2008 Ford Escape complaints

POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON I40 IN TENNESSEE. CAR VIBRATED AND STEERING SHOOK WHENEVER CAR WAS STEERED STRAIGHT. DRIVER HAD TO WEAVE THE CAR WITHIN THE LANE TO MINIMIZE DRIVING IN THE STRAIGHT POSITION. POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY WHEN CAR WAS STARTED THE NEXT MORNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER MANUALLY WHILE DRIVING A MILE TO THE DEALERSHIP. FORD DEALER SERVICE (CROSSROADS FORD, CARY, NC) FOUND THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING COMPONENTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, INCLUDING THE STEERING COLUMN, AT A COST OF $1400. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER PROVIDE ME WITH THE OLD PARTS AFTER THE REPAIR. THIS SAME PROBLEM IS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THE 2008 ESCAPE AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC STEERING, ALTHOUGH FORD REPORTEDLY DENIES THAT IT IS SERIOUS ISSUE. FOR EXAMPLE, SEE HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/STEERING-PROBLEMS.PHP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND A CONSUMER RIPOFF, AND I ASK THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE. FORD SHOULD PERFORM ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS AND RECALL FOR CORRECTION, INSTEAD OF DENYING PROBLEM. HIGH-SPEED STEERING FAILURE IN A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 75,000 MILES SHOWS POOR DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ONLY AVOIDED DEATH OR INJURY THROUGH LUCK. HAD DRIVING CONDITIONS BEEN DIFFERENT, THEY COULD HAVE DIED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE PARTIALLY DETACHED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL. NO FURHTER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. ON EACH OCCASION THE ANTI-SKID WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL ABLE TO BE STEERED AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH. THE POWER STEERING WILL RESET AS SOON AS YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT WHILE DRIVING ON THE 408 AT ABOUT 60 MPH IN ORLANDO, FL. THE 408 IS A TOLL ROAD EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF TOLL USAGE (E PASS). THIS HAPPENED WHILE PASSING ONE OF THE ELECTRONIC RECORDERS. ON OTHER OCCASIONS IT TENDS TO HAPPEN ON WARM AFTERNOONS, AND THEN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING WILL ONLY RESET IT FOR A SHORT TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND FROM RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NOT WIDE SPREAD, IS CERTAINLY NOT UNIQUE WITH FORD ESCAPES OF THAT YEAR, YET FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. NO MECHANIC, FORD OR OTHERWISE HAS A CLUE AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH THIS. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE THIS IN TO THE FORD GARAGE FOR THEM TO BLINDLY REPLACE PARTS AND PIECES AT HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER VISIT. I SINCERELY HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP BEFORE PEOPLE BEGIN DYING ON OUR ROADS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. TO: FORD MOTOR, PLEASE REMEMBER TOYOTA'S EXPERIENCE OF THE PAST YEARS BEFORE BLINDLY DISMISSING THIS PROBLEM. *JS *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL WHEN ENTERING A CURVE IN THE ROAD HER STEERING LOCKED UP SHE THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD AN STRUCK A CULVERT WENT AIRBORNE AND WHEN COMING DOWN STARTED ROLLING SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON AS THE POLICE REPORT STATED SHE SPENT 5 DAYS IN THE ICU WITH HER BACK BROKEN IN 3 PLACES SHE JUST TURNED 17 SHE HAS ALEAST 2 MONTHS BEFORE MAYBE SHE WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL WE WILL HAVE TO HOME SCHOOL HER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. I WILL BE CONTACTING A LAWYER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND AS I HAVE READ FORD IS AT FAULT WHETHER THEY ADMIT IT OR NOT. *TR

