NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
RECENTLY MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE STARTED HESITATING WHEN TAKING OFF. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SINCE I WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. TODAY AS I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT DOWN, IT LURCHED FORWARD AND DIED. IT APPEARS MANY 08 ESCAPE OWNERS ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED. SOMEONE MAY BE KILLED IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE. *TR
FORD ESCAPE LIMITED 4WD 2008 THE PTO SEAL ON RIGHT SIDE IS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED AT 17333KM AND A 20800KM AND IS UNTIL LEAKING THE PTO WILL BLOCK AND THE WHEEL WILL BLOCK VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND INTO THE PRIOR SELECTED GEAR. SUDDENLY, THE TIRES SCREECHED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEARS WOULD LOCK AND NOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. ALSO, THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,592.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS THE CONSUMERS WIFE PRESSED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL FIRMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CLOGGED INTAKE VALVE WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PRESSURE IN THE PEDAL RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED 06/02/10.*LJ UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/18/10
2008 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED, LEATHER SEATS PEELING. *CN
2008 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOSS ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING *TGW WHEN THE MECHANIC OPENED THE HOOD, HE DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING, AS WELL AS THE COOLANT.
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET, THE STEERING WHEEL 'LOCKED' AND WOULD NOT TURN. I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE THAT WAS WAITING TO PULL OUT. I PULLED HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT FINALLY MOVED. AFTER THAT, IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT HAS NOT DONE IT SINCE, BUT MAKES ME NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING IT. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER YET. *TR
CAR START STALLING, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING AND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GET HOT IT WILL NOT WORK DUE TO THE LACK OF FLUID. *TR
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE CONDENSING UNIT LOCATED BY THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE AIR CONDENSING UNIT/TRANSMISSION COOLER IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD FOR UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS. *TR
CAR STARTED JERKING (OR STOPPING) WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGNS/STOP LIGHTS. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION COOLER / A/C COMBO. *TR
THE AC/CONDENSER THAT ALSO COOLS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. THROUGH RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY OTHER CARS DOING THIS AS WELL. ALSO HAVE NOTICE MY VEHICLE SURGING AT STOPS. VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT DEALERSHIP. ADVISED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. I WOULD PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE THEN IT WOULD JERK AND MOVE. IT STALLED TWICE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A BIG ISSUE SINCE THIS CAN CAUSE A HUGE CAR ACCIDENT THAT COULD HURT PEOPLE. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT A TRANSMISSION CONDENSER, WHICH COST TO REPAIR OVER 800.00 PLUS THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THIS IS A ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT SINCE WILL CAUSE MAYOR ACCIDENT AND EFFECT PEOPLE LIFE. *TR
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE STARTED JERKING DURING ACCELERATION AND SHUTTERING AT STOP LIGHTS. NO LIGHTS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON, AND DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. FINALLY THE CAR STALLED AT A RED LIGHT AND I DECIDED TO BRING IT IN. MY FORD DEALERSHIP SAID ITS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING VIA THE AC CONDENSER. THEY ARE FIXING IT, $800 COST. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE SHE CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST SINCE SHE HAS A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY UP TO 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO ROLLED BACKWARD WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING UPHILL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF THE AIR CONDITION . THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT UNLESS IT WAS PAID FOR. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A LEAKAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,400.
2008 FORD ESCAPE DEVELOPED FLUID LEAK IN TRANSMISSION COOLER AFTER LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. FORD RECOGNIZED PROBLEM WITH CD4E TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURED BEFORE 2/18/2008 WITH TECH SERVICE BULLETIN #08-5-7. LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD RESULT IN DANGEROUS VEHICLE OPERATION OR FIRE. PART WAS REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COOLER BY FORD SERVICE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IT WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON SO THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . THE DEALER ORDERED THE PART AND THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59725 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60212.
