVING IN THIRD LANE ON INTERSTATE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED VEERING TOWARDS THE LEFT AND HAD NO CONTROL. IT VEERED ME INTO THE CONCRETE WALL AND THEN I STOPPPED. BOTH AIR BAGS EXPLODED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 20, 2014
AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 AM ON THE ABOVE DATE, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 75 FROM CINCINNATI TOWARD TOLEDO AT AROUND 70 MPH. WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE COMPUTER ADVISED I SHOULD PULL OFF IMMEDIATELY TO SAFETY. WHEN THE ESCAPE CAME TO A STOP, I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER TRAVELING LESS THAN TWO MILES, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF AN EXIT RAMP TO A SIDE STREET WHERE THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO RUN A BIT LONGER BEFORE CUTTING OFF HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DYING HAPPENED AT LEAST ANOTHER HALF DOZEN TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO AN ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR LOCATION NORTH OF DAYTON. FROM THERE, I STOPPED BY THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP (BEAU TOWNSEND FORD) AND THEY WERE ABLE TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ENTERPRISE PARKING LOT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE UNTIL SEVERAL DAYS LATER ON 6/19/14 HOWEVER, AT THAT TIME THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE / SHORTED-OUT MOTOR ELECTRIC COOLING SYSTEM PUMP. THE PART WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED THE FOLLOWING DAY HOWEVER, INCLUDING TOWING AND THE NECESSITY OF RENTING A VEHICLES (I WAS ON A BUSINESS TRIP), THE INCIDENT ENDED UP COSTING ME CLOSE TO $1,000. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING AND DID NOTHING TO PREVENT IT FROM BEING INSTALLED ON TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON FILE REGARDING THIS PART AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT WHICH WAS FILED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. LET'S HOPE THAT FORD FINALLY STEPS UP TO THE PLATE AND ADMITS THEIR GRAVE ERROR IN JUDGMENT BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PART. THOSE OF US WHO HAVE HAD TO INCUR EXPENSES DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION SHOULD BE FULL REIMBURSED BY FORD. *TR
Steering, Jun 18, 2014
POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION UPON START UP AND A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING, ALTHOUGH SPEED AT THE TIME STEERING LOCKED UP IS UNKNOWN. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED IN JAN 2013 AT MY EXPENSE AND TOTALED $1244.60. DUE TO THE RECENT RECALL OF THE NUMEROUS FORD ESCAPE'S STEERING, I FEEL FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSES RELATED TO THE DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Power train, Jun 17, 2014
MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THE FORD RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. FORD IS REFUSING TO COVER IT, EVEN THOUGH OUR VIN IS REPORTED ON FORD'S RECALL WEBSITE AS PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2014
WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS STUCK. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 16, 2014
WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO JOHN BLEAKLEY FORD FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING WHILE GOING UPHILL AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 20. THEN WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY THE VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES JERK. THIS IS A VERY NERVOUS FEELING!!! I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A FACTORY PROBLEM & TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MGR TO CONTACT THEM IN JANUARY AFTER HE CONTACTS FORD. I CALLED AND EMAILED OFTEN AD IT IS A NERVOUS FEELING TO DRIVE A CAR LIKE THIS. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE SERVICE MGR WHO AVOIDED ME UNTIL MAY 2014, AND HE ONLY SPOKE TO ME AFTER I CONTACTED MR BLEAKLEY! I HAVE QUOTED PRICES FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I AM STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FORD CUSTOMERS DO NOT FIND THE MONEY TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THE MILEAGE IS TOO LOW TO NEED A TRANSMISSION. ALSO I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR GOOD. THIS IS DANGEROUS & UNBELIEVABLE!!! *TR
Power train, Jun 16, 2014
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE TORQUE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO INFORMED ME THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MODULE FOR $2200. WE WERE DECIDING WHAT TO DO NEXT, WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX IT AS FORD HAS NOT PUT OUT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. IT IS NOW JUNE 16TH, WHICH IS WHEN THEY PROMISED CORRECTIVE ACTION WOULD BE OUT BY. WHEN WE CALLED ABOUT GETTING A RENTAL VEHICLE, AS MY HUSBAND AND I ARE NOW USING ONE CAR, THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. THEN 15 DAYS LATER THEY CALLED AGAIN SAYING NOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. HOWEVER, READING THE RELEASE FROM THEIR SPOKESWOMAN ON AUTOBLOG, IT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS COVERED, WHICH IS REPLACING THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC SENSOR MODULE. FORD IS TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK HERE AND NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE LOST INCOME DUE TO OUR LACK OF HAVING A SECOND CAR, AS I MUST DRIVE MY HUSBAND TO WORK 15 MILES ONE WAY, THEN GO BACK ANOTHER 55 MILES THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, SO NEITHER OF US CAN TAKE ON EXTRA WORK SO THAT EACH OF US HAS A WAY TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. *TR
