Page 25 of 40 · complaints 1,201–1,250 of 1,974

2008 Ford Escape 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 →

Power Train
Filed Jun 24, 201440,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

SteeringCrash
Filed Jun 23, 201488,000 milesKY

DRIVING IN THIRD LANE ON INTERSTATE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED VEERING TOWARDS THE LEFT AND HAD NO CONTROL. IT VEERED ME INTO THE CONCRETE WALL AND THEN I STOPPPED. BOTH AIR BAGS EXPLODED. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 23, 201459,000 milesIA

I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND I CAN PUT THE SEATS DOWN FOR STORAGE AND WHEN I TRIED AND LIFTED THE PASSENGER SEAT UP BEHIND THE DRIVERS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WON'T RELEASE AND I CANNOT PUT THE SEAT UP. I HAVE TRIED A CAN OF AIR AND TAPPING ON THE RETRACTOR AND THIS WON'T RELEASE THE SEAT BELT SO I CAN PUT THE SEAT UP. *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 18, 2014137,208 milesGA

POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION UPON START UP AND A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING, ALTHOUGH SPEED AT THE TIME STEERING LOCKED UP IS UNKNOWN. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED IN JAN 2013 AT MY EXPENSE AND TOTALED $1244.60. DUE TO THE RECENT RECALL OF THE NUMEROUS FORD ESCAPE'S STEERING, I FEEL FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSES RELATED TO THE DEFECT. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jun 16, 2014190,000 milesCA

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS. I GO SLOW AND TURN. THE SAME SIDE CONTINUES TO NEED REPAIR I HAVE REPAIRED IT 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS AND NOW IT IS MESSING UP AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH SAID THE SAME THING (THAT THE BEARINGS GO OUT ON THESE CARS OFTEN ) I THINK THE CAR MY BE TOO HEAVY FOR THE WHEEL SYSTEM THEY CHOSE NOT SURE BUT IT STARTS TO PULL MY STEERING WHEEL TO THAT SIDE AND I HAVE HAD 2 ALIGNMENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE HELP! *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 16, 201482,000 milesGA

WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO JOHN BLEAKLEY FORD FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING WHILE GOING UPHILL AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 20. THEN WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY THE VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES JERK. THIS IS A VERY NERVOUS FEELING!!! I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A FACTORY PROBLEM & TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MGR TO CONTACT THEM IN JANUARY AFTER HE CONTACTS FORD. I CALLED AND EMAILED OFTEN AD IT IS A NERVOUS FEELING TO DRIVE A CAR LIKE THIS. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE SERVICE MGR WHO AVOIDED ME UNTIL MAY 2014, AND HE ONLY SPOKE TO ME AFTER I CONTACTED MR BLEAKLEY! I HAVE QUOTED PRICES FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I AM STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FORD CUSTOMERS DO NOT FIND THE MONEY TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THE MILEAGE IS TOO LOW TO NEED A TRANSMISSION. ALSO I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR GOOD. THIS IS DANGEROUS & UNBELIEVABLE!!! *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 16, 2014MI

WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS STUCK. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 14, 2014125,312 milesKY

RIGHT & LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTING. *JS

Steering
Filed Jun 14, 2014KY

RECENTLY ON 2 OCCASIONS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND MY STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. ONCE MAKING THE TURN I HAD TO QUICKLY PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN ON AND THE STEERING WAS OK. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 2014165,000 milesFL

FOR ALMOST A YEAR, TO START MY CAR I HAD TO PUSH KEY IN VERY FIRMLY, THEN TURN. FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH NOW, I HAVE TO PUSH IN, THEN JIGGLE IN AND OUT UNTIL IT CONNECTS AND STARTS CAR. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5 MINUTES TO FIND THE CONNECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM OF HAVING NO POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES - USUALLY NONE) WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS ALSO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JS

Steering › Column
Filed Jun 11, 201485,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 11, 2014120,000 milesAR