WAS DRIVING 2008 ESCAPE HYBRID ON HIGHWAY YESTERDAY @ 55MPH, ATTEMPTED TO PASS SLOWER VEHICLE BY SWITCHING LANES AND ACCELERATING. ACCELERATOR STUCK AND CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT. I HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD WHILE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE REACHED SPEED OF 80 + MPH BEFORE ACCELERATOR BECAME UNSTUCK. HEARD A "POP" SIMILAR TO THE SOUND OF A CAR HOOD POPPING OPEN ONCE ACCELERATOR BECAME UNSTUCK. CAR WAS THEN DRIVABLE, BUT I DID NOT DRIVE OVER 35 MPH AFTER THAT OUT OF FEAR THAT CAR WOULD AGAIN BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP OUT OF FEAR OF DRIVING IT. CURRENTLY BEING EXAMINED BY DEALERSHIP AND PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER FAULTY. CAUSES VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD SUDDENLY WHILE ACCELERATING. VEHICLE HAS 37,000 MILES AND HAS FOLLOWED ALL REGULAR SERVICE. FORD DEALER STATES THE PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
WHILE RETURN HOME ON I70 FREEWAY GOING DOWNHILL AT APPROX. 70MPH THE ELECTRICAL ASSISTED POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO STEER GOING AROUND A CURVE. THIS ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS THEN IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN... *TR
2008 FORD. ESCAPE TRANSMISSION COOLER. IT IS LEAKING FLUID AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I AM SURPRISED FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS MATTER. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS AND FAILURES. *TR
2008 FORD ESCAPE - TRANSMISSION LINE / CONDENSER LEAK CAUSES CAR TO STALL. THIS IS ALL OVER THE WEB AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD HAS TSB'S ON THIS (#08-5-7, #08-16-12, #09-9-4). THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED WHEN THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY! SEE HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=-6XQ2ZYQMOI&NR=1. *TR
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS I NOTICED MY CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH AND JERKY WITH NO PEP AT ALL GOING UP HILLS EITHER. ON 2 OCCASIONS MY CAR ALMOST STALLED AS I WAS PULLING FROM A STOP SIGN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. I ALSO BEGAN NOTICING OIL SPOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY. I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE AN OIL LEAK SINCE I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION THE FORD TECH. ADVISED IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY OIL CHANGE BUT RATHER A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A/C CONDENSER. I QUESTIONED THE TECH ON HOW HE CAN DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM SO QUICKLY WITH OUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE AND HE ADVISED FORD HAS TSB FOR THIS. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ASKED IF THIS IS A RECALL OR COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I WAS ADVISED IT WAS NEITHER AND THAT I NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DIRECTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED PART # 818Z19712J. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE YEAR AND MAKE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I'M DEALING WITH IE: TRANSMISSION & AC CONDENSER. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THIS CAR IS HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND TURNING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. ALTHOUGH YOU CAN GO ON FORD ESCAPE CUSTOMER FORUMS AND SEE COUNTLESS INSTANCES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE SOME RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS. I HAVE ASKED FORD SEVERAL TIMES TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY SAY THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN $1700 CHARGE. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MOST OF THE POSTINGS I SAW AND WITH MY OWN VEHICLE AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE. CONTINUOUSLY PEOPLE I HAVE SEEN AND ALSO FOR MYSELF HAVE GOTTEN THE ANSWER FROM FORD THAT THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE. I AM NOT HAPPY BECAUSE I HAVE TO EXPEND THE MONEY TO FIX THIS BUT MORE SO I WANT TO HAVE THIS ISSUE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. IF AN ELDERLY PERSON WERE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THAT PROBLEM THEY WOULD WRECK BECAUSE OF NOT HAVING THE STRENGTH TO KEEP THE WHEEL IN MOTION CORRECTLY. SAME MAY BE WITH A YOUNGER DRIVER. PLEASE PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM FOR ME. *DT