Suspension, Jun 16, 2014
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS. I GO SLOW AND TURN. THE SAME SIDE CONTINUES TO NEED REPAIR I HAVE REPAIRED IT 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS AND NOW IT IS MESSING UP AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH SAID THE SAME THING (THAT THE BEARINGS GO OUT ON THESE CARS OFTEN ) I THINK THE CAR MY BE TOO HEAVY FOR THE WHEEL SYSTEM THEY CHOSE NOT SURE BUT IT STARTS TO PULL MY STEERING WHEEL TO THAT SIDE AND I HAVE HAD 2 ALIGNMENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE HELP! *TR
Steering, Jun 14, 2014
RECENTLY ON 2 OCCASIONS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND MY STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. ONCE MAKING THE TURN I HAD TO QUICKLY PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN ON AND THE STEERING WAS OK. *JS
Structure, Jun 14, 2014
RIGHT & LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTING. *JS
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 13, 2014
FOR ALMOST A YEAR, TO START MY CAR I HAD TO PUSH KEY IN VERY FIRMLY, THEN TURN. FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH NOW, I HAVE TO PUSH IN, THEN JIGGLE IN AND OUT UNTIL IT CONNECTS AND STARTS CAR. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5 MINUTES TO FIND THE CONNECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM OF HAVING NO POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES - USUALLY NONE) WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS ALSO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JS
Steering, Jun 11, 2014, crash
FRIDAY JUNE 6TH, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30PM WHILE DRIVING AROUND A MODERATE CURVE IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED, LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL 'LOCKED' IN A RIGHT TURN. BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING, THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE TURN AND LEFT THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WENT HEAD ON INTO A LARGE STONE LINED CULVERT (APPROXIMATELY 6-8' DEEP), HIT THE FRONT END INTO THE CULVERT WALL, FLIPPED ACROSS THE DRIVE DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CULVERT, AND THEN ROLLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES UNTIL IT CAME TO REST ON IT'S WHEELS, APPROXIMATELY 20-30' FROM THE INITIAL POINT OF IMPACT. ALL OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. THERE WAS NO FIRE, BUT THE ENGINE DID SMOKE. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND, MIRACULOUSLY ONLY HAD SEVERE STRAINS, BRUISING, LACERATIONS, AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. THERE WERE MULTIPLE WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Jun 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 10, 2014
AS WE WERE DRIVING, A "HAZARD" LIGHT COME ON THE DASH, THE ENGINE SHUT COMPLETELY OFF, AND A MESSAGE, "STOP CAR SAFELY," ALSO APPEARED ON THE DASH. WE DID SO, AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON. CAR DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WE DID THIS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO TO GET HOME. HAD WE BEEN ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. A SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT OFF COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC BATTERY HAD OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP WAS NOT WORKING. I HAVE COME ACROSS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WHILE LOOKING INTO MY SITUATION. SOME EXAMPLES: HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/COOLANT-PUMP-ON-HYBRID-MAY-FAIL-AND-CAUSE-CELENGINE-SHUTDOWN-562. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 10, 2014
WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP-SIGN, I GO TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO. AFTER ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS OF PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO TURN ONTO A STREET, THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SURGE PICKING UP A LITTLE SPEED. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY TRAFFIC WHEN TURNING ONTO A STREET NUMEROUS TIMES. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ONLY WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT LET ME. SO BASICALLY THERE IS A DELAY FROM THE TIME I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, TO THE TIME THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY KICKS IN AND GOES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR