Page 5 of 9 · complaints 201–250 of 443

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 21, 201572,902 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENGAGED WITH A SLOW RESPONSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,902. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ

Steering
Filed Apr 20, 2015TN

MAY 2014 RECALL INVOLVED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND TORQUE SENSORS THAT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD BEEN NOTICING SLIPPING IN MY STEERING WHEEL WITH SLIGHT PULLING TO OPPOSITE SIDE. IT HAPPENED IN STRAIGHT DRIVING CONDITION SUCH AS INTERSTATES BUT SEEMED MORE NOTICEABLE AS I WAS NAVIGATING A CURVE. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP WITH A RECALL NOTICE I HAD AND TOLD THEM I WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AND CONCERNED. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THEY HAD RESET A POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. IT SEEMED ALITTLE BETTER AT FIRST BUT THEN STARTED NOTICING AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. 10 MONTH LATER I TOTALLY LOSS MY POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY FAMILY. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND I ALMOST HIT A TRUCK COMING AROUND CURVE. TOOK IT BACK TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD TORQUE SENSOR GONE OUT AND FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS CALL RECALL HOT LINE STAYING THEY FELT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF UNDER RECALL SINCE I HAD BEEN IN WITH IT BEFORE AND TORQUE SENSOR WAS PART OF RECALL. I CALL HOT LINE SET UP CASE AND WAS DENIED BY FORD SAYING AT THE TIME OF SERVICE DURING FIRST RECALL VISIT I MADE THEY HAD FOUND NO DEFAULTS SO THEY ONLY RESET POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND CLOSED RECALL OUT ON MY ESCAPE. I AM OUTRAGED THAT FORD DID NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR ON CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND STAFF WHO ADVISES ME THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN DETECTED AND FIXED WITH MY VISIT THAT I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS. INST

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 2015915,340 milesWA

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I WAS PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR, AFTER DRIVING THRU THE INTERSECTION, LUCKILY NO CARS WERE COMING, I PULLED OVER AND THE ABS LIGHT AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON , I SHUT THE CAR OFF WAITED 10 MINUTES STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE BRAKES WORKED THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF A HALF OF DOZEN TIMES NOW. DEALER QUOTED ME $4659.00 TO FIX MASTER CYLINDER, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM ID BE SURPRISED IF NO ONE HASN'T GOT HURT BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 14, 2015114,936 milesPA

WENT SHOPPING ON A SATURDAY, 4/4/15. CAME OUT TO MY CAR AND STARTED IT. ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH MESSAGES STATING, "SERVICE BRAKES SOON" AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". BRAKES WERE SENSITIVE AND UNPREDICTABLE, BUT CAR DIDN'T NEED ANY EXTRA EFFORT TO STOP. HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT MADE NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, LIKE A STRIPPED GEAR SOUND. TOOK CAR TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC WITH AN UPDATED MODIS. CHECKED CODES AND CAME UP WITH A DOZEN CODES. ( P1A0D, P1A0E, P1A0F, P1A10, P1A14, U0418, C1321, U2023, C1475, B2172, P0A0A, P1A0A) ALSO, WHEN HE TRIED TO GET CERTAIN TESTS TO WORK, THESE ERRORS CAME UP: (AN ERROR OCCURRED 34 (0X22) [#155] (MANUAL MSG - FORD (CAN) HYBRID BRAKE SYSTEM AIR BLEED CHECK) (TEST HAS ABORTED ERROR 22 - CONDITIONS NOT CORRECT. CYCLE KEY AND RETRY.) AFTER DOING THESE TASKS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO COMPLETE THEM, ANY ASSISTANCE TOWARDS BRAKING WAS GONE. THE CAR REVERTED TO FAIL SAFE MODE AND REQUIRED MUCH MORE EFFORT TO STOP. IT TOOK THE MECHANIC MUCH MORE TIME AND PERSISTENCE, BUT HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GO THROUGH HIS TESTS AND CLEARED THE CODES AND RESET THE BRAKE SYSTEM. AS OF NOW, EVERYTHING WORKS AS IT SHOULD. THERE'S ONLY ONE PROBLEM. NOTHING WAS ACTUALLY A CONFIRMED FIX. THE IS NO GUARANTEE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WON'T GIVE OUT AGAIN. I'M MORE THAN CERTAIN IT WILL AND I DON'T LIKE TAKING CHANCES WITH MY VEHICLE. JUDGING HOW OTHER HYBRID ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED ON THIS PROBLEM, I GUESS I FEEL A LITTLE LUCKY THE BRAKES DIDN'T GIVE OUT WHILE DRI

