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, Mar 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 19, 2014
SEVERAL TIMES SINCE BUYING MY CAR IN NOV 2013 MY STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP ON ME SO THAT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, TYPICALLY WHEN TURNING A CORNER, ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO PULL COMPLETELY OVER IN ONE CASE AND I WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN IN MY OWN LANE IN ANOTHER. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC AND MYSELF AND OTHERS COULD BE INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. AND NEITHER FORD OR WARRANTY COMPANY IS WILLING TO REPAIR/REPLACE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 19, 2014
AT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES F THE FUEL TANK IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL. AT 0 DEGREES F IT WILL TAKE OVER 30 MINUTES TO FILL. I AM CONCERNED THAT AT SOME POINT IT WILL NOT TAKE ANY FUEL AT ALL. *TR
Steering, Mar 19, 2014
AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. MANY CONSUMERS I'VE RESEARCHED ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM FOLLOWED BY TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE AND EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 19, 2014
WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND THEN GOING TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR GAS AND STEERING SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ANY LONGER. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO GOT STUCK IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND. THE GAS PEDDLE ALSO HAVE BEEN GETTING STUCK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 3YRS 2011 UNTIL 2014 THE PRESENT WE HAVE GONE TO CHECK IT PUT NO DIAGNOSIS WAS DONE TO LET US KNOW THE STEERING COLUMN SYSTEM WAS OUT UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN THE CAR WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR
Steering, Mar 18, 2014
I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT UP A HILL. THE STEERING LOCKED AND FOR A SECOND OR TWO I COULDN'T TURN AND WAS AFRAID I WOULD CRASH INTO THE HILLSIDE. AFTER BRAKING THE STEERING COLUMN UNLOCKED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE WHOLE COLUMN AT MY EXPENSE. *TR
Steering, Mar 18, 2014
HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NOV 2013, WHILE PULLING FROM PARKED POSITION, STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. HAVE TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART TO HAVE STEERING OPERATIONAL. HAS OCCURRED 6 TIMES. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Mar 18, 2014, crash
SINCE THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED A BRAKING FAILURE INCIDENT I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH&VISITS TO MECHANICS TO RETRIEVE CODES THROWN FROM THE CAR OFF DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES. REPLACING THE HCU CARRIES A PREMIUM PRICE TAG OF $5K-7K. PRIOR TO THE FIRST ACCIDENT,THERE IS NO OBVIOUS WAY THAT I COULD HAVE DAMAGED THE HCU WITH MY VERY NORMAL DRIVING HABITS (I.E.NO HISTORY OF TOWING, NO LONG DOWNHILL BRAKING)&THE HCU IS NOT A COMPONENT SUSCEPTIBLE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF EARLY FAILURE. I BELIEVE THAT THE ESCAPE HYBRIDS BRAKING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE BY DESIGN (HENCE THE TSB)&FAULT LIES WITH FORD.I CONSIDER THIS BRAKE FAILURE VERY SERIOUS&A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAD NEVER BOTHERED TO NOTIFY ME ABOUT OR RECALL.MY ATTEMPTS TO GET FORD'S ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS.TO SUMMARIZE NHTSA IS NOT CONCERNED B/C NOBODY HAS GOTTEN KILLED BY THESE DEFECTIVE BRAKES. FORD CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS&SIGNIFICANTLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW.AFTER SEVERAL EPISODES OF BRAKE FAILURE I FOUND TSB 05-8-5 (8/5/05 NHTSA ID#10017553:ESCAPEHYBRIDVEHICLES EXHIBIT THE YELLOW ABS&RED E- BRAKE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATING AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED,&AN INCREASE INBRAKE PEDALEFFORT)FORD CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY TO DEAL W/THE PROBLEM.ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE W/O THE REPAIR,IT HAD NO VALUE BEING BROKEN,&I DID NOT HAVE THE CONSCIENCE TO SELL THE VEHICLE W/A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.FORDS FAILURE TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS RATHER APPALLING.FORD ABANDONED ME W/A$7,000 BILL TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT IS SOLELY RELATED TO THEIR POOR DESIGN.FIRST ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION:ABS WARNING LIGHT&SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON CLUSTER."SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM"&"REGENERATIVE BRAKING DISABLED" ILLUMINATED ON MESSAGE BOARD. ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC,UPON EXTREME BRAKING, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Steering, Mar 17, 2014
