Page 35 of 40 · complaints 1,701–1,750 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 Nov 14, 201176,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Nov 4, 2011PA

I HAD PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW FROM THE DEALER IN MARCH OF 2008, THIS TRUCK HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS IN THE PAST STARTING WITH THE DAY I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. NOW A FEW YEAR'S LATER THE "A.C. CONDENSER" WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE DEALER IS NOW TELLING ME THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY "DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY". I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT THE SEVERAL MECHANIC'S THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAID THAT, THAT PART IS VITAL TO THE POWER TRAIN. I AM A YOUNG STRUGGLING NURSE TRYING TO PAY OFF SCHOOL LOANS, AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS GOING TO COST $700.00, I CANNOT AFFORD IT AND I NEED MY TRUCK. I BOUGHT THIS NEW WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT THESE THINGS WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE AND IF THEY WERE THEY WOULD BE COVERED BY FORD'S WARRANTY. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS SPECIFIC YEAR AND TRUCK. I AM HOPING THAT YOU GUY'S WILL BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS. *TR

Visibility
Filed Nov 1, 201146,888 milesTX

11/01/2011: WHILE DRIVING THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLS AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A SMOOTH PAVED STREET, THE REAR WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE REAR WINDOW AND TAILGATE WERE CLOSED AT THE TIME. NO INJURIES OR OTHER DAMAGE REPORTED. THE REAR DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON FOR 5-10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND WAS TURNED OFF ABOUT A MINUTE BEFORE THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. NOTE: THE GLASS HAD AN AFTERMARKET TINT FILM APPLIED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 1, 201125,000 milesOH

PURCHASED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN JUNE 2007. AFTER AROUND 25K MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID ACCORDING TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER WE TOOK IT TO. THEY REPAIRED THIS AT NO COST SINCE THIS WAS UNDER THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. HAD A MINOR ISSUE BACK IN AUGUST WITH THE AIR FAN NOT BLOWING AIR PROPERLY. THE FAN HAD TO BE PLACED ON HIGH BEFORE IT WOULD BLOW OUT ANY AIR. THIS WAS FIXED AND COST APPROX. 200 DOLLARS SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS OUT IN JUNE 2007. NO BIG DEAL. THEN ON OCTOBER 30, AROUND 73K MILES ON THE CAR, IT STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY. PUT ON BRAKES IT WOULD START TO STALL AND WHEN GIVING GAS IT WOULD SHAKE AND THEN STALL. TOOK IT TO THE FORD SERVICE SHOP WHICH IS ALSO THE DEALER WHERE WE HAVE PURCHASED AROUND 5 OR 6 VEHICLES AND WHO HAS ALWAYS SERVICED OUR FORD VEHICLES AND WERE TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AND SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THIS WILL COST $4,900.00. HAVE CHECKED ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPES. I ACTUALLY KNOW SOMEONE WHO BOUGHT HER VEHICLE AT THE SAME DEALER, THE SAME YEAR VEHICLE AND HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE WHEN HER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE FAN PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SINCE WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE BACK WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 25K MILES ON IT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED SO IT WILL SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 1, 2011NM

HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=-6XQ2ZYQMOI - THIS VIDEO DEPICTS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE FORD 2008 ESCAPES. MY VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID PROFUSELY LAST WEEK; WHICH IS NOT ONLY A PROBLEM IN MAJOR TRAFFIC IF THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 TRANSMISSION HAS NO FLUID, BUT ALSO IS AN SAFETY ISSUE TO THOSE WHO WALK IN PARKING LOTS WHERE MY CAR HAS LEAKED FLUID; IT MAY CAUSE A FALL... ESPECIALLY WITH SO MANY FORD ESCAPES 2008 HAVING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOW MANY FORD ESCAPES 2008 MUST ABRUPTLY RUN OUT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID BEFORE THIS DOES BECOME A DIRE SAFETY PROBLEM? SIDE NOTE: FORD HQ STATES THIS IS AN AC PROBLEM; HOWEVER, IF MY CAR LEAKS OUT ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, ISN'T IT A DRIVE LINE PROBLEM? *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 1, 201181,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO THE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 31, 201158,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT IDLE SPEEDS WHEN A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 26, 2011136,500 milesMI

