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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 4, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ON THE HIGH WAY AND IT STALLED 3 TIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS. "STOP SAFELY NOW" CAME ON DASH. I DID TONS OF RESEARCH AND THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR OVER HEATING. FORD HAD BACKORDERS UP TO NEARLY 900 COOLANT PUMPS LAST YEAR. THIS IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE YOU JUST LOSE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF HE HIGHWAY. TOYOTA JUST RECALLED THEIRS, WHY HAS FORD NOT BEEN ON THIS. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I AM BRINGING MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH PRINTED RESEARCH AND A LETTER OF CONCERN. I AM BLOWN AWAY THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE STALLING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING. *TR
Power train, Jun 29, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, APPROX 65K MILES. DROVE APPROX 10 MILES ON EXPRESSWAY WHEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE LOSSES ENGINE POWER, RED TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION POINT, AND MESSAGE "STOP SAFETY NOW." COASTED WITHOUT POWER TO PULL OVER ONTO SHOULDER. ANOTHER MESSAGE READ "ELECTRIC MOTOR TEMP HIGH." I TURNED OFF VEHICLE WAITED 2 MINUTES, TURNED ON VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROX 1/4 MILE AND AGAIN VEHICLE LOSSES POWER WITH SAME STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE. THIS OCCURRED 9 TIMES WHILE ON THE WAY HOME, AND ONCE ON THE JR EXPRESS WHICH IS 2 LANE SO I STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE AND HASSETT FORD SERVICE, NY TELLS ME THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. ARE THEY WAITING UNTIL THERE IS A DEATH AS A RESULT OF ENGINE POWER LOSS ON A 65 MPH EXPRESSWAY TO OFFER A REPAIR? NO ONE FROM FORD WILL OFFER A REPAIR. A PROPER INVESTIGATION IS NECESSARY AND A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE A SERIOUS CRASH FIRE OR DEATH OCCURS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jun 29, 2011
I OWN A 2008 ESCAPE HYBRID. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS MY ESCAPE'S ENGINE STALLS/SHUTS DOWN AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. THE RED TRIANGLE ON THE RIGHT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS UP AND THE DISPLAY READS 'PULL OVER SAFELY NOW'. I CAN IMMEDIATELY START THE CAR AGAIN AND GO, BUT IT WILL ONLY TRAVEL 1-2 MILES BEFORE STALLING/SHUTTING DOWN AGAIN. TYPICALLY, IF I WAIT 3-5 MINUTES I CAN GO AND HAVE NO MORE ISSUES FOR A WEEK OR A MONTH (IT WENT ONE TIME 9 MONTHS BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN). THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR THIS; IT HAS HAPPENED IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER AND 40 DEGREE WEATHER, RAIN OR SHINE. LAST NIGHT DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE, IT SHUT DOWN EVERY 1.6 TO 5.4 MILES ON MY 42 MILE COMMUTE HOME. I LET IT SIT FOR OVER 10 MINUTES AND IT STILL SHUT DOWN. I DROVE IT TO WORK THIS MORNING, NO TROUBLES. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY SAID THE WATER PUMP AND NOTHING HAS WORKED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND THIS PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY 23K MILES IN. FORD IS TELLING ME THEY REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT, BUT DON'T HAVE PROBLEM TAKING MY MONEY TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. I AM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AS MOST OF THE TIME WE ARE ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING OVER 65 MPH WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS NEXT TO US. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS BLOGS WITH OTHER ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2011, crash
IMPORTANT ADDENDUM TO O.D.I. # 10407083: (JUNE 16, 2011) TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER BEFORE ROLLING OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PENDING INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,000. *********THE CAR HAD ONGOING MECHANICAL ISSUES WHICH WERE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR FORD DEALER: CHIEF COMPLAINT WAS THE GAS PEDAL DROPPING TO THE FLOOR BY ITSELF-HAD TO BE MANUALLY COAXED BACK UP TO NORMAL OPERATING HEIGHT; THE DEALER CHECKED AT 1ST COMPLAINT, SAID IT WAS OK: AT 2ND COMPLAINT OF THE SAME: THEY INSTALLED A NEW THROTTLE CABLE & GAS PEDAL. THE CAR WAS IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED THE CAR SHORTLY AFTER THE VISIT TO THE MECHANIC. THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL BY ITSELF. FORD HAS 2 OTHER PASSENGER VEHICLES ON RECALL NOW FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM: THROTTLE BODY ISSUES LEADING TO RUNAWAY ACCELERATION (FREE STYLE & FREE STAR). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER BEFORE ROLLING OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PENDING INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,000. UPDATED 07/20/11 *BF UPDATED 3/16/12 *CN
