2008 Ford Escape Complaint Log

THE CAR INVOLVED WAS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 AND I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY POWER STEERING. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. I USED ALL MY FORCE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON MY STEERING WAS THEN FINE. I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND I LOST ALL OF MY POWER STEERING AGAIN. THIS STEERING PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND RECALL MUST BE ENFORCED!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND AFTER A SEVERAL MINUTES, WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND REGAIN POWER STEERING ASSIST CAPABILITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

FOR THE LAST 6 WEEKS, MY STEERING COLUMN WOULD SHAKE WHEN CAR WAS IDLING. I ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE PN 12-4-12 AND THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT BEGAN WORKING. SINCE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. ON 1-4-13, THE POWER STEERING BECAME NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. THE ONLY PLACE THAT COULD REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IS AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN. IT IS WELL KNOWN DEALERSHIPS CHARGE MORE FOR REPAIRS THAN PRIVATE GARAGES. THE COST WILL BE $1300 AND IT WILL TAKE 2 TO 3 DAYS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. TECHNICIAN STATED THE SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLACED, SO THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AND AM CURIOUS WHY THIS PROBLEM WASN'T INVOLVED IN A RECALL. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE!! WHILE SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND MANY OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, ANOTHER STEERING PROBLEM OCCURRED, BUT THE WARRANTY COVERED THE REPAIR EXPENSE. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE ENOUGH IN SAVINGS TO COVER THIS REPAIR, BUT AM NOT PLEASED ABOUT IT. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I-10, TOWARD ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE VEHICLE, WITH NO PRE-WARNING BEGAN TO DECELERATE (SLOW DOWN). THE VEHICLES SPEED DID NOT RESPOND TO DEPRESSING THROTTLE PEDAL; THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THERE, BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THE TRIP UNTIL THE SECOND AND THIRD OCCURRENCE. THIS SITUATION OCCURRED THREE MORE TIME ON THE RETURN TRIP HOME. ALL ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE I PROCEEDED IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE WHERE I COULD GET TO THE SHOULDER EASILY. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON FORD ESCORTS SINCE 2004 AT LEAST. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW IN AN AUTOMOBILE HAS PERSISTED SO LONG. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING THIS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIX LANE INTERSTATE WITH 18 WHEELERS ALL AROUND. AT BEST THERE WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY OF FATALITIES. *TR

IN COLDER TEMPERATURES, BELOW APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES, THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES "STUCK" AND UNABLE TO BE PRESSED DOWN. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF STOMPING ON IT, IT RELEASES AND THE CAR ACCELERATES. THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR AT EVERY STOP, RED LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, ETC., UNTIL THE CAR/TEMPERATURE WARMS UP. WHILE WAITING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC, UPON RELEASING THE BRAKES THE CAR MERELY IDLES INTO TRAFFIC AS THE ACCELERATOR IS STUCK AND UNABLE TO BE PRESSED, LEAVING THE CAR CREEPING ON TO THE ROAD/HIGHWAY UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR LOOSENS AND IS ABLE TO BE PRESSED. AS TOLD BY A FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, THE ISSUE IS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS SAME ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR DURING WARMER SEASONS/TEMPERATURES.

GAS PEDAL STICKS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. HAVE HAD TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL ON MORE THAN 1 OCCASION DUE TO PEDAL STICKING AT HIGH SPEED. ALSO STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEED, MAKING ACCELERATION ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. *TR

POWER STEERING IS FAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNS CAUSING THE VEHICLE BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED TO REGAIN POWER STEERING FUNCTION. FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT. BASED ON WEB RESEARCH THIS FAILURE IS VERY COMMON. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT GIVEN THE RIGHT SITUATION. *TR

WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE GARAGE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT MOVING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND WALKED BACK TO LET THEM KNOW, ONE OF THE TECH'S SAID THE ENGINE HAD BEEN CLEANED AND THEREFORE I HAD TO WAIT FOR SOME WIRES TO DRY. HAVE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. WHEN STARTING ENGINE, I NEED TO TURN OFF AND ON 2 OR 3 TIMES FOR STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE AND WHEN STOPPED (BUT IDLING) STEERING SHAKES AND MAKES CRACKLING SOUNDS. IT ALL STARTED AT THE SHAMALEY DEALERSHIP, IN EL PASO, TEXAS. CAR HAS BEEN THERE SINCE YESTERDAY. NEVER HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE UNTIL I TOOK FOR AN OIL CHANGE ON 11/27/12. *TR