I WAS OUT WITH MY CHILDREN AND WE GOT INTO THE VEHICAL TO LEAVE OUR DESTINATION AND MY CHILD COULD NOT BUCKLE HER SEAT BELT BECAUE IT LOCKED ON HER. NOW THE SEAT BELT IS SO TIGHT TO THE SEAT THAT IT IS ABOUT TO CUT THROUGH THE INTERIOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER, WHICH WAS CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,930. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ UPDATED 04/25/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER BACK INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE. AT FIRST IT WOULD RESUME AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING, HOWEVER IT THEN BEGAN JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. WE LIVE IN AN AREA WITH EXTREME WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS SO THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. FINALLY WE HAD IT REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER AT A COST OF $1500.00. THIS DEALER SEEMED TO THINK THAT THE FAILURE IS COMMON. AFTERWARDS, LOOKING ONLINE, WE FIND THAT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCURRENCE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS MODEL HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHICH CLEARLY WASN'T PERFECTED BEFORE BEING PUT INTO PRODUCTION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE GOING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR, THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCK UP MAKING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WERE TOLD IT IS AN ELECTRONIC CENSOR THAT IS IMBALANCED VS. HAVING POWER STEERING FLUID IT RUNS ELECTRONICALLY. THE WAY IT IS BUILT, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT VS. JUST THE CENSOR. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL. IT IS A DEFINITELY SAFETY CONCERN. WE CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND NEITHER IS WILLING TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OR ASSIST. *TR

WHILE ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC ONTO A BUSY STREET THE STEERING FAILED. WAS ABLE (WITH GREAT EFFORT) TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE AND THEN SAFELY PULL TO SIDE(FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING AS SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO CARRY THIS OUT AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CRASHED). TURNED IGNITION OFF AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO SEE IF BELT HAD BROKEN, ETC. COULD NOT FIND TRADITIONAL POWER STEERING PUMP. TURNED IGNITION ON AND STEERING WORKED! AND HAS WORKED SINCE. DISCOVERED THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP. AND THEY ARE FREQUENTLY FAILING. CALLED DEALER-ROUGHLY 3 WEEK BACKLOG FOR PART-WHICH IS THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN-PUMP NOT ABLE TO BE REPLACE SEPARATELY. HOW COULD A CAR DESIGNER OR THE GOVERNMENT ALLOW THIS TYPE OF STEERING PUMP TO BE PUT ON A VEHICLE(PROBABLY JUST TO SQUEEZE OUT AN EXTRA MPG)? IT IS NOT ONLY PLAIN DANGEROUS, BUT IMPRACTICAL. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THIS WAS HOW THE STEERING WAS ON THIS CAR I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT! THE NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE (FORD AT LEAST) TO ISSUE A RECALL AND STOP THIS TYPE OF POWER STEERING BEING OFFERED ON NEW VEHICLES. I HAVE HAD PUMPS AND BELT SNAP ON VEHICLE IN THE PAST WHILE DRIVING, BUT NEVER WITH THIS AMOUNT OF STEERING LOSS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

MY POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK WHEN I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IF I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING DAILY, THEN MANY TIMES A DAY AND NOW, SOMETIMES I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL, AND SOMETIME IT WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT IT GOES OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE REPAIRS WILL BE ABOUT $1200, WE ARE WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR

TIRES PROBLEM.... 04/09/2011-PURCHASED (USED) FORD ESCAPE 2008-XLT 4 WHEEL- MILEAGE 37583. 07/08/2011-MILEAGE- 40668- DRIVEN 3085 MILES* THE DEALER REPLACED ROTORS, BRAKES IN - (NO COST TO ME), DUE TO RUSTING & CORROSION, DEALER CLAIMED PROBABLY SAT ON LOT TOO LONG WITHOUT BEING MOVED. TIRES AT THIS TIME WERE REPORTED IN "GREEN" CODE- 08/11/2011-MILEAGE- 41229- DRIVEN 561 MILES* OIL CHANGE, TIRES AT THIS TIME WERE REPORTED IN "GREEN" CODE. 02/23/2012- MILEAGE- 44144- DRIVEN 2915 MILES* INSPECTION FAILED- DUE TO TIRES DRY ROT! TOTAL MILES DRIVEN IN 10 MONTHS* 6561. TIRES ARE GOODYEAR/MICHELIN X CROSS TERRAIN 225/65R17 DOTB93T. *TR

