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. Steering, Oct 9, 2011

    THE 2008 ESCAPE I OWN HAS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT HIT THE ROAD. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE HAS BEEN THE STEERING SHAFT AND A JOINT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNABLE TO STEER. IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND I JUST SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES SO I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THE CAR WAS CLUNKING AND MY MECHANIC SAID MOST LIKELY IT'S A BALL JOINT OR TIE ROD AND TO GET IT IN SOON, BUT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CATCH UP AS THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST IN DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH WAS ALMOST A $1000 REPAIR. THE CAR AGAIN IS UNDRIVEABLE, AND FROM WHAT I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM IS ANOTHER $1500 TO REPAIR. FORD IS MAKING MONEY HAND OVER FIST WITH THESE VEHICLES AND WILL NOT REPAIR ANYTHING. SECOND MAJOR ISSUE WHERE I WAS TOLD OUT OF WARRANTY NOT OUR PROBLEM! PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET KILLED, IF I WASN'T 1 YEAR FROM PAYING THIS JUNK BOX OFF I WOULD DUMP IT. THE FIRST ISSUE ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE PART THAT FAILED DUMPED ALL MY TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT AND I WENT TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE ALMOST STOOD STILL AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS STEERING PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE AS 95% OF MY 55 MILE COMMUTE IS HIGHWAY AND I AM THANKING GOD IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HELP US NOT ONLY TO GET FORD TO FIX AND PAY FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT BUT TO RECALL THESE ITEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!!! DON'T BUY A FORD ESCAPE THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND A HUGE MONEY PIT! *TR

  2. Steering, Oct 6, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND REGAINED POWER STEERING AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

  3. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 5, 2011

    DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON, ALONG WITH MESSAGE "SYSTEM BRAKE FAILURE" AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". AT THIS TIME, THE BRAKES ALMOST FEEL TOTALLY OUT (1/2 PRESSED) OR VERY TOUCHY (FULL PRESS). TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE ABS MODULE ($2500) WHICH WE AGREED TO. A FEW DAYS AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, SAME THING HAPPENED (LIGHTS, MESSAGES AND BRAKES ISSUES). WE TOOK IT BACK, AND BY THE TIME IT WAS TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHTS, MESSAGES AND BRAKES WERE BACK TO NORMAL. THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ISSUES. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE IN A TRAFFIC JAM (VERY SCARY!!!) TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE CODES. TOOK THE CODES TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK MY ESCAPE FOR 2 DAYS, SAYING THEY RESET THE CODES AND IT WAS A COMPUTER ISSUE. 5 DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN OUR DOWNTOWN (VERY SCARY). NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE HOWEVER I HAVE SEEN OTHER MENTIONS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. *TR

  4. Steering, Sep 28, 2011

    I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THIS ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP. LUCKILY, THE CAR WAS ONLY TRAVELING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MOMENTS LATER, AGAIN, AT A LOW SPEED OF DRIVING. THE ONLY REMEDY INITIALLY WAS TO TURN OFF AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FEAR OF SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH AND WAS PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE STEERING TO FAIL. AFTER RESEARCH, THERE APPEARS TO BE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ONLINE WITH THIS EXACT SAME SITUATION, ALL IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE, WHICH IS THE VEHICLE I DRIVE. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT FORD EQUIPPED A VEHICLE WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING VS TRADITIONAL POWER STEERING. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH FORD SEEING THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND URGING A VOLUNTARY RECALL, I WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE OR REASSURANCE THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF OTHERS THAT MAY BE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHEN THE STEERING FAILS. *TT

  5. Electrical system, Sep 26, 2011

    THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT". AT THE SAME TIME THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VOLUME ON THE STEREO AUTOMATICALLY GOES DOWN OR STOPS WORKING OR CAN'T CHANGE STATIONS WHEN I GET THE TIRE PRESSURE MESSAGE OR REBOOTS ALONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWING HOT AIR. THE DOORS DON'T AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, WHEN THEY DO LOCK, THE AC COMES BACK ON. AS IT GOT WORSE THE DASH HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN, SOMEDAYS IT DOESN'T LIGHT UP OTHER DAYS IT STAYS ON ALL NIGHT. SOMETIMES WHEN I RIDE OVER A SPEED BUMP IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. *TR

  6. Power train, Sep 23, 2011

    DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILS AND LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE LURCHES WHILE LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

  7. Vehicle speed control, Sep 22, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WITH AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED. ONE DAY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

  8. Visibility, Sep 14, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE WINDOWS ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DOOR PANEL ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON TWO OF THE WINDOWS. THE THIRD WINDOW NEEDED TO BE FULLY REPLACED. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 2011

    WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, THE GASOLINE ENGINE DIED AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SAYING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. THERE WAS NO OTHER WARNING LIGHT (NO HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING). I DROVE SLOWLY ON ELECTRICAL ENGINE POWER UNTIL THERE WAS A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED THERE WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. IT STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER AND HE COULD SEE NO REPORTS IN THE COMPUTER AND NO EVIDENT CAUSE FOR THE ENGINE TO FAIL. HE SAID TO WATCH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. HOWEVER, THERE IS NOT A CONSTANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE - IT ONLY COMES UP ON THE SCREEN WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM (AND IT DID NOT COME UP WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED). A WEEK LATER, AGAIN ON A LONGER DRIVE (MORE THAN 20 MINUTES) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAR STALLED AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. THE DANGER OF PULLING OVER ON A MULTILANE FREEWAY IS VERY SCARY. OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES, I RE-STARTED THE CAR AND PULLED BACK INTO TRAFFIC, ONLY TO HAVE THE GAS ENGINE DIE 5 MORE TIMES. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND TAKE THE ESCAPE IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILURE OF THE COOLANT PUMP AND REPLACED IT FOR $500. THE MILEAGE OF MY CAR WAS ABOUT 53,000 MILES. *TR

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 9, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FUEL WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500. UPDATED 10/04/11*LJ UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN

  11. Power train, Sep 8, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTING FRACTURED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION CONDENSER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,550. KMJ

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 23, 2011

    2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IT IS REALLY BAD SHIFTING TO SECOND, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE MOTOR IS DROPPING. MY A/C ALSO JUST STARTED HAVING ISSUES, THE FAN ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. *TR

  13. Air bags, Aug 17, 2011, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF ONE OF THE VEHICLE COMPLAINED OF BACK PAIN BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS TO THE BODY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

  14. Vehicle speed control, Aug 15, 2011

    2ND INSTANCE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL CABLE CLIPS IN 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE DEFECT IS KNOWN AND IS ADDRESSED IN A FORD TSB, NUMBER: TSB-09-21-9. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE REPEATED. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. THE FAILURE OF THE CLIPS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, WHICH WAS ONLY NON-LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. TODAY'S INSTANCE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT... AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING. NO POWER WAS EXERTED ON THE PEDAL AT THE TIME OF BREAKAGE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT WARRANTING RECALL AND A MORE PERMANENT AND SUITABLE REPAIR FIX. AS I STATED, THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, SO THE ORIGINAL PART REPLACEMENT SOLUTION IS NOT EFFECTIVE. *TR

  15. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 14, 2011

    MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID (53,000 MILES) IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON I-5 I HEAR A POPPING SOUND AND SUDDENLY ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IS LOST. A RED EXCLAMATION POINT WITHIN A TRIANGLE APPEARS ON THE CONTROL PANEL AND A SINCERELY BIZARRE MESSAGE DISPLAYS ITSELF: "PLEASE PULL OVER SAFELY". THIS IS QUITE THE CHALLENGE WITH 18 WHEELERS BEHIND ME, TO THE SIDE OF ME, AND OTHER CARS ALL AROUND. WITH QUICK REFLEXES, I AM ABLE TO GET OVER TWO LANES AND SLOWLY (I THINK ONLY THE ELECTRIC ENGINE IS WORKING, NO GAS) DRIVE OFF THE NEXT EXIT. SITTING IN THE CAR, I AM IN SHOCK. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN? BECAUSE WE ARE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM OREGON TO THE EAST BAY AREA IN CA, WE ATTEMPT TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND MAKE OUR WAY SOUTH. WITHIN 40 MINUTES THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENS AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME THERE ISN'T AN EXIT RAMP. WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF AN BUSY TWO-LANE SOUTHERN TRAVELING FREEWAY. ONCE SAFELY TO THE SIDE, THE CAR RESTARTS AND APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, BUT WANT TO GET HOME. I DECIDE TO GO A LITTLE UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT (A HAZARD) AND STAY IN THE LEFT LANE. AFTER THE CAR FAILS AND TELLS ME TO "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW" FOR THE 5TH TIME, I DECIDE I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. WE CALL FORD'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER AND WAIT TWO HOURS (YES! TWO HOURS!) FOR A TOW TRUCK, ONLY TO BE CALLED BACK BY AN AUTOMATED DISPATCH THAT GIVES US THE NAME OF A DIFFERENT TOWING SERVICE THAT ESTIMATES ITS ARRIVAL TIME IN 2 HOURS (THE FIRST COMPANY APPARENTLY HAD TO GO TO A POLICE EMERGENCY TOW, BUT I BELIEVE THEY DIDN'T AGREE ON A DECENT WAGE FOR THE SERVICE). NOT WANTING TO WAIT 2 MORE HOURS, I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE AGAIN. WITHIN 10 MINUTES, THE CAR FAILS AND WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GLIDE TO AN OFF RAMP AND INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. THANK GOODNESS WE DIDN'T GET ANY FURTHER; THE NEXT STRETCH OF FREEWAY HAD NO SHOULDER AT ALL AND THE NEXT PART WAS A LONG BRIDGE. CAR IS NOW AT DEALER WAITING FOR MON APPT. *TR

