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.
Power train, Apr 27, 2011
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION COOLER. *TR
Power train, Apr 19, 2011
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION COOLER (PART 19712) WENT BAD AT 36,451 MILES. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE COST AS I WAS 451 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED. I'VE READ OVER 50 COMPLAINTS FROM MULTIPLE WEBSITES THAT DEAL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO HAVE PARTS IN A CAR THAT DO NOT HOLD UP AND BEGIN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE FOR THIS? *TR
Steering, Apr 16, 2011
?WE OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLS WITH APPROXIMATELY 76,XXX MILES ON IT. ?4/2: WITHIN 2 HOURS OF BEING ON THE ROAD IN THE EARLY MORNING, WE WENT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD INTO A GAS STATION AND IT TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO TURN THE CAR. THIS WAS SUDDEN AND VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE WERE OTHER CARS AT THE ENTRY/EXIT POINT AND WE WERE NOT EXPECTING THE NEED TO APPLY SUCH PRESSURE TO TURN THE WHEEL. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR AT THE ENTRANCE, WE WOULD HAVE HIT THEM DUE TO THE WIDE TURN WE MADE. OWE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE POWER STEERING AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES. SUCCESSFULLY PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT, BUT POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF BEING ON THE ROAD. SUBSEQUENTLY STOPS HAD SIMILAR RESULTS. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING ENGAGED IMMEDIATELY, AND SOMETIMES IT TOOK SEVERAL TURN OFF/TURN ON ATTEMPTS FOR IT TO RE-ENGAGE. OWE HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO PULSATE UPON IGNITION WHEN POWER STEERING WAS ENGAGED. THERE IS ALSO A LOW-LEVEL VIBRATION NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. HOWEVER, WHEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT, THE VIBRATION AND NOISE IS ELIMINATED. ?WE CONTACTED BOTH OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS ANOTHER DEALER NEAR OUR DESTINATION. BOTH SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WERE UNAWARE OF ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OF THIS BEING A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN FORD ESCAPE?S. ?WHILE THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE WITH MANUAL STEERING, NOT KNOWING WHEN THE POWER STEERING WILL DISENGAGE MAKES FOR VERY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS OR SUDDEN MANEUVERS. ?UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS IS BECOMING A MORE COMMON OCCURRENCE IN FORD VEHICLES THAT POSSESS THE EPS TECHNOLOGY AND HAVE SIMILAR MILEAGE. *ADDITIONALLY, CUSTOMERS ARE REPORTING MANY DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF WIRING HARNESSES, STEERING COLUMNS, AND OTHER COSTLY REPAIRS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Apr 16, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND EXPERIENCED VIBRATION AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL LAST WEEK. I WAS TOLD THROUGH FORD THAT I NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY SAID THAT I HAD TO PAY 1363.10 FOR THE REPAIR! I WAS SO UPSET! I CALLED FORDS MANUFACTURE NUMBER SPOKE TO ONE OF THEIR LAWYERS AND STILL I WAS TURNED DOWN FOR A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. I LOST ALL POWER TO MY STEERING WHEEL AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. I FEEL AT 76,000 MILES A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AT THAT YOUNG AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT EVEN THOUGH A CUSTOMER DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME WE COULD NOT AFFORD THE WARRANTY.. IT HAS NOT BEEN DOCUMENTED YET BUT I HAD AN ISSUE OF MY ACCELERATOR FREEZING UP ON ME 3 WEEKS AGO AND I HAD TO GET OFF THE ROAD TO TRY TO GET THE PEDDLE TO UNSTICK AND AFTER TRYING A MINUTE OR SO I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTEDAGAINBUT WAS SO VERY NERVOUS THAT I WOULD LOSE THE FLEXIABILITYOF THE PEDDLE AGAIN! FORD TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE. I AM WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES AS WELL AND IF THERE IS ANY WAY I CAN GET FORD TO PAY FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS OF MY FORD ESCAPE? I HAVE TO SAY I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE HAS BEEN IN A VERY STRESSFUL PLACE LATELY WITH A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE BACKING THEIR CUSTOMERS PATRONAGE! EVEN IF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS NOT PURCHASEDTHESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT FORD HAS SEEN ON MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THERE CUSTOMERS! IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT HAVE HAD ANY OF THESE SAME EXPERIENCES AS MYSELF? *TR
Steering, Apr 15, 2011
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND I NOTICED MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON, IT WAS RAINING SO I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT WHEN I STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING WAS VERY VERY STIFF, NO POWER STEERING. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE WAS 'FRIED' AND THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. APPROX $1100. UNBELIEVABLE!! I HAVE HAD MY VEH FOR 3 YRS TO ALMOST THE DAY AND APPROX 43,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Apr 14, 2011
