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.
Visibility, Oct 9, 2013
STARTING AT AROUND 15,000 MILES MY WINDOW REGULATOR/MOTOR BROKE IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. CURRENTLY IN OCTOBER OF 2013 I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE WINDOW REGULATORS/MOTORS (4 TOTAL) IN MY CAR. THE WINDOWS BROKE AT AROUND 15,000 MILES, 30,000 MILES, 60,000 MILES AND NOW AT 85,000 MILES. WHEN SPEAKING WITH MY FORD SERVICE ADVISOR HE HAS STATED THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPES AND CONTINUES TO SAY THAT IS REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL. THE LAST WINDOW BROKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND SOUNDED LIKE A GUN WAS FIRED AT ME AND MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DROPPED, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. AS STATED ALL 4 OF MY WINDOWS HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED AND THEY COST ABOUT $380 PER WINDOW TO REPLACE. FORD CUSTOMER CARE HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO THIS ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE LACK OF SAFETY OF THE WINDOW MOTORS/REGULATORS WHICH CREATES AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DRIVER AND ALL PASSENGERS IN THIS FORD MODEL. I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS CLAIM SERIOUSLY AND RECALL THIS PART, AS FORD IS CREATING AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
Power train, Oct 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COOLING PUMP SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Oct 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Steering, Sep 24, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING JUST LOST ALL POWER, THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC STEERING CONTROL, WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT DOWN . RESTARTED AND STEERING CAME BACK. UPON RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE SEEMS TO BE QUITE A FEW OF THESE STEERING INCIDENTS AND FORD IS NOT DOING ANY RECALL. *JS
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2013
I PURCHSED THIS CAR DECEMBER 22, 2007. IN LATE JANUARY 2008 I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR CREPT ALONG FOR SEVERAL FEET BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION "SLAMMED" INTO GEAR AND THEN THE CAR MOVED NORMALLY. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES SINCE AND EVERY TIME THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM IF THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO HIS TRANSMISSION "SLIPPAGE," SO I CAN'T PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AND NEITHER I NOR THE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN. LAST WEEK I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON A VERY BUSY 4-LANE STREET IN THE MIDDLE OF SARASOTA, FL, AND WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED THE ENGINE RACED, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT FINALLY STARTED MOVING SLOWLY AND AFTER A FEW FEET THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY KICKED INTO THE RIGHT GEAR AND MOVED NORMALLY. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. I TRIED TO FIND A PHONE NUMBER FOR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT APPARENTLY THEY NO LONGER TAKE PHONE CALLS. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A 2011 ESCAPE AND SHE SAID SHE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET BLOGS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
Structure, Sep 20, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY HOOD BLEW UP, I COULD NOT SEE! I WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LANES AND BY LOWERING MY HEAD I COULD SEE A SMALL AREA AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I WAS LUCKY NOBODY WAS INJURED. I HAVE TO GET MY HOOD REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ABS, BRAKE AND REGENERATIVE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND SPONGY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
THIS OCCURRED IN 2012 ALSO. LOSS OF POWERSTEERING -WHEN PULLING INTO OUR YARD. HAD SON CHECK THE BELTS-FLUID LEVELS-ALL OK;RESTARTED AND IT WAS OK. TOOK AROUND BACK YARD AND IT IMMEDIATELY LOSS THE POWER ASSIST AGAIN. ACTUALLY STEERED IT AS WAS FOR ABOUT 400 YARDS AROUND THE LARGE BACK FIELD OF OUR FARM AS IT WAS-IT NEVER BECAME NORMAL AGAIN DURING THAT APPROXIMATE 400 YARDS --UNTIL I SHUT OFF ENGINE-RESTARTED AGAIN AND TIL TODAY SEPTEMBER 19, NO RE OCCURRENCE. HAVE BEEN ON MANY FORUMS AND SEEN SO MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEMS. A STEERING ASSIST ELECTRIC MODULE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE TWO TIMES -ONE IN THE BACK YARD AND ONE IN MALL PARKING LOT AREA. WE KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW-SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RESTART; HOWEVER, IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE ON HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EITHER PASS OR GET BACK IN YOU LANE --IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING TO NOT ONLY US BUT THE OTHERS ON HIGHWAY. PLEASE, THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR A REMEDY -OR AT LEAST AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY FORD -NOT AS OUR E-MAIL TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND A REPLY BY A REPRESENTATIVE, [XXX], WHO STATED THEY HAVE DONE WHAT THEY FEEL NECESSARY AND AS TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS PROBLEM, BY TELLING US TO TAKE TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AN ANALYSIS TEST BY THEIR PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS AND TECHNICIANS. WE AS DO SO MANY FORD OWNERS KNOW THE PROBLEM-CAUSE-AND WHY MUST WE PAY A LARGE ANALYSIS PROBLEM FOR SAME. THANK YOU NHTSA-WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME ONE THAT IS CONCERNED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Sep 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE THIS MORNING THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER AND OCCOURS WHEN DURRING THE FIRST START OF THE DAY. THIS HAPPEND TO ME WHEN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY ROLL INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING AREA WHERE AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO WARM UP AND TESTING THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATIONS AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINS. IF YOU GOOGLE GAS PEDAL STUCK ON COLD MORNINGS..FORD ESCAPE 2008 QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS COME UP. THIS NEEDS ATTENTION AS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Power train, Sep 16, 2013
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS UNTIL 3250-3750 RPM. WRENCH WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON. *TR
Power train, Sep 16, 2013
AS I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE INTERSTATE MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE SURGED AND SPEED DECELERATED. THE WRENCH WARNING SYMBOL CAME ON WHICH IS THE "THROTTLE/POWERTRAIN" WARNING LIGHT. THE RPM'S GO AS HIGH AS 4,000 RPM'S BEFORE IT CHANGES GEARS. I TOOK IT INTO AAMCO TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED $3,000.00 SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH IS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM NOW. AS I READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED, NOT JUST A SERVICE BULLETIN. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND CORRECT THERE MISTAKES. I FEEL THIS IS A STRONG SAFETY ISSUE AS IT MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Steering, Sep 15, 2013
THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED SO THERE WAS NO RISK OF ACCIDENT AT THE TIME. THIS ISSUE HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. I DID AN ON ONLINE SEARCH AND DISCOVERED THIS IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. I FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS REPORTING SUDDEN STEERING LOSS PROBLEMS WITH CHARACTERISTICS MATCHING PRECISELY WHAT I EXPERIENCED. THESE COMPLAINTS SEEMED TO BEGIN TO SURFACE WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS. IT APPEARS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MOUNTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS TO BLAME FOR THE FAILURES. I BELIEVE 2008 WAS THE FIRST YEAR FORD INTRODUCED THE ECU TO REPLACE CONVENTIONAL POWER STEERING PUMPS. WELL IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WHICH FORD HAS APPARENTLY IGNORED SO FAR. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT THE NHTSA WILL COMPEL FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE, THIS A LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. IF POWER STEERING FAILS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT AND QUITE POSSIBLY DIE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. AND PLEASE DO IT SOON. *TR
Steering, Sep 15, 2013
THE CAR HAS RANDOMLY STARTED LOOSING POWER STEERING. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY APPLIED THE BRAKES ITSELF, WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT ALL, RAPIDLY BRINGING THE CAR FROM 40 MPH TO ABOUT 5 MPH. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD WITH NO ONE BEHIND ME, SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. IN ORDER TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY TO SOMEWHERE SAFE ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I HAD TO SHIFT DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR AND ALMOST FLOOR THE GAS IN ORDER TO FIGHT AGAINST THE HEAVILY APPLIED BRAKE SYSTEM. ONCE OUT OF THE WAY, I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A LOCAL GARAGE. THE GARAGE FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING A BROKEN "TONE RING" ON THE CAR - A TOOTHED RING AROUND THE AXLE THAT THE ABS SYSTEM USES TO MEASURE WHETHER THE WHEELS ARE SLIPPING. A CRACK IN THE RING HAD WIDENED THE GAP BETWEEN TWO OF THE TEETH, MAKING THE ABS COMPUTER GO HAYWIRE THINKING THAT THE WHEELS WERE SLIPPING. SINCE THEN IN 15000 ADDITIONAL MILES, I'VE HAD ALL THREE OTHER TONE RINGS BRAKE, CAUSING SIMILAR SITUATIONS TO DIFFERENT DEGREES. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THE FORD ESCAPE, AND THAT THE TONE RING - DESPITE BEING HIGHLY EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR - IS MADE OUT OF VERY CORRODIBLE MATERIAL AND THEY SEE THEM BREAK ALL THE TIME. MY EXPERIENCE AFFIRMS THIS OBSERVATION, AND HIGHLIGHTS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD EASILY BE FIXED BY FORD USING MORE ROBUST QUALITY MATERIALS TO MAKE THE TONE RING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 11, 2013
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE PURCHASED USED IN 2011, AND FROM DAY ONE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK I PURCHASED IT. IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND THEY COULDN'T RESOLVE/FIND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, ONLY TO COME BACK TO WHERE THE CAR STALLED WHEN EVER I CAME TO A STOP AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. NOW IT DOESN'T STALL BUT HAS A ROUGH IDLE, HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE LIGHT COMES ON.DRIVING IN TRAFFIC I FEEL I WILL GET WHIPLASH FROM IT NOT ACCELERATING WHEN TRYING PRESSING THE GAS AND IT NOT GOING AND BUCKING. I SEE IM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL FORD SHOULD PLAY A PART IN FIXING THIS BEING THAT'S ITS NOT THE DRIVER OBVIOUSLY ITS THE CAR! IF I COULD AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER CAR I WOULD BUT HAVE NO CHOICE TO BE STUCK WITH THIS ONE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COOLING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,838 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/23/2014 *BF
