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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Apr 23, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE EXITING THE DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DAMAGES EXCEEDED $2,400. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DAMAGES EXCEEDED $8,000. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. HE STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 18, 2008
SLOSHING SOUND OF FUEL FROM REAR END WHILE MAKING TURNS, BRAKING OR ACCELERATING. IN MOST CASES MAKES SOUND MORE THAN A HALF FULL. CAR HAS A HARDER TIME MAKING TURNS. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO COMPLAIN AND HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED, ON THE THIRD VISIT INSPECTED AND ROAD TESTED. NO WORK DONE TO FIX PROBLEM, DEALERSHIP CONTACT FORD HOTLINE. *TR
Tires, Apr 2, 2008
PROBLEMS WITH EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. 1.) (21,088 MILES) PURCHASE A PRE OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE 02/14/08 FRONT TIRES LOOK FAIRLY NEW AND REAR TIRES LOOKED LIKE SOME WEAR ON INSIDE BUT NOT BAD ENOUGH TO BRING TO DEALERS ATTENTION. 2.) (21474 MILES) BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER 02/25/08 FOR EXCESSIVE WEAR ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR TIRES. DRIVER SIDE REAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY BALD IN INSIDE OF TIRE. PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT AS BAD BUT WAS WORN TO A POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOTICE. DEALER GAVE ME A HARD TIME AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THOSE TIRES WORE THAT QUICKLY. THEY SAID I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT WAY. PUT TWO NEW TIRES ON THE FRONT (I PAID FOR ONE $110.00) AND TOOK THE FAIRLY NEW FRONT TIRES AND PUT THEM ON THE BACK AND HAD A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE. 3.) (21505 MILES) 02/27/08 BROUGHT VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HAD THE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK BECAUSE I HAD NO TRUST IN PURCHASING DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE HARD TIME THEY GAVE ME OVER THE PROBLEM. ALIGNMENT CHECKED OUT TO BE WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. 4.) (21,972 MILES) 03/26/08 NOTICE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR TIRES AGAIN AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO LOCAL DEALER. THEY AGREED THAT THE TIRES FRONT AND REAR WHERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY AND PERFORMED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT CHECK. AGAIN THE ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN FORD SPECIFICATION. THEY ALSO CHECK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FOR ANY PART BEING BENT AND ALSO CHECK THE FRAME TO SEE IF THAT MAY BE BENT. EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK. DEALER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE TIRE / ALIGNMENT SHOP AND HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED OUT BY AN EXPERT AND HE MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO BRING IT IN A TIGHTER TO THE SPECIFICATIONS. DEALER ADVISED ME TO BRING BACK THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER 1,000 MILES TO ROTATE THE TIRES AND CHECK THEM AS WELL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 20, 2008
THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WHILE TRAVELING AT 50MPH ON RT. 3 IN CLIFTON NJ. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER BY SHIFTING IN TO NEUTRAL AND PUTTING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WHICH PROVIDED VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. BOTH THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH, IN ADDITION TO A MESSAGE THAT SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF BRAKES REQUIRE SERVICE. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 7000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT. 2007. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 12, 2008
AFTER COMING FOR A DRIVE OUT TO PARKER LAKE, A 50 MILE DRIVE FROM MY HOME, MY NEW FORD ESCAPE XLT AWD STALLED. LOOSING POWER AND CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LUCKILY I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD. I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T. I LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 2-5 MIN. AND IT STARTED. I GOT IT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK YESTERDAY FEB. 11, 2008, AND IT AGAIN STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH-WORK-HOUR TRAFFIC. IT AGAIN WOULDN'T START, BUT AFTER ABOUT 2-5 MIN. IT DID. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER HERE IN TOWN, NOT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND THIS HAPPENED I'M NOT SO SURE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE. YOU HAVE DONE TEST AND INSPECTIONS IN THE PASS ON TRIBUTES AND OTHER CARS WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AGAIN. BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 5, 2008