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH EVERYTHING SHUT OFF, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL. NO WARNING AT ALL! HAD TO PULL OFF ROAD AND HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO FORD FOR SERVICE AND THEY FOUND THAT THE FORD MOTORCRAFT BATTERY THAT WAS INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED HAD LEAKED BATTERY ACID ONTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AND CORRODED IT. $1,600. TO REPLACE IT. MY ESCAPE HYBRID WAS TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE MILEAGE WAS NOT AND FORD WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THEIR EQUIPMENT THAT FAILED AND THE BATTERY HAD OBVIOUSLY BEEN LEAKING FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 13, 2011
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEEDS. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ROAD CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACTIVATION WERE DRY. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED NOTICE OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURERS RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED OR HEAR ANY MENTION OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FIVE MONTHS LATER WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE TOOK AT LEAST TWENTY MINUTES TO RESTART AS SHE PULLS BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A BEEPING CHIME HEARD IN THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTRUCTING THE CONTACT TO STOP AND PULL OVER SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC COOLING PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A BEEPING CHIME HEARD IN THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTRUCTING THE CONTACT TO STOP AND PULL OVER SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC COOLING PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUXILIARY COOLING PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE GASOLINE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN AS IT WAS ELECTRIC. THE ELECTRIC MOTOR STILL FUNCTIONED BUT THE GASOLINE ENGINE WOULD STALL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME BUT COULD ONLY DRIVE 7-8 MILES BEFORE THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AGAIN AND LET IT SIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE COOLING PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,961 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,045.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LURCH FORWARD VIOLENTLY AS THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,500.
Power train, Mar 29, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A VERY LOW SPEED OR A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CONDENSER TO HELP COOL THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 27, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND THE POWER STEERING IS GOING IN AND OUT. THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. 3-27-11, STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD ALMOST RAN OVER A CHILD RIDING HER BIKE. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING. WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON THE PROBLEM STOPS.HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND FORD HAS NOT HAD A RECALL YET. HEY FORD, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, A FATALITY BEFORE YOU RECALL THIS ON GOING PROBLEM. I WOULD HOPE THAT A HUGE COMPANY AS YOURSELF WOULD GET TO THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS AND THEN WHAT? *TR
Steering, Mar 16, 2011
ON THE MORNING OF 3/1/11 I GOT INTO MY FORD ESCAPE TO DRIVE TO WORK. I STARTED THE CAR, AND BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF, WHICH I ATTRIBUTED IN MY MIND TO THE ICE STORM FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE. THAT EVENING WHEN I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK THE STEERING WAS FINE. HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY, AGAIN THE STEERING WAS STIFF AS IF THERE WERE NO POWER STEERING. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. AGAIN THAT EVENING ALL WAS FINE, BUT THE NEXT MORNING NO POWER STEERING. REPEATING MY STEPS FROM THE DAY BEFORE, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND ALL WAS FINE, HOWEVER THAT EVENING AGAIN THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I REFERRED TO MY OWNERS MANUAL AND FOUND THAT THERE IS NO POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TO CHECK OR FILL. I CONTACTED A MECHANIC AND HE WASN'T SURE WITH NO RESERVOIR, SO HE AND I BOTH BEGAN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL WEBSITES WHICH LISTED MY VERY SAME PROBLEM, AND STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH ESTIMATES RANGING FROM $1100 TO $1700. THERE WERE SEVERAL ENTRIES WHICH MENTIONED ACCIDENTS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE POWER STEERING BEEN WORKING. THIS IS APPARENTLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH LEADS ME TO WONDER ABOUT THE AIR BAGS WORKING DURING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT, HE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY GAVE HIM A COUPLE OF THINGS TO CHECK, BUT DOUBTED ANY OF THEM WOULD BE THE CAUSE. HE TOOK THE ESCAPE TO HIS LOCAL FORD DEALER TO GET A READING FROM THE CARS COMPUTER, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT A STEERING COLUMN WAS NECESSARY. MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. I WOULD HATE TO THINK THAT SOMEONE HAS TO DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM GETS THE ATTENTION IT REQUIRES TO START A RECALL.
