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 13, 2013
CPSC: I1320536A. 2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THESE CARS HAVE POWER STEERING CONTROL ISSUES. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE, AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE NEW ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM CAN MALFUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING AND THE LEAVE THE DRIVER WITHOUT STEERING.
Steering, Mar 13, 2013
WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A LIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, POWERING STEERING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO SHAKE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DURING INITIAL START UP OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 12, 2013
AT AROUND NOON ON 3/11/2013, MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 75 MPH. AFTER RUNNING SOME ERRANDS AND DEALING WITH THIS ALL DAY, I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY TO THE FEEDER ROAD (DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC) AND MY POWER STEERING TOTALLY WENT OUT. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PULLED A MUSCLE IN MY ARM PULLING SO HARD OUT OF SHEER PANIC. IT'S A MIRACLE I DIDN'T HIT ANOTHER CAR, AS IT WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER ON EACH SIDE OF ME DUE TO THE TIME OF DAY. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, I HAD CONTROL OF THE STEERING AGAIN BUT THE VIBRATING HAS NOT WENT AWAY AND IT IS GETTING WORSE! I'M AFRAID TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD AND SINCE THE CAR IS AROUND 130K MILES...NO WARRANTY. I SEE ONLINE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WANT THIS PROBLEM RECALLED AND FIXED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT ON THE ROAD! *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 10, 2013
I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE. AT THIS TIME I STILL HAD POWER STEERING BUT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO VIBRATE. AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT, IT CONTINUED TO SHAKE WITH A SLIGHT GRAB TO THE RIGHT PERIODICALLY. AS I CONTINUED ONTO THE FREEWAY, THE SHAKE CONTINUED UNTIL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. AFTER GETTING HOME, I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BACK BUT THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE SHAKE WAS GONE AND SO WAS THE POWER STEERING. TO THIS DATE, 03/10/13, I DO NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE COLUMN. MY MILEAGE AT THE TIME I NOTICED THE SHAKE WAS 82,000. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS, AND THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED ARE SEVERE CAUSE FOR CONCERN. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHER 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!! *TR
Steering, Mar 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2013, crash
POWER STEERING GOES OUT FOR NO REASON. IT CLICKS IN THE HOUSING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, IN THE STEERING COLUMN. NEEDED TO ADD THAT WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INJURIES AND MORE THAN ONE ACCIDENT WHERE A VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2013, crash
AS I WAS BACKING UP, I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT GREAT FORCE, AND BACKED INTO THE PORCH. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON, THIS RESOLVED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY GOING FORWARD AT 40 MPH. I COULD HEAR SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN CLICK AND THEN LOST POWER STEERING. NOW THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. WHEN I START THE CAR, I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY ONE DIRECTION AND "TRICK" IT INTO HAVING POWER STEERING FOR A MOMENT BEFORE IT CLICKS OFF AGAIN. I HAVE SUSTAINED A NECK AND SHOULDER INJURY FROM HAVING TO USE MY ENTIRE BODY TO TURN THE WHEEL, AND SLAMMING INTO THE PORCH WHEN THE WHEEL GOT "STUCK" IN A TURNED POSITION AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT NO ONE HAS DIED AS A RESULT OF FORD'S DEFECT. WILL THE NHTSA WAIT UNTIL THEN TO FORCE FORD INTO A RECALL? *TR
Steering, Mar 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,359. *TR...UPDATED 05/22/13 *BF UPDATED 06/05/2013 *JS
Steering, Mar 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATED AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING ASSIST. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SECURED FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ON MARCH 15, 2013 AT A COST OF $ 1366.50
Electrical system, Seats, Mar 2, 2013, fire
I TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER ON DRIVER'S SEAT AND HEATER, WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT BOTTOM PART OF CONTROL PANEL WHERE IT MEETS THE CONSOLE. THE SMOKE GOT WORSE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING OVER TO TURN OFF AND GET STOPPED. BY THIS TIME THE SMOKE WAS QUITE BAD (HAD ELECTRICAL SMELL) I HAD ALL WINDOWS DOWN & SUN ROOF OPEN. THE CAR ALARM WENT OFF, THE HEATER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I FINALLY GOT STOPPED AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. A LADY PULLED IN TO THE CHURCH PARKING AREA WHERE I WAS AND CALLED 911 FOR ME. BY THIS TIME YOU COULD SEE ACTUAL FIRE (FLAMES) COMING FROM THE SAME SPOT AS SMOKE. IT WAS AMAZING HOW QUICKLY IT WAS IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE BLEW UP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IN TIME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE ONLY THING LEFT IS THE METAL SHELL AND THE TIRES. NOTHING IN THE INTERIOR. ALL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF BLEW OUT. BUMPERS, LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS MELTED. THANKS FORD. *TR
Power train, Mar 1, 2013
ON, OR ABOUT THE DATE LISTED ABOVE, AND SEVERAL INCIDENTS LATER, OUR 208 FORD ESCAPE CONTINUES TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS YIELDED NO CODES. AFTER ALMOST TWO WEEKS IN THE SHOP, WE NEEDED OUR CAR BACK, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO DRIVE IT AND LET MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER DRIVE MY HONDA BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, AND DOCUMENT ON THIS OFFICIAL WEBSITE, THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY NHTSA AND AN INVESTIGATION TO THIS PROBLEM WAS STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2013 BY YOUR AGENCY. THIS PROBLEM, AS NOTED BY SO MANY OTHERS, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED IN MVAS AS A RESULT. NOT SURE IF ANYONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET, BUT THAT IS INEVITABLE DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INITIATE LEGISLATURE OR A MANDATE, OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO, SO THAT FORD IS FORCED TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM PERSONALLY HOLDING FORD, AND THE NHTSA RESPONSIBLE IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN AN EXPEDITIOUS MANNER. GOD FORBID THAT THERE SHOULD BE ANYMORE INJURIES, OR ANYONE KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS ALREADY DOCUMENTED AND BEING INVESTIGATED. REMEMBER: ONCE YOU START AN INVESTIGATION, YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Feb 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN VIBRATING AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Visibility, Feb 27, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A OPEN HIGHWAY, THE SUNROOF GLASS ON THE ABOVE VEHICLE (2008 FORD ESCAPE) EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE GLASS BUCKLED UPWARD WHEN IT BROKE. THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS @60 DEGREES AND CLOUDY. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ANYWHERE NEAR. THE ABOVE MILES ARE APPX.. I WILL BE TAKING PICTURES FOR RECORD. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2013
I WAS DRIVING FROM LA TO PASADENA AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY SUV SLOWS DOWN AND THERE'S A TRIANGLE WARNING SIGN. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE FREEWAY WAS NOT CROWDED AND EASILY PULLED OVER. MY FRIEND IS HEARING AND WAS ABLE TO CALL A TOW FOR ME. WE HAD TO TOW THE SUV BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SANTA MONICA. THEY DID A GREAT JOB AND SAID IT WAS THE COOLANT OR WATER PUMP THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED IT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR ONLY ON ROAD TRIPS. I HAD AN ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING FROM BAY AREA TO LA. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I MADE IT TO THE SAME SM DEALERSHIP/REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. THEY SAID THEY HAD TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I KNOW IT AFFECTED THE GAS BECAUSE I HAD TO REFUEL THREE OR FOUR TIME WHEN I NORMALLY HAVE TO DO ONE AND HALF TIME! AS A DEAF PERSON, IT IS SCARY TO BE HAVING THESE ISSUES ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAYS. *TR
Engine, Feb 26, 2013
WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INDICATED A RED TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION MARK ENCLOSED, A MESSAGE IN THE DRIVER MESSAGE CENTER READING 'STOP VEHICLE SAFELY', AND AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER ON BOTH FOSSIL FUEL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL MOTOR DRIVE COMPONENTS. COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE WAS STRESSFUL AND EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH. WITHOUT EXTENSIVE DRIVER EXPERIENCE, THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BECOME A FATALITY. THIS POWERLESS ACTION SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO ITS VERY POTENTIAL OF FATALITY. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2013