Power train, Jun 15, 2011
MY FORD ESCAPE JUST STARTED LEAKING FLUID ONE DAY. EVEN THOUGHT FORD ADMITS ITS A HUGE HUGE PROBLEM THAT WILL EFFECT MY TRANSMISSION ITS NOT RECALLED OR COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE TRANNY COOLER/AC CONDENSER IS LEAKING. *TR
Tires, Jun 8, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4WD, EXCESSIVE TIRE NOISE ON CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE 235/70/R16. ROTATED AT PROPER MILEAGE THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR, NOW HAS 35000K ON IT. THIS SHOULD BE A TIRE RECALL DO TO THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT SEEM TO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2011
I OWN 2008 MODEL OF FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. ON THE INCIDENT DAY, THE CONTROLS AND BATTERY FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR INDICATIONS OR WARNING SIGNS. SIGNAL LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE. IN THAT CONDITION I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEAREST FORD DEALER ON THE DAY. SINCE TWO WEEKS, THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. I'VE BEEN TOLD OF COMPUTER AND CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS, AND THAT PARTS ARE BEING REPLACED ONE AT A TIME EVERY 2 OR 3 DAYS. I FEAR EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE GETS FIXED THAT SIMILAR FAILURES MAY OCCUR, AND THERE MAY BE RISKS TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS IN FUTURE . *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 25, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HEV NEEDS A HCU (HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT) REPLACED AT 61,667 MILES. CAR WAS PARKED (EMERGENCY BRAKE OFF) AND WHEN STARTED BOTH ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS FAULTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 AND LATER FORD ESCAPE HEVS. MIGHT BE WORTH INVESTIGATING. WE WERE LUCKY THE BRAKES DIDN'T ACTUALLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING! *TR
Air bags, May 23, 2011, crash
08 ESCAPE 4DSW AWD WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVE WHEN HIT BY A RAM 350 ACROSS THE FRONT END FROM BEHIND LEFT FRONT TIRE CAUSING TOTAL LOSS AND MINOR INJURY TO PASSENGER OF CHEST AND KNEES. THE CAR HAS 6 LOCATIONS OF AIRBAGS AND NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. *TR
Steering, May 23, 2011
I OWN A 2008 ESCAPE WITH THE EPS SYSTEM. I LOVE THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL, BUT OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS WHERE THE POWER STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSTEERABLE. IN ALL THREE EPISODES, I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE (ON THE ROADWAY), SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RESTART IT, AND THE POWER STEERING AGAIN FUNCTIONED. I DID CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER WHO SEARCHED THE FORD SERVICE BULLETINS, AND FOUND NOTHING, HOWEVER, HAD SERVICED A FEW VEHICLES HAVING THE EXACT SAME INTERMITTENT-TYPE PROBLEM, BY REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. (THEY SAID THIS WOULD COST ME $972.77) . I ALSO RESEARCHED THE ISSUE WITH THE NHTSA AND FOUND MANY OWNERS OF FORD VEHICLES WITH THE EPS SYSTEM HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS (OBVIOUSLY) A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN, IT SURPRISES ME THAT FORD HAS NOT YET ADDRESSED THE ISSUE VIA A RECALL OR AT THE VERY LEAST A SERVICE BULLETIN. I DO NOT WANT TO TRADE IN OR SELL THIS VEHICLE, BUT I CURRENTLY DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT ITS SAFETY RELIABILITY. ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE PROVIDED REGARDING THIS SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WOULD BE HELPFUL. *TR
Power train, May 16, 2011
I TOOK MY 2008 ESCAPE LIMITED IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. I THEN NOTICED THE CAR WAS HESITATING BETWEEN SWITCHING GEARS. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BEING PUSHED OUT. WHEN THEY CALLED FORD THEY WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE I'VE HAD THE CAR 3.5 YEARS EVENTHOUGH THERE ARE ONLY 14,065 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW I'M READING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. HOPEFULLY THIS MEANS I WON'T HAVE TO PAY THOUGH BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 16, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND IT SEEMS THERE IS A PART IN WHICH THE CARS TRANSMISSION COULD BE RUINED. THIS PART IS THE A/C CONDENSER WHICH TENDS TO GO OUT EVERY 20,000 MILES WHICH IS MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT IT SEEMS IT DID NOT DO ANY GOOD BECAUSE EVEN AFTER THE REPLACEMENT PART IS PUT IN, THE PART STILL HAS TO CONTINUE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FUNCTIONING AS IT SHOULD BE. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2011
DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE SHOWED A SYMBOL OF AN EXCLAMATION POINT SURROUNDED BY A TRIANGLE. MOREOVER, THE DASH STATED "STOP SAFELY NOW." AT THIS TIME WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING IN A WORK ZONE THAT WAS ONE LANE, AND SURROUNDED BY CONCRETE BARRIERS, WITH NO SHOULDER. A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS FOLLOWING CLOSELY, SO WHEN I ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT FROM 65 TO NO POWER WHATSOEVER, I WAS ALMOST HIT. FURTHERMORE, I HAD TO BLOCK TRAFFIC TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE AND TO RESTART IT. MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID REPEATED THIS SAME OCCURRENCE MANY TIMES. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, UNFORTUNATELY ALL OCCURRING ON HIGHWAYS WHERE I WAS TRAVELING AT SIGNIFICANT SPEEDS. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY THAT HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS RECURRING PROBLEM, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. FORD HAS NOT POSTED ANY RECALLS, BUT THE BLOGS HAVE SHOWN THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE SUFFERED FROM THIS OCCURRENCE. PLEASE STEP IN AND ADVICE FORD THAT ALTHOUGH THE "LIMP HOME MODE" MAY BE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 12, 2011
AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS IN THE DASH INSTRUMENT DISPLAY COME ON A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING OUT ON A JOURNEY AND STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. FROM A FEW INSTANCES OF QUICK STOPS, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIVE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY EFFECT ON DRIVEABILITY AS A RESULT OF THE TRACTION LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THESE LIGHTS BEING LIT WAS A FAILURE OF A "ABS TONE RING"; SURE ENOUGH WHEN I JACKED UP THE CAR AND LOOKED CAREFULLY AT THESE TOOTHED RINGS JUST INSIDE THE WHEEL BEARING/STEERING KNUCKLE HOUSING, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE RING WAS BROKEN WITH ABOUT A 1/16 TO 3/32" GAP. THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE IS REPORTED TO BE CORROSION OF THE STEEL HUB THAT THE RING IS PRESSED ONTO. THE CORROSION CAUSES THE RING TO BE STRESSED BY THE EXPANSION OF THE AREA UNDER THE RING AS THE IRON TURNS TO RUST, PROBABLY ENHANCED BY THE COPIOUS AMOUNT OF ROAD SALT USED IN PA IN THE WINTER FOR ICE AND SNOW MELTING. REPORTED COSTS TO REPAIR THIS POORLY DESIGNED ENGINEERING FIASCO ARE IN THE $500-700 RANGE AT A DEALERS SHOP AND IRONICALLY THE RING ITSELF IS AVAILABLE FOR ABOUT $7-15. *TR
Power train, May 12, 2011
LAST YEAR FORD HAD A RECALL ON 2008 FORD ESCAPES, WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT. THE ISSUE OF THE RECALL WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE AC SYSTEM (COOLER). THIS MAKES THE DRIVE VERY HARD, AND WHEN ONE IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO, THEN JERKS BACK AND FORWARD WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, I WAS ALWAYS SCARED SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, AND CAUSE A CRASH, I BELIEVE THIS MAY LEAD TO CRASHES. APPARENTLY THE VEHICLES START DOING THIS WHEN IT IS OVER 40,000 MILES DRIVEN, AND I AM CURRENTLY RIGHT AROUND THAT RANGE, AND MY ISSUE STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AM TOLD I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY; HOWEVER, I AM HAVING THE VERY ISSUE THAT THE FORD 2008 ESCAPE WAS RECALLED FOR LAST YEAR, SO IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES WHO WILL DEMONSTRATE THIS ISSUE, AND FORD HAS MISSED SOME VEHICLES AND SHOULD EXTEND THAT RECALL TO COVER THE NEW VEHICLES THAT ARE ALSO DEMONSTRATING THIS VERY ISSUE, BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THAT FLUID RUNS OUT THE VEHICLES MAY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CAUSE A NUMBER OF CRASHES, AS WELL AS THE JERKING MOTIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO MOVE WHEN AT THE STOPPED POSITION. *TR
Power train, May 11, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE HAD FRACTURED CAUSING THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 28,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, May 9, 2011
RED TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION LIGHTS UP ON DASH. CAN NOT ACCELERATE PAST 15 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 9, 2011
WRENCH LIGHT IS COMING ON. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Power train, May 9, 2011
TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION IN RED CAME ON. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 15 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
Steering, Parking brake, May 9, 2011
THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR. THE BRAKES FELT DIFFERENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ABOVE 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WILL REPLACED THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO TOOK A REPORT BUT PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Fuel system, Other, May 5, 2011