FRIDAY JUNE 6TH, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30PM WHILE DRIVING AROUND A MODERATE CURVE IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED, LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL 'LOCKED' IN A RIGHT TURN. BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING, THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE TURN AND LEFT THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WENT HEAD ON INTO A LARGE STONE LINED CULVERT (APPROXIMATELY 6-8' DEEP), HIT THE FRONT END INTO THE CULVERT WALL, FLIPPED ACROSS THE DRIVE DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CULVERT, AND THEN ROLLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES UNTIL IT CAME TO REST ON IT'S WHEELS, APPROXIMATELY 20-30' FROM THE INITIAL POINT OF IMPACT. ALL OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. THERE WAS NO FIRE, BUT THE ENGINE DID SMOKE. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND, MIRACULOUSLY ONLY HAD SEVERE STRAINS, BRUISING, LACERATIONS, AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. THERE WERE MULTIPLE WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 10, 201470,000 milesOH

WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP-SIGN, I GO TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO. AFTER ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS OF PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO TURN ONTO A STREET, THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SURGE PICKING UP A LITTLE SPEED. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT BY TRAFFIC WHEN TURNING ONTO A STREET NUMEROUS TIMES. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ONLY WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT LET ME. SO BASICALLY THERE IS A DELAY FROM THE TIME I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, TO THE TIME THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY KICKS IN AND GOES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 9, 201471,191 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CROSSED OVER THE YELLOW LINE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE THREE PASSENGERS WERE UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,191.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 27, 2014NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE RADIO ALSO FAILED AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A REDUCTION IN POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, FRONT AXLE AND BATTERY WERE ALL REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Hybrid Propulsion System
Filed May 26, 201479,000 milesAZ

MESC PUMP FAILURE. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. HYBRID COOLANT PUMP FAILURE. *TR

Engine
Filed May 26, 201470,000 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CROWDED NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MANY PEOPLE CROSSING THE ROADS WITH THE WEATHER BEING WARM. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, AND THE CAR STALLED. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK, SO I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, HELD THE HORN DOWN AND WAVED FRANTICALLY THROUGH MY OPEN WINDOW. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH SPACE IN FRONT OF ME SO I COULD ALLOW THE CAR TO CRUISE TO A HALT. I UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO ROLL THROUGH A STOP SIGN WHERE THE PEOPLE WERE AWARE THAT I WAS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. UPON STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING IT OFF, I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR ANY SMOKE OR OTHER ISSUES. I LET THE CAR SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, AND THEN STARTED IT UP AGAIN. I WAS WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF MY RESIDENCE SO I ROLLED THE CAR ALL THE WAY HOME WITH MY HAZARDS ON. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SITUATION WITH MULTIPLE INJURIES AND/OR FATALITIES (SMALL CHILDREN IN AREA). FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 26, 201487,720 milesMD

ON FRIDAY MAY 23, I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE AND THE "WRENCH" SYMBOL CAME ON. MY TRUCK STARTED TO STALL IN MID-TRAVEL AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID BEING REAR-ENDED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT WENT OUT AFTER WE WERE ALMOST HOME. HOWEVER, ON SATURDAY, AFTER I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE, THE TRUCK DID NOT PICK UP SPEED. IT IS NOW PARKED IN FRONT OF MY DOOR. *TR

Steering
Filed May 21, 201475,000 milesMN

MY WIFE WAS TURNING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SHE HAD TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN. *TR

Steering
Filed May 21, 2014124,265 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHICH MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TURN CORNERS. *TR

Steering
Filed May 19, 2014125,300 milesCO

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. IT COMES AND GOES NOW. USUALLY IF CAR IS TURNED OFF, IT WORKS FOR AWHILE. NO WARNING WHEN IT GOES AGAIN--NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. *JS