NOTICED STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT POSTED SPEED 70 MPH. CONTINUED TO VIBRATE AND MOVE WHILE STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS. ON 10-25-11 MY WIFE DROVE ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AND LOST POWER STEERING WHILE IN PARKING LOT. TURNING VEHILCE OFF AND RESTARTING APPEARED TO SOLVE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING. STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO MOVE SLIGHTLY SIDE TO SIDE WHILE DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP. CURRENTLY UNDER INSPECTION AND WE ARE WAITING FOR PRICE ESTIMATE AT THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT. *TT

Power Train
Filed Oct 23, 2011104,000 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK,A WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MY CAR THEN HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING AND SEEMED TO STRUGGLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND ENDED UP HAVING TO SPEND $3,400 ON A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. I DO NOT THINK THIS SHOULD BE SINCE I SERVICE MY CAR INCLUDING TRANSMISSION SERVICE ON A REGULAR BASIS.THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CONDENSER A WHILE BACK. THIS WAS CORRECTED. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 20, 201171,000 milesAL

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE WITH 70K MILES, THE STEERING SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS RARE, BUT I HAVE FOUND DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) MODULE HAS FAILED. FORD HAD MODIFIED THIS MODULE 8 TIMES SINCE 2008 WHEN IT WAS FIRST USED. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $1300. FORD IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE REASON THE PROBLEM IS RARE IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN AROUND 45K MILES OR ABOVE. MOST 2008 MODEL CARS ARE JUST NOW COMING INTO THAT MILEAGE. THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH DEFECT AS THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAPPEN TO BE IN THE FIELD OF BROADCAST. I INTENT TO LAUNCH A NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO ALERT 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS OF THE TICKING TIMEBOMB THEY ARE DRIVING AND TO DETERMINE HOW MANY FAILURES HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED. IF YOU OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. FIRST INDICATION MAY BE A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, FAILURE IS IMMINENT. *TR

SuspensionCrash
Filed Oct 18, 201138,000 milesMD

TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40 MPH. THE LEFT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN HALF. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE THE CAR JERKED HARD TO THE LEFT THAN BACK TO THE RIGHT AND THEN ROLLED OVER ON TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND RESTED THERE WITH THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER BACKED OFF THIS IMMEDIATELY AND SAID TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY. I CONTACTED FORD VIA THE CORPORATE WEB SITE 4 TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE. I ALSO RETURNED TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR GUIDANCE THEY GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE DISTRICT MANAGER. I CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE. I HAVE YET TO GET A RESPONSE. I HAVE PICTURES IF DESIRED. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 9, 201181,000 milesNY

THE 2008 ESCAPE I OWN HAS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT HIT THE ROAD. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE HAS BEEN THE STEERING SHAFT AND A JOINT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNABLE TO STEER. IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND I JUST SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES SO I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THE CAR WAS CLUNKING AND MY MECHANIC SAID MOST LIKELY IT'S A BALL JOINT OR TIE ROD AND TO GET IT IN SOON, BUT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CATCH UP AS THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST IN DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH WAS ALMOST A $1000 REPAIR. THE CAR AGAIN IS UNDRIVEABLE, AND FROM WHAT I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM IS ANOTHER $1500 TO REPAIR. FORD IS MAKING MONEY HAND OVER FIST WITH THESE VEHICLES AND WILL NOT REPAIR ANYTHING. SECOND MAJOR ISSUE WHERE I WAS TOLD OUT OF WARRANTY NOT OUR PROBLEM! PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET KILLED, IF I WASN'T 1 YEAR FROM PAYING THIS JUNK BOX OFF I WOULD DUMP IT. THE FIRST ISSUE ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE PART THAT FAILED DUMPED ALL MY TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT AND I WENT TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE ALMOST STOOD STILL AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS STEERING PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE AS 95% OF MY 55 MILE COMMUTE IS HIGHWAY AND I AM THANKING GOD IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HELP US NOT ONLY TO GET FORD TO FIX AND PAY FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT BUT TO RECALL THESE ITEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!!! DON'T BUY A FORD ESCAPE THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND A HUGE MONEY PIT! *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 6, 201185,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND REGAINED POWER STEERING AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 28, 2011102,500 milesOH

