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, Feb 20, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND LOSS ALL POWER STEERING IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN AROUND A CORNER AND IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE NOT MADE IT. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE THAT THIS IS NOT A RANDOM OCCURRENCE SEVERAL ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE HAD LOSS OF STEERING. *TR
Steering, Feb 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE IT WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY THEN THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. ONCE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, IT DID SO AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
Steering, Feb 19, 2013
WHILE BACKING UP AT A GAS STATION, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND IT JERKED THE WHEEL BACK STRAIGHT. POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING, I DID MANAGE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACKED UP AND WENT INTO NEXT PARKING LOT. WASN'T SURE WHAT TO DO, SO I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF, THEN STARTED IT BACK UP AND MY POWER STEERING WAS BACK. NOW AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS IT HAS ME SCARED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM HASN'T HAPPEN SINCE 02-14-13 BUT I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IT'S SAD THAT FORD AND THE RECALL DEPARTMENT HASN'T TAKEN THE RIGHT ACTION ON THIS PROBLEM. HOW MANY DEATHS MUST HAPPEN BEFORE YOU TO DECIDE TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. IT'S NOT A CHEAP FIX FOR THE OWNER OF THESE TRUCKS. AND FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED PLENTY OF TIMES ABOUT THE STEERING ISSUE AND HAVE DECIDED TO IGNORE THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Feb 16, 2013
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOING 40 MPH DOWN THE ROAD, I WENT TO GO TAKE A TURN AND MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY JUST WENT, I ALMOST HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND THE GUY BEHIND ME TURNING LUCKILY SWERVED AROUND ME. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE CAR THEN TURN IT BACK ON FOR IT TO WORK AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE EPS SYSTEM ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING) IS THE ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM AND FROM WHAT I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE ESCAPES, BUT YET IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE PEOPLE GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! *TR
Power train, Feb 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY BOTH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO BOTH ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 03/01/13*LJ UPDATED 03/07/13
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 12, 2013
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS MODULE FAILURE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS, BEFORE IT WAS DETERMINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 7, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE 5 FREEWAY. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUETS. I CHANGED LANES TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD TO MOVE. I PULLED OF THE FREEWAY AT THE NEXT OFF RAMP. THE ENTIRE TIME THE WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. I CAME TO A STOP TURNED OFF THE CAR, CHECKED ALL MY FLUIDS, AND GOOGLED THE ISSUE ON MY PHONE. ALL RESULTS LEAD TO ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND ALL FUNCTION RETURNED. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2013
DRIVING VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, EXPERIENCED ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER. AMBER WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. MOVED TO SHOULDER OF ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED OFF IGNITION & AFTER ABOUT 30 - 40 SECONDS RESTARTED VEHICLE, POWER RESTORED & VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY (WRENCH LIGHT OFF). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHERE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED, NOT UNDER WARRANTY (DESPITE TSB 09-19-12). ON FEB. 3, 2012, EXPERIENCED SIMILAR LOSS OF POWER PROBLEM, AND THE AMBER WRENCH LIGHT AND MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN (MILEAGE AT THIS POINT: 45,500 MILES). AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION & RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN NORMALLY FOR 45-60 SECONDS, THEN WOULD FAULT & SHUT DOWN. I WAS CLOSE TO MY WORKPLACE, SO I LIMPED IT BACK TO WORK. CALLED DEALER, WHO RECOMMENDED CALLING FORD'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO HYBRID CERTIFIED DEALER, WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY THIS TIME) AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. WHEN I CAME TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF POWER & WARNING LIGHTS (OPEN WRENCH LIGHT). DEALER NOW CLAIMS A SENSOR IN THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY IS BAD & IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM (CLAIMING THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY). VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALER AT THE TIME OF THIS POST. *TR
Power train, Feb 6, 2013
AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES WITH THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND THEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, UPON STARTING BACK UP THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS UNTIL THE ENGINE GOT UP TO 5000RPM. WHEN IT DID SWITCH IT SEEMED TO CHANGE INTO 3RD GEAR INSTEAD OF 2ND BECAUSE I HAD ALMOST NO POWER AND HAD TO VERY SLOWLY ACCELERATE FROM THERE. FURTHER, IT REMAINED IN 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NEVER SWITCH TO 4TH. THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHERE THE CARS BEHIND ME EXPECTED A CONTINUOUS ACCELERATION TO 50MPH. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR-ENDED. MY MECHANIC HAS DETERMINED THAT 2ND GEAR AND 4TH GEAR ARE GONE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST 2008 FORD ESCAPES AND A $2500 REPAIR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. *TR
Steering, Feb 6, 2013
STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN SHAKING WHEN CAR IS STOPPED AND AT LOW SPEEDS. POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES WHEN CAR IS STARTED, I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE CAR AND IT WORKS. WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT AROUND 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED, SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES LEFT AND RIGHT AND MAKES A BAD NOISE WHILE IN PARK AND AT LOW SPEEDS. HAVE NOT TAKEN CAR TO BE SERVICED YET. *TR
Steering, Feb 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED AND THE SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY RESET BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Steering, Feb 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Steering, Feb 5, 2013
POWER STEERING WILL NOT WORK. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING, IT WORKS. SAME PROBLEM EVERY OTHER DAY. MUST BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR FORD. AFRAID IT MAY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Steering, Feb 2, 2013
POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. CAN HAPPEN AT LOW SPEEDS OR NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. MALFUNCTION WAS INTERMITTENT. POWER STEERING WOULD START WORKING PROPERLY AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING ENGINE. PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND GETTING POWER STEERING TO COME BACK IN OPERATION AFTER RESTARTING HAS BECOME LESS FREQUENT. STEERING THIS VEHICLE IS VERY HARD WITHOUT POWER STEERING, MAKING IT VERY UN-SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 1, 2013
MY GAS PEDAL STICKS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. I'VE TALKED TO FORD ABOUT IT AND 3 OTHER MECHANICS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY. I HAVE A HEATED GARAGE SO IT'S NOT FROZEN. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT IS EMBARRASSING AND DANGEROUS! *TR
Steering, Feb 1, 2013
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TURN IT IN EITHER DIRECTION. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT. UPON RETURNING HOME AND PULLING IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AND MOVE ON IT'S OWN. I PARKED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE STARTING IT UP AGAIN. AT THAT TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES. SO AS OF THIS MORNING (FEB 1, 2013) THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND IS LOCKED WHEN I START THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Jan 29, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING LOCKED UP. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND ASKED A GENTLEMAN FOR ASSISTANCE. HE HAPPENED TO OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. HE SAID TO TURN IT OFF AND START IT AGAIN AND IT WILL WORK. IT DID. NOW WHILE IDLING THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES LEFT AND RIGHT ERRATICALLY. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND IT IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE, IN SOME CASES WITH SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I RESEARCHED THE STEERING SYSTEM USED. I USES A STEPPER MOTOR FOR POWER ASSISTANCE. I WORK WITH CNC EQUIPMENT WITH STEPPER MOTORS. GENERALLY WHEN A STEPPER MOTOR ACTS ERRATICALLY OR LOCKS IN POSITION IT IS A PROBLEM WITH SOFTWARE HAVING BEEN CORRUPTED OR AN INCIDENCE THAT CAUSES THE ENCODER TO LOSE POSITION. ( BOTH CASES CAN BE CAUSED BY SHOCK, POWER SURGE OR LOSS OF COMMUNICATION) WHEN A STEPPER MOTOR IS UNDER POWER IT IS LOCKED IN POSITION UNTIL IT RECEIVES COMMUNICATION TO MOVE,IN STEPS,VERY SMALL INCREMENTS. (YOU CANNOT MOVE THEM BY HAND) THIS IS OK ON A CNC MACHINE. YOU JUST RUIN WHAT EVER YOU ARE FABRICATING. ON A VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM, ITS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE (YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL) AND A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND HAVING IT WORK AGAIN SOUNDS LIKE THE SYSTEM REBOOTS. THE RE OCCURRENCE MAKES IT SOUND LIKE THE FIRMWARE IS CORRUPT. THE SYSTEM IS APPARENTLY NOT ISOLATED ENOUGH TO AVOID BEING CORRUPTED. IT MAY ALSO BE JUST A BAD BATCH OF ENCODERS AT ANY RATE IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IT ISN'T JUST THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLE THAT NEED IT FIXED. EVERYONE ON THE ROAD IS ENDANGERED. I LOOKED AT NHTSAS TEST PROTOCOL AND FOUND NO TESTS FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEMS. IN THE PAST THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE WITH HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS, YOU HAD MANUAL OVER-RIDE. YOU CAN'T TURN THESE SYSTEMS MANUALLY. YOU GO WHATEVER DIRECTION IT IS POINTED WHEN IT LOCKS. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AS IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Steering, Jan 28, 2013
2008 FORD ESCAPE WITH SERIOUS STEERING WHEEL SHAKING DURING DRIVING. FEELS LIKE COLUMN IS GOING TO LOCK UP OR MAKE VEHICLE SWERVE OFF COURSE. WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF, AND BACK ON SYMPTOMS WENT AWAY. HOWEVER, UPON DRIVING VEHICLE AGAIN, SAME CONDITIONS CAME BACK- VERY STRONG AND VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP VEHICLE ON DRIVE PATH. WHEN GOOGLED- MANY REPORTS SHOW UP ABOUT SERIOUS AND EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ARE OUT THERE. SEE:HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/FORD/ESCAPE/STEERING THERE ARE MANY OTHER SITE WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOW CAN FORD NOT ISSUE A RECALL ABOUT POWER STEERING COLUMN FAILURES? THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS RISK ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2013
VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. WHILE VEHICLE IS IDLING, STEERING WHEEL PULSES BACK AND FORTH SLIGHTLY, BUT OCCASIONALLY TURNS RIGHT BY ITSELF. FORD STATES THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSORS ON THE STEERING COLUMN WEARING OUT, BUT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? I GUESS BRAKE FAILURE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE EITHER! THE "FIX" IS ONLY 14-1500.00. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL REPAIRED AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXPENSE. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2013
THIS MORNING I WAS BACKING UP FROM MY DRIVE WAY. THAN WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. IT SCARED ME BEING THAT I WAS IN THE STREET SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED. BUT THIS IS SCARY IF I HAD BEEN SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THERE HAD BEEN TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD MY IGNITION WORKED ON BY FORD SEVERAL TIMES. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $1600.00. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEN. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 27, 2013, crash
APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO WHEN DRIVING I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HAD VERY LITTLE EFFECTIVENESS DURING A STOP IN SLOW SPEED TRAFFIC. INSTINCTIVELY I KEPT PRESSING THE PEDAL DOWN HARDER WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING BUT WAS SHAKEN UP. I BLEW IT OFF THINKING I BRAKED TOO LATE. ON 1/26/2013 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING LOW SPEED TRAFFIC AGAIN SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND WE WERE ROLLING ABOUT 15 MPH. BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND EFFECTIVELY, CAUGHT MY ATTENTION AND PUSHED VERY HARD. PLENTY OF ROOM IN FRONT THOUGH TO SOMEWHAT COAST-BRAKE TO A STOP. LESS THEN 30 SECONDS LATER, TRAFFIC STILL STOP AND GO, WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO BRAKE I PUSHED ON BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO BRAKING. PUSHED THE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE- NOTHING- AND COASTED INTO THE REAR END OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LOW SPEED IMPACT WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO CAR IN FRONT. FRONT BUMPER, GRILL AND RADIATOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THANKFUL IT WAS NOT DURING HIGH SPEED DRIVING. DID SOME RESEARCH ON INTERNET TO