Power Train
Filed May 19, 201446,300 milesNM

WE'VE OWNED AN '08 ESCAPE 2WD XLS. AT 46300 MILES, SHE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION BETWEEN 10-20MPH; AT 22MPH THE CAR INTO GEAR; AT 50MPH SHE GOT THE WRENCH LIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY HOOKED IT UP ON THE IDS COMPUTER, CAME BACK WITH CODES P0732 AND P0743 INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WOULD NEED TO BE TORN DOWN TO FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. WHEN I ASKED HOW MUCH FOR THAT I DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER AND HE WENT TO SAY HOW IF THEY DID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ALREADY BE OUT AND OPEN SO FIXING IT AT THAT POINT WOULD BE THE BEST. AFTER I ASKED THE SECOND TIME HOW MUCH IS WHEN HE SAID APPROX. $2500 PLUS TAX... COULD BE HIGHER OR LOWER FOR THE TEAR DOWN AND REPAIR. I DECLINED AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO AAMCO. THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COST TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE ALMOST AS MUCH AS GETTING A REMANUFACTURED TRANS WITH ALL THE PROBLEM AREAS UPGRADED AND A 3YR 50,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHEREAS A REBUILD WOULD ONLY GET 1 YR WARRANTY. WE ENDED UP BUYING THE REMANUFACTURED THAT WAS THE BETTER CHOICE. AT THE END WITH LABOR, INSTALL AND TAX $2837.51. I EMAILED FORD PRIOR TO BRING TO AAMCO AND DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEN UNTIL 2 DAYS BEFORE MY WIFE'S CAR WAS DONE. THEY CALL TO ASK IF THERE WAS ANY WAY THEY COULD HELP BUT WHEN I TOLD THEM THE ESCAPE WAS NO LONGER AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOLD THEM WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO WAIT TO HEAR FROM THEM AND THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WE TOOK IT TO. THEY SAID

Engine
Filed May 16, 2014127,000 milesCA

MY CAR ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE FORD THROTTLE BODY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 12, 201475,000 milesOH

I BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE USED IN NOVEMBER 2013. IN DECEMBER 2013 THE GAS PEDAL STARTED STICKING EACH TIME I WENT TO ACCELERATE. IT GETS STUCK "UP", MEANING I HAVE TO POUND MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. MY FORD IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THIS MAKES IT NOT ONLY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD BUT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT STALL OUT ALL THE TIME. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. SAID CAR WAS USED AND IT IS WHAT IT IS. IT IS NOW MAY 2014 AND IT MY FAMILY AND I CAN HARDLY GET ANYWHERE. CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK CAR TO MIDAS FOR A TUNE UP AND AN ESTIMATE. MIDAS STATED MY CAR NEEDS A BRAND NEW THROTTLE UNIT, THROTTLE CABLE AND A 3 PART FUEL KIT. THIS WILL COST ROUGHLY $1000.00 MIDAS STATED. WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT FORD EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR FORD ESCAPES 2009-2012 FOR THIS SAME EXACT FUEL KIT AND THROTTLE ISSUES. 2008 FORD ESCAPES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE FOR MANY CONSUMERS. PLEASE HELP ME. MY FAMILY AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THIS REPAIRED AND MY 6 AND 8 YEAR OLD (AND MY FIANC) CAN'T BE DRIVEN AROUND IN THIS CAR. MY OWN SAFETY IS ONE THING AND I WILL ENSURE I GET TO WORK EVERYDAY, BUT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT IF THIS IS WARRANTY ISN'T EXTENDED OR RECALLED FOR FORD 2008 ESCAPES AS WELL. I HAVE ALL MIDAS SERVICE PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED. PLEASE HELP US. WE ARE IN DANGER EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR AND WE NEED A CAR TO DRIVE. THANK YOU-CINCINNATI,

Steering
Filed May 11, 2014200,000 milesMN

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING GOES OUT. *TR

Steering
Filed May 8, 2014WI

COMPLAINT DESCRIPTION CASE # [XXX] IN THE PAST I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF THE "AMERICAN" COMPANY, FORD. FORD HAS NOT STOOD BY ITS PRODUCT (AND POST THE LINKS THAT ARE ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING YOUR "STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM"!) I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED THE DAY THE STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT!!! I WANT MY MONEY BACK! $1,300.00 (I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN, JUST 7 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I AM DEFINITELY OF AGE, I WORK HARD AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, AND KNOW THAT YOU HAVE/ARE ROBBING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, BY NOT DOING A RECALL. (LET ALONE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN POSSIBLE INJURY AND EVEN DEATH!!!) IN YOUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. YOU; AN AMERICAN COMPANY, MEANING I AM NOT DEALING WITH SOME FOREIGN CAR DEALER! I HAVE HEARD THAT YOU HAVE REPLACED 5 COMPUTERS IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR STEERING COLUMNS . STEERING COLUMN PHONED: 1-800-392-3673 8:46AM ON MARCH 21ST. CASE #[XXX]YOU THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE :YESVIN : [XXX] CONTACT INFORMATIONFIRST NAME : [XXX] LAST NAME :[XXX]ADDRESS :[XXX]: [XXX] STATE :[XXX], ZIP :[XXX]EMAIL ADDRESS :[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed May 7, 2014132,212 milesMI

THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK ON AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RESTARTED. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 7, 201470,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED NEAR THE REAR WHEEL WELL AREA. THERE WERE ALSO RUST BUBBLES THAT HAD FORMED IN ADDITION TO SIGNS OF CORROSION. THERE WAS ALSO RUST ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 8/6/14*CN UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

Steering
Filed May 5, 2014100,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,101.