Power train, Mar 16, 2011
I OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS ONE OF THOUSANDS THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION COOLER. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS WHO WANT SOMETHING DONE A RECALL PRODUCED AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEFECTIVE PART SEEMS TO BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. THE PART DEVELOPS A CRACK AND LEAKS ALL OF THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT WHICH CAN CAUSE 2 ISSUES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN IGNITE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD BY BLOWING BACK ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR BY GOING UNDETECTED ALL THE FLUID CAN DRAIN OUT AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO NOT ENGAGE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR HIGHWAYS CAUSING A CRASH. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART AS PART OF A MISTAKE IN THEIR MANUFACTURING. THEY WILL HAVE A MINIMUM WAGE CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATE SAY SORRY UNTIL YOU GET FRUSTRATED AND HANG UP ON THEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED AS WHEN I BROUGHT UP THAT FACT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T CARE AND THEY TOLD ME TO HOPE FOR A RECALL. THE OWNERS THAT HAVE PAID TO FIX THEIR CARS ARE ALSO OUT ANOTHER $1000 ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 3 OR LESS YEARS OLD. I HOPE WHOEVER GETS THIS TAKES THIS SERIOUSLY AND DOES THE RESEARCH. YOU CAN CALL FORD AND QUESTION THEM AS I'M SURE THEY HAVE AT LEAST THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS, VIDEOS, AND MANY CONCERNED OWNERS. AGAIN THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED AND I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ALL OF US OWNERS GET RECOURSE BY GETTING A RECALL ISSUED AND KEEPING THE ROADS SAFE FROM THESE DEATH TRAPS FORD CONTINUES TO MANUFACTURE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED ABNORMALLY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DISABILITY. THE CONTACT WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COAST OFF ROAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPAIRED THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSEMBLY EACH TIME. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Mar 10, 2011
2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: TURNED ON THE CAR, TURNED INTO A DRIVE WAY TO TURN AROUND NOTICED PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. BRAKE NOT ENGAGED? BRAKE FAILURE CAR ROLLING INTO PARKED VEHICLE HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO STOP. BACKED OUT OF DRIVE WAY ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE FAILURE ON DASH, GET BRAKES CHECKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. NO BRAKES. I BACKED UP AGAIN AND THEN THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND THE CAR HAD HYPER BRAKES.... LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAY SENSITIVE. OVER STOPPAGE... TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY? THEN MY SON TOLD ME ABOUT THE HYDRAULIC PROBLEM????? FORD STILL HAS CARE SERVICING OTHER ISSUES, 34,485 MILES>. *TR CONSUMER STATED DAMAGED WAS REPAIRED, BY STATE FARM. TRADED THE CAR SHORTLY THERE AFTER. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB
Steering, Mar 8, 2011
HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THIS CAR IS HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND TURNING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. ALTHOUGH YOU CAN GO ON FORD ESCAPE CUSTOMER FORUMS AND SEE COUNTLESS INSTANCES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE SOME RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS. I HAVE ASKED FORD SEVERAL TIMES TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY SAY THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN $1700 CHARGE. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MOST OF THE POSTINGS I SAW AND WITH MY OWN VEHICLE AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE. CONTINUOUSLY PEOPLE I HAVE SEEN AND ALSO FOR MYSELF HAVE GOTTEN THE ANSWER FROM FORD THAT THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE. I AM NOT HAPPY BECAUSE I HAVE TO EXPEND THE MONEY TO FIX THIS BUT MORE SO I WANT TO HAVE THIS ISSUE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. IF AN ELDERLY PERSON WERE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THAT PROBLEM THEY WOULD WRECK BECAUSE OF NOT HAVING THE STRENGTH TO KEEP THE WHEEL IN MOTION CORRECTLY. SAME MAY BE WITH A YOUNGER DRIVER. PLEASE PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM FOR ME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL SQUEALING WHEN FIRST STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNATOR BELT BRACKET PULLEY WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,900.