AS THE WEATHER HAS BEEN GETTING COLDER, I STARTED TO NOTICE HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS FOR ME TO ACCELERATE. THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY MORNING. ON WEDNESDAY I MENTIONED IT TO THE FORD SERVICE PERSON AND HE SAID THAT IT COULD BE THE BODY THROTTLE. ON THURSDAY I NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM CONTINUED MORE FREQUENTLY AS I DROVE TO WORK. UPON INTERNET SEARCHING I SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATION AND WANTED TO ADD MY INFORMATION. TODAY I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND THE BODY THROTTLE WAS REPLACED. WITH THE WEATHER GETTING COLDER AND THIS PART WILL MOSTLY LIKE WILL WORK HAP HAZARDLY, I FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD. HOW MANY FATAL ACCIDENTS AND INNOCENT PEOPLE MUST BECOME VICTIMS BEFORE SAFETY PROCEDURES ARE IMPLEMENTED? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY THIRD FORD AND FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING ROTTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE THROTTLE. I ATTEMPTED TO GET BACK UP TO SPEED AND THE THROTTLE WAS LOCKED SHUT AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMED UP. IT HAS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THAT TIME AND YESTERDAY WAS SO SEVERE, I COULD NOT MOVE FROM A STOP SIGN. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME A TOTAL OF $385 TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. NOW I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND I AM FEELING VERY RIPPED OFF. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING/DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR

FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, THE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY STICKING IN EITHER THE FULLY DEPRESSED OR NON-DEPRESSED POSITION. THE FIRST FEW TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND TRAVELING APPROX 70 MPH. ONCE THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED, I REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE GAS PEDAL WAS LYING COMPLETELY IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. I COULD LIFT THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT BUT IT WOULD LIMPLY FALL BACK TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED WHEN I WENT OFF THE BRAKE. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. I CONTINUED TO LIFT THE GAS PEDAL AND WIGGLE IT AND IT SEEMED TO GO BACK INTO PLACE. I NOTICED OVER TIME, THAT THIS SEEMED TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS MORE FULLY DEPRESSED, LIKE WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. AT OTHER TIMES, THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING IN THE RELAXED (UN-DEPRESSED) POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES BUT CONTINUES WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL "JUMP" FORWARD WITH THE SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE GAS PEDAL AFTER PRESSING HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE IT RELEASE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES QUITE A BIT OF PRESSURE TO MAKE IT RELEASE. I HAVE READ ABOUT A RECALL FOR THESE COMPLAINTS IN OLDER VEHICLES AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE IN THE 2008 MODEL. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR PEOPLE, AS IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I DON'T FEEL SAFE HAVING MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR

FIRST THING THIS MORNING I DROVE VEHICLE APPROX. 1/4 MILE TO INTERSECTION. STEERING WAS FINE. WAITED FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO TURN. POWER STEERING HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME BUT TURNING THE VEHICLE AROUND AND STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND LET THE CAR SET FOR A MINUTE AND THEN RESTARTED. THE POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING AND THE TORQUE SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THEY REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER TO VERIFY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

TRANSMISSION LUNGING BACK AND FORTH FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS. THESE HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CONNECTOR THAT LINKED THE TRANSMISSION TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

MY THIRD FORD AND AGAIN RIGHT FRONT ABS RING CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 3/20/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN ACCELERATING FORWARD FROM AN IDLE POSITION. UPDATED 04/17/13

STICKY THROTTLE. ESPECIALLY WHEN WEATHER IS COLD. SOMETHING IS NOT CATCHING AND I HAVE TO PUMP GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO CATCH. PLEASE RECALL!! *TR