Steering
Filed Apr 29, 201456,000 milesWA

POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT AT A STOP SIGN. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TURNED, THEN PARKED FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AT MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, THE STEERING WORKED CORRECTLY AGAIN. *JS

Power Train
Filed Apr 28, 2014103,000 milesIN

AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP ON ITS OWN. WHEN I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN MY CAR THEN WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THE RMPS WOULD JUMP TO OVER 300 WHEN I TRIED TO GO FASTER THAN 25 MPH. ONCE I HAD GONE THAT SPEED FOR A FEW SECONDS MY CAR WOULD THEN DO A HARD JERK AND MOVE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS CAUSED MANY SAFETY HAZARDS FOR ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Apr 28, 2014106,000 milesWA

WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS THE ABS LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SLOWLY LOSING POWER. WHEN WHEELS WERE STRAIGHTENED AGAIN IT RAN AS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE, EACH TIME WHEN I WAS TURNING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WAS DIMMING AND THE GAS PEDAL LOST ABILITY TO PROPEL CAR. *JS

Steering
Filed Apr 27, 201472,637 milesMT

AS I WAS DRIVING, I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN AND THAT'S WHEN I LOST POWER TO MY STEERING WHEEL. THE WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I STOPPED MY VEHICLE, SHUT IF OFF, AND RESTARTED. IT BEGAN TO GO BACK TO NORMAL BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING ON IT'S OWN. EVER SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, OFF AND ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL HAVE NO POWER. TODAY, I ALMOST CRASHED WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HIT THE MEDIAN. I WAS COMING TO A STOP TO MAKE MY TURN AND IT WENT OUT RIGHT THEN AND THERE. AFTER LEAVING WORK TODAY AGAIN IT FAILED. I WAS ONLY BACKING OUT WHEN I LOST POWER. I ALREADY GOT IN TOUCH WITH FORD AND THEY DID SAY IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NOT A RECALL. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 25, 201465,000 milesOH

SPORADIC LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT NOTICE. NO ERROR CODES. STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. KNOWN FAILURE IS SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN. POTENTIAL OF AN ACCIDENT IS HIGH. CANADA ALSO HAS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION. ( [XXX]). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 24, 2014154,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 22, 201452,000 milesIL

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 CHILDREN AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CHANGE LANES EVEN WITH THE ASSIST THAT THE VEHICLE GIVES. IF IT WAS MY WIFE IN THE CARE I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL IT. SO I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND READ THE MANUAL AND WAITED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. WHEN I TRIED IT AGAIN THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. IT THANKFULLY WHICH IS NOT GOOD WENT OUT AGAIN BUT I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME AND PARK IT. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IT IS A CURRENT PROBLEM FORD IS HAVING AND QUITE COMMON. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT THERE WAS NONE. I HOPE THIS DOESN'T TURN INTO A PROBLEM LIKE GM WHERE IT COSTS PEOPLE THEIR LIVES. I HOPE NHTSA CAN HELP AND GET THIS DEFECT RECALLED. I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALER I BROUGHT IT TO (FOX FORD) THAT IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE COLUMN BUT THEY COULDN'T JUST CHANGE THE SENSOR IT HAD TO BE THE WHOLE COLUMN SO NEEDLESS TO SAY $2300 LATER IT WAS FIXED WHICH THE MONEY DOESN'T COMPARE TO MY KIDS SAFETY. AGAIN HOPE YOU CAN HELP! *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 22, 2014130,522 milesMI