Power train, Mar 7, 2011
I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE WAS LEAKING SOME FLUID ON THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD ALSO NOTICED SOME SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. MY SERVICE STATION ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE IT WAS LIKELY UNDER WARRANTY. THE ESCAPE WAS A "CERTIFIED PRE'OWNED" MODEL WHICH CARRIED AN ADDITIONAL WARRANTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER CONFIRMED THAT TRANSMISSION LEAK, BUT DECLINED TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS, BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THE ITEM WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. AFTER LEARNING OF THE PROBLEM, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS OF 2008 FORD ESCAPES. I FEEL THAT THIS TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE PROBLEM POSES A SAFETY RISK TO THE PUBLIC. IF FORD IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, THEN THIS MODEL SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Steering, Mar 4, 2011
WE BOUGHT OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN JUNE OF 2011. IT WAS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH ABOUT 48,000 MILES ON IT. OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ON OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY BEGINS VIBRATING AT STOP LIGHTS. ON THREE OCCASIONS NOW, THE STEERING HAS BECOME EXTREMELY HARD, ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING JUST QUICK WORKING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT STOPS. THIS MORNING WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY LOCKED. MY HUSBAND TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN ON, THEN OFF, THEN ON AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. WE ARE EXTREMELY WORRIED THAT THE STEERING MAY FAIL WHILE WE ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED THE DEALER THIS MORNING TO TELL THEM THAT WE ARE BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK TO BE FIXED. *TR
Steering, Mar 1, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE SO HARD ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS JUST SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT OR NOT EVEN IN DRIVE THAT I WAS SHAKING WHILE HOLDING IT. THEN THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT ANY SIGN OR LIGHTS OR ANYTHING INDICATING A PROBLEM. MY ISSUE ONLY HAPPENED ONCE IN 2-3 WEEK PERIOD WHEN I WOULD START THE CAR AND DRIVE I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT WAS SOO HARD TO TURN. THEN IT STARTED TO HAPPEN ALMOST EVERYTIME I STARTED THE CAR SO I WOULD START THE CAR TRY AND MOVE THE WHEEL AND IF I FELT THE TENSION TURNED OFF THE CAR AND KEPT RESTARTING HOPING IT WOULD "FIX ITSELF". I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND SAW ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, SOME HAD THIS ISSUE WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING AND LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. I HAVE TWO TODDLERS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND I DID NOT WANT TO RISK THIS ISSUE GETTING THAT BAD. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND IT WAS TOLD THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR AND THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED COSTING $1100.+ WITH ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND SAFETY ISSUES I'M SHOCKED THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT WE , THE CONSUMER, HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. *TR
Steering, Feb 17, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2011
CAR FAILS TO START AND DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, THE CAR JUST WILL NOT START. THE ALARM LIGHT BLINKS FAST AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD ALARM LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ODOMETER WILL RESET TO ALL DASHES, A WARNING READS THAT THERE IS A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, BUT I CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FORD TECHNICIANS CANNOT VERIFY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET IT TO HAPPEN IN THE SHOP. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT STARTS HALF THE TIME AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED. *TR