TCCF TRANSMISSION COOLER CONDENSER FAILURE- JULY 16,2008 REPAIRED; -LEAKING -SLIPPING ON SHIFTING-HAD VERY LITTLE TRANSMISSION OIL ON DIP STICK WHEN REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP UNDER THE 36,000 LIMITED WARRANTY--AFTER 4 DAYS JULY 20, 2008 WIFE WAS REAR ENDED BY A DWI TRAVELING AT ESTIMATED MORE THAN 75 TO 80 MPH(MY WIFE TRAVELING ON A STATE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL REGULATED SPEED OF 50 MPH) -DAMAGES OF OVER $13,500 TO OUR CAR-ALL SHOP AND REPAIRS DONE BY FORD DEALERSHIP , OUR ONLY SHOP AND SERVICE PLACE FOR THIS ESCAPE 2008. ON FEBRUARY 9, 2010(AT 21,000 MILES LATER THE 2ND TCCF-LEAKING FLUID SEEN IN SNOW-DEALERSHIP AFTER CONTACT WITH FORD.COM REPLACED AND REPAIRED UNDER GOOD WILL CUSTOMER PLAN OF THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ALSO REPLACED ON OUR COMPLAINT OF A "CLACKING" TYPE NOISE , A STEERING RIGHT FRONT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST TO US) THERE EVIDENTLY A TSB ON IT. IN ADDITION WE HAVE A HEATING-COOLING FLOW OF AIR FROM OUR HEAT AND AIR VENTS PROBLEM-TEMPERATURES NOT AS WE REGULATE THEM.. THE DEALERSHIP HAD REPLACED A ACTUATOR IN BEHIND DASH(HAVE RECORD OF THAT ALONG WITH ALL SERVICE DATES ON FORD OWNERSHIP HOME PAGE-BELIEVE IT ABOUT ON PREVIOUS SERVICE FOR OIL CHANGE) ON COMPLETION OF RECENT REPAIRS AND OUR VEHICLE RETURNED TO US ON FEBRUARY 18, 2010 WE ADVISED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE CONTINUING AIR-HEAT REGULATOR PROBLEM-ADVISED THEY WOULD REEXAMINE IT ON NEXT SERVICE OR AT OUR CONVENIENCE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS STOOD BEHIND THE FORD, WE MUST ADMIT THAT-BUT OUR INCONVENIENCE AND THE SO MANY THAT HAVE SEEN BY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET SEEM TO WARRANT A RECALL AS TO ALL THREE RELATED PROBLEMS--SOME OF WHICH SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE SAME TCC PROBLEMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT BEFORE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. WHEN HE TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER THE LIGHT, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING A POSSIBLE REASON FOR FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COMPARTMENT AND THE RADIATOR WAS ALSO DESTROYED. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COMPARTMENT AND OTHER COMPONENTS (NOT KNOWN TO THE CONTACT) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER HALF OF THE REPAIRS IF HE SIGNED A CONTRACT STATING THAT HE WOULD NO LONGER COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
I BOUGHT A 2008 FORD ESCAPE (USED) AND APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND 38,000 MILES, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND SURE ENOUGH, FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I HAVE TO REFILL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WEEKLY DUE TO THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS ITS LEAKING AND AM LOOKING INTO GETTING THIS FIXED NOW. *TR
LEASED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN MARCH 2008. MILEAGE IS 27,412. NOTICED ATF FLUID LEAK ON DRIVEWAY RIGHT SIDE OF CAR NEAR FRONT. OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COVERED IN ATF FLUID. TRANS FLUID LEVEL AT VERY BOTTOM OF DIP-STICK. WASHED OUT THE AREA TO CHECK FOR LEAK AND FOUND AT TRANS COOLER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND SOURCE OF LEAK AND KEPT FOR 3 DAYS EVENTUALLY REPLACING THE TRANS COOLER PER TSB 09-09-04 AND OVERHAULING THE TRANS. FORWARD CLUTCHES BURNT FROM LOW FLUID LEVEL. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED WHILE STILL UNDER 36MO/36K MILE WARRANTY. DID SOME QUICK INTERNET SEARCHES TO FIND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH MOST HAPPENING AROUND 40K MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS ABSURD THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH TWO OR THREE TSB'S YET CHOOSES NOT TO RECALL/REPAIR. *TR
1) LIMITED USE OF VEHICLE, 28,000 MILES ON A 2008 ESCAPE (USED MODERATELY IN COLD WEATHER SITUATIONS) 2) TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE, LEAKS COOLER FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE "SPRINGS" FORWARD OR STALLS AFTER COMING TO A STOP (DAILY). VEHICLE LOSES A QUART OR MORE OF FLUID MONTHLY. VEHICLE SHIFTS VERY LOUDLY AND ROUGHLY (DAILY - IS AN AUTOMATIC) 3) REPAIR IS QUOTED AT $1000 DOLLARS FOR REPLACEMENT COOLER PIECE. EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY (FOR MILES, NOT TIME WHICH ENDED A WEEK AGO). DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS UNCOOPERATIVE. *TR
LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION, COOLER THRU THE AC CONDENSER. KEPT LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
GAS PEDAL FAILED, LEAVING THE CAR WITH NO THROTTLE CONTROL. *TR
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK, MAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. CAUSING LITTLE TO NO FLUID. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS THE 4TH OR 5TH VEHICLE, IN THE PAST MONTH. THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
WE OWN A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LEAK AND LEAKED OUT ALL OF THE FLUID. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE 100K POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. WE RESEARCHED ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 3 YEARS. FORD WOULD NOT HONOR REPAIRS UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY SAYING IT IS "NOT AN INTERNAL PART." THIS DEFECT IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT CAN CAUSE A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. WE ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY FORD $675.34 TO MAKE THE NEEDED REPAIR. *TR