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THIS ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP. LUCKILY, THE CAR WAS ONLY TRAVELING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MOMENTS LATER, AGAIN, AT A LOW SPEED OF DRIVING. THE ONLY REMEDY INITIALLY WAS TO TURN OFF AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FEAR OF SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH AND WAS PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE STEERING TO FAIL. AFTER RESEARCH, THERE APPEARS TO BE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ONLINE WITH THIS EXACT SAME SITUATION, ALL IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE, WHICH IS THE VEHICLE I DRIVE. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT FORD EQUIPPED A VEHICLE WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING VS TRADITIONAL POWER STEERING. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH FORD SEEING THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND URGING A VOLUNTARY RECALL, I WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE OR REASSURANCE THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF OTHERS THAT MAY BE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHEN THE STEERING FAILS. *TT

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 201124,500 milesRI

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT". AT THE SAME TIME THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VOLUME ON THE STEREO AUTOMATICALLY GOES DOWN OR STOPS WORKING OR CAN'T CHANGE STATIONS WHEN I GET THE TIRE PRESSURE MESSAGE OR REBOOTS ALONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWING HOT AIR. THE DOORS DON'T AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, WHEN THEY DO LOCK, THE AC COMES BACK ON. AS IT GOT WORSE THE DASH HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN, SOMEDAYS IT DOESN'T LIGHT UP OTHER DAYS IT STAYS ON ALL NIGHT. SOMETIMES WHEN I RIDE OVER A SPEED BUMP IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 23, 201137,000 milesOH

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILS AND LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE LURCHES WHILE LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 22, 201130,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WITH AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED. ONE DAY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Visibility
Filed Sep 14, 201170,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE WINDOWS ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DOOR PANEL ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON TWO OF THE WINDOWS. THE THIRD WINDOW NEEDED TO BE FULLY REPLACED. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 9, 201159,500 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FUEL WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500. UPDATED 10/04/11*LJ UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN

Power Train
Filed Sep 8, 201157,550 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTING FRACTURED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION CONDENSER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,550. KMJ

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 201168,100 milesOH

2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. IT IS REALLY BAD SHIFTING TO SECOND, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE MOTOR IS DROPPING. MY A/C ALSO JUST STARTED HAVING ISSUES, THE FAN ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 17, 201159,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF ONE OF THE VEHICLE COMPLAINED OF BACK PAIN BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS TO THE BODY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 15, 201181,000 milesNC

2ND INSTANCE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF BROKEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL CABLE CLIPS IN 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE DEFECT IS KNOWN AND IS ADDRESSED IN A FORD TSB, NUMBER: TSB-09-21-9. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE REPEATED. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. THE FAILURE OF THE CLIPS RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, WHICH WAS ONLY NON-LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. TODAY'S INSTANCE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT... AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING. NO POWER WAS EXERTED ON THE PEDAL AT THE TIME OF BREAKAGE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT WARRANTING RECALL AND A MORE PERMANENT AND SUITABLE REPAIR FIX. AS I STATED, THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, SO THE ORIGINAL PART REPLACEMENT SOLUTION IS NOT EFFECTIVE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 9, 201176,617 milesPR

THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 WITH 76,559 WAS MAKING A NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN PLACING THE REVERSE. ALSO THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE MOTOR LIKE A ZOOM . I TOOK THE SUV TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY CHECKED AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE MOTOR PULLEYS, BEARINGS AS WELL. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $3,099. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR HOME. WHILE DRIVING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 58.2 MILEAGE I WAS WAITING IN THE ROAD, THE LIGHT CHANGE FROM RED TO GREEN AND WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL TO PASS THE HIGHWAY THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 MAKE A HUGE NOISE AND DID NO MOVED. THE DRIVE AND REVERSE DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE PARKING WAS MAKING A HUGE CRANK NOISE. THERE WAS NOT WAY NO MOVE THEN I WAIT IN THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE ROAD SERVICE CAME TO TAKE THE SUV. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REQUIRED THE UNIT TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND SUPPORT. THEY WILL NEED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AND MAKE PULLEYS, BELTS ABD BEARINGS CHANGES. SO FAR THE DEALER WILL COVER 25%, THE FORD 50% AND THE CUSTOMER THE 25%. THE FORD ESCAPE NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR STARTED ABOUT THE SAME WEEK OF THE AUGUST 04, 2011. THE FORD ESCAPE 2008 WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALER ON AUGUST 04, 2011 IN THE MORNING ABOUT 10:00 TO 11:00 AM AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE SAME DAY IN THE AFTERNOON ABOUT 5:30 PM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 24, 201146,600 milesNY

GAS PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. NO PREVIOUS WARNING. UNABLE TO USE GAS PEDAL. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF RO SIDE OF ROAD. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 20, 2011120,000 milesMO

ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *KB

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 16, 201170,000 milesPA

ABS TONE RING CRACKS BECAUSE OF RUST ON THE AXLE AND THEN IT SPINS ON THE AXLE AND CAUSES THE ABS TO ACTIVATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL TO ACTIVATE BECAUSE IT BELIEVES YOU ARE SKIDDING. THEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATE TO SAY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND IS A SAFETY FEATURE FOR THE VEHICLE.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jun 27, 201133,252 milesCT

IMPORTANT ADDENDUM TO O.D.I. # 10407083: (JUNE 16, 2011) TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER BEFORE ROLLING OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PENDING INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,000. *********THE CAR HAD ONGOING MECHANICAL ISSUES WHICH WERE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR FORD DEALER: CHIEF COMPLAINT WAS THE GAS PEDAL DROPPING TO THE FLOOR BY ITSELF-HAD TO BE MANUALLY COAXED BACK UP TO NORMAL OPERATING HEIGHT; THE DEALER CHECKED AT 1ST COMPLAINT, SAID IT WAS OK: AT 2ND COMPLAINT OF THE SAME: THEY INSTALLED A NEW THROTTLE CABLE & GAS PEDAL. THE CAR WAS IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED THE CAR SHORTLY AFTER THE VISIT TO THE MECHANIC. THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL BY ITSELF. FORD HAS 2 OTHER PASSENGER VEHICLES ON RECALL NOW FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM: THROTTLE BODY ISSUES LEADING TO RUNAWAY ACCELERATION (FREE STYLE & FREE STAR). *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 16, 201131,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER BEFORE ROLLING OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PENDING INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,000. UPDATED 07/20/11 *BF UPDATED 3/16/12 *CN

Power Train
Filed Jun 15, 2011AZ

MY FORD ESCAPE JUST STARTED LEAKING FLUID ONE DAY. EVEN THOUGHT FORD ADMITS ITS A HUGE HUGE PROBLEM THAT WILL EFFECT MY TRANSMISSION ITS NOT RECALLED OR COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE TRANNY COOLER/AC CONDENSER IS LEAKING. *TR

Tires
Filed Jun 8, 201130,000 milesPA

2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4WD, EXCESSIVE TIRE NOISE ON CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE 235/70/R16. ROTATED AT PROPER MILEAGE THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR, NOW HAS 35000K ON IT. THIS SHOULD BE A TIRE RECALL DO TO THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT SEEM TO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

Steering
Filed May 23, 201161,529 milesWV

I OWN A 2008 ESCAPE WITH THE EPS SYSTEM. I LOVE THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL, BUT OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS WHERE THE POWER STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSTEERABLE. IN ALL THREE EPISODES, I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE (ON THE ROADWAY), SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RESTART IT, AND THE POWER STEERING AGAIN FUNCTIONED. I DID CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER WHO SEARCHED THE FORD SERVICE BULLETINS, AND FOUND NOTHING, HOWEVER, HAD SERVICED A FEW VEHICLES HAVING THE EXACT SAME INTERMITTENT-TYPE PROBLEM, BY REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. (THEY SAID THIS WOULD COST ME $972.77) . I ALSO RESEARCHED THE ISSUE WITH THE NHTSA AND FOUND MANY OWNERS OF FORD VEHICLES WITH THE EPS SYSTEM HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS (OBVIOUSLY) A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN, IT SURPRISES ME THAT FORD HAS NOT YET ADDRESSED THE ISSUE VIA A RECALL OR AT THE VERY LEAST A SERVICE BULLETIN. I DO NOT WANT TO TRADE IN OR SELL THIS VEHICLE, BUT I CURRENTLY DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT ITS SAFETY RELIABILITY. ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE PROVIDED REGARDING THIS SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WOULD BE HELPFUL. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 23, 2011AZ

08 ESCAPE 4DSW AWD WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVE WHEN HIT BY A RAM 350 ACROSS THE FRONT END FROM BEHIND LEFT FRONT TIRE CAUSING TOTAL LOSS AND MINOR INJURY TO PASSENGER OF CHEST AND KNEES. THE CAR HAS 6 LOCATIONS OF AIRBAGS AND NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 16, 201164,865 milesKS