LOST POWER STEERING. TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN POWER RETURNED. FEW WEEKS LATER WHILE IN PARKING LOT SAME PROBLEM. WHEN LOOKED UP PROBLEM DISCOVERED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF 2008 ESCAPES. THIS WAS THE YEAR FORD CHANGED TO ELECTRONIC STEERING. I COULD NOT TAKE THE CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT A HIGHER SPEED. I TRANSPORT MY GRAND CHILDREN A LOT SO I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE BILL WAS $1500.00 I REPORTED TO FORD BUT THEY HAD ALREADY DECIDED THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE!!! *TR

2008 FORD ESCAPE WITH 76500 MILES. STARTED VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, WHEN I DID IT SHIFTED REAL HARD AND MADE A SQUEELING NOISE. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING WHEN PLACING IN REVERSE. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED. SAME ISSUE AS ALMOST ALL THESE POSTS. BASICALLY IT COMES AND GOES, THE BIG PROBLEM IS IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL IT HOWEVER IM WORRIED ABOUT BEING LAX ON THE WHEEL AROUND A FREEWAY TURN GOING 60. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD! IM GOING TO TAKE IT IN BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE POSTS I DON'T HAVE 1000 TO DROP. I HONESTLY JUST DROPPED 3000 ON A NEW TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE JUST OVER 3000 MILES OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. FORD OF COURSE REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO THE THROTTLE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AS I WAS BACKING UP, I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT GREAT FORCE, AND BACKED INTO THE PORCH. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON, THIS RESOLVED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY GOING FORWARD AT 40 MPH. I COULD HEAR SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN CLICK AND THEN LOST POWER STEERING. NOW THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. WHEN I START THE CAR, I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY ONE DIRECTION AND "TRICK" IT INTO HAVING POWER STEERING FOR A MOMENT BEFORE IT CLICKS OFF AGAIN. I HAVE SUSTAINED A NECK AND SHOULDER INJURY FROM HAVING TO USE MY ENTIRE BODY TO TURN THE WHEEL, AND SLAMMING INTO THE PORCH WHEN THE WHEEL GOT "STUCK" IN A TURNED POSITION AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT NO ONE HAS DIED AS A RESULT OF FORD'S DEFECT. WILL THE NHTSA WAIT UNTIL THEN TO FORCE FORD INTO A RECALL? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND APPROACHED A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE HALTED. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS WITHOUT THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRING WHILE BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING FROM LA TO PASADENA AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY SUV SLOWS DOWN AND THERE'S A TRIANGLE WARNING SIGN. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE FREEWAY WAS NOT CROWDED AND EASILY PULLED OVER. MY FRIEND IS HEARING AND WAS ABLE TO CALL A TOW FOR ME. WE HAD TO TOW THE SUV BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SANTA MONICA. THEY DID A GREAT JOB AND SAID IT WAS THE COOLANT OR WATER PUMP THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED IT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR ONLY ON ROAD TRIPS. I HAD AN ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING FROM BAY AREA TO LA. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I MADE IT TO THE SAME SM DEALERSHIP/REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. THEY SAID THEY HAD TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I KNOW IT AFFECTED THE GAS BECAUSE I HAD TO REFUEL THREE OR FOUR TIME WHEN I NORMALLY HAVE TO DO ONE AND HALF TIME! AS A DEAF PERSON, IT IS SCARY TO BE HAVING THESE ISSUES ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAYS. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS ENTERING AN INTERSTATE FROM A CLOVERLEAF WHEN THE STEERING FAILED AND LOCKED WHICH FORCED THE VEHICLE ACROSS TO LANES OF TRAFFIC. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT AND SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE BERM AND TURN OFF THE MOTOR.. AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK OF ALMOST BEING KILLED SHE RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WORKED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING HAS FAILED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, EVEN THOUGH I CONTACTED THEM WHEN IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE ALL OF THE STEERING COLUMNS ON THE 2008 ESCAPES SINCE THIS IS THE YEAR THEY WERE FIRST INTRODUCED ON THIS VEHICLE AND BY THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS I HAVE DISCOVERED. THE NHTSA HAS ISSUED RECALLS ON VEHICLES WITH FAR LESS DANGEROUS PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. *TR

BEGINNING IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2012 MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING. THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT JUST AS I WAS TAKING A TURN ON THE FREEWAY. I JUST BARELY MANAGED AVOID HITTING SOMEONE HEAD ON. *TR