LIKE MANY OTHERS THE EPS (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING) SYSTEM GAVE OUT ON MY 2008 ESCAPE (106,000 MI.). IT STARTED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OCCASIONALLY CLUNKING AND SHAKING BOTH WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLE (AS LONG AS IT WAS STARTED). AS SOON AS THE WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE POWER STEERING WOULD ENGAGE AND IT WOULD BE FINE. THE PROBLEM QUICKLY GOT WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CLUNKING/SHAKING WAS HAPPENING AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THE POWER STEERING JUST FLAT OUT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS IN A POSITION TO REACT AND MANUALLY STEER WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT I WAS DEFINITELY WORRIED AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING THERE IS NO FIX WITHOUT SWAPPING OUT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. $1250 PARTS+LABOR+TAX. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY JUST TOSSED ME AROUND SAYING THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT AND SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT AS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. AFTER FINDING THIS WEBSITE I REALIZED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS MUCH BIGGER THAN INDICATED ON THIS FORUM. I AM FRUSTRATED IN TRYING TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE. FORD EXPLAINED THAT RECALLS ARE JUSTIFIED BY CRASH DATA AND THERE IS NO WAY TO GET ONE STARTED PRIOR. THIS IS CRAZY, SO NOT ONLY IS SOMEONE GOING TO NEED TO CRASH, BUT SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NEED TO CRASH IN ORDER FOR ANYTHING TO GET DONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COULD NOT BE RELEASED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CABLE BEING FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,300.

STEERING LOCKS UP PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, AND SITUATIONS, THERE IS A GRINDING WHEN YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL BOTH DIRECTIONS EVEN WHILE PARKED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE & MODEL. *TR

MY STEERING WHEEL KEEPS SHAKING WHILE DRIVING FOR THE LAST WEEK. IT FREEZE UPON INITIAL START-UP AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN FOR THE STEERING FUNCTION TO BE RESTORED. THE FREEZING OCCURRED SPORADICALLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS BUT NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR. HAVEN'T TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP YET BUT WILL DO SO SOON BEFORE THIS PROBLEM PROGRESSES ANY FURTHER AND CAUSES AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM I FEAR THAT IS WHAT TO COME. WHO HAS TO DIE FOR THE FORD COMPANY TO CONDUCT A RECALL? I SUBMITTED THIS INFORMATION TO MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AND MAYBE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE MATTER. *TR

I WAS DRIVING WITH TWO FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED ON A FREEWAY OFF RAMP. STEERING FAILED WHEREAS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A MAJOR COLLISION. VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH ELECTRIC STEERING FAILURE. *TR

LIKE MANY OTHERS THE EPS (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING) SYSTEM GAVE OUT ON MY 2008 ESCAPE (75,000 MI.). IT STARTED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OCCASIONALLY CLUNKING AND SHAKING BOTH WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLE (AS LONG AS IT WAS STARTED). AS SOON AS THE WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE POWER STEERING WOULD ENGAGE AND IT WOULD BE FINE. THE PROBLEM QUICKLY GOT WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CLUNKING/SHAKING WAS HAPPENING AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THE POWER STEERING JUST FLAT OUT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS IN A POSITION TO REACT AND MANUALLY STEER WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT I WAS DEFINITELY WORRIED AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT WON'T HONOR MY WARRANTY AS THIS ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN(UNDERSTANDABLE, BUT STILL VERY FRUSTRATING) AND WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING THERE IS NO FIX WITHOUT SWAPPING OUT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. $1250 PARTS+LABOR+TAX. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY JUST TOSSED ME AROUND SAYING THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT AND SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT AS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THEY SAID I COULD EXPECT A CALL BACK IN A FEW DAYS, 1 WEEK TOPS. 3 WEEKS LATER AND NO PHONE CALL. AFTER FINDING THIS WEBSITE I REALIZED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS MUCH BIGGER THAN INDICATED ON THIS FORUM. I AM FRUSTRATED IN TRYING TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE. THE LADY AT FORD EXPLAINED THAT RECALLS ARE JUSTIFIED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CABLE WAS GLUED TO THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,643 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,830.