I WAS PICKING UP MY TODDLER FROM DAYCARE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS TERRIFIED AND UNABLE TO STEER. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TO EXERCISE THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT LOOSENED A LITTLE BUT WOULD KEEP LOCKING UP AFTER A FEW MINUTES. FOUND OUT LATER THIS HAPPENED TO MAY OTHER 2008 FORD ESCAPE DRIVERS AND THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE OF DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKING UP. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND COST WAS ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR. HAD TO GET A BRAND NEW STEERING COLUMN. A MONTH OR TWO LATER I FIND OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS YEAR ESCAPES, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECALL ISSUE FOR MOST OF THEM. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON 2008'S THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. IF THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED, I THINK REFUNDS SHOULD BE ISSUED TO THOSE OF US WHO PAID ALL THIS MONEY TO HAVE THESE DANGEROUS ISSUES RESOLVED. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 22, 201459,260 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND TURNING LEFT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND VERY PAINFUL. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK THE CAR. I WAS VERY AFRAID THAT I WOULD LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITY AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 21, 201430,000 milesMO

I HAVE A 2008 USED FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS PURCHASED DECEMBER 2012. IT NOW HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. IN JUNE OF 2013 I NOTICED ABOVE THE REAR WHEEL WELL THERE IS RUST BUBBLES POPPING UP UNDER THE PAINT. ONCE I NOTICED IT IN JUNE 2012, I TOOK IT TO PACKEY WEBB FORD IN DOWNERS GROVE, IL AS SOON AS I NOTICED THE RUSTING UNDER THE PAINT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE $1900 TO FIX AND THAT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY. SINCE THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES I SHOULD CONTACT FORD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RUSTING WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FORD TOLD SAID THE WEAR AND TEAR WAS PART OF THE CAR AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NOW IF I WANT TO GET THIS FIXED, IT WILL COST ME $2000. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 20, 2014131,100 milesMI

STARTING IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF MARCH, POWER STEERING WILL FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. IF YOU JUST START THE CAR WITH THE STEERING WHEEL BASICALLY ON CENTER, THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. IF YOU CRANK THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AS YOU START THE CAR, THE STEERING WILL WORK FOR A WHILE BUT THE WHEEL WILL SHAKE AND MAKE A NOISE WHEN IT IS ON-CENTER. IT WILL THEN SOMETIMES FAIL COMPLETELY AFTER A FEW MINUTES. STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR MAY GET IT TO WORK FOR A WHILE.

Power Train
Filed Apr 18, 201480,000 milesNY

WHEN I START MY CAR THE POWER STEERING WONT WORK. I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT WILL WORK. I NOTICED MY ESCAPE WAS LEAKING FLUID TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE. AFTER 2500. ITS FIXED AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON BOTH AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON BOTH OF THESE. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 16, 201468,000 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND LOST STEERING! BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS NOT KILLED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER THAT WAS NEXT TO ME. MY HUSBAND GRABBED THE WHEEL AS IT WAS LOCKED AND WE BARELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD. THEY SAID THERE WAS A TSB AND THEY THOUGHT IT HAD A BAD SENSOR. THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF HAVING THE CAR, THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. I PAID THE $2,000. BILL BUT DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO AS FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES! THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF THE SAME SITUATION PEOPLE HAVE HAD THAT I FOUND ONLINE. LOCALLY I COMPLAINED, AND THE FORD REGIONAL OFFICE DENIED MY REQUEST. I WROTE TO FORD'S PRESIDENT AND DID NOT GET A REPLY. IF I HAD DIED AND IT GOT INTO THE NEWS, THEY WOULD STEP UP, BUT I AM SURE THEY ARE ASSESSING WHICH WOULD HAVE MORE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THEM. IT IS CLEAR THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIVES. INSTEAD OF RECALLING, THEY ARE STAYING MUM. WHAT A SHAME AND A REFECTION ON THE COMPANY. *TT

Power Train
Filed Apr 15, 2014110,000 milesNY

MY FORD ESCAPE HAD 3 TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. I HAD IT REBUILD OR REPLACED BY FORD TWICE AND IT NEED A THIRD TRANSMISSION REBUILD OR REPLACE. THE CP4E DOESN'T HOLD UP OR LIKE OTHERS COMMENTED ON THIS VEHICLE THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO HAVE A LOOSE STEARING WHICH CAUSE THE SECOND GEAR TRANSMISSION BAND TO PULL AWAY OR BROKEN. PLEASE ADVISE ON THIS PROBLEM OR ISSUE A RECALL SINCE THERE ARE MORE ESCAPE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TT