TRANSMISSION ISSUE: STARTING REVVING HIGH ON 1ST GEAR SKIPPING 2ND TO 3RD. "SLIPPING" TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD AFTER A SCAN THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. WAS TOLD THIS ALSO BY FORD AS WELL AS ANOTHER 3RD PARTY TRANSMISSION PLACE. ALL 3 OF THEM ADMITTED THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. PAID 3000 TO REBUILD THE UNIT. I WAS 3,000 MILES OVER MY FORD ESP. FORD REFUSED TO HELP ME OUT AT ALL. MANY FORUMS ALSO LIST THIS AS A PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

ISSUE HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS--TWO TIMES WITH MY WIFE-TWO WITH ME-WAS ONCE ON HIGHWAYS WITH EACH OF US -AND ONCE IN JUST GOING INTO A PARKING LOT WHILE TURNING AT 5 MPH OR LESS-HAVE A WITNESS ON LAST OCCASION A COUPLE DAYS BACK AT WORK LOT. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE A BATTERY DEAD-TOOK TO ADVANCE AUTO OF HAMMONTON, NJ AND ADVISED ON SUNDAY PASSED THAT BATTERY TESTED FINE. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN LOOSE-AND IS GETTING WORSE -THE KEY WIGGLES -AND ON JUST A NORMAL INPUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER --HAVE TO PUT IN 2ND OR 3RD TIME -PUSHING IN HARD TO GET CONTACT. FEEL , BUT DO NOT KNOW , THAT THIS ISSUE EFFECTS BOTH THE BATTERY AND THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON THE FOUR OCCASIONS--IN ANY CASE IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE-WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR-SHE USES NOW THE 2000 SEL FORD VAN WE HAVE FOR SECOND CAR. WE LOVE THE ESCAPE-BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ALL MY RECORDS ON MY HOME PAGE FORD FOR YEARS-AND ALL SERVICE RECORDS-99 PER CENT FROM DEALERSHIP WHERE BOUGHT THIS AND MANY OTHERS. THEY HAVE IN PAST BEEN GREAT. CONTACTED FORD.COM -RECEIVED A REPLY TO MY E-MAIL IN A DAY FROM A [XXX] OF FORD -THEY ARE DOING A VERY INTENSIVE STUDY AND ARE ALSO SAYING THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON WHAT OUR DEALERSHIP SAID COULD COST AROUND $400 TO PULL DOWN AND REPAIR.[XXX] OF FORD.COM PROMISED A REPLY AND HOPE FOR SOLUTION WITH AND IN CO-OPERATION WITH MY DEALERSHIP AND FORD. FORD IN THE PAST HAS ALWAYS STOOD UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR US , AS HAS OUR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LILLISTON FORD , VINELAND, NJ . THANKS FOR ALLOWING TO SHARE THIS WITH OTHER FOLKS -WILL FOLLOW UP ON A CONCLUSION IN THE NEXT WEEKS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

FAILURE OF 2ND AND 4TH GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE FORD RECALLS THESE CARS TO FIX THE HYBRID COOLING SYSTEM IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM ONCE MYSELF (TWO YEARS AGO) AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THESE CARS SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OUT WARNING BECAUSE OF SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED. ONE DAY SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (ON A HIGHWAY) THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT COMES ON AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. SOME FAMILY WILL BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS AND FORD WILL BE CAUGHT KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR IN THE PARK POSITION HE WOULD NOTICE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. ..UPDATED 11/28/12 *BF UPDATED 11/29/12

MY WIFE LEFT WORK YESTERDAY AND WHEN SHE STARTED OUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FWD THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. DURING HER SHORT DRIVE HOME THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM DISABLED WARNING CAME ACROSS THE INFO DISPLAY. BRAKING FELT FUNNY SO WE TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED AND WERE SLAPPED WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $4700 TO REPLACE THEY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT AND WE FIND IT ABSURD THAT WE SHOULD BE MAKING A $4700 REPAIR IN THAT TIME FRAME WITH THAT MANY MILES. AFTER DOING A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED IN MULTIPLE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS SINCE 2005 AND IN MOST 2008 MODELS WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF MILES. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THE REPAIR, BUT WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD IN OUR LIVES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM THAT IS APPARENT FOR 2005 AND NEWER FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. DO SOMETHING FORD. AND IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT BUYING THIS VEHICLE, DON'T. *TR