Steering, Sep 9, 2013
2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING COLUMN ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2013, fire
I WAS AWAKE SITTING AT MY DINNING ROOM TABLE, I SMELT SOMETHING (BURNT RUBBER) SO I CHECK ALL ROOM IN THE HOUSE. I WALK OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM MY FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS PARK. I WOKE MY KIDS, CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GRABBED THE WATER HOSE. ONCE THE FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ON THE SCENE, THEY OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, SMOKE EXITED THE DOORS EXPOSING OXYGEN CAUSING SOME FLICKERING OF THE FLAME TO START. WATER WAS DISCHARGED ONTO THE SMOLDERING INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE & COOLING DOWN IGNITION OF DASH AREA (RADIO IS LOCATED). THE HEAT WAS SO HOT THAT IT CRACKED FRONT WINDSHIELD, MELTED ALL PLASTIC FRAME INSIDE THE VEHICLE (MIDDLE AREA NEAR RADIO & SHIFT GEAR) AND BLACKEN ALL THE WINDOWS. ONCE FIRE WAS UNDER CONTROL, FIRE FIGHTER STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRE. BATTERY CABLE WAS ALSO CUT TO PREVENT ANY DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. BUT THEN I WAS IN SHOCK JUST THINKING OMG! I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK ALL WEEK AND PARK IT LATER THAT NIGHT. TODAY I STILL DON'T KNOW THE ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED, VERY PUZZLING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS FROM FORD DEALER ON THIS MODEL. UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR MY VEHICLE INSURANCE FOR ANOTHER MONTH SO THERE FORE AM STUCK WITH THE BILL. I BOUGHT THE USE VEHICLE AT DRIVE TIME IN PHOENIX ARIZONA AND THE FINANCE COMPANY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY SITUATION BUT FOR ME TO PAY THE VEHICLE OFF. LIKE I SAID I STILL DON'T KNOW THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE EXPECT IT WAS CAUSE BY WIRING. I COULD SEE THE V SHAPE OUTLINE OF WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. NOT ONLY THAT BUT I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION, I HAD TO TURN THE KEY ALL THE WAY AROUND IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START (NO RECALLS)? I AM STILL SAD BY ALL OF THIS BUT VERY THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE......WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED?
Steering, Sep 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Engine, Sep 5, 2013
I RECENTLY HAD TO PAY FOR A REPAIR FOR A KNOWN DEFECT FOR THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. IT WAS A TRANSMISSIONS FLUID LEAK NEAR THE AC CONDENSER ASSEMBLY WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE LIST AS OPPOSED TO SITTING BY AND TAKING IT. MANUFACTURERS WANTS PEOPLE TO FAITHFULLY SUPPORT THEM BY BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS AND IN RETURN THEY SHOULD FAITHFULLY REPAIR KNOWN COMMON PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF ACTING AS IF THEY DON'T EXIST. I SHOULD NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE NOR RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FACTORY DEFECTS! *JB
Power train, Aug 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TT
Steering, Aug 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAP OF THE U-JOINT HAD BECOME DETACHED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 27, 2013
FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM CAUSES THE IMMEDIATE SHUTDOWN OF THE VEHICLE LEAVING DRIVER NO POWER TO MOVE TO A SAFE AREA. THERE IS NO WARNING BUT JUST AN IMMEDIATE ELECTRICAL SHUTOFF UNTIL DRIVER CAN MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE AND LEFT US IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BEFORE I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART CLAIMING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR HYBRID WARRANTY ALTHOUGH THE PART IS INTEGRAL TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM. PART SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE FATALITIES OCCUR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 23, 2013
AT THE TIME I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR I WAS GOING AROUND A CURB IN A PARKING GARAGE WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE PEDAL WENT FLAT TO THE FLOOR AND APPARENTLY CAME UNDONE FROM ITS CABLE. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND CALLED A TOW COMPANY. THE TOW DRIVER HOOKED THE CABLE BACK UP FOR ME AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. AFTER SEARCHING ON LINE, IT APPEARS THAT FORD OFFERS AN INEXPENSIVE PLASTIC CLIP THAT COULD PREVENT THIS IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAD THIS CAR. THIS IS A DEFECT ON FORD'S PART AND THERE SHOULD CERTAINLY BE A RECALL FOR THIS TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. FORD WANTED ME TO BRING THE CAR IN AND CHARGE ME ALOT FOR THE SERVICE. THEY NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM SINCE MANY OTHER 2008 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR