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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 2,417

Of the 2008 reports, 72 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 45 people were injured.

Primary concernSteering1,237 reports · 51% of complaints
Owner complaints2,417Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering1,237
  2. Power train372
  3. Service brakes292
  4. Electrical system200
  5. Vehicle speed control200
  6. Engine157
  7. Engine and engine cooling75
  8. Other or unspecified68

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  1. Service brakes, Apr 30, 2021

    THE ABS SYSTEM FAILS WHEN ABS TONE RING CRACKS/BREAKS DUE TO RUST DEVELOPING ON THE AXLE HOUSING WHERE THE RING IS PRESSED ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE DURING 4 YEARS, BOTH WITH THE FRONT/LEFT RING/AXLE.

  2. Steering, Electrical system, Apr 10, 2021

    I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND I GOT A WARNING BEEP SAW THE DISPLAY SAYING POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AND A LOUD MOTOR TYPE NOISE WAS SOUNDING. I WOULD DRIVE AND I COULD FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED MY CAR AND DISPLAY SHOWED RIGHT AWAY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DEFAULT. AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING FROM THEN ON. OTHER 2008S HAD RECALLS FOR POWER STEERING BUT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR RECALLS

  3. Service brakes, Apr 9, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED JORDAN FORD (609 E JEFFERSON BLVD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE HYBRID BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,540.

  4. Service brakes, Apr 5, 2021

    IN NOVEMBER 2020 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, BY BRAKES SUDDENLY WENT SOFT. TO STOP MY VEHICLE, I HAD TO PRESS MY BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHERE I HAD MY BRAKE FLUID FLUSHED AND MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THIS TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE ISSUE. EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER, MY BRAKES WENT SOFT AGAIN. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THE ISSUE WAS WITH MY MASTER CYLINDER. REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE ISSUE. A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY BRAKES WENT SOFT AGAIN. I'VE HAD MY MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED FOUR TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 2020. IT IS NOW APRIL 2021 AND MY BRAKES ARE STILL GOING SOFT. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH MY MECHANIC FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS AS HE'S BEEN TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HE BELIEVES THE ISSUE IS WITH THE MODULE OF THE ABSYSTEM, BUT NO CODES REGISTER WHEN HE PLUGS THE VEHICLE TO THE COMPUTER. SINCE THIS ISSUE DOES NOT REGISTER A COMPUTER CODE, MY MECHANIC HAS HAD ISSUES WITH ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING THE CAUSE OF THE CONSTANT SOFT BRAKING I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS. I' WENT ONLINE AND GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND I'VE COME ACROSS FORUMS WHERE HUNDREDS OF OTHER FORD ESCAPE (2008 AND AFTER) OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. ALL OF THE FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR MASTER CYLINDERS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO PERMANENT RESOLUTION. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY COMPONENT ON EVERY VEHICLE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM. SEATBELTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE WORN BY LAW, BUT WHAT GOOD IS A SEATBELT IF THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BRAKE AND MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE BECAUSE A COMPUTER CODE DOES NOT REGISTER.

  5. Steering, Apr 5, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE POWER STEERING NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,710.*DT

  6. Steering, Apr 2, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.

  7. Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 22, 2021

    MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 58049 ORIGINAL. I NOTICED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITHIN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. I WOULDN'T GET AN ALERT ABOUT THE ODOMETER READING THAT WOULD SAY REGEN BRAKES DISABLED I ALSO NOTICED WHEN I TRY TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BUCKLE WHILE PRESSING IT. AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SEEM TO NOTICE THAT I'M TRYING TO STOP, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP. IT'S A GOOD THING THAT I'M NOT A TAILGATER CUZ I WOULD HAVE CLOCKED ANY VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. HERE IS A COPY OF THE SERVICE FORUM THAT GARY YEOMAN FORD DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA PRINT IT OUT FOR ME. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY HAND ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OR MY FOOT ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK WHENEVER I'M BREAKING OUT JUST IN CASE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN IT TO FORD FOR ANY IF ANY REPAIRS. I LITERALLY HAVE EVERY RECEIPT, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY FADED THROUGH THE YEARS. THE HYBRID BATTERY DIED AFTER 7 YEARS OH, PRETTY MUCH ON THE 6TH YEAR I NOTICED IT WASN'T HOLDING A CHARGE LONGER THAN 24 HOURS. I INQUIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 10K TO REPLACE. I STILL HAVE IT ON THE VEHICLE OH, I JUST GET POOR MILEAGE NOW. I AM IN NO FINANCIAL PREDICAMENT TO AFFORD A TRADE IN NEWER MAJOR REPAIRS. I'M JUST DISCOURAGED CONSIDERING WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A VEHICLE WHICH IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS GOING IF NOT ALREADY GONE. I AM DISABLED SO I DO NOT DRIVE OFTEN, THE VEHICLE SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY MORE THAN ITS ON THE ROAD. I'VE NOT TRAVELED A FAR DISTANCES WITH THE VEHICLE, MOSTLY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND PICKING UP MEDICATION AND GROCERY STORE. THAT'S IT, NOW I'VE COME TO A CROSSROADS NOT SURE WHAT TO DO HOW ABOUT THIS CONUNDRUM.