I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND IT SEEMS THERE IS A PART IN WHICH THE CARS TRANSMISSION COULD BE RUINED. THIS PART IS THE A/C CONDENSER WHICH TENDS TO GO OUT EVERY 20,000 MILES WHICH IS MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT IT SEEMS IT DID NOT DO ANY GOOD BECAUSE EVEN AFTER THE REPLACEMENT PART IS PUT IN, THE PART STILL HAS TO CONTINUE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FUNCTIONING AS IT SHOULD BE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 16, 201114,065 milesMI

I TOOK MY 2008 ESCAPE LIMITED IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. I THEN NOTICED THE CAR WAS HESITATING BETWEEN SWITCHING GEARS. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BEING PUSHED OUT. WHEN THEY CALLED FORD THEY WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE I'VE HAD THE CAR 3.5 YEARS EVENTHOUGH THERE ARE ONLY 14,065 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW I'M READING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. HOPEFULLY THIS MEANS I WON'T HAVE TO PAY THOUGH BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 12, 201146,167 milesTX

LAST YEAR FORD HAD A RECALL ON 2008 FORD ESCAPES, WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT. THE ISSUE OF THE RECALL WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE AC SYSTEM (COOLER). THIS MAKES THE DRIVE VERY HARD, AND WHEN ONE IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO, THEN JERKS BACK AND FORWARD WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, I WAS ALWAYS SCARED SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, AND CAUSE A CRASH, I BELIEVE THIS MAY LEAD TO CRASHES. APPARENTLY THE VEHICLES START DOING THIS WHEN IT IS OVER 40,000 MILES DRIVEN, AND I AM CURRENTLY RIGHT AROUND THAT RANGE, AND MY ISSUE STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AM TOLD I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY; HOWEVER, I AM HAVING THE VERY ISSUE THAT THE FORD 2008 ESCAPE WAS RECALLED FOR LAST YEAR, SO IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES WHO WILL DEMONSTRATE THIS ISSUE, AND FORD HAS MISSED SOME VEHICLES AND SHOULD EXTEND THAT RECALL TO COVER THE NEW VEHICLES THAT ARE ALSO DEMONSTRATING THIS VERY ISSUE, BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THAT FLUID RUNS OUT THE VEHICLES MAY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CAUSE A NUMBER OF CRASHES, AS WELL AS THE JERKING MOTIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO MOVE WHEN AT THE STOPPED POSITION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 12, 201150,000 milesPA

AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS IN THE DASH INSTRUMENT DISPLAY COME ON A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING OUT ON A JOURNEY AND STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. FROM A FEW INSTANCES OF QUICK STOPS, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIVE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY EFFECT ON DRIVEABILITY AS A RESULT OF THE TRACTION LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THESE LIGHTS BEING LIT WAS A FAILURE OF A "ABS TONE RING"; SURE ENOUGH WHEN I JACKED UP THE CAR AND LOOKED CAREFULLY AT THESE TOOTHED RINGS JUST INSIDE THE WHEEL BEARING/STEERING KNUCKLE HOUSING, I FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE RING WAS BROKEN WITH ABOUT A 1/16 TO 3/32" GAP. THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE IS REPORTED TO BE CORROSION OF THE STEEL HUB THAT THE RING IS PRESSED ONTO. THE CORROSION CAUSES THE RING TO BE STRESSED BY THE EXPANSION OF THE AREA UNDER THE RING AS THE IRON TURNS TO RUST, PROBABLY ENHANCED BY THE COPIOUS AMOUNT OF ROAD SALT USED IN PA IN THE WINTER FOR ICE AND SNOW MELTING. REPORTED COSTS TO REPAIR THIS POORLY DESIGNED ENGINEERING FIASCO ARE IN THE $500-700 RANGE AT A DEALERS SHOP AND IRONICALLY THE RING ITSELF IS AVAILABLE FOR ABOUT $7-15. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 11, 201128,700 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE HAD FRACTURED CAUSING THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 28,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Fuel System, Other
Filed May 5, 201142,000 milesWA

MY THROTTLE BODY IS STICKING EVERY MORNING. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON I-5 IN TACOMA AND HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO DEPRESS THE THROTTLE WHICH LURCHED MY DAUGHTER AND I INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT. IT HAS CAUSED MY CHILDREN TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL, MYSELF LATE FOR WORK AND ALOT OF STRESS AND FUEL. I HAVE TO KEEP THE THROTTLE DEPRESSED WHILE STOPPING AND HAVE TO USE MY RIGHT FOOT FOR THE BREAK. I DRIVE AN AUTOMATIC. THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS THAT THE 2008 FORD ESCAPES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND ARE DOING NOTHING TO HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUES. WHEN I CALL TO ASK ABOUT THE ISSUE I GET TREATED VERY POORLY. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 1, 201137,099 milesIN