Power Train
Filed Apr 7, 2015NC

THE VEHICLES WARNING LIGHT SYMBOLIZED AS AN ORANGE/YELLOW WRENCH ILLUMINATES ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS LAGGED IN RESPONSE TO APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, OR HAD DELAYED ACCELERATION RESPONSE. THE ISSUE IS ONGOING, AND CONTINUAL ON A DAILY BASIS STARTING APPROXIMATELY ON MARCH 2, 2015. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 201594,000 milesMO

OFTEN WHEN STARTING MY CAR, THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND A MESSAGE SAYS REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. THE BRAKES ARE WEAK WHEN DRIVING IN THIS STATE. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THE ERROR USUALLY GOES AWAY AND THE BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. OCCASIONALLY, THE ERROR OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND THE BRAKES GET WEAK, AND I PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF AND ON TO CLEAR THE ERROR. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. THE DEALER HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES DID NOT GIVE CLEAR ACTION FOR FIXING IT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FOR $850 BUT THE ERROR CONTINUED. NOW THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE ENTIRE ABS MODULE AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FOR $5200. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. I THINK FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OR OFFER SOME PAYMENT FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 1, 2015135,000 milesFL

OVER TIME MY VEHICLE HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND HARDER TO START. NOW I HAVE TO PRESS THE KEYS IN TURN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE START. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND SEVERAL USERS HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. (HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/BV8TDCF83VC) IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH PLASTIC CLIPS USED TO HOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH IN PLACE. THE MECHANIC IN THE VIDEO STATES THAT IT'S THE ROD THAT ENGAGES THE SWITCH, IT BECOMES LOOSE AND REQUIRES YOU TO PUSH THE KEY IN TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS POOR DESIGN BY FORD AND PLACES THE ONUS ON THE CUSTOMER TO FIX IT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 26, 201595,500 milesFL

THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT HAS ARISEN WITH A GREAT DEAL OF OWNERS OF FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE HCU SYSTEM REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AS IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, NOR CONSIDERED BY THE COMPANY TO BE AN ISSUE DESERVING OF A RECALL, I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE ENTIRE THING, WHICH TOTALED $4,863.00 (AND IT TOOK FIVE DAYS TO GET THE WORK COMPLETED). I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO RENT A CAR FOR THE SEVERAL DAYS IT TOOK TO GET THE PART AND PERFORM THE WORK, WHICH WAS ANOTHER $200.00. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF THIS REPAIR AND THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH IT IS AFFECTING CONSUMERS, I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BECOME A RECALL AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE HAD TO MAKE. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2015121,000 milesMD

VEHICLE GASOLINE ENGINE POWER QUITS WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ONLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONLY WHEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAT APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. A "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW", OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT, APPEAR ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. THE ELECTRIC ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IF IT HAS CHARGE. THE CAR WILL RESTART ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, BUT WILL QUICKLY STALL AGAIN IF THE ENGINE IS NOT ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT OCCURS ONLY AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 9, 2015CA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2015134,000 milesGA

PARKED THE CAR AT NIGHT, NEXT MORNING THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 6, 201580,000 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN VERY HOT WEATHER, THE BATTERY WOULD OVERHEAT AND A MESSAGE TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION WOULD DISPLAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THEY BATTERY PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CODE IDENTIFYING THE FAILURE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Hybrid Propulsion System
Filed Mar 2, 2015MS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 27, 201564,481 milesNJ

MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED AN ABS SYMBOL IN MARCH 2014. THE BRAKES BECAME ERRATIC AND I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED FOR A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN AND LOOSE ABS TONE RING ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AXLE. THE TONE RING AND WHEEL AXLE WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THEN, IN FEBRUARY 2015, MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED ANOTHER ABS SYMBOL. AGAIN, I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED AND THE MECHANIC FOUND ANOTHER BROKEN AND LOOSE TONE RING. THIS TIME IT WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AXLE. AGAIN, REPAIR WAS DONE AT MY EXPENSE. THESE PROBLEMS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE AND COMPENSATION FROM THEM. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THESE PROBLEMS SINCE THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY PROGRAM. MY CAR PROBLEMS SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL OR SAFETY PROGRAM FROM THE NHTSA. *TR

Hybrid Propulsion System
Filed Feb 23, 2015MI

2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER THE SAFETY RECALL FOR WHEN ENGINE GOES INTO "IDLE" MODE AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUTS WHEN A FAULT IS DETECTED WITH THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP, WAS NOT BEING FULLY ADDRESS BY FORD. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAL SAFETY ISSUE WAS THE SOFTWARE THAT TRIGGERED THE ENGINE GOING INTO IMMEDIATE IDLE MODE. FUTURE FAILURES OF THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP WOULD TRIGGER THE ENGINE GOING INTO THE IMMEDIATE IDLE MODE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE APPROPRIATE FIX WOULD BE TO CHANGE THE SOFTWARE FROM GOING TO IMMEDIATE IDLE MODE TO GOING TO IDLE MODE AFTER A DELAY OF A PERIOD OF TIME OR WHEN THE VEHICLE'S SPEED IS ZERO WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. RECALL # 14V526000. JB

Steering
Filed Feb 13, 2015300,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 12, 201591,100 milesCA

WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TO "STOP VEHICLE SAFELY". WE PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, CAR RESTARTED. THIS KEPT HAPPENING, FINALLY HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A CODE INDICATING A PROBLEM UNDER RECALL, AND ADVISED WE TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER. LOCAL GARAGE HAD CLEARED OUT ERROR CODES, SO FORD DEALER SAID WE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY WOULD THEN REPAIR IT. THIS MEANS WE CANNOT TRUST THE CAR, AND MUST ONLY DRIVE WITHIN A TOWING RANGE. HOW LONG DOES FORD HAVE TO REPAIR A KNOWN PROBLEM, OR CAN THEY TELL OWNERS TO WAIT UNTIL THE CAR ACTUALLY HAS THE PROBLEM AGAIN? *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 12, 201595,568 milesAK

LOCAL FORD DEALER COMPLIED WITH FORD RECALL NOTICE TWO MONTHS AGO ON STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR. LAST WEEKEND, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON. NEVER BEFORE HAND A PROBLEM WITH STEERING OR HAD EVER SEEN THIS INDICATOR LIGHT. WITHIN 24 HOURS OF FIRST SEEING THE WARNING LIGHT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY. THIS MORNING THE DEALER TELLS ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN, TO BE PAID FOR BY ME PERSONALLY, AS IT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL (WHICH INCIDENTALLY STATED IT WOULD REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN IF NECESSARY). APPROX. COST $1200, WHICH I HAVE AUTHORIZED. GOOGLING AROUND THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS I AM NOT ALONE. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 5, 2015125,700 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS STUCK AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,700.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 30, 2015OH

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD IN OCTOBER 2014 STATING THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP MAY FAIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT CAUSING IT TO LOSE POWER AND STALL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. SO FAR I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO BRING THE CAR IN TO FIX IT. I DID STOP BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE HAVEN'T NOTIFIED ME AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NEVER RECEIVED THE PARTS FROM THE FORD COMPANY. WE ARE PLANNING ON A LONG TRIP SHORTLY BUT AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. [ ITS BEEN 6 MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE LETTER ] I THINK ITS TIME THEY TAKE CARE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP?? *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 30, 201580,000 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 29, 201581,000 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

Hybrid Propulsion System
Filed Jan 20, 201528,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Engine
Filed Jan 20, 201569,500 milesNC