THE STEERING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE "FAILED" INTERMITTENTLY. IN ESSENCE, THE POWER STEERING BECAME NON-POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON 3 OR 4 OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER THAN A CAR THAT HAD STANDARD STEERING. IF THE CAR WAS RE-STARTED, ON OCCASION IT WOULD RECOVER THE POWER STEERING. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, WHICH WAS A REPAIR THAT COST $970.60. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Mar 17, 2014
THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.... WHILE DRIVING SLOW (5-10 MPH) AND TURNING, POWER STEERING GOES OUT MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN NEAR HEAD-ON COLLISIONS MORE THAN ONCE WHEN THE TURNING RADIUS COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND I DRIFTED OVER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT MANY OTHERS WITH THESE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ESCAPE HYBRIDS HAVE HAD. I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW UNTIL WE HAVE SAVED ENOUGH TO FIX THE PROBLEM (QUOTED $1,400.00). *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2014
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, TURNED DOWN A BUSY STREET, WHEEL LOCKED UP. COMPLETELY FROZEN, TOOK AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF STRENGTH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT TO SAFETY. RESTARTED CAR AND IT WAS FIXED. HAPPENED AGAIN LATER THAT DAY GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. (IT'S LIKE I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL, BUT IT IS ALL ELECTRIC). THE WHEEL HAS CONTINUED TO LOCK AT RANDOM TIMES, WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER FOR 20 (TWENTY!) MORE TIMES, I HAVE DOCUMENTED THEM ALL. NOTHING PROVOKES THIS HAPPENING, LIKE TURNING, GOING UP OR DOWN HILL, SLOW SPEEDS, NOTHING, IT JUST HAPPENS OUT OF NO WHERE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO OUTLET AVAILABLE FOR ME TO TURN INTO. IT HAS HAPPENED WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT IN A TURN ONLY LANE, BUT I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY AND I'VE HAD TO VERY FORCEFULLY ANGLE THE WHEEL SO I COULD GET ON THE SHOULDER. THE WHEEL UNLOCKS AFTER YOU RESTART THE CAR. MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON EVERY TIME THE WHEEL LOCKS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN (A $1,300 FIX) DUE TO A FAULTY SWITCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I COULD VERY EASILY WRECK IF IT HAPPENS IN A BAD TIME OR BAD LOCATION. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VERY CLOSE CALLS ALREADY AND I AM AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING EVERY DAY. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Steering, Mar 16, 2014
THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TO A NEARBY GARAGE THEY INFORMED ME NOTHING WAS WRONG ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER WHERE THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES. THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. A QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FOR 2008 FORD ESCAPE POWER STEERING FAIL YIELDED MULTIPLE RESULTS AND A PENDING RECALL IN CANADA FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING SENSOR. *TR
Steering, Mar 15, 2014
WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE SIMPLY WENT OUT. I HAD NO ISSUES OR INDICATION THAT THE STEERING WAS ABOUT TO FAIL AND SUDDENLY, THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. FORTUNATELY, THIS LOSS OF POWER STEERING DIDN'T RESULT IN A CRASH IN MY CASE. I QUICKLY SCHEDULED AN INSPECTION AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD IN FACT FAILED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF MY STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS ALMOST A $1,600 REPAIR BUT HAD TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY DUE TO THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THE FAILURE. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND SCORES OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAD CHANGED FROM A HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM STARTING IN 2008. CLEARLY THIS SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT ONE DAY SOME ONE WILL BE KILLED WHEN THIS SYSTEM FAILS AGAIN. DON'T LET THIS TURN INTO ANOTHER ISSUE LIKE IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING WITH GM IGNITIONS AND LIVES ARE LOST. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2014
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. THIS IS A PROBLEM MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED, I CAN ONLY HOPE ENOUGH PEOPLE REPORT IT SO THAT YOU PERFORM A RECALL. THE POWER STEERING CAN COME ON AND GO OFF AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THIS ONLY GIVES THE DRIVER A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY AND ALLOWS THE PROBLEM TO GO UNCHECKED A LITTLE LONGER! *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 14, 2014
LOST POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING FROM A STOP. PULLED OVER STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING CAME BACK. HAPPENED AGAIN 2 WEEKS LATER. WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AT 30 MPH AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE NEAR A SHOPPING CENTER WHERE I COULD PULL IN, STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT JUST GOES! *TR