MY ISSUE BEGAN THE SAME AS MANY OTHERS I HAVE READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET, WHICH SCREAMS, "WHERE IS THE '08 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION COOLER RECALL?". I HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE & TIRE BALANCING ON FRI, 04/01/11 AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP & BY THE FOLLOWING THURS, HAD NOTICED A SOMEWHAT LARGE LEAKING-SPOT ON MY GARAGE FLOOR & A FRIENDS ASPHALT DRIVEWAY. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS TO AUTOMATICALLY RELATE THIS DARK OIL-LIKE RESIDUE, TO THE RECENT OIL CHANGE. AT THE SAME TIME, THIS LEAK/SPOT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM JUST BEHIND THE FRONT BUMPER ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE, WHICH DIDN'T JIVE WITH THE TYPICAL LOCATION OF A MORE CENTERED OIL-LEAK. NONETHELESS, MY FORD ADVISOR ASSUMED THE SAME THING I WAS; THAT THE PLUG OR FILTER WAS PROBABLY LOOSE & TO BRING IT IN FOR IMMEDIATE CORRECTION. HERE'S WHERE THE SHOCK & UTTER DISBELIEF BEGAN. I WAS TOLD MY ISSUE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECENT OIL CHANGE, BUT IN FACT A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM A TRANSMISSION COOLER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 36K WARRANTY, SINCE I WAS NOW AT 37,099; NOR WAS IT UNDER THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. I WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO MY CAR WHERE THE TECH EXPLAINED THAT THIS "COOLER" LOOKS LIKE A REALLY THIN RADIATOR, BUT IS ACTUALLY A SEPARATE COOLING UNIT THAT SITS JUST IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. I WAS THEN TOLD THE LEAK IS A RESULT OF THE CONSTANT VIBRATION OF THIS UNIT HITTING THE RADIATOR, WHICH EVENTUALLY CRACKS THE LEFT (PASSENGER-SIDE) BOLT AREA. HE ALSO SAID THIS IS A COMMON REPAIR & THAT IT ONLY HAPPENS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 28, 201135,000 milesTX

MY DAUGHTER (WHO DRIVES THE VAN) COMPLAINED FOR 6 MONTHS THAT HER ABS ON HER BRAKES WAS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LET GO THEN GRAB EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL TIRE PROBLEMS PLUS AN ALIGNMENT, SINCE THE TIRES HAD CUPPED, AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. AFTER CONTINUED PROBLEMS I HAD NEW BREAKS INSTALLED AT AN EXPRESS BRAKES PLACE IN SOUTH PART OF KANSAS CITY, KS. THEY ALSO INSPECTED THE ABS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH ADDITIONAL LOUD SQUEALING. FINALLY I TOOK IT TO BOB ALLEN FORD IN OVERLAND PARK, KS. WHERE THEY CHARGED ME $652.17 FOR REPLACING THE BROKEN RF TONE RING(S), UNFROZE THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT BARS (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT) THEN PUT ANOTHER SET OF BRAKE PADS ON, TURNED THE ROTORS THEN DID ANOTHER ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID THAT THE EXPRESS BRAKE PLACE HAD FAILED TO TURN THE ROTORS THAT THE BRAND-NEW BRAKES WERE EATEN UP. THE ESCAPE HAS 53K MILES ON IT BUT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. IN ADDITION, I WAS FORCED TO PUT NEW TIRES ON PRIOR TO ALL OF THIS BECAUSE TWO OF THE FACTORY TIRES HAD CUPPED AND ALL OF THEM HAD TURNED TO (SOMETHING LIKE) PLASTIC CAUSING THEM TO SKID AND SLIDE ON TAKE OFF AND ON STOPPING, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL FOR MY DAUGHTER. I KEPT THE OLD TIRES. THE REPLACED TIRES ARE ALMOST NEW WITH LITTLE TREAD WEAR. NOTE: THAT I TRIED TO ALSO ADD A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TIRES BUT THAT SECTION DEMANDED INFORMATION THAT I COULDN'T PROVIDE THEREFORE I

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 27, 201144,000 milesTX

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION COOLER. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 201136,451 milesIL

MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION COOLER (PART 19712) WENT BAD AT 36,451 MILES. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE COST AS I WAS 451 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED. I'VE READ OVER 50 COMPLAINTS FROM MULTIPLE WEBSITES THAT DEAL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO HAVE PARTS IN A CAR THAT DO NOT HOLD UP AND BEGIN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE FOR THIS? *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 16, 201176,613 milesNH

I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND EXPERIENCED VIBRATION AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL LAST WEEK. I WAS TOLD THROUGH FORD THAT I NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY SAID THAT I HAD TO PAY 1363.10 FOR THE REPAIR! I WAS SO UPSET! I CALLED FORDS MANUFACTURE NUMBER SPOKE TO ONE OF THEIR LAWYERS AND STILL I WAS TURNED DOWN FOR A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. I LOST ALL POWER TO MY STEERING WHEEL AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. I FEEL AT 76,000 MILES A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AT THAT YOUNG AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT EVEN THOUGH A CUSTOMER DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME WE COULD NOT AFFORD THE WARRANTY.. IT HAS NOT BEEN DOCUMENTED YET BUT I HAD AN ISSUE OF MY ACCELERATOR FREEZING UP ON ME 3 WEEKS AGO AND I HAD TO GET OFF THE ROAD TO TRY TO GET THE PEDDLE TO UNSTICK AND AFTER TRYING A MINUTE OR SO I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTEDAGAINBUT WAS SO VERY NERVOUS THAT I WOULD LOSE THE FLEXIABILITYOF THE PEDDLE AGAIN! FORD TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE. I AM WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES AS WELL AND IF THERE IS ANY WAY I CAN GET FORD TO PAY FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS OF MY FORD ESCAPE? I HAVE TO SAY I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE HAS BEEN IN A VERY STRESSFUL PLACE LATELY WITH A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE BACKING THEIR CUSTOMERS PATRONAGE! E

Steering
Filed Apr 16, 201176,000 milesMO

?WE OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLS WITH APPROXIMATELY 76,XXX MILES ON IT. ?4/2: WITHIN 2 HOURS OF BEING ON THE ROAD IN THE EARLY MORNING, WE WENT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD INTO A GAS STATION AND IT TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO TURN THE CAR. THIS WAS SUDDEN AND VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE WERE OTHER CARS AT THE ENTRY/EXIT POINT AND WE WERE NOT EXPECTING THE NEED TO APPLY SUCH PRESSURE TO TURN THE WHEEL. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR AT THE ENTRANCE, WE WOULD HAVE HIT THEM DUE TO THE WIDE TURN WE MADE. OWE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE POWER STEERING AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES. SUCCESSFULLY PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT, BUT POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF BEING ON THE ROAD. SUBSEQUENTLY STOPS HAD SIMILAR RESULTS. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING ENGAGED IMMEDIATELY, AND SOMETIMES IT TOOK SEVERAL TURN OFF/TURN ON ATTEMPTS FOR IT TO RE-ENGAGE. OWE HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO PULSATE UPON IGNITION WHEN POWER STEERING WAS ENGAGED. THERE IS ALSO A LOW-LEVEL VIBRATION NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. HOWEVER, WHEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT, THE VIBRATION AND NOISE IS ELIMINATED. ?WE CONTACTED BOTH OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS ANOTHER DEALER NEAR OUR DESTINATION. BOTH SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WERE UNAWARE OF ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OF THIS BEING A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN FORD ESCAPE?S. ?WHILE THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE WITH MANUAL STEERING, NOT KNOWING WHEN THE POWER STEERING WILL DISENGAGE MAKES FOR VERY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS OR

Steering
Filed Apr 15, 2011WI

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND I NOTICED MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON, IT WAS RAINING SO I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT WHEN I STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING WAS VERY VERY STIFF, NO POWER STEERING. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE WAS 'FRIED' AND THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. APPROX $1100. UNBELIEVABLE!! I HAVE HAD MY VEH FOR 3 YRS TO ALMOST THE DAY AND APPROX 43,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 13, 201148,883 milesOH

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEEDS. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ROAD CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACTIVATION WERE DRY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 5, 201196,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED NOTICE OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURERS RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED OR HEAR ANY MENTION OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. FIVE MONTHS LATER WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE TOOK AT LEAST TWENTY MINUTES TO RESTART AS SHE PULLS BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 1, 201151,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A BEEPING CHIME HEARD IN THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTRUCTING THE CONTACT TO STOP AND PULL OVER SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC COOLING PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 30, 201126,500 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LURCH FORWARD VIOLENTLY AS THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,500.

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 →