FIND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE HYBRID VEHICLES WITH THE "HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT" SOMETIMES NOT FUNCTIONING. TAKING CAR TO DEALERS TO DROP IT OFF FOR COLLISION ESTIMATE AND HAVE THEM LOOK INTO BRAKING SYSTEM. APPROXIMATE COST REPAIR ACCORDING TO OTHER REPORTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IS $4,000.I FEEL VERY UNSURE ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN ONCE IT IS FIXED AND IF PROBLEM CAN BE IDENTIFIED. AND IF FORD CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM WHERE DO I GO WITH IT? NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS IN REPORTS I READ LAST NIGHT WHERE FORD COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN TO OWNER AGAIN. I AM NOW IN THAT SAME BOAT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 24, 2013
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING LOCKED ON MY WIFE'S 2008 FORD ESCAPE. SHE CALLED ME TO COME HELP HER AS SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE HER ESCAPE. UPON ARRIVAL I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR OBVIOUS SIGNS OF PROBLEMS, NONE WERE NOTED. I TRIED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL; I WAS QUITE SHOCKED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE MOVED. SINCE I AM 6'4" AND 300LBS MOST THINGS THAT I GRAB MOVE?THE STEERING WHEEL SHOULD HAVE MOVED, JUST WITHOUT THE ASSIST OF THE POWER ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSORS IN THE STEERING COLUMN ARE BAD. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND THAT THE STEERING NOW FUNCTIONS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT I HAVE TWO CHOICES DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND SEE IF THE ISSUE REPEATS OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ($1,500.00). I EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS IN FACT A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY AND LOCKED UP AS I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. FORD CUSTOMER CARE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY HAVE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN THIS ISSUE AND CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY ISSUES PERTAINING TO THIS PROBLEM ON RECORD. THIS STATEMENT BY FORD CUSTOMER CARE SEEMS TO BE HIGHLY SUSPECT AS A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH FOUND MANY IDENTICAL ISSUES. THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING SYSTEM IS BEYOND UNACCEPTABLE! IF SOMEONE WITH MY STRENGTH CANNOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL THAN HOW IS SOMEONE THE SIZE OF MY WIFE SUPPOSED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IF AND IN THIS CASE WHEN THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILS. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT THAT THERE IS IN FACT A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM OF THE FORD ESCAPE. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. AGAIN THIS WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING SYSTEM!!! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 24, 2013
THE AUTO HAD JUST HAD THE PUMP THAT COOLS THE HYBRID ENGINE REPLACED AT A COST OF $590 WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN STOPPED. THE WHEEL WOULD JERK TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT AND MAKE A "CLUCKING" NOISE. ONCE THE CAR WAS MOVING THE JERKING SEEMED TO STOP. BUT THEN WE FOUND THAT WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR THERE MIGHT BE NO POWER STEERING OR POWER FORWARD. THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE FORCIBLY STEERED TO THE SIDE AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN, THE CAR HAD POWER STEERING AND ENGINE POWER. THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN NEARLY EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED, AND THE JERKING OF THE WHEEL EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL OR STOP. WHILE THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION THE POTENTIAL IS CERTAINLY THERE SHOULD THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. HAVING REVIEWED THE WEB SITES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008 ESCAPE THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. ONE SITE LISTS NEARLY ONE HUNDRED COMPLAINTS EXACTLY LIKE MINE AND IN SOME THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS AND POTENTIAL INJURY. FORD IS STONEWALLING EVERYONE ON THIS EVEN WHEN THE MILEAGE IS LESS THAN 50, 000 MILES. OFTEN THEY SAY THEY KNOW NOTHING OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE IN MEETING CHARGES THAT RANGE UPWARD TO $1700. GIVEN THE INFORMATION THAT I NOW HAVE I CONSIDER THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AND AM HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE LACK OF CONCERN BY FORD SEEMS TO ME TO BE A SERIOUS MATTER AND ONE THAT SHOULD CONCERN NHTSA. *TR