2008 Ford Escape Complaint Log

"STOP SAFELY NOW" APPEARS IN DASHBOARD WHILE GOING 70 MPH AND YOU LOSE THE ACCELERATOR - YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN / INCREASE SPEED. THE CAR BASICALLY DIES AND SHUTS OFF. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC OF ANY KIND. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AS WE WERE DRIVING TO FLORIDA FOR SPRING BREAK. ONCE WE STOPPED, WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE ON UNTIL THE NEXT "STOP SAFELY NOW" APPEARED, SOMETIMES IN LESS THAN 3 MINUTES, SOMETIMES AFTER 3 HOURS. GIVEN THAT IT WAS A SUNDAY, WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND A FORD DEALER WITH A HYBRID TECHNICIAN ON STAFF. THE FIRST FORD DEALER WE TOOK IT TO HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND "COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG". THE SECOND DEALER WE WENT TO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND WATER PUMP. THIS BREAKDOWN IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS. NO CAR SHOULD SIMPLY STOP LIKE THAT. THIS DESIGN / FLAW SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *TR

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. 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.

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A LACK OF POWER AND GOT THE MESSAGE "STOP SAFELY NOW". AS THE MANUAL STATED I PULLED OVER, WAITED A FEW MINUTES. THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN BUT THE EVENT KEPT HAPPENING ALL THE WAY HOME. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER WHO MADE A REPAIR COSTING 642 DOLLARS. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A MONTH BUT WHEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE EXCEPT IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH THE LOSS OF POWER IN BUSY TRAFFIC. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE TO ALLOW ANOTHER CAR ENTER THE HIGHWAY FROM AN ON RAMP WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO BRING THE CAR TO REST. AGAIN, IT HAPPENED ALL THE WAY HOME CAUSING ME TO FINALLY DRIVE IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITH FLASHERS ON. I WENT ONLINE AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD HYBRIDS. MY QUESTION IS WHY NO RECALL ON SUCH AN EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM? *TR

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE GAS ENGINE SHUTS OFF, THE STOP SAFELY NOW LIGHT APPEARS AND THE MASTER VEHICLE WARNING LAMP COMES ON. HAPPENED ONLY A COUPLE TIMES THE FIRST 3 WEEKS. IN THE LAST 2 DAYS IT HAS HAPPENED 15-16 TIMES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAPPEN WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. TO SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL. TAKING INTO FORD DEALER TOMORROW. *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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

WHEN DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON, THE SPEEDOMETER/FUEL GAUGE/ETC MOVE TO 0 OR THE FAR LEFT. LOOKING ONLINE FOR FORD INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. CHECKED WITH THE MECHANIC WHO SAYS IT IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH FORD. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ABOUT IT BUT IT WILL NOT CONSTRUE A RECALL UNTIL A DEATH OR INJURY FROM A CRASH RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. THIS MAY ALSO FALL UNDER A TORT LAWSUIT. *TT

ON, OR ABOUT THE DATE LISTED ABOVE, AND SEVERAL INCIDENTS LATER, OUR 208 FORD ESCAPE CONTINUES TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS YIELDED NO CODES. AFTER ALMOST TWO WEEKS IN THE SHOP, WE NEEDED OUR CAR BACK, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO DRIVE IT AND LET MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER DRIVE MY HONDA BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, AND DOCUMENT ON THIS OFFICIAL WEBSITE, THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY NHTSA AND AN INVESTIGATION TO THIS PROBLEM WAS STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2013 BY YOUR AGENCY. THIS PROBLEM, AS NOTED BY SO MANY OTHERS, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED IN MVAS AS A RESULT. NOT SURE IF ANYONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET, BUT THAT IS INEVITABLE DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INITIATE LEGISLATURE OR A MANDATE, OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO, SO THAT FORD IS FORCED TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM PERSONALLY HOLDING FORD, AND THE NHTSA RESPONSIBLE IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN AN EXPEDITIOUS MANNER. GOD FORBID THAT THERE SHOULD BE ANYMORE INJURIES, OR ANYONE KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS ALREADY DOCUMENTED AND BEING INVESTIGATED. REMEMBER: ONCE YOU START AN INVESTIGATION, YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM. *TR

I STARTED THE CAR UP AND AS IT SAT IDLING THE STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE ENGINE DIED. I TURNED EVERYTHING OFF ON THE CAR, RESET THE MESSAGE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. AS I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND STEPPED ON THE GAS, THE CAR AGAIN DISPLAYED THE MESSAGE STOP SAFELY NOW AND THE ENGINE DIED. I HAD TO AGAIN TURN EVERYTHING OFF IN THE CAR, RESET THE MESSAGE, AND RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG THIS TIME THAT IS MAKING THE MESSAGE DISPLAY. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THE STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE KILLS THE ENGINE AT ANY SPEED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. NO CAR SHOULD SIMPLY SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN WHILE DRIVING. *TR

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.

THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER (INSTRUMENT PANEL) FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES TO DROP TO ZERO. ALL THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS TURNING, CAR NOT STARTING ON, AC BLOWING WARM AI, WERE ALL SIDE EFFECTS OF THE PROBLEM. SEARCHING FOR THE PROBLEM HAS AMOUNTED TO ALMOST $900 IN EXPENSES. SENT IN COMPLAINTS TO FORD, WHO PROMISED TO ESCALATE THE ISSUE AND THEN NEVER CONTACTED ME. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO MENTIONED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND THAT IT WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO A RELIABLE MECHANIC WHO CALLED IN A SPECIALIST TO FIND BROKEN CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE PANEL CAUSING IT TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE THE MECHANIC'S REPORT STATING THAT MANY SIMILAR MODELS HAVE THIS EXACT ISSUE AND IS SURPRISED FORD IN NOT GIVING ATTENTION TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLES GAS PEDAL FREEZES. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. I CONTINUALLY TAPPED ON THE PEDAL AND EVENTUALLY HAD TO GO UNDER THE VEHICLE HOOD TO TUG ON THROTTLE CABLE. THIS FREED THE STUCK PEDAL. I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR CO. AND REPORTED THIS INCIDENT IN 2012. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE AND TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. IT HAS RECENTLY BECOME A BIGGER ISSUE AS OF 12/8/14 AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE MERGING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE AGAIN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I MET HER TUGGED ON THE THROTTLE CABLE AND THE PEDAL BECAME FREE AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO CHECK AGAIN UNDER THE HOOD AND AS I LEFT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED, A STUCK PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO HOLD ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ONE ON THE GAS TO KEEP THE PEDAL FROM LOCKING IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THIS IS NOT A SAFE FORM OF DRIVING AND BELIEVE THERE IN A DESIGN ISSUE WITH FORD MOTOR CO. THROTTLE. THE FORD COMPANY AGAIN SAID THEIR ENGINEERS SAYS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS GETS FIXED. I DO NOT WANT IT TO BE ME! THANK YOU *TR

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

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

VEHICLE GAVE "STOP SAFELY NOW" READOUT ON DISPLAY AND RED TRIANGLE LIGHT ON DASH. POWER DROPPED OFF AND I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD. I WAS TRAVELING FROM LA TO SANTA CRUZ IN THE EVENING. HAPPENED FOUR MORE TIMES ON THE SAME DRIVE. JUST HAPPENED AGAIN COMING BACK FROM PALM SPRINGS ALSO IN THE EVENING. TOOK ME SEVEN HOURS TO DRIVE 140 MILES. CAR STOPPED OVER TWENTY TIMES. *TR

AT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES F THE FUEL TANK IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL. AT 0 DEGREES F IT WILL TAKE OVER 30 MINUTES TO FILL. I AM CONCERNED THAT AT SOME POINT IT WILL NOT TAKE ANY FUEL AT ALL. *TR

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.

I STARTED THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE MY OFFICE AT THE END OF THE DAY AND NOTICED A TUGGING SENSATION AT THE STEERING WHEEL. ON THE FREEWAY, IT SEEMED FINE, BUT WHEN I SLOWED TO A STOP I COULD FEEL IT AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. MY FORD DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $1,374.40. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE, BUT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. *KB

THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 27, 2012, AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC NEAR MY HOME, THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FAILED, MY DASHBOARD READOUT INDICATING MY REGENERATIVE BRAKES HAVE DISENGAGED. I CAREFULLY RETURNED THE QUARTER MILE OR SO HOME, AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEARBY FAIRFIELD (CALIFORNIA) FORD DEALERSHIP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, BOTH IN ORDER TO AVOID OTHER DRIVERS, AND HAVE MY BRAKES REPAIRED. TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY TOOK MY VEHICLE WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED ME TO INFORM ME THAT TWO OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS ON MY VEHICLE HAD FAILED: ONE CONTROLLING THE REGENERATIVE BRAKES, THE SECOND CONTROLLING THE FANS USED TO COOL THE HYBRID VEHICLE'S BATTERIES. IN A MOMENT OF CANDOR, FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE[XXX] INFORMED ME THE UNUSUAL FAILURE WAS THE BRAKE-RELATED FAILURE, AS THE FORD OF FAIRFIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS REPLACING THE FAN-RELATED COMPUTER PART, "ALL THE TIME." MY CONCERNS ARE SIMILARLY TWO-FOLD: FIRST, THE THOUGHT THAT MY REGENERATIVE BREAKS SIMPLY DISENGAGED IS DISTURBING ENOUGH, AS IT PUT ME AND MY CHILDREN IN IMMEDIATE HARM. ALMOST MORE THAN THAT, THOUGH, IS THE FACT THAT THE COMPUTER PART CONTROLLING THE COOLING OF MY HYBRID'S BATTERIES APPEARS TO FAIL "ALL THE TIME." SINCE THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE PART OF MY VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE INFORMING ME THAT THE HYBRID BATTERY COOLING FAN WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, THERE IS SIMPLY NO KNOWING WHEN MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO THAT AFFECTING SOME VOLTS MANUFACTURED BY CHEVROLET. I AM INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE SIMILAR FAILURES TO NOT IMPACT OTHER OWNERS OF FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. SHOULD YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, MY DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED BY IT SELF. IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF GEAR TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THEN CAUSING FAILURE OF THE WHOLE UNIT. *JB

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 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, SHE NOTICED A JERKING SENSATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND HER GAS PEDAL STUCK WHILE TRYING TO GET IT IN GEAR TO REVERSE AT LEAST TEN DIFFERENT TIMES.. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IN JANUARY OF 2012 HOWEVER, SHE WAS TURNING ONTO A BUSY STREET WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STUCK WHILE THE SPEED WENT DOWN TO ZERO. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT REAR ENDED. SHE WAS AWAY AT COLLEGE AND I TOLD HER TO GET IT TO THE FORD DEALER NEAR HER. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE THROTTLE BODY WAS STICKING AND REPLACEMENT WAS ADVISED AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETED AT A COST OF $486.83. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY LEARNED OF RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE ON SEVERAL ESCAPE MODEL YEARS. I WANT TO KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS REPAIR. *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

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

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT 40 MPH ON A STRAIGHT GOOD ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN KICKING RIGHT TO LEFT ABRUPTLY. ALMOST LIKE A BIG RIGHT LEFT VIBRATION. THIS LASTED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AND MADE THE STEERING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTART AND TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FORD DEALER. DEALER SAID THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNITS WERE BACK ORDER 5 - 8 WEEKS BECAUSE MANY FAILURES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE COULD DIE WITH THE POWER STEERING FAILURES. PLEASE RECALL THEM BEFORE SOMEBODY'S DIES. *TR

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

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

THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ABS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RESULTING IN INTERNAL LOSS OF PRESSURE. THE ONLY REPAIR SOLUTION IS FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEN ENTIRE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AT A COST OF OVER $3000. IT SEEMS AWFULLY ODD THAT 1) ONLY THE DEALER CAN DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR ELEMENT, 2) ONLY THE DEALER CAN ORDER THE PARTS, 3) THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR JUST THE FAILING COMPONENT BUT THE WHOLE HCU MUST BE REPLACED, AND 4) THE COST IS SO EXTREME. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WHOSE HCU HAD FAILED AND IT SEEMS THIS MAY BE DEFECTIVE IN EITHER DESIGN OR IN FUNCTION. CERTAINLY MAKING IT A DEALER-ONLY REPAIR SEEMS SHADY. *TR

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

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 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

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

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN THE LEFT HAND LANE DOING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND A STOP NOW SAFELY MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE TO MY DESTINATION. THIS AGAIN HAPPENED ON THE WAY HOME THE SAME DAY THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND AT THE TIMES I PULLED OVER AND BOTH TIMES WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE. I HAD NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, THIS WAS A SCARY. *KB

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

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

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 TRANSMISSION FROM FAILING, ITS NOT A DRIVE TRAIN PART, AND FORD WILL NOT COVER CAUSE ITS NOT INTERNAL. AS FAR AS I SEE IT! ITS POWER TRAIN RELATED, AND IF IT UNKNOWINGLY FAILS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL. HOPEFULLY FORD DOES THE RIGHT THING, AND REPAIRS OR REIMBURSES THE CUSTOMER THAT HAD IT REPAIRED FOR THE MISTAKE FORD MADE WITH THE DEFECTIVE PART BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,800.

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

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

TRANSMISSION DEFECT ON 2008 FORD ESCAPES. *TR