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2014
THE FAN SWITCH AND RELAY BOX HAS A ELECTRICAL MELT DOWN ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE FORD DEALER. THE FAN SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. THE LAST TIME IT COST ME ABOUT $250.00 WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND WILL COST ME ABOUT $1000.00 TO REPLACE. I FEEL FORD DID A PATCH JOB DURING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WAS NEVER CORRECTLY FIXED. I CHECKED ONE WEBSITE AND THERE WAS 923 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAULTY FAN SWITCH. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FAN SWITCH AND RELAY BOX ON THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. *TR
Steering, Mar 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2014
I WAS HEADING TO WORK ONE MORNING, AND I STARTED THE CAR UP AND DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND THE STEERING CAME BACK. (AT THE BEGINNING, SHUTTING THE CAR OFF WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM RIGHT WAY.) I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING. THERE WAS ALSO A QUIET GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN (AT STOP LIGHTS ETC.), THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK MORE AND THE NOISE GREW A LITTLE LOUDER. AS THE DAYS WENT ON (3-4 DAYS LATER), THE SHAKING AND NOISE GOT WORSE UNTIL IT WAS AN UNCONTROLLABLE, CONSTANT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE NOISE BECAME SO LOUD AND HORRID THAT I THOUGHT THE CAR MIGHT BREAK DOWN. WITHIN THAT WEEK, AS I STARTED MY CAR, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ABOUT A TOTAL OF 10 TIMES, AND I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. UNLIKE AT THE BEGINNING, BY THE END OF THE WEEK, I HAD TO SHUT MY CAR OFF 4-5 TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING WOULD COME BACK. THE LAST DAY OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SO LOOSE THAT IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL ON THE BACK ROADS/HIGHWAYS/FREEWAYS AND OVER POT HOLES. AT ONE POINT, I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND I ALMOST THOUGHT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE STEERING WHEEL/CAR BACK. THANKFULLY, I (AND NO ONE ELSE) HAS DIED FROM THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES, BUT IS THAT WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE IN ORDER FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE? *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMITTED UNDER THE FRONT AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT TRAFFIC BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH FORCE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR UPDATED 11/20/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 5/5/2015 *JS
Steering, Mar 10, 2014
ON FEB 4 2014 OUR DAUGHTER CALLED VERY UPSET STATING WHILE MAKING LEFT HAND TURN STEERING FROZE UP STOPPED CAR NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC FORCED STEERING BACK CAME CLEAR LATER THAT AFTERNOON STEERING FROZE 2 MORE TIMES ON MY WIFE HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND RESTART STEERING WHEEL ALSO HAD A SLIGHT VIBRATION FORD HAS TO KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM ECHLON FORD STRATFORD NJ KNOWS AND HAD NO PROBLEM HANDING ME A BILL FOR 1431.06 IM JUST GLAD THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS OR MUCH WORSE MY WIFE AND I HAVE OWNED 5 FORD VEHICLES OVER THE YRS WILL NOW BUY A GMC TERRAIN IF FORD DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Mar 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO PRODUCE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,979. *TR
Steering, Mar 10, 2014
UPON STARTING MY CAR, I REALIZED I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT GREAT EFFORT. TRIED IT THE NEXT DAY, AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING, ALTHOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING STRANGELY. HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES. AFTER READING NUMEROUS OTHER ENTRIES ON NHTSA WEBSITE ON THIS SAME ISSUE, I LEARNED THAT IF I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT ON, POWER STEERING RESUMED. THIS WORKED FOR ME THIS MORNING AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. BROUGHT INTO MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT ASSESS ISSUE. WILL BE BRINGING INTO DEALER THIS WEEK. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M DRIVING AND THIS OUTAGE RECURS. *TR
Steering, Power train, Mar 10, 2014
AFTER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE WHEEL WITHOUT A LOT OF FORCE. I WAS UNABLE TO STAY ON THE ROAD AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP ALONG SIDE THE FREEWAY. IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION (AT 69000 MILES) AND NOW THIS. I AM NOT AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER AND FEEL THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE STEERING IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL! *TR