MY THROTTLE BODY IS STICKING EVERY MORNING. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON I-5 IN TACOMA AND HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO DEPRESS THE THROTTLE WHICH LURCHED MY DAUGHTER AND I INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT. IT HAS CAUSED MY CHILDREN TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL, MYSELF LATE FOR WORK AND ALOT OF STRESS AND FUEL. I HAVE TO KEEP THE THROTTLE DEPRESSED WHILE STOPPING AND HAVE TO USE MY RIGHT FOOT FOR THE BREAK. I DRIVE AN AUTOMATIC. THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS THAT THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND ARE DOING NOTHING TO HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUES. WHEN I CALL TO ASK ABOUT THE ISSUE I GET TREATED VERY POORLY. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 1, 2011
MY ISSUE BEGAN THE SAME AS MANY OTHERS I HAVE READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET, WHICH SCREAMS, "WHERE IS THE '08 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION COOLER RECALL?". I HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE & TIRE BALANCING ON FRI, 04/01/11 AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP & BY THE FOLLOWING THURS, HAD NOTICED A SOMEWHAT LARGE LEAKING-SPOT ON MY GARAGE FLOOR & A FRIENDS ASPHALT DRIVEWAY. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS TO AUTOMATICALLY RELATE THIS DARK OIL-LIKE RESIDUE, TO THE RECENT OIL CHANGE. AT THE SAME TIME, THIS LEAK/SPOT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM JUST BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE, WHICH DIDN'T JIVE WITH THE TYPICAL LOCATION OF A MORE CENTERED OIL-LEAK. NONETHELESS, MY FORD ADVISOR ASSUMED THE SAME THING I WAS; THAT THE PLUG OR FILTER WAS PROBABLY LOOSE & TO BRING IT IN FOR IMMEDIATE CORRECTION. HERE'S WHERE THE SHOCK & UTTER DISBELIEF BEGAN. I WAS TOLD MY ISSUE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECENT OIL CHANGE, BUT IN FACT A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM A TRANSMISSION COOLER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 36K WARRANTY, SINCE I WAS NOW AT 37,099; NOR WAS IT UNDER THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. I WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO MY CAR WHERE THE TECH EXPLAINED THAT THIS "COOLER" LOOKS LIKE A REALLY THIN RADIATOR, BUT IS ACTUALLY A SEPARATE COOLING UNIT THAT SITS JUST IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. I WAS THEN TOLD THE LEAK IS A RESULT OF THE CONSTANT VIBRATION OF THIS UNIT HITTING THE RADIATOR, WHICH EVENTUALLY CRACKS THE LEFT (PASSENGER-SIDE) BOLT AREA. HE ALSO SAID THIS IS A COMMON REPAIR & THAT IT ONLY HAPPENS AROUND THE LEFT BOLT, NOT THE RIGHT. I THEN ASKED HOW IT WASN'T GOING TO REOCCUR IF IT'S A KNOWN DEFECT. HE REPLIED THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT & HAS NOW INCLUDED A SMALL RUBBER BUSHING THAT COMES WITH THE NEW REPLACEMENT UNIT THAT SOMEHOW ABSORBS AND/OR PREVENTS THE VIBRATION. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THIS WAS A $650 + REPAIR, BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THE ADVISOR WAS ABLE TO GET FORD TO APPROVE MY COST AT $200. IT WASN'T $0, BUT BETTER THAN OTHERS; SO, "HOW IS THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT, NOT A RECALL?". *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 28, 2011
MY DAUGHTER (WHO DRIVES THE VAN) COMPLAINED FOR 6 MONTHS THAT HER ABS ON HER BRAKES WAS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LET GO THEN GRAB EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL TIRE PROBLEMS PLUS AN ALIGNMENT, SINCE THE TIRES HAD CUPPED, AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. AFTER CONTINUED PROBLEMS I HAD NEW BREAKS INSTALLED AT AN EXPRESS BRAKES PLACE IN SOUTH PART OF KANSAS CITY, KS. THEY ALSO INSPECTED THE ABS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH ADDITIONAL LOUD SQUEALING. FINALLY I TOOK IT TO BOB ALLEN FORD IN OVERLAND PARK, KS. WHERE THEY CHARGED ME $652.17 FOR REPLACING THE BROKEN RF TONE RING(S), UNFROZE THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT BARS (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT) THEN PUT ANOTHER SET OF BRAKE PADS ON, TURNED THE ROTORS THEN DID ANOTHER ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID THAT THE EXPRESS BRAKE PLACE HAD FAILED TO TURN THE ROTORS THAT THE BRAND-NEW BRAKES WERE EATEN UP. THE ESCAPE HAS 53K MILES ON IT BUT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. IN ADDITION, I WAS FORCED TO PUT NEW TIRES ON PRIOR TO ALL OF THIS BECAUSE TWO OF THE FACTORY TIRES HAD CUPPED AND ALL OF THEM HAD TURNED TO (SOMETHING LIKE) PLASTIC CAUSING THEM TO SKID AND SLIDE ON TAKE OFF AND ON STOPPING, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL FOR MY DAUGHTER. I KEPT THE OLD TIRES. THE REPLACED TIRES ARE ALMOST NEW WITH LITTLE TREAD WEAR. NOTE: THAT I TRIED TO ALSO ADD A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TIRES BUT THAT SECTION DEMANDED INFORMATION THAT I COULDN'T PROVIDE THEREFORE IT SIMPLY REFUSED THE ENTIRE COMPLAINT. *TR