Steering
Filed Apr 14, 2014204,089 milesWI

AFTER STARTING MY CAR TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT FROM MY WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING AS I WAS BACKING OUT. I PULLED BACK INTO MY SPOT, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, SHOOK THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO GET IT TO WORK, AND NOTHING. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT, STILL NOTHING. I RESTARTED IT ONCE MORE, SHOOK THE WHEEL WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE AND IT WORKED FINE. I NOW HAVE TO WIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TURNS ON. *JS

Steering
Filed Apr 12, 2014153,212 milesCA

EXPERIENCED FREQUENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEED AND AT STOP A FEW MONTHS AGO. REPLACING THE BATTERY RESOLVED IT FOR 2 MONTHS. THEN IT STARTED AGAIN WHEN IN TUCSON. EXTREME WOBBLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT ALL TIMES. RESTARTING THE CAR HELPED RESET POWER STEERING FOR THE FIRST 2 DAYS IF THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING WHILE AT REST. RESTARTING THE CAR AT SPEED IS NOT POSSIBLE AND LOSING POWER STEERING IS PRETTY SUDDEN AND SCARY. WAS DRIVING AT 70MPH ON INTERSTATE 10 AND LOST POWER STEERING SEVERAL TIMES. HAD TO PULL OVER WITH AVAILABLE MANUAL STEERING, WHICH WAS HARD. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE--LOSS OF POWER STEERING BOTH AT REST AND AT SPEED. FILING COMPLAINT. *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 10, 201475,975 milesMA

I LEFT THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER AFTER HAVING MY CAR EXHAUST REPAIRED AND LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE DOWN THE ROAD I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR AND COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS TRAVELING ON A VERY BUSY ROAD AND I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO ROLL INTO A PARKING LOT WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE FORD DEALER SHIP FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTIONED. I FOUND THAT FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEARS UNDER A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM". I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE THROTTLE BODY FOR MY CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHY MY CAR IS EXCLUDED FROM THIS PROGRAM. THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD PER THIS PROGRAM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2014152,100 milesME

AT FIRST THE POWER STEERING DIDNOT WORK UPON STARTING CAR, RESTARTED AND IT WORKED. AS TIME WENT ON THIS GOT WORSE, HAVING TO RESTART SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW ONCE POWER STEERING WORKS IT WILL GO OFF ANYTIME EVEN JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO WHEN POWER STEERING IS WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS THAT FORD HAS OFFERED A TORQUE SENSOR KIT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 9, 2014125,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WAS ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED THIRTY TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 9, 2014124,693 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN WITH THE VEHICLE IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,693.

Steering
Filed Apr 9, 2014106,000 milesOH

I AM WRITING TO YOU TO SEEK HELP ON SENDING A FORMAL COMPLAIN TO FORD MOTOR CO. TO INVESTIGATE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE SO FAR WITH MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE ON 3/13/14 WHEN I WAS TAKING MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. I COULDN'T REALLY MOVE THE CAR AND IT GOT SO STIFF TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BREAK THE THING. I TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON RIGHT AWAY AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND I GOT SADDENED BECAUSE I HAD A FIELD TRIP TO GO TO THAT DAY WITH MY DAUGHTER. I DECIDED TO GO BUT IT WAS "PAINFUL" DRIVING THE SUV WITH A VERY STIFF WHEEL.. ..PARKING THE CAR AT THE FIELD TRIP LOCATION IT WAS PRETTY BAD BECAUSE I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR ,I ENDED UP USING 2 PARKING SPACES .I ASKED ONE OF THE PARENTS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HE ASKED ME IF IT WAS LEAKING OIL,ETC(NO LEAKS) ... THE WEIRD THING THAT HAPPENED LATER THAT DAY WHEN HE CHECKED MY CAR , IT WAS FINE,LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.....TIME WENT BY AND AFTER HEARING THE LAST FEW DAYS IN THE NEWS ABOUT GMC COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES NEVER REPORTED, I DID A SEARCH ENGINE ON THE WEB ABOUT ISSUES WITH FORD ESCAPES. I WENT TO "CARCOMPLAINTS.COM" AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE OVER 160 COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND NO SOLUTIONS,NO RECALLS FROM FORD. I SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD MOTOR CO. WITH NO RESPONSE AND I DECIDED TO CONTACT 10TV INVESTIGATES TO START"S

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 → · Every Escape year → · How the figures are calculated →