  16. Power train, Aug 9, 2011

    THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 WITH 76,559 WAS MAKING A NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN PLACING THE REVERSE. ALSO THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE MOTOR LIKE A ZOOM . I TOOK THE SUV TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY CHECKED AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE MOTOR PULLEYS, BEARINGS AS WELL. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $3,099. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR HOME. WHILE DRIVING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 58.2 MILEAGE I WAS WAITING IN THE ROAD, THE LIGHT CHANGE FROM RED TO GREEN AND WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL TO PASS THE HIGHWAY THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 MAKE A HUGE NOISE AND DID NO MOVED. THE DRIVE AND REVERSE DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE PARKING WAS MAKING A HUGE CRANK NOISE. THERE WAS NOT WAY NO MOVE THEN I WAIT IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE ROAD SERVICE CAME TO TAKE THE SUV. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REQUIRED THE UNIT TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND SUPPORT. THEY WILL NEED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AND MAKE PULLEYS, BELTS ABD BEARINGS CHANGES. SO FAR THE DEALER WILL COVER 25%, THE FORD 50% AND THE CUSTOMER THE 25%. THE FORD ESCAPE NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR STARTED ABOUT THE SAME WEEK OF THE AUGUST 04, 2011. THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALER ON AUGUST 04, 2011 IN THE MORNING ABOUT 10:00 TO 11:00 AM AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE SAME DAY IN THE AFTERNOON ABOUT 5:30 PM. *TR

  17. Suspension, Aug 9, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR TIRES WERE UNABLE TO TURN PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT IF SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ITS CONDITION THAT THE REAR TIRES AND AXLE WOULD SEIZE. THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

  18. Service brakes, Electric, Aug 2, 2011

    WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. 4 MONTHS AGO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR 300 DOLLARS THEN CAR SHUT DOWN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH SHE ALMOST HAD A BAD ACCIDENT SO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT PUMP ANOTHER 600 DOLLARS. NOW MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND CAR HAD NO BRAKES WITH MESSAGE REGEN BRAKES DISABLED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE COST TO FIX IT WILL BE LIKE 3,000 DOLLARS. BECAUSE THE ABS MODULE IS BAD. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THIS KIND OF MONEY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST NOVEMBER 2010. *KB

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 26, 2011

    I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AROUND 70 MPH ON A TOLL ROAD WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN BEEP AND A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE SCREEN. THE POWER TO THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND I HAD TO COAST TO A SHOULDER SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS AHEAD OF ME. THE CAR REDUCE IT'S SPEED; I WAS ABLE TO BREAK BUT I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE HAD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR AFTER BEING TOWED OFF THE FREEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR AS LONG AS I KEPT ME SPEED UNDER ~60MPH. THIS WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE AND AFTER SEEING HOW WELL DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM IS I CAN'T WAIT TO TRADE IN FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND. THIS WILL BE MY LAST FORD. *TR

  20. Vehicle speed control, Jul 24, 2011

    GAS PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. NO PREVIOUS WARNING. UNABLE TO USE GAS PEDAL. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF RO SIDE OF ROAD. *TR

  21. Vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 2011

    ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *KB

  22. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 16, 2011

    ABS TONE RING CRACKS BECAUSE OF RUST ON THE AXLE AND THEN IT SPINS ON THE AXLE AND CAUSES THE ABS TO ACTIVATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL TO ACTIVATE BECAUSE IT BELIEVES YOU ARE SKIDDING. THEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATE TO SAY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND IS A SAFETY FEATURE FOR THE VEHICLE.

  23. Electrical system, Jul 15, 2011

    1. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 71-73MPH WHEN A RED TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION MARK APPEARD, MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND A "STOP VEHICLE SAFELY" MESSAGE CAME ACROSS THE DASH. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ONE HOUR. EACH TIME, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND I HAD TO PULL OVER. THE CAR WOULD START BACK UP PERFECTLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SHOP BY KEEPING IT UNDER 60MPH ON THE FREEWAY. 3. THE SHOP SAYS I NEED A MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLING PUMP AND A PCM REPROGRAMMING. *TT

  24. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

  25. Seat belts, Jul 5, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR CENTER SEAT BELT FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A SHARP TURN THE SEAT BELT RESPONDED AS IT SHOULD BY LOCKING UP, BUT IT NEVER RELEASED OR BECAME LOOSE. THE DRIVER HAD TO FORCEFULLY PULL THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE PASSENGER OUT OF IT. THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,500.