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, Nov 16, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT TURN. DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE OCCURRED YET WILL NOT FIX THE KNOW PROBLEM AS A RECALL. ONE DAY SOON THIS WILL BE MAJOR ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE FATAL OUTCOME. MY DAUGHTER IS A MOTHER OF ONE AND ANOTHER DUE EARLY NEXT YEAR, SUCH AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE MAJOR INJURIES OR WORTH. THIS NEEDS ATTENTION EVEN MORE THAN THE HEALTH CARE PLAN WHICH WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE INJURIES WHICH COULD OCCUR. *TR
Steering, Nov 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SHAKE AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THIS HAS CAUSED WEAR ON MY TIE RODS AND THEY ARE NOW IN NEED OF REPLACING. *TR
Steering, Nov 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Steering, Nov 13, 2013
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. LUCKILY, SHE WAS NOT GOING THAT FAST SO SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP. SHE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. THE SAME THING HAPPENED A SECOND TIME ABOUT TWO TO THREE WEEKS LATER. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE DID SOME RESEARCH AND WAS ABLE TO LOCATE HUNDREDS OF 08 ESCAPE OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 13, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS OR EPAS) FAILED. THE CAR INSTANTLY LOST ALL ABILITY FOR POWER STEERING, WITHOUT ALERTING THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE EPAS CAN SOMETIMES BE RE-INSTITUTED BY STOPPING THE CAR (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT TIMES, OR FREEWAY), TURNING OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY ... WAITING 10 SECONDS, AND RESTARTING THE CAR. BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE SAME DRIVING INCIDENT. THE EPAS CONTINUES TO FAIL AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES, WITHOUT ALERTING THE DRIVER UNTIL FAILURE HAS OCCURED. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 13, 2013
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I REGISTERED THE COMPLAINT WITH ABOUTAUTOMBILE,.COM ON THAT VERY SAME DAY. THE # IS 10489579. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN LAST YEAR AND NO ONE COULD FIND A PROBLEM AS IT IS INTERMITTENT. 3 DAYS AGO, MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND AS HE WAS TURNING RIGHT AT A CORNER (20MPG), THE WHEEL LOCKED. SINCE I WAS NOT WITH HIM, WE SAID WE WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON IT. TODAY, AGAIN HE WAS TURNING (THIS TIME LEFT AT 20 MPG) THE WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT ACROSS THE ROAD AND PARK IT IN A PLAZA. I PICKED HIM UP AND DROVE HIM TO SCHOOL. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON SERVICE TO CALL ME TO GET THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT. AT THIS POINT, EVEN THOUGH HIS SCHOOL IS LOSE TO HOME THERE IS NO WAS I WANT MY SON TO DRIVE THIS FORD PRODUCT. I WORK AT HENRY FORD HOSPITAL AND I AM BEWILDERED AS TO WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS IT IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. LOOKING ON-LINE, THERE HAVE BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 595 SPEED OF 65 MPH THE CAR JUST LOST POWER CAUSING TO REDUCE SPEED FAST WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. HAD TO MOVE FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE ON RUSH HOUR ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Nov 12, 2013
I PLACED A MESSAGE ON THE NHTSA DATABASE ON 11/04/13 CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. I CALLED THE FORD CORPORATE CENTER AT 800/392-3673 - THE FORD CENTER STATED THAT BY CALLING THEIR NUMBER THEY WILL HAVE A RECORD OF THE PROBLEM AND THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CALL THE CENTER IS HOW THE RECALLS ARE INITIATED AND NOT BY SIMPLY USING THE NHTSA DATABASE. IF YOU ARE HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES WITH YOUR FORD ESCAPE, PLEASE CALL THE FORD CORPORATE CENTER AND GET YOU NAME ON THE LIST AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS TERRIBLY HURT. *TR
Steering, Nov 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING POWER ASSIST UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Nov 11, 2013
I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD STALL AND THEN PUNCH IN AND TAKE OFF. THEN I WOULD PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WAS KIND OF SCARY. IF SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I COULD HAVE HIT THEM. THAT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND FINALLY IT WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. MY TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT ON ME. WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT AND I STILL OWE $15,600 ON IT NOW AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO I HAVE TO TRY TO COME UP WITH $3700 TO FIX THIS????? THIS VEHICLE JUST GOT BROKEN IN WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. I'M SO UPSET. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THIS VEHICLE! WHERE IS THE RECALL ON IT? I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS! *TR
Power train, Nov 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Nov 5, 2013
IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE THROTTLE. I ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK UP TO SPEED AND THE THROTTLE WAS LOCKED SHUT AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMED UP. IT HAS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THAT TIME AND YESTERDAY WAS SO SEVERE, I COULD NOT MOVE FROM A STOP SIGN. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME A TOTAL OF $385 TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. NOW I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND I AM FEELING VERY RIPPED OFF. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING/DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Engine, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE FAILURES WERE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,600.