DRIVING ALONG AND THE WRENCH ICON COMES ON WHILE THE VEHICLE STALLS AND DECELERATES. THIS ISSUE REOCCURS CONSISTENTLY AND APPEARS TO BE THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO SMOOTHLY TRANSITION AUTOMATICALLY INTO 2ND/3RD GEAR. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED SINCE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Feb 25, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE GOING 45MPH MY POWER STEERING FAILED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. ONCE I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. I LOOKED UP ON LINE ABOUT THIS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I'M SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET BUT IT WILL HAPPEN IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE ABOUT IT. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS I FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2013
CAR INVOLVED IS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT. WHILE ON A 250 MILE TRIP, I HAD EXITED I-20 AND WAS DRIVING APPROX 40MPH ON A 5 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A CLICK AND THE STEERING BECAME TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. IT TOOK MY ENTIRE BODY WEIGHT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THE STEERING CAPABILITY RETURNED TO NORMAL. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND SEVERE CRASHES, THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST A "SOFT RECALL" ON THE STEERING SENSORS, COLUMN AND POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2013
THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING IS FAILING ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM SO IS NOT ATTRIBUTED TO LOW FLUID LEVELS, HOSES, OR LINES. THIS IS A POPULAR PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2013
WHILE COMING TO A STOP I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GET TIGHT AND I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD LOST IT'S POWER STEERING. I THEN NOTICED THE WRENCH LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN GOING AROUND A CURVE OR MAKING A TURN IF COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Feb 23, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHUTTER RAPIDLY. THE SHUTTERING MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. LATER THAT WEEK THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I WAS MANUEVERING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2013
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED. THIS HAS HAPPENED PERIODICALLY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WHEN DRIVING, HOWEVER IT WOULD BE FOR ONLY JUST SECONDS. TODAY IT WENT ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AND I LIFTED THE PEDAL UP AND MOVED THE MAT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOT STUCK UNDERNEATH. AFTER 5 TO 10 MINUTES OF SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN, IT STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER QUARTER OF A MILE AND IT AGAIN LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T PUSH IT DOWN AND THE CAR CAME TO A STANDSTILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE COMING. AFTER ANOTHER 5 MINUTES IT STARTED TO WORK AGAIN AND THEN WORKED FINE AS I DROVE 20 MILES INTO WORK. UPON LEAVING WORK, THE PEDAL LOCKED UP BRIEFLY APPROXIMATELY A DOZEN TIMES AND THE WOULD UNLOCK. THIS TIME I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND IT WAS MUCH MORE HAZARDOUS. TODAY WAS EXTREMELY SCARED BECAUSE THE CAR CAME TO A STANDSTILL WITH NO POWER. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MAJOR INJURIES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND WAS WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION TO TURN LEFT WHEN THE GREEN LIGHT CAME ON. I PROCEEDED TO STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL SO I COULD GO BUT FOR SOME REASON THE GAS PEDAL WAS HARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL. I KEPT ON PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE BOLTED AND WENT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTERSECTION WHERE THE LEFT TURNING LIGHT SIGNAL WAS NOW GONE AND NOW FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF INCOMING TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP BOTH DIRECTIONS AND EVENTUALLY AFTER CONTINUOUSLY PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR MOVED AND EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THE INTERSECTION. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN A DAY LATER WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO KEEP MOVING WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND THEN THE DAY AFTER THAT. THIS IS BECOMING A HAZARD AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. I CONTACTED FORD BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SINCE I HAVE CONTACTED FORD BEFORE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I 2010 AND RECEIVED A LETTER 3 YEARS AGO TO TAKE THE CAR TO BE FIXED, I ASSUMED THAT FORD WOULD HAVE FIXED IT AGAIN SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ISSUE WITH THE GAS PEDAL. I WOULD LIKE THE NTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS GAS PEDAL THAT IS STICKING AND HOPEFULLY FORCE FORD TO RECALL SUCH VEHICLES AS THEY ARE A DEATH TRAP ESPECIALLY FOR AN EXPECTANT MOTHER. *TR