THE ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. LATEST WAS 2 DAYS AGO. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR ACCELERATION ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPS TO ZERO AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO. IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. AFTER ABOUT 2 OR 3 MINUTES A MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH THAT SAYS "IT IS SAFE TO SHUT OFF YOUR VEHICLE NOW." ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND I WAIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES I CAN START IT AGAIN. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING ON MY DASH FORD AND THE DEALER WILL NOT DO THE RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS. SO I HAVE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR UNTIL THERE ARE PARTS AVAILABLE ALL BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A CODE. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS A GROUND FAULT WIRE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO THE RECALL. THIS IS REALLY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP ON ME. THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE BUT WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS EVEN THOUGH RECALL LETTERS CAME OUT IN OCTOBER. IT'S NOW JANUARY. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 5, 201562,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANSMADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR UNTIL RECENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 201446,550 milesIA

REFER TO TSB-08-24-5 AND RECALL 14S19. ESCAPE HYBRID EXPERIENCED THE EXACT FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 70 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND A RED TRIANGLE APPEARED. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER WHO NOTED THE TSB NUMBER ON THE REPAIR INVOICE. THIS VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM FORD'S LIST AS A COVERED VEHICLE. FORD REPRESENTATIVES DENIED ANY INTEREST IN REFUNDING THE REPAIRS COSTS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE GROUP AND FAILURE WAS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. NTSB NEEDS TO EXPAND THIS RECALL TO ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS FAILURE EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON FORD'S LIST. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 8, 2014105,000 milesMO

WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE LOSES REGENERATIVE BRAKING AND REVERTS TO FAIL SAFE MODE. MOST NOTABLY THIS OCCURS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT. BRAKES APPEAR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY, HOWEVER AT THE END OF A BRAKING CYCLE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE STABILITY CONTROL DASH LIGHT QUICKLY FLASHES ON AND THEN OFF. ALSO, THE GAUGE THAT SHOWS POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE BATTERY STOPS CHARGING THE BATTERY AND RETURNS TO THE NORMAL POSITION POINTING STRAIGHT UP. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AFTER THIS OCCURRENCE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS OR AFTER EFFECTS ARE KNOWN. IT MAY HAPPEN AT ONE STOP LIGHT AND NOT THE NEXT. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. SOMETIMES IT MAY DO THIS 2 OR 3 TIMES WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FOR 30 MINUTES OR IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AT ALL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO A FAULTY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS A COMPONENT FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, NOT DUE TO DRIVER-INDUCED DAMAGE OR WEAR. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 20, 2014117,540 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AS THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE SECOND DAY AFTER THE SOFTWARE WAS REPROGRAMMED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,540.

Steering › Column
Filed Nov 19, 2014115,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 18, 20141,990,000 milesSC

CAR STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING AND CAR BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER SHIP AND THEY WILL CHARGE OVER $900.00 TO REPAIR AND TAKE 2 DAYS. STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO FORD DEALER. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 12, 201465,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ONLY UPDATE THE SOFTWARE AND COULD NOT REPLACE THE PSCM. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE PSCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PART COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 31, 201491,000 milesCA

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, I ACCELERATED AND AT ABOUT 40MPH A RED TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT IN THE MIDDLE SHOWED UP ON MY DASHBOARD AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. VERY SCARY! I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE TRIANGLE OF DEATH A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND NOW THIS. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TODAY! IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE! FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ITEM! IT IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 28, 2014140,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 27, 2014155,000 milesPA