I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY A VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING APROX 60 MILES PER HOUR. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY BASH LIT UP AS IF THEY HAD DEPLOYED. I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL CERTIFIED MECHANICS WHY THIS HAPPENED AND HAVE NEVER BEEN GIVEN THE SAME ANSWER TWICE. I ASKED A FORD PLANT WORKER THAT HELPED BUILD MY ESCAPE, HE ALSO HAD NO ANSWER. MY BROTHERS WAS ALSO INVOLVED, THIS LAST SUMMER, IN A HIGH IMPACT TOTALING HIS FOCUS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AGAIN, NO ANSWER, JUST A LOT OF SHRUGS AND HIM HAWING. ONCE AGAIN MY BEST FRIEND HAD A 2012 EXPLORER IT WAS 4 MONTHS OLD SHE HIT A DEER FULL ON CAUSING OVER 18,000$ IN DAMAGE, AND AGAIN, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! WHY? I FIND IT DISTURBING THAT WE ALL PAID NO LESS THAT 15,000$ FOR A FORD VEHICLE AND NONE OF US WERE PROTECTED BY THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, NOR WERE WE PROVIDED WITH A SUFFICIENT EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT DID NOT WORK. DO ANY OF YOU HAVE A VIABLE NON DOUBLE SPEAK REASON FOR THIS? * INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) * TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WIRE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE CABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

FOUND PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID ON DRIVEWAY. TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LEAKING JUST LIKE ALL 2008 FORD ESCAPES. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. DEALER CHARGES $816. WHY ISN'T IT COVERED BY A RECALL? WE ARE DISAPPOINTED. *TR

MY CAR APPEARED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, THEN REVVED UP AND SHOT FORWARD. PUTTING MYSELF AND PASSENGERS AT DANGER OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON FLAW IN THE POWER TRAIN (TRANSMISSION) OF THE FORD ESCAPES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS DUE TO FORD NEGLIGENCE. I CALLED FORD IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVING AT WORK AND WILL TAKE IT IN AT THE END OF THE DAY BUT, HAVING LOOKED FOR COMPLAINTS/RECALLS ON LINE I SEE THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON AND FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE DISLODGED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WAY TO REMEDY THE PEDAL FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED I HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE CAR ONCE I TURNED IT BACK ON IT WAS REALLY HARD TO STEER, VERY DANGEROUS AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY 1100.00 TO GET THIS REPLACED WHICH IS TOO MUCH FOR A 2008, THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I NOTICED A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS BEGINNING TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY, AND SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WAS CAUSING SOME CONCERN WHILE DRIVING IN THE FAST LANE OF THE INTERSTATES. IT WAS BEGINNING TO SPRAY UP UNDER THE HOOD, AND I WAS WORRIED ABOUT IT GETTING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STARTING A FIRE. AFTER DOING TONS OF RESEARCH ON LINE, IF FIND OUT ABOUT A TRANS COOLER DEFECT. I SEE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF PEOPLE THAT OWNED 2008 ESCAPES. I WAS TOLD FORD DID DO SOME REPAIRS ON THESE CARS THAT WHERE BUILT EARLY 2008, AND THAT A CSP (CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM) WAS SENT OUT MARCH 2010, AND EXPIRED IN AUGUST 2010. MY ESCAPE WAS BUILT IN SEPT. 2007, WHICH SHOULD HAVE COVERED IT. FORD SENT A CSP #09B10 TO OWNERS FOR A REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF THE KNOW DEFECT TO THE COOLER. SINCE I DIDN'T NOT OWN THE VEHICLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2010, I HAD NO IDEA OF THE PROBLEM, AND SINCE THE ORIGINAL OWNER NEVER TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR, I HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE, AND BOTH THEM, AND THE FORD DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT, BUT WOULD NOT COVER IT. SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL, AND THE CSP IS OVER, I HAD TO PAY $644.41 OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS IS RIDICULES I AM PAYING FOR A DEFECT THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT. THEY BOTH TOLD ME TO HOLD ON TO MY RECEIPT IN CASE THERE IS A RECALL I CAN GET REIMBURSED. I THINK THIS IS THE LAST FORD I WILL OWN. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE TRAIN, AND KEEPS YOUR TRANSMISSIO

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 65MPH ON OUR FREEWAY AND I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY POWER STEERING. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY 3 OTHER VEHICLES AS I WAS UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. I THEN PUT MY CAUTION LIGHTS ON AND USED ALL MY FORCE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN POWER THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON MY STEERING WAS THEN FINE. I GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND WITHIN 3 MINUTES I LOST ALL OF MY POWER STEERING AGAIN. SO I THEN DID THE SAME THING MULTIPLE TIMES JUST TO MAKE IT HOME. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESPONSE TIME TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS WAS EXTREMELY SLOW AND THE PEDAL COULD BE DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS BECOMING SLIGHTLY STUCK WHEN DEPRESSED, BUT THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD NOT BE TOO CONCERNED WITH THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,716.

THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED OCCASIONALLY JITTERING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THEN WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONING. IT HAS SINCE BEEN SPOTTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED FOR AT LEAST TWENTY MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, FLUID WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED A TRANS CORE LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,842.

I WAS MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE. AS I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ABOUT TO PULL ON, WHEN MY STEERING LOCKED UP. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, I STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WILL THERE HAVE TO BE A DEATH BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I WILL PURSUE THIS FURTHER, THRU THE MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND LEGALLY. *TR

AS I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE, MY STEERING FAILED. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL THE CAR. THANK GOD I WAS GOING SLOW AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS COMPLAINT AND THERE ARE MANY FORD ESCAPES, WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT. I HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS. I PLAN ON PURSUING THIS FURTHER EVEN UP TO INVOLVING MEDIA AND LEGAL ACTION. *TR

ON 12-13-2011, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME BY EXERTING GREAT FORCE ON THE THEN MANUAL STEERING. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE ACTUALLY IN MOTION I DOUBT THAT I COULD HAVE CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. THE NEXT MORNING I STARTED THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THE STEERING WORKED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. I THEN TELEPHONED THE MANUFACTURE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME UNLESS THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. I TOLD THE PERSON THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAS TOLD UNLESS THE DEALER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM WE CAN'T HELP. I TOLD THE PERSON I WOULD REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO THE NTSB AND WAS TOLD THAT IS YOUR RIGHT. *TR

OUR ESCAPE HAS LESS THAN 44,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS PAST SATURDAY THE POWER STEERING JUST FAILED! AND I HAD 3 CHILDREN WITH ME!! THANK GOD WE WEREN'T DOING 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE...OR IN A CURVE...NEXT TO AN 18-WHEELER...OR WHERE I HAD TO MAKE A QUICK AVOIDANCE MANEUVER! I LEARNED (FROM INTERNET POSTINGS...'CAUSE IT SURE ISN'T IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL...) THAT IT USUALLY WORKS PROPERLY AGAIN AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING...I GUESS THE COMPUTER 'REBOOTS'???, BUT, WHO KNEW?! WELL, IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN LESS THAN A WEEK LATER TO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER AND SINCE THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE, WE'VE TAKEN IT TO A DEALERSHIP. I LIVE IN TN AND IF ANYONE RECALLS (NO PUN INTENDED), THIS IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE A LOCAL INVESTIGATIVE NEWS REPORTER BROKE THE INFAMOUS TOYOTA ACCELERATION STORY. HMMM...MAYBE I'LL CONTACT HIM AND SEE IF HE CAN FIND OUT IF FORD IS BENT ON IGNORING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS... JUST DO THE RIGHT THING, FORD! REMEMBER THE EXPLORER!!!*TR

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A JERKING MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL (FEELS LIKE FORCE FEEDBACK FROM A DRIVING SIMULATOR), MOST NOTICEABLE AT A STOP. IT APPEARED TO BE A MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THIS IS BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IS LOCATED IN THE COLUMN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME AND ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER PUSHING THEIR AVAILABILITY OUT 5 MONTHS OR SO. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IN A WORSENING CONDITION UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT NOW THE STEERING GOES OUT 3 OR MORE TIMES ON MY 30 MILE HIGHWAY COMMUTE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE IS A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO "AUTO-STEER" OR VEER IN EITHER DIRECTION WITH NO DRIVER INPUT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTLY AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. *TR