MY ESCAPE ONLY HAD 65000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT , AND THE CLUTCH PACK WENT BAD.I ENDED UP HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. THE MECHANIC I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CLUTCH PACK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND MINE WAS ONE OF MANY HE HAS SEEN WITH THE SAME ISSUES. NO MORE THAN 6 MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION IS SLAMMING IN TO GEAR AND SHIFTING HARD. WE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC SAID WE WILL NEED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. FORD DENIED ANY CLAIM TO ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND REFUSES TO HELP. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH APPROX. 50K MILES. AS WITH MANY COMPLAINTS RELATED TO ESCAPE HYBRID, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS AT APPROX. 70MPH WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING LAMP LIT UP. STEERING AND BRAKING WERE NORMAL BUT I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF BUSY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC TO STOP. IT WAS TERRIFYING. I GATHERED MYSELF AND MY THREE TERRIFIED CHILDREN AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED THREE MORE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION, BUT I WAS ANTICIPATING THE ISSUE AND STAYED IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THIS ISSUE IS BEING REPORTED TIME AND AGAIN YET NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO ADDRESS THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. WHAT IS FORD AND NHTSA WAITING FOR? THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE! PLEASE, BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR DIES. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM DROPPING MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND START IT AGAIN TO GET POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY 3 CARS TRYING TO AVOID ME AS I WAS STRUGGLING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOPPING POINT. MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED V6 AUTOMATIC. *TR

STOPPED AT INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT. TURNED THE WHEEL LEFT TO MAKE THE TURN WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. THE POWER STEERING SUPPORT WENT OUT, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL WAS PARTIALLY TURNED AND WOULD ESSENTIALLY NOT TURN ANY FURTHER. AT THE SAME TIME IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE NOT AS EFFECTIVE EITHER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS, POWER WAS RESTORED TO THE STEERING AND I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER AND COMPLETE THE TURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, ALL IN LEFT TURNS FROM A STOP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BEGIN THE TURN. AFTER THE THIRD TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS, AND SO FAR IT HAS NOT RETURNED.

RIGHT FRONT ABS TONE WHEEL IS CRACKED FOUND DURING OIL CHANGE. MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM... *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED AS A U-TURN WAS BEING ATTEMPTED...AT RUSH HOUR. *TR

THE RPM GAUGE ON THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE SEEMED TO BE "IDLING" HIGH. THE RPM'S DID NOT MATCH HOW FAST I WAS GOING IN MPH LIKE IT USUALLY DOES. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS HESITATING TO MOVE. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOOKED UP WHAT THAT MEANT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IT SAID POWERTRAIN FAULT/DEFAULT, TAKE TO DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY! THE BACK WINDOW STOPPED WORKING TOO. I AM SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE!!! I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS, AS I BOUGHT THE CAR BARELY 4 YEARS AGO. WITH SO FEW MILES, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. *TR

DRIVING AT 55 MPH, ENGINE STOPPED, KICKED OUT OF GEAR, LOUD BEEP SOUNDED, AND DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TRIANGLE WITH BOLT INSIDE. MESSAGE SAID "SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER." THIS HAD HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL, BUT I WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL THIS TIME. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I CONSULTED THE MANUAL. IT SAID TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART. I DID, AND WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF. SAME NEXT 2 INSTANCES. I ATTEMPTED THIS FIX FOUR TIMES ON THIS LAST OCCASION. CAR WOULD RESTART, THEN ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN IN A FEW HUNDRED FEET. FINALLY CALLED TOW TRUCK. FORD DEALER FOUND BAD AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CONNECTED TO HYBRID SYSTEM. IN RESEARCHING THIS, I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE REPAIR, WHICH COST $700. FELT VERY UNSAFE WITH THE WAY THE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A ROAD WITH A SHOULDER. IF I HAD BEEN ON A BRIDGE, TUNNEL, OR IN TRAFFIC, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SO QUICKLY. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE WATER PUMPS, AS THEIR FAILURE CAUSES A DANGEROUS ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