THIS WAS ALREADY REGISTERED ON THIS WEBSITE, ALTHOUGH NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SARAH MCSHANE. THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 14V-284/14S05, WHERE FORD ESCAPE AND MARINERS LOSE THEIR POWER STEETING. OUR VEHICLE ACTUALLY LOST ITS PS A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THE RECALL. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WASHINGTON (PA) FORD. THEY HAD TO REPLACE OUR IGNITION TO GET THE RECALL CODE. ONCE THEY DID THAT, THEY COMPLETED STEP 1 OF THE RECALL TO REPROGRAM THE POWER STEERING MODULE. AT THAT POINT, WASHINGTON FORD CLOSED OUT THE RECALL, SAYING THAT IT WAS FIXED. THIS WAS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TEST THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I DROVE OFF OF THE LOT, THE PS CONTINUED TO TURN OFF AND ON. TO THIS DAY (4 MONTHS LATER), THE PS CONTINUES TO TURN OFF AND ON AT RANDOM, ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD CLICK FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WOLTZ AND WIND FORD LET US KNOW THAT THEY CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE, AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT NO WORK COULD BE DONE ON THE RECALL, SINCE IT WAS CLOSED. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ERROR, AND WE NEED TO HAVE OUR RECALL OPENED BACK UP. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP TO HELP ME FROM WRECKING. NUMEROUS TIMES, I HAVE BEEN GOING 60 OR 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED, RESULTING IN NEAR DEATH. THIS CANNOT BE SAFE OR A RESPONSIBILITY OF ME, THE OWNER. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 14, 201450,000 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST POWER, A TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT CAME ON IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE DATA SYSTEM SAID "STOP SAFELY NOW". THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE SAME DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MEC PUMP. ABOUT ONE YEAR LATER THE SAME ISSUE BEGAN OCCURRING MULTIPLES TIMES PER DAY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN. IT IS NOW AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP GETTING DIAGNOSED YET AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE RESOLVED. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 14, 201456,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER TO 2 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING HOT TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 201460,134 milesCA

THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT PUMP IS KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD IS FINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE FIXING THIS THROUGH A RECALL OCTOBER 2014. (HTTP://WWW.GREENCARREPORTS.COM/NEWS/1094407_2005-2008-FORD-ESCAPE-HYBRID-RECALLED-ALSO-MERCURY-MARINER-HYBRIDS). DRIVING IN NEW MEXICO ON A FAMILY VACATION, THE CAR SUDDENLY SAYS TO STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING COMES UP. MIND YOU THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE AND IT'S OVER ONE HUNDRED DEGREES WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. SOMEHOW, WE BARELY MAKE IT INTO LAS CRUCES, NM ABOUT AN HOUR LATER. SO, AFTER WAITING A FEW HOURS THEY TELL US THAT THEIR HYBRID TECH ISN'T THERE AND IS ON VACATION. REALLY? IT TOOK A FEW HOURS TO FIGURE OUT THAT HE WASN'T THERE? ANYWAY, THEY SUGGESTED TO TRY AND CONTINUE ON TO PHOENIX, AZ WHERE THEY WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO. SO, WE TRY HEADING OUT, BUT THE CAR GOES OUT AGAIN AS SOON AS WE GET ON THE FREEWAY. SO, WE DO THE PULL OVER AND RESTART THING ABOUT TWENTY TIMES UNTIL WE MAKE IT BACK TO THE LAS CRUCES DEALERSHIP. WE HAD TO STAY IN LAS CRUCES FOR A WEEK, COSTING US THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN WHAT WE NOW CALL THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME. THIS HAS RECENTLY HAPPENED AGAIN WITH OUR ESCAPE, AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE US AGAIN TO FIX THIS. FORD NEEDS TO GET IT'S ACT TOGETHER, OR I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING FROM THEM AGAIN. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2014105,800 milesCA