Steering, Nov 4, 2013
WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT I WENT TO DRIVE AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG BUT I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THEN POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. THIS HAS SINCE HAPPENED AGAIN ON 11/4/2013 WITH MY WIFE DRIVING. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THEN RESTART AND EVERYTHING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO BE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Steering, Nov 4, 2013
MY DAUGHTER HAS HER CAR ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS AND DRIVING AROUND THE DRILL FIELD AT 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. THE DATE LISTED WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP BUT HAS DONE IT A SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. I MYSELF WAS IN A KROGER PARKING LOT AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT LOCKED UP. IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS THE POWER STEERING HAS LOCKED UP ON MY DAUGHTER 3 TIMES WHILE ON CAMPUS - NEARLY CAUSING A 10 CAR PILEUP BEHIND HER. AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR US. I HAVE READ MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS TO FORD ON THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE CONTINUING TO PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER BY NOT RECALLING AND FIXING THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Oct 25, 2013
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH, 2013. WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS WAS LIKE TRYING TO DRIVE A TANK. WHEN I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE STEERING WORKED OK AT THAT TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE STEERING CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY PACE TO GET THIS FIXED WAS AT A FORD DEALER AND THAT THIS TYPE FAILURE ON THE 2008 ESCAPE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. LOOKING ON LINE I CONFIRMED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY FREQUENT WITH THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED TO ME ON A QUITE SUNDAY MORNING WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT ENDANGERING MYSELF OR OTHER DRIVERS. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR A LOSS OF LIFE ACCIDENT. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES EQUIPPED WITH THIS TYPE STEERING AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF BOTH THE FORD DRIVERS AND OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED ON THE ROAD SHOULD THE STEERING FAIL. *TR
Steering, Oct 23, 2013
MY STEERING COLUMN WOULD SHAKE WHILE I WAS AT A STOP AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS I HAVE LOST THE ELECTRICAL STEERING (POWER STEERING). I NOW HAVE NO ELECTRICAL ASSIST FOR THE STEERING AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 23, 2013
MAY 30TH, 2012 2008 FORD ESCAPE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK RENDERING VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE. MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. WITHIN ABOUT 3 MONTHS, THE PEDAL SEEMED TO START CATCHING AGAIN. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTED NOT CONTINUOUS BUT VERY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. OWNER MUST PRESS FIRMLY TO GET THE GAS PEDAL TO WORK WHICH CAUSES THE SUV TO LEAP FORWARD. JUST OVER A YEAR AFTER THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACE, IT IS BEING REPLACING AGAIN DUE TO THE SAME STICKING PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2013
WHILE EXITING A STATE ROUTE ON A OFF RAMP I WAS APPLYING BRAKES ON A TURN. THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, CHECK BRAKES WARNING CAME ON AND I LOST ALL OF MY BRAKES. FAULT CODES THAT ARE SETTING ARE U2023,C1526,C1477. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO REPAIR IT YOU MUST REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER $850 AND ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY $3500. *TR
Steering, Oct 20, 2013
WHILE SETTING AT A HANDICAP SPACE AFTER EATING. I STARTED MY CAR AND THE STEERING WAS HARD TO STEER GOING INTO REVERSE OR FORWARD. IT STILL HASN'T COME BACK TO ME YET AFTER SETTING FOR A WHOLE DAY. THE ONLY THING THAT I DID BEFORE PARKING WAS GO OVER A SPEED BUMP WITH ONE SIDE OF THE CAR AND MAKING ONE TURN AFTER 50 YARDS OF STRAIGHT DRIVING TO THE SPACE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 17, 2013
IT WAS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013. THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 62 DEGREES. IT WAS SUNNY. THE STREETS WERE DRY. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH FROM AUSTIN TO NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS ON I-35 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 A.M. I HAD THE SPEED CONTROL SET FOR 55 M.P.H. AS I WAS LEAVING SAN MARCOS, AN ALARM TONE SOUNDED, AND THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY SHOWED "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER USING BATTERY POWER ONLY AT LESS THAN 20 MILES AN HOUR, CAUSING ISSUES WITH OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE, WITH MANY OF THE OTHER DRIVERS ANXIOUS TO GET TO WORK. I STOPPED THE CAR, AND WHEN IT WAS SAFE TO DO SO, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DID A PERIMETER SCAN FOR ISSUES. NONE WERE DETECTED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND CHECKED FOR UNTOWARD ISSUES. THERE WAS NO SMOKE. THE ENGINE WASN'T OVERLY HOT. OIL WAS FULL TO THE APPROPRIATE MARK. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD THE VEHICLE TO ME ABOUT 1790 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND A FULL DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WITHOUT ANY ISSUES DETECTED. AFTER COMPLETING THIS CHECK, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE FOR ANOTHER 20 OR SO MILES WHEN THE ALARM AND DISPLAY REPEATED AS ABOVE. AGAIN THERE WERE NO ISSUES. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE 75 MILE COMMUTE. THE RETURN TRIP HAD NO ISSUES. SINCE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING IN FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC, THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE THE FIRST ESCAPE HYBRIDS WERE ON THE ROAD, AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO DEFINITIVE PROBLEM OR CORRECTION. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA EXAMINE THIS TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL SHOULD BE PERFORMED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY ALARM THAT SHUTS THE VEHICLE DOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
Steering, Oct 17, 2013
THE INCIDENT REPORTED IS ONLY ONE OF MANY SIMILAR -IN 2012 REPORTED TO FORD-DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED CAR DID WORK ON THEIR OWN TO FIX-(NO-CHARGE-AND ONLY HAVE THE PARTS NUMBERS USED TO REPAIR-DO NOT KNOW THE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM THEN) IN 2013 THE STEERING ELECTRONIC ASSIST HAS FAILED BOTH MY WIFE AND I ON MORE THAN MULTIPLE TIMES! ALL EXCEPT ONE TIME AT LOW MPH IN PARKING LOTS-MALLS-AND BACK YARD. THE ONE EXCEPTION TIME WAS ON A HIGHWAY AT NORMAL 45 TO 50 MPH -COLOGNE AVE, MAYS LANDING NJ ONLY SOLUTION TO GET POWER STEERING BACK TO NORMAL IS TO STOP -SHUT ENGINE DOWN-RESTART ENGINE-AND THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST IS BACK AND OK AGAIN. ALL EXCEPT ONE TIME -HAD TO RESTART AND RUN AROUND THE BACK YARD -SHUT DOWN AND RESTART AGAIN. THESE INCIDENCES OF ACTUAL TIMES AND EVENTS REPORTED TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS--NO ACTION EXCEPT TO ADVISE RETURN TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. AT OUR COST>WE KNOW AND FORD KNOWS -WHY SHOULD WE PAY ANOTHER $100 FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS AS IN 2012? THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY-NOT ONLY TO DRIVER OF SUBJECT VEHICLE , BUT TO OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. OUR ESCAPE A 2008 -BUT ACTUALLY BOUGHT IN MARCH 2007; ALSO WE UNDERSTAND THRU SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO OURS THAT THE 'ELECTRONIC ASSIST POWER STEERING FIRST PUT ON THE ESCAPE MODEL IN THE 2008 YEAR. POSSIBLE THAT FORD FOUND OUT THE PROBLEMS AND LATER CORRECTED--BUT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING EVEN THAT A PROBLEM EVER EXISTED! WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY SAME AS OURS ON SO MANY FORUMS AS FORD FORUMS, CAR COMPLAINTS, EDMUNDS , AND TWO OR THREE OTHER PLACES THAT CAN NOT RECALL AS WRITE THIS--HOW CAN IT JUST BE PASSED OFF AS A RARE INCIDENT TO JUST A FEW? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Oct 16, 2013
THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS MOST LIKELY THE THROTTLE BODY. IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND I FEAR IT MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED. *TR
Visibility, Oct 16, 2013
REAR WINDOW GLASS EXPLOSIVELY SHATTERED WHILE VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM AND HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WITH THIS KIND OF VEHICLE AND THIS VEHICLE YEAR. SEEMS LIKE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS NEARBY WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR
Engine, Oct 9, 2013
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM, THEN SUDDENLY, THREE THINGS HAPPEN SIMULTANEOUSLY: 1) THE GAS ENGINE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY, LEAVING NO POWER TO MAINTAIN SPEED, DECELERATION HAPPENS. 2) SAFETY ALERT LIGHT ILLUMINATES IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. IT'S A RED TRIANGLE WITH "!" INSIDE OF IT. 3) MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYS "PULL OVER SAFELY" OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT. THIS LEAVES YOU WITH ABSOLUTELY NO RECOURSE, OTHER THAN TO SOMEHOW GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OUT OF THE WAY OF ANY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS THAT ARE AROUND YOU AT THAT INSTANT. THE ELECTRIC HYBRID MOTOR STILL OPERATES, BUT THAT'S ONLY GOOD TO CREEP ALONG LIKE A GOLF CART, DOWN THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, IF THE SAFETY OF THE SHOULDER LOOKS BETTER UP AHEAD, TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE TRAFFIC THAT'S ZOOMING BY. CORRECTIVE ACTION, ONCE THE OWNERS MANUAL IS STUDIED, IS TO PUT IT IN PARK, AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION. THEN, RE-START AND GO. IT OPERATES AS IF NOTHING HAD JUST HAPPENED! THEN, IN A WHILE, IT HAPPENS AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, (VARYING MILES BETWEEN EPISODES, ANYTHING ROUGHLY FROM 1 MILE TO 70 MILES) UNTIL EITHER YOU FINALLY GIVE UP AND HAVE IT TOWED, OR YOU FINALLY GET IT TO SOME FINAL DESTINATION. *TR