SINCE THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED A BRAKING FAILURE INCIDENT I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH&VISITS TO MECHANICS TO RETRIEVE CODES THROWN FROM THE CAR OFF DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES. REPLACING THE HCU CARRIES A PREMIUM PRICE TAG OF $5K-7K. PRIOR TO THE FIRST ACCIDENT,THERE IS NO OBVIOUS WAY THAT I COULD HAVE DAMAGED THE HCU WITH MY VERY NORMAL DRIVING HABITS (I.E.NO HISTORY OF TOWING, NO LONG DOWNHILL BRAKING)&THE HCU IS NOT A COMPONENT SUSCEPTIBLE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF EARLY FAILURE. I BELIEVE THAT THE ESCAPE HYBRIDS BRAKING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE BY DESIGN (HENCE THE TSB)&FAULT LIES WITH FORD.I CONSIDER THIS BRAKE FAILURE VERY SERIOUS&A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAD NEVER BOTHERED TO NOTIFY ME ABOUT OR RECALL.MY ATTEMPTS TO GET FORD'S ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS.TO SUMMARIZE NHTSA IS NOT CONCERNED B/C NOBODY HAS GOTTEN KILLED BY THESE DEFECTIVE BRAKES. FORD CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS&SIGNIFICANTLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW.AFTER SEVERAL EPISODES OF BRAKE FAILURE I FOUND TSB 05-8-5 (8/5/05 NHTSA ID#10017553:ESCAPEHYBRIDVEHICLES EXHIBIT THE YELLOW ABS&RED E- BRAKE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATING AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED,&AN INCREASE INBRAKE PEDALEFFORT)FORD CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY TO DEAL W/THE PROBLEM.ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE W/O THE REPAIR,IT HAD NO VALUE BEING BROKEN,&I DID NOT HAVE THE CONSCIENCE TO SELL THE VEHICLE W/A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.FORDS FAILURE TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS RATHER APPALLING.FORD ABANDONED ME W/A$7,000 BILL TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT IS SOLELY RELATED TO THEIR POOR DESIGN.FIRST ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION:ABS WARNING LIGHT&SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON CLUSTER."SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM"&"REGENERATIVE BRAKING DISABLED" ILLUMINATED ON MESSAGE BOARD. ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC,UPON EXTREME BRAKING, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL WITH A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING, I STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKE. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND- ALMOST AS IF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY BUT SLOWED UNTIL I GOT TO THE STOP SIGN. *TR

AFTER MAKING A SLIGHT LEFT TURN, I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL WITH A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. IN PREPARATION FOR STOPPING, I STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKE. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND- ALMOST AS IF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT IMMEDIATELY AND THE BRAKES BEGAN WORKING APPROPRIATELY AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE FROM MY HEV ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS OF 65 - 75 MPH. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE MESSAGE OCCURRED AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF TRAVEL. LUCKILY, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WE WERE ON A ONE LANE HIGHWAY, BUT THE SECOND TIME WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE AND HAD TO TRY TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER. WHEN THE MESSAGE OCCURS THE SUV LOSES ACCELERATION. IT IMMEDIATELY DROPS YOUR SPEED TO 60 MPH AND CONTINUES TO DECELERATE AND YOU CAN'T SPEED UP IF YOU TRY. TRY CROSSING A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN DO 60 MPH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY AND REPLACE WHATEVER SUSPECTED PART IS CAUING THE PROBLEM. THE MESSAGE BOARDS ARE FULL OF THE SAME STORIES. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME AND SOMEONE WILL GET REAR ENDED TRYING TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY TO STOP SAFELY NOW AND WHEN THEY SAY NOW, THEY MEAN IT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN A MALL PARKING LOT, AND WHEN I APPROACH A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STOP. I HAD TO USE THE FULL FORCE OF THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING/ CRASHING INTO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE ENGINE WAS STAYING ACCELERATED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO CLIMB IN RPMS EVEN THOU THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AWAY FROM OTHER CARS AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARKED. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO ABOUT 8000 RPMS. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE ENGINE WAS TO COMPLETELY TURN THE CAR OFF WITH THE KEY. UPON TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN THE PROBLEM DID NOT CONTINUE. *TR