TOTAL HYBRID / GASOLINE SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. *TR
Electrical system, Tires, Equipment, Nov 15, 2007
ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY ESCAPE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT". AT THE SAME TIME THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A THING WRONG WITH IT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE VOLUME ON THE STEREO AUTOMATICALLY GOES DOWN WHEN I GET THE TIRE PRESSURE MESSAGE ALONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWING HOT AIR. IT JUST GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS TIME AND THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS. THEY CONSULTED FORDS ENGINEERS AND WERE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH FORD (WHO HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT). THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COMPUTER. IT DIDN'T FAIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD JUST CONSTANTLY BEEP, THE MOST ANNOYING THING IN THE WORLD, AND THE DOORS DON'T AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. 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. THANKFULLY IT HASN'T DRAINED MY BATTERY. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES ALREADY AND I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY TO HELP ME WITH A LEMON LAW CASE. THE DEALER HAS NO CLUE WHAT IS GOING ON. THE ADVISOR SAID THAT I WAS THE ONLY ESCAPE IN THE NATION WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT LOOKING ON THE WEBSITE MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE, THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER ONE. MY CAR IS STILL DOING THIS EVEN MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE ANOTHER TWO WEEKS BEFORE WE HEAR FROM FORD ABOUT A REPURCHASE. IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BECAUSE I REALLY LOVE MY ESCAPE IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS ONE MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 1, 2007
BRAKE ABS FAILURES ON TWO 2008 FORD ESCAPES IN 6 MONTHS. *TR
Air bags, Sep 24, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED MOBILE HOME AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WASN'T ANY DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR HOME. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DAMAGED AND DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE OR INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 10 DAYS. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE REPAIR FACILITY. THE VIN AND THE ENGINE SIZE ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,100. CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORT. UPDATED 10/15/07 *TR
Tires, Electrical system, Sep 19, 2007
WHY DRIVING THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON IN THE DASH AND THE COMPUTER WILL STATE ?TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.? I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SENSORS AND STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME IT HAS TO DO WITH A CELL PHONE CHARGER PLUGGED INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND SETTING OFF THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ON THE DASH, AS WELL AS SENDING A FALSE SIGNAL TO THE COMPUTER. THEY STATE THERE IS A FORD BULLETIN OUT ON IT BUT I CAN FIND ANYTHING ON IT. *JB UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB
Visibility, Sep 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS REFLECTED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE DAYTIME. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500.
Air bags, Sep 15, 2007
MY DAUGHTER WEIGHS ABOUT 90 LBS. WHEN SHE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON AND OFF, SOME TIMES DEPENDING ON MINOR POSTURE CHANGES, SOMETIMES AT RANDOM. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THIS AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AS THE SETTINGS ARE FEDERALLY MANDATED. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO NEVER KNOW IF A PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT WILL FUNCTION OR NOT. IF THE AIR BAG SHOULD BE ON, THEN IT IS UNSAFE FOR IT TO BE ON; IF THE SENSOR SAYS IT SHOULD BE OFF THEN HAVING IT ON WOULD BE UNSAFE. *JB
Suspension, Sep 13, 2007, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY NEW FORD 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT ASSEMBLY FELL APART. THE WHEEL BUCKLED UNDER THE CAR WHICH CAUSED ME TO VEER INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. LUCKILY I DID NOT HIT ANYONE NOR ANYONE INCLUDING MYSELF WAS INJURED. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THEY FORGOT TO ATTACH THE BALL JOINT PROPERLY. IM LUCKY I WASNT ON THE FREEWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 6, 2007