ENGINE DIED MULTIPLE TIMES IN A PARKING LOT. CAR HAD BEEN IDLING AND HAD RECENTLY BEEN DRIVEN OVER THIRTY MILES ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS OVER 90 DEG F. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME BECAUSE THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND NO DTC FOUND IN ECM. PAID THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TIME AND PICKED UP UP THE CAR. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CAR DIED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 10-20 MPH. DASHBOARD DISPLAY SAID TO PULL OVER AND PARK SAFELY. AFTER WAITING FOR 30 MINUTES FOR THE ENGINE TO COOL, WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE THREE MILES HOME. THE NEXT DAY AT THE DEALER, NO DTC FOUND IN THE ECM, BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE SYMPTOMS POINTED TO A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM. THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECALIBRATE THE THROTTLE BODY, SO THEY ASKED US TO APPROVE PAYING FOR A THROTTLE BODY CLEANING, WHICH WE DID. THIS SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM DIRECTS THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHENEVER IT DETECTS A SENSOR PROBLEM THAT IT CAN NOT RESOLVE. MOST CARS WOULD PRODUCE A CEL ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND SET A LIMP HOME MODE. THE ESCAPE HYBRID SEEMS TO JUST SHUT OFF AND LET YOU HOPE FOR THE BEST. THIS MAY SEEM LIKE AN IRRATIONAL RESPONSE TO A MODEST PROBLEM, BUT THESE WERE THE SAME THINGS THAT HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A PUMP PROBLEM FOR THE ELECTRONICS, WHICH IS NOW A SAFETY RECALL FOR 2005-2008 ESCAPE HYBRIDS. TO COMPOUND THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER TO REFUND OUR PREVIOUS PAYMENT FOR THE PUMP REPLACE

Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2014104,000 milesGA

MY WIFE LEFT OUR HOUSE TO RUN ERRANDS IN OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. SHE DIDN'T EVEN GET OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE SHE GOT THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING, AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE". SHE TURNED AROUND IN A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY AND CAME BACK HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY THINKING THAT IT MIGHT BE THE MECS PUMP FOR WHICH THERE IS A RECENT RECALL. IT TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE WARNING. EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A NHTSA INVESTIGATION ON THE THROTTLE BODIES OF THESE VEHICLES (DP12006), THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM #13N03, WHICH EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE THROTTLE BODY ON SOME ESCAPE MODELS (AMONG OTHER VEHICLES). SO, I NOW HAVE TO SPEND $775.00 TO REPLACE A PART THAT WAS KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES. LUCKILY, MY WIFE WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OUR 2-MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND HOW ESCAPES FROM 2005 TO 2012 WERE PART OF THE INVESTIGATION, BUT THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE13-003 ONLY APPLIES TO 2009 - 2012 MODELS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 23, 2014127,405 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,405...UPDATED 10/30/14 *BF..UPDATED 12/04/14 *BF UPDATED 7/9/2015*JS

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 23, 2014122,500 milesNY

CURRENTLY FORD HAS A RECALL (14S19). THE COOLANT PUMP MAY MALFUNCTION, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE HYBRID ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS TO OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. "WHEN THE HYBRID ELECTRONICS SYSTEM GETS TOO HOT IT WILL SHUT DOWN THE POWERTRAIN, RESULTING IN A STALL-LIKE CONDITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH," ACCORDING TO FORD'S FILING WITH NHTSA. MY VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND I HAVE ALREADY NOTIFIED THIS AGENCY. ONCE AGAIN, ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2014, I WAS DRIVING IN MARYLAND, NEAR DC, IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND I LOST ALL POWER. IT IS REALLY HORRIBLE LOSING ALL POWER WHEN YOU ARE IN THE LEFT MOST LANE (NO LEFT SHOULDER), AND LOSE ALL POWER. SEVERAL CARS ALMOST HIT US...AGAIN. I DON'T CARE IF MY HYBRID SYSTEM IS OVERHEATING. I WOULD RATHER DESTROY THE BATTERIES THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSING ALL POWER IN DC RUSH HOUR. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2014999,750 milesDC

I HAD MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID SERVICED AT KOONS FORD AFTER RECEIVING SAFETY RECALL 14S05 FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE RECALL IS TO REPAIR A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. AFTER RECEIVING THE REPAIR TO CORRECT THE ISSUE IN SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14SO5, MY VEHICLE DEVELOPED STEERING / SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING ON THE FORD ESCAPE IS NOW VERY SENSITIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FEEL UNSTEADY AT TIMES. (IF FEELS LIKE IT IS SWAYING SLIGHTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE.) WE FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING THE REPAIR DONE. AS WE CARAVANNED TO OUR SUMMER VACATION, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME ON THE HIGHWAY. AT A REST STOP SHE ASKED IF I WAS TIRED AND HAVING TROUBLE DRIVING. SHE INFORMED THAT FROM HER VANTAGE POINT IT LOOKED LIKE THE CAR WAS SWERVING. I WAS WELL RESTED AND SHARED WITH HER THAT IT ALSO FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING / SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE. WE HAVE ALSO NOTICED, AT LOW SPEEDS, THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAS MORE PLAY TO IT NOW. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 12, 201471,000 milesDC