I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO PULL OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT CARS TO KNOW THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING...NOT KNOWING AT THE TIME THAT MY CAR HAD AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THE FLUID THEN I WENT TO GET MY WAREHOUSE MGR TO COME TAKE A LOOK AT IT FOR ME. WHEN HE STARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WAS FINE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME BUT WAS VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT IT. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NOTICED OVER THE PAST WEEK THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE OR SHAKE WHEN STOPPED AND THEN THIS OCCURS. FROM WHAT I AM READING THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND DON'T WANT TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THEM IN THE CAR IF THIS OCCURS OUT THE OF THE BLUE AGAIN! WE NOW CONSIDER THIS CAR TO BE A DANGEROUS HAZARD AND UNDRIVEABLE ...WE WILL BE GETTING RID OF IT. *TR

WAS MAKING A TURN AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT. IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TURN I FELT THE POWER STEERING FAIL. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH GREAT EFFORT MADE TO STEER. I GOT HOME AND TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF. MY HUSBAND STARTED MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. AFTER POPPING THE HOOD, HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, THERE SEEM TO BE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME EXACT THING HAPPENING AND RESTARTING THE CAR SEEMS TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE STEERING COLUMN. I AM WONDERING WHY NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? I AM ALSO VERY AFRAID OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

TRANSMISSION DEFECT ON 2008 FORD ESCAPES. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2008. AFTER 50,000 MILES I NOTICED A BUZZING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR PROBABLE CAUSES, I DISCOVERED A TSB STATING THAT IDLER PULLEY MAY FAIL PREMATURELY. I PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE PULLEY AND NOTICED A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK NEAR THE RADIATOR. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET SOME MORE, I DISCOVERED ANOTHER TSB STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLERS CRACK DUE TO A FLAWED DESIGN. I CONTACTED FORD THROUGH THE WEBSITE AND THEY STATED THEIR ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AND DIRECTED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD MY VEHICLE. THE REPAIR ESTIMATES ARE BETWEEN 800-1000 DOLLARS. I HAVE EXCEEDED MY WARRANTY AND MULTIPLE PERSONS HAVE STATED THAT FORD DOES NOT HONOR IT ANYWAY FOR THIS COMPONENT. I HAVE OWNED 3 FORDS WITH THE SIMILAR ISSUES. FORD POSTS TSBS NOT RECALLS EVEN THOUGH THE DEFECTS ARE CAUSED BY POOR DESIGNS. IF THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS DOESN'T ADD UP IN THEIR FAVOR, EXPECT TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I NO LONGER ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND FULLY EXPECT TO TRADE IT IN SHORTLY. *TR

I OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET,STARTED TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD A HARD TIME TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING TOTALLY SHUT DOWN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND EVERYTHING WAS OK. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. CHECKED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. INTERESTED TO SEE HOW FORD HANDLES THIS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED - IT DIDN'T LOCK UP BUT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP & THE MAN I SPOKE WITH SAID HE'S NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEING A PROBLEM. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. LOOKED ON INTERNET SEEMS TO BE COMMON. *TR

I WAS IN MY CAR AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND PULL OUT ON TO THE ROAD, MY ENGINE RACED AND I ONLY ROLLED FORWARD, DOWN THE SMALL SLOPE, INTO TRAFFIC. AFTER ABOUT 3 SECONDS MY TRANSMISSION CAUGHT AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND I MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL, BARELY MISSING ANOTHER CAR IN THE OTHER LANE. TURNS OUT ALMOST ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT FROM THE TRANSMISSION COOLER, CAUSING A MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION. AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO GET INSPECTED, AND TALKING TO MULTIPLE DEALERS, THEY ALL SAY THAT THEY CONSISTENTLY FIX THIS ISSUE ON THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. SOME EVEN SAY THEY HAVE TROUBLE STOCKING THE PART BECAUSE THEY DO SO MANY. THE VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION COOLER/AC CONDENSER THAT CONSISTENTLY BREAKS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN UNSAFE VEHICLES. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRACTURED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A SPRING IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE AND AS A RESULT, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,100.

THE POWER STEERING IN THIS VEHICLE FAILED TWICE. BOTH TIMES WERE AT LOW SPEED, AND I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS TO BE A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM WITH ESCAPES, BUT HAS YET TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY FORD. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BUT AM AFRAID THAT I'LL HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS OTHERS, IN THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE PRESENT WHEN THE DEALER LOOKS AT IT. AT THIS POINT I NO LONGER CONSIDER THE VEHICLE SAFE. *TR