I PURCHASED NEW 2008 ESCAPE ON 8/27/2007 AND ON 9/01/2007, THE LINE LEADING TO THE ACCELARATOR, ACCORDING TO FORD "POPPED OFF". I ASKED THEM FOR ANOTHER CAR TO NO AVAIL. I THANK GOD THAT I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT AND NOT DRIVING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. HERE'S FORD'S RESPONSE VIA EMAIL: DEAR AUDREY, THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER REGARDING YOUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLS. OUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT YOU CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER ON 9/5/2007 11:07:04 AM, AND OUR CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED YOU THAT DIAGNOSIS ACCELERATOR CABLE POPPED OFF IS HAVING SERVICE MANAGER JAMES J________ DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE READY. AT THIS TIME WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AN ALTERNATE RESPONSE. IF ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS MATTER SHOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE LET US KNOW. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS THEM FOR YOU. SINCERELY, JOHN CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Equipment, Aug 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE CLAMPS WHEN HE INSPECTED THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. HE BELIEVES THAT THE CLAMPS WERE DESIGNED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Steering, Jun 10, 2007
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 FORD ESCAPE ON JUNE 2,2007. MY DAUGHTER IS ACTUALLY COOWNER/DRIVER. SHE GOT IN THE VEHICLE ON WED, JUNE 6 AND WHEN SHE WENT TO START IT, IT WAS LOCKED UP. NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE STEERING, ETC. TO WORK. SHE SAID IT WAS LOCKED IN ADVANTRAC MODE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, WHERE SHE WORKS. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE, AND IT TOOK THEM 2 1/2 DAYS TO GET A DIAGNOSIS TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAY PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILAABLE UNTIL JULY 5, 2007, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. HER CAR PAYMENT IS DUE BEFORE THEN, AND SHE HAS ONLY DRIVEN 240+ MILES. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, OR IT WAS NOT INSPECTED PROPERLY BEFORE BEING SOLD. THEY SAY THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER, WHICH MAKES ME THINK THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAN THEY WILL ADMIT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FORD CANCEL OUR PURCHASE, AND TAKE THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE BACK. I DO NOT WANT TO WORRY ABOUT MY DAUGHTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT LOCKING UP, CAUSING A ROLLOVER,ETC. I THINK THIS VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP IT . WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET HELP, I WILL PROBABLY CALL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF VIRGINIA TOMORROW. I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS HAPPENING, AND FEEL THAT WE GOT CONNED INTO BUYING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, SO WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR TROUBLE, AND RELEASED FROM THIS PURCHASE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME. THANK YOU.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2007
THE NEWLY REDESIGNED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "AREA" FOR THE NEWLY ARRIVING 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE IS A SAFETY AND TRAFFIC HAZARD IN THE FOLLOWING WAY: BECAUSE OF NEW SHAPE FOR THE PLEXIGLASS FRONT AND THE LOCATION OF THE HOOD AND THE MATERIALS USED, IT ALLOWS THE SUN'S RAYS TO SPOTLIGHT ON THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER "AREA" , CAUSING THE WORST "GLARE" THAT I HAVE EVER COME ACCROSS IN ALL MY YEARS OF BUYING AND DRIVING NEW CARS. THIS CAUSES BLINDESS (EVEN WITH A GOOD PAIR OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES ON) DURING SUNNY DAYS, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT ANGLE TO THE SUN. ON A RECENT TRIP OUT OF TOWN, I HAD TO ACTUALLY HOLD UP ONE OF MY HAND'S CLOSE TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, TO BLOCK THE SUN'S REFLECTION. THAT MEANT DRIVING WITH ONLY ONE ARM. THE ONLY SAFE TIME TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IS DURING CLOUDY DAYS. UNFROTUNATELY THAT WAS THE TYPE OF DAY IT WAS WHEN I TEST DROVE, BEFORE SIGNING 3 YEAR LEASE. THIS IS THE SISTER VEHICLE TO THE FORD ESCAPE AND MERCURY MARINER. ALL 3 ARE BUILT IN THE SAME FORD PLANT IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. THEY MUST ALL HAVE THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. THE SAME VEHICLES DASH WAS JUST FINE FROM 2001-2007. I KNOW, BECAUSE I OWNED SEVERAL OF THEM. ONLY THE NEW DASH ON THE NEW 2008 MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.