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (APPROXIMATELY OVER 50 MPH), THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE ENGINE POWER AND THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE WOULD COME ON. THE CAR WOULD GO INTO LIMP-HOME MODE AND ALLOW ME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT WOULD ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 15 TIMES ON A 60 MILE TRIP HOME, ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE ANYWHERE FROM ONE TO 10 MILES AT A TIME BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED AT TIMES WITH AN ENGINE OVERHEATING MESSAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A REPAIR. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACED IT FOR ABOUT $1000. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWICE ON A 30-MILE HIGHWAY TRIP WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, BUT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE THEN. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2014107,000 milesOH

AFTER BEING PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND UPON RETURNING TO AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, I FOUND SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, THE SERVICE WRENCH & CHECK BRAKES. I WAS ALSO RECEIVING A MESSAGE ADVISING THE REGEN BRAKES WERE INACTIVE & TO CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND FOLLOWING HIS CHECK HE ADVISED THE HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM & DUE TO THE HYBRID NATURE OF THE VEHICLE, HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I THEN CAREFULLY DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY. I WAS JUST INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE HCU ON THE VEHICLE HAD GONE BAD AND REPAIRS WERE GOING TO BE $5,000. AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THIS IS AN EXTRAVAGANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HAVE TO PUT INTO A SEVEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT ONLY COST $34,000 BRAND NEW. THE PART ALONE IS $4,000 ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. I AM NOW FORCED TO EITHER HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE OR TRADE THE VEHICLE IN ON ANOTHER FORD. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CURRENT VEHICLE, I AM NOT OVERJOYED AT THE PROSPECT OF OWNING ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF CASES WHERE THIS PART HAS GONE BAD AND I FEEL IT IS TIME THESE VEHICLES GET RECALLED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND WHILE WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THIS DEFECTIVE PART HAS OR WILL LIKELY CAUSE SOMEONE SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.

EngineCrash
Filed Aug 28, 201454,000 milesCA

I WAS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED, I PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE AS NORMAL. JUST PAST THE INTERSECTION, THE GAS ENGINE SHUT DOWN, A RED LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE CAR BEHIND ME STRUCK US. UPON GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY KNEW THAT THE ELECTRONIC COOLING PUMP HAD FAILED. THERE WAS NOT MANY QUESTIONS, AS THEY DESCRIBED WHAT THE SYMPTOMS WERE. UPON LOOKING AT THE INTERNET, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD, AND THAT THE NEW ECP WAS REDESIGNED TO PREVENT THE ISSUE. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT VEHICLES LOSING POWER TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. IN SOME CASES, AS WAS MINE, ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST AS WELL, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 23, 201478,455 milesCA

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS VEHICLE LOSES POWER, RED TRIANGLE (WARNING) LIGHT ON AND (STOP SAFELY NOW) ON MESSAGE CENTER WITH WRENCH LIGHT (SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT). VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN AND MUST BE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (IF POSSIBLE) PLACED IN PARK AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. THIS WILL RESET THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT AND STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE USUALLY ON THE FIRST KEY CYCLE, SOMETIME IT REQUIRES A SECOND OFF/ ON CYCLE OF THE IGNITION. THE WRENCH LIGHT (SES) MAY OR MAY NOT RESET, BUT WILL EVENTUALLY GO OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 8-10 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, SO FAR AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH OR LESS IN CITY TRAFFIC. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY OR NIGHT THAT THIS HAPPENS ON A BUSY FREEWAY, IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO GET TO THE CURB IN CITY TRAFFIC. THIS COULD CAUSE SOME REAL PROBLEMS ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 20, 201492,000 milesNY