PURCHASED NEW IN 06/2007, 2008 FORD ESCAPE. TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING DUE TO RUST. DISCOVERED AT 40,000. THIS WAS DUE TO DEFECT IN COOLING SYSTEM, NOT WEAR AND TEAR AS EXPLAINED BY FORD SERVICE MANAGER. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000. COST FOR REPAIR $800. PROBLEM MAY HAVE OCCURRED DURING WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 40,000. FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED, INITIAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED 03/01/08. *TR
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS 'SPRUNG' A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK CAUSING MY ACCELERATOR TO 'REV' INSTEAD OF DRIVING PROPERLY AND CHANGING GEARS EFFICIENTLY. IF FLUID GETS TOO LOW, THE REAR END MAKES A LOUD THUD NOISE WHEN IT KICKS INTO GEAR. MY SUV ONLY HAS 39,555 MILES ON IT, BUT SINCE IT IS OVER THE 36,000 MILES, I NO LONGER HAVE ANY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THIS LEAKING SEAL IS NOT COVERED BY THE 60,000 POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AS THIS IS AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION PART, AND NOT AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PART. AS TRANSMISSION FLUID IS DESIGNED TO FLOW THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING COOLANT SYSTEM, I NOW HAVE TO PAY $800.00 TO HAVE THIS REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT A GOOD DESIGN. ALSO, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS VEHICLE, I SEE THERE ARE OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY TRANSMISSION FIRST ACTED UP LAST WEEK. I WILL BE HAVING IT FIXED AT MIKE REICHENBACH FORD IN FLORENCE, SC THIS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010. THIS IS NOT GOOD...NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM A VERY DISSATISFIED FORD CUSTOMER. WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL IN THE PAST. MY HUSBAND WAS PLANNING ON PURCHASING A 2010 F150 TRUCK, BUT HAS NOW SAID HE WILL NOT. WE FEEL VERY LET DOWN BY FORD. THIS SUV SHOULD NOT HAVE SPRUNG A LEAK THIS SOON. *CN *TR
DEFECT IN VEHICLE WIRING HARNESS - MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS SINCE 01/30/2010. THE DEALERSHIP STATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE WIRES CORRODING AND CAUSING MECHANICAL FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ORDERED THE NEW WIRING SYSTEM AS AN EMERGENCY "ORDER" ON 01/30/2010 BUT DUE TO THIS BEING SUCH AN OVERWHELMING ISSUE FORD CANT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ! THIS IS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE 4X4, I SHOULD NOT BEING EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS WITH A NEW VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAS 46 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. OF COURSE NOTHING IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHEN YOUR WIRES CORRODE AND CATCH FIRE. THE DAMAGES SO FAR ARE AROUND $800.00. MY SON AND I BOTH SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING FROM THE TRUCK BUT COULDN'T LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. ONCE IN THE FORD DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WIRING THAT HAD CORRODED DUE TO ROAD SALT AND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THAT THEY ARE HOPING FOR A RECALL DUE TO THE VOLUME. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THIS WILL BE ALL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS A "NOTORIOUS" ISSUE DOES NOT EASE MY MIND WHEN THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN WERE AT RISK !! *TR
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE JUST PAST WARRANTY AT APPROX. 38,500 MILES. FIRST I NOTICED A JERK UPON TAKE OFF AT A STOP SIGN. THEN IT DID IT AGAIN ANOTHER TIME. THEN WE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY GARAGE. MY HUSBAND (A MECHANIC) HAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER IS LEAKING. CURRENTLY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO GET IT FIXED. THIS VEHICLE IS WAY TOO NEW TO HAVE A BIG REPAIR BILL LIKE THIS. I SEE THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *CN
VEHICLE IS LEAKING SEVERE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID JUST AT WARRANTY MARK. DEALER WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET IN REGARD TO THIS, IT COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE IN VEHICLE OR ACCIDENT DUE TO LOW LEVELS OF FLUID, THE CONTROL PANEL DOES NOT ALERT DRIVER IF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL IS LOW. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE 2WD IN FEBRUARY 2008. IN JANUARY 2010, MY HUSBAND NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM MY HOOD AND SOMETHING DRIPPING ON A OUR DRIVEWAY. IT HAS SINCE BEEN DETERMINED THAT MY RADIATOR IS LEAKING WHERE THE PLASTIC AND METAL PARTS ARE "SEALED" TOGETHER. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS OUT OF MY 36K BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY & THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BUT CHECK THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEVEL WEEKLY. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT AN IDENTICAL RADIATOR WILL NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEREFORE, WE ARE HESITANT TO PAY THE $800 THE DEALERSHIP ASKED FOR TO FIX. ALSO, THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN. IT APPEARS TO LOCK & UNLOCK BUT THE DOOR DOESN'T CATCH THE HOOK TO RELEASE & OPEN. *TR