  8. Steering, Mar 21, 2021, crash

    ELECTRONIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME WAY THAT IT FAILED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL THAT ONLY INCLUDED A LIMITED NUMBER OF FORD ESCAPES, OF WHICH MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, IT JUST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT. IN DOING RESEARCH I FOUND AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON MY MODEL CAR PRODUCED IN THE SAME PLANT AS RECALL BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED SO DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX ISSUE. IN DOING MORE RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT MOST EVERYONE WITH THIS MODEL CAR HAS HAD AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER. THE NTSB NEEDS TO STEP IN AND REQUIRE FORD TO RECALL ALL OF THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN.

  9. Steering, Mar 19, 2021

    ELECTRIC STEERING SHAKES WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE TURNING EITHER WAY. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET, AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN.

  10. Steering, Mar 13, 2021

    THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER THE SPEED BEING DRIVEN. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IT IS TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND START IT AGAIN. BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAN VERY WELL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

  11. Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2021

    RED BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. ALL ACCESSORIES WENT OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I JUST REPLACED MY 12V BATTERY THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 2 MILES, AT MOST. THE BRAND NEW BATTERY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR LESS THAN 24 HOURS. I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY AS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T SHIFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED MY FOOT BACK LIKE IT WAS "PUMPING" MY FOOT. PUT ANOTHER FULLY CHARGED BATTERY INTO MY CAR AND STARTED RIGHT UP. DROVE HOME AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. BOTH BATTERIES WERE DRAINED COMPLETELY DRY OF ANY VOLTAGE. ABS LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM/REGEN BRAKE DISABLED ON DRIVE INFO.

  12. Service brakes, Mar 6, 2021

    08 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID-ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BREAKS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, STOPSAFE CAME ON. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON APPROX. 5 MINUTES LATER. ABS STAYS ON ALONG WITH CHECK BREAKS SYSTEM AND REGEN BREAKS DISABLED. CAR HAS SAT FOR 3 YEARS. WHEN TURNED ON NOW, REGULAR BATTERY DRAINS AND ABS LIGHT STAYS ON.

  13. Steering, Mar 2, 2021

    RECEIVED A POWER STEETING ASSIST FAULT ON MY VEHICLE WHEN TURNING IT ON IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE UNLESS I GAVE IT BRUT FORCE. WHEN CALLING FORD, THEY SAID THAT RECALL 14S05 WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE IN 2014 WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH SOME SOFTWARE UPDATE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE DID NOTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE AND MANY TIMES, CAUSED STEERING FAILURE AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. FORD IS LEAVING MANY PEOPLE OUT IN THE COLD MAKING THEM PAY FOR THEIR DEFECT AND FOUND A WAY TO "PRETEND" TO FIX THE ISSUE WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO BEGIN WITH, NOT A SOFTWARE FIX. THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE FIXED BY FORD, ESPECIALLY IF THE SOFTWARE FIX WAS NOT THE CORRECT SOLUTION.

  14. Steering, Feb 24, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITH THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN CEASED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEARNY MESA FORD (7303 CLAIREMONT MESA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

  15. Steering, Feb 22, 2021

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING SOUND DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

  16. Steering, Feb 22, 2021

    THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING AND EVENTUALLY THE STEERING STARTED SHAKING AND IT LOST ALL POWER TO STEER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR ESCAPE. IT APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM.

  17. Service brakes, Feb 14, 2021

    IN MARCH 2008 MY BRAKES WENT 2 THE FLOOR THEN I PUMPED IT UP. I TOOK IT TO LARSON FORD ON 4/26/08 ANS THEY SAID IT WAS THE CALIPERS. HAD THE WORK DONE AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND THEY SAID I CANT FIND ANYTHING AND TO DRIVE IT. ON DEC 31 THE BREAKS FAILED COMPLETELY. I LIMPED IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY DECIDED TO TAKE THE DAY OFF. LEFT IT THERE A FEW WEEKS AGAIN THEY SAID THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING. I CALLED FORD FOR HELP AND THEY DID NOTHING ALSO. THEY WANT US TO DRIVE UNSAFE VEHICLES. I AM NOW TAKING IT TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER TO DO THE RECALL FLUSH OF DOT4 AND INSPECT THE ABS VALVES THAT THEY DID ON THE CARS WITH THE RECALLS. IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE NHTSA IS NOT DO ANYTHING. NOT EVEN ASK SOMEONE IF THEY CAN TAKE THERE VEHICLE TO LOOKS AT IT. IF I GET THE SAME RESULT MY NEXT STEP WILL BE TO CONTACT CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE LACK OF ANY ACTION BY THE NHTSA .

  18. Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2021

    TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE ON FRONT WHEEL, YESTERDAY 1/ 27/ 2021, WHICH IS UNRELATED. SERVICEMAN TOLD ME THAT, DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST, THE UNDERFRAME HAS UP TO SIX CRACKS IN IT AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. HE STATED THAT THERE IS NO REPAIR FOR THIS EXCEPT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIBODY UNDERFRAME, WHICH FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TWO REAR SHOCK TOWER HOUSINGS BECAUSE ONE POPPED THROUGH THE FLOOR ON SEPT., 2020. THE OUTER BODY HAS SOME RUST BUT LOOKS GOOD, NORMAL RUST FOR IT'S AGE. ON THE INTERNET I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND IT SHOWS THAT THE 2001 TO 2003 ESCAPES HAVE HAD A POSSIBLE RECALL AND SHOWS THAT ONE FORD DEALER HAD A 'FIX' FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE, THAT DID NOT WORK OUT WELL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINS ONLINE ABOUT UNDERCARRIAGE RUST AND ITS PROBLEMS. I'VE ALSO TALKED TO A BODY SHOP OWNER AND HE TELLS ME THAT THEY GET SEVERAL ESCAPES A YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET THE REAR WHEEL HOUSE MOUNTINGS REPLACED, THERE WAS ANOTHER ESCAPE BEING REPAIRED FOR THE SAME THING IN FROM OF MINE. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT IRON MIKE'S METAL FAB SHOP IN FLINT, MI. 810 234 2996, OF COURSE WELDING ANY METAL TO RUSTED METAL HAS NO GUARANTEE.. TRUCK WAS IN MOTION ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THE SHOCK STARTED BREAKING THROUGH THE FLOOR, AROUND MARCH OF 2019. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT I HAVE TO USE, WHICH IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO YOUR STANDARD IS UNDER FIFTEEN YEARS OLD.

  19. Steering, Power train, Jan 24, 2021

    POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE SHORT DISTANCE HOME. WAS LEAVING A GROCERY STORE ONTO THE STREET

  20. Steering, Jan 22, 2021

    MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE TORQUE SENSER IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ON THE FORD ESCAPES. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO RESET IT. I DRIVE IN FEAR OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN. HE SAID IT WOULD LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN. MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ON THE RECALL.

  21. Steering, Jan 18, 2021

    THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

  22. Steering, Jan 8, 2021

    MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM WENT OUT COMPLETELY LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN MANUAL MODE. THIS WAS NOT 1 OF THE ORIGINAL FORD RECALLS BUT YET WAS MADE IN THE SAME PLANT AS ALL THE OTHER RECALL.

  23. Steering, Jan 6, 2021

    THE STEERING WHEEL ROCKS BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN.

  24. Vehicle speed control, Dec 30, 2020

    AT TIMES BEFORE ACCELERATION, THE ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO GO UNLESS THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC AND IT HAS HAPPENED. THE STICKING HAPPENS EITHER AT A STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC LIGHT, OR SIMPLY JUST LEAVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. SOMETIMES IT MAY HAPPEN IF I AM COMING OUT OF A TURN. ITS SCARY WHEN I AM ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, STREET, OR ON/OFF RAMP AND THERE IS OTHER TRAFFIC SPEEDING BEHIND ME. I CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PART THAT IS CAUSING THIS. IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER IN JULY. MOST RECENT WAS ON 12/29/2020.

  25. Steering, Dec 28, 2020

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE SERVICED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.