RECEIVED THE RED MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING LAMP, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN WHILE ON HIGHWAY. CAUSE WAS A FAILURE OF THE MECS PUMP FORD PN 5M6Z-8C419-A. AFTER IT HAPPENED I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER REPORTS ISSUED FOR SAME ISSUE. SEE 10597458,10604791,10596349,10592073,10588181,10588170,10568053,10567619,10567234,10566464,10565177,10560868,10557567,10554859,10548328,10547463,10537539,10533928,10531556,10525970,10523932,10523371,10521436,10521116,10516178,10514445,10513916,10511202,10505543,10504308,10500579,10500159,10461261,10462036,10462214,10463235,10468355,10474060,10475192,10476583,10477359,10485797,10490135,10460373,10459919,10459596,10459518,10458744,10457505,10457488,10456830,10456625,10455257,10455049,10454894,10453205,10448469,10448468,10409310,10409374,10410388,10411980,10412392,10416615,10419367,10430477,10326667,10329839,10348540,10349760,10352951,10360029,10361122,10393862,10393924,10399209. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 201469,000 milesKS

WHILE DRIVING, BOTH THE "ABS" AND "PARKING BRAKE" LIGHTS CAME ON. AS I CAME TO A STOP, I NOTICED THE BRAKING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT AND I HAD TO PUSH HARDER TO STOP COMPLETELY. AT THE SAME TIME THESE LIGHTS CAME ON, A MESSAGE CAME ON SAYING "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM", FOLLOWED BY "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED ON MAY 25, 2014. SINCE THEN THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, MY BRAKES, SEEM TO LOCK UP SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THEY DON'T FULLY LOCK UP, BECAUSE I AM STILL ALLOWED TO SPEED UP. IT LAST FOR MAYBE 20 SECONDS OR SO AND THEN RELEASES. I AM SURE ALL OF THIS IS RELATED SOMEHOW. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT MANY FORUMS AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES WITH THE REGEN BRAKING SYSTEM. I AM SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN MORE COMPLAINTS OR ANY INVESTIGATIONS. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS NOW, I AM NOT SURE IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER OR NOT. SOME OF THE FORUMS I READ, PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT TRAINED TECHNICIANS COULDN'T EVEN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I LOVE MY HYBRID AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET RID OF IT ALREADY AND GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. I CAN'T EVEN REALLY AFFORD TO HAVE IT SENT IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WORKED ON. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS? CAN FORD PAY FOR THIS? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEDAY THE BRAKES WILL FAIL AND I COULD BE INJURED, AS WELL AS MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP!!!

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 13, 201457,000 milesMA

MECS COOLANT PUMP DEFECT CAUSES LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS RESULTING IN AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION. FORD IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT IN THIS "HYBRID UNIQUE" COMPONENT BUT REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER THEIR HYBRID COMPONENT WARRANTY. IN MY CASE I WAS DRIVING AT 55MPH ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY WHEN THE DASH ILLUMINATED A RED TRIANGLE WITH THE MESSAGE "STOP SAFELY NOW". I HAD TO SCRAMBLE TO GET TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND CREATE A DANGEROUS CONDITION BY CUTTING OFF THE DRIVERS AROUND ME. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A REDESIGNED MECS PUMP REPLACEMENT AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE SINCE. PENDING LAWSUIT, MACDONALD V. FORD MOTOR CO., CASE NUMBER 3:13-CV-02988, IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 11, 201455,000 milesMD

A WARNING CAME ON LETTING US KNOW THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AS THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HAD TO BE PULLED UP AND DEPRESSED AGAIN TO FULLY STOP VEHICLE. WE WERE FORTUNATELY ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE DEALER AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN. WE ARE WAITING FOR THE FULL DIAGNOSIS. THE INITIAL REPORT WAS THAT THE HCU FAILED AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO DETERMINE IF ANOTHER PART IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ISSUE. THEY WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE HCU IS IN FACT THE ISSUE BEFORE THEY REPLACE A $5,000 PART UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid → · Every Escape Hybrid year → · How the figures are calculated →