LOST COMPLETE STEERING CONTROL TWICE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
DEVELOPED LEAK IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER ON 2008 FORD ESCAPE. LED TO NO SHIFT IN TRAFFIC CONDITION.*CW
THE CAR STARTED TO DRIVE SLUGGISH AND HESITATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. AFTER CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID I FOUND THAT I WAS NEARLY EMPTY. I REFILLED THE TRANNY WITH ABOUT 3 QUARTS OF FLUID. THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED IT AGAIN AND THERE WAS NO FLUID ON THE STICK. I LOOKED AT THE RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW WERE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE RADIATOR. AFTER HAVING THIS CHECKED OUT I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND LINES AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. IT CAN BE REPLACED BUT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. NOW, I HAVE TO PUT A QUART OR MORE IN EVERY DAY. THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. THIS FLUID LEAK COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND BY DRIPPING OUT SO FAST IT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AT 12,000 MILES AND A THIRD TIME AT 35,000 (ONCE IN BETWEEN) FOR A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. TIRE WEAR VERY ODD, TOUCHY BRAKING. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION/ A/C COOLER IS BAD (PER THE MY LOCAL FORD DEALER) AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AT A RAPID RATE WHICH COULD CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MY WIFE AND KIDS TRAVEL IN THIS VEHICLE AND DO NOT WANT TO THEM TO BE INJURED OR WORST, KILLED BECAUSE FORD WANT OWN UP AND REPLACE THIS PART. THE COOLER HAS TRANSMISSION FLUID RUNNING THRU IT AND IT KEEPS THE TRANSMISSION FROM OVERHEATING AND FAILING, SO IT IS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION AND FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,500 MILES ON IT; THIS IS WAY TO SOON TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, UNLESS IT HAS HAD ABUSE, WHICH IT HASN'T. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WANTS $ 800.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I AM NOT PAYING IT. I AM GOING TO KEEP THE FLUID TOPPED OFF UNTIL THEY RECALL IT. IT'S IS NOT RIGHT TO HAVE THIS MANY COMPLAINTS AND NOT DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RELATED WARRANTY. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAD EXPERIENCED MAJOR TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. THERE APPEAR TO BE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT FAULTY TRANSMISSION OIL COOLERS FOR 2008 ESCAPES. I UNDERSTAND THAT A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED BY FORD TO ITS SERVICE TECHNICIANS; HOWEVER, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM THAT CREATES A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. IN MY CASE, THE COOLER DEVELOPED A LEAK SHORTLY AFTER 37,800 MILES OF USE. THE LEAK CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION OIL TO DROP BELOW AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I NOTICED THE SLIP WHEN ENTERING ONTO A HIGHWAY (US RT 22). THE SLIP CAUSED A MAJOR DELAY IN THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST RESULTED IN MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HAD MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE PART APPEARS TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TRANSMISSION IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S 5YR/50,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. INSTEAD, THE PART IS COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLES GENERAL 3YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE COST OF MY REPAIR WAS $930. FORD APPEARS TO BE AWARE OF THIS COMMON OCCURRENCE AS EVIDENCED BY THE TSB BUT THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL. ALTHOUGH A CRASH AND/OR DEATH WERE NOT MY END RESULT, IT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE AND ENSURE THAT THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *TR
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE ACCELERATOR WILL DEPRESS. THERE IS NO INDICATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WILL BE FREE AND GREAT CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID A SUDDEN LUNGE FORWARD. JUST ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND WARM UP DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. SHE STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 78,000. UPDATED 3/16/10 *CN UPDATED 06/17/10*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE WHEN VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER HOWEVER THE EXACT FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE SEVERAL REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE BUT THE SPECIFIC DETAILS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE PERMANENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DECLARE THE VEHICLE AS A LEMON THE FIFTH TIME THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE CEASED FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECURRING FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.