2008 Ford Escape Complaint Log

INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON 12/02/2011. AFTER WORK I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE 405 FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I WAS IN LEFT LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. SMOKE STARTED TO COME UP FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER ON THE FREEWAY. THE ONLY LANE TO THE LEFT OF ME WAS THE CARPOOL LANE. IT WAS DURING A HEAVY TRAFFIC TIME AND I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES AS I TRIED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FREEWAY WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS ENTIRE TIME THE CAR WAS GETTING SMOKY AND IT WAS HARD TO SEE AND BREATHE. CARS WERE HONKING AT ME AND ONE CAR PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AND YELLED AT ME THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM MY CAR AND THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND I NEEDED TO GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND PARKED AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR. I COULD SEE SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR NEAR THE ENGINE. ONE TRUCK WITH TWO MEN INSIDE PULLED OVER TO HELP ME. I USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I HAD IN THE CAR TO PUT OUT FIRE. THE TOW TRUCK TOWED MY CAR TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE GEARS INSIDE THE HYBRID POWER UNIT CAME APART AND BROKE. THEN TRANSMISSION FLUIDS LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST AND BURST INTO FLAMES. MY SERVICE ADVISER BRIAN SAID THAT THEY DOCUMENTED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES AS A RESULT OF THIS. HE ALSO SAID HE DID NOT KNOW WHY A CAR WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. HE SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE GEARS WOULD BREAK APART. FORD REPLACED THE UNIT BUT DID NOT CLEAN THE CAR, STILL HAS FLUID UNDER IT AND IT SMELLS HORRIBLY TO DRIVE. FORD CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE THEY DON'T WHY IT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. SUBMITTED CLAIM TO FORD AND THEY REJECTED IT. *TR

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

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

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

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

I WAS DRIVING AND GAVE A FRIEND A RIDE. I WAITED IN THE CAR WITH THE CAR STILL ON WHILE SHE GOT HER THINGS. WHEN SHE HOPPED ON I ACCELERATED AND WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SO HARD. I COULDN'T TURN IT. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL ANOTHER DAY I WENT TO THE DRIVE THROUGH. SAME THING HAPPENED. I TRIED TO TURN AFTER AND COULDN'T. I HAD TO TURN HE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. I WENT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT ON THEIR BULLETIN THERE IS A MSG THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT 1300.00 FOR ME TO REPLACE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THERE ARE OTHER BLOGS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

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

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

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

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

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

DRIVING VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, EXPERIENCED ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER. AMBER WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. MOVED TO SHOULDER OF ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED OFF IGNITION & AFTER ABOUT 30 - 40 SECONDS RESTARTED VEHICLE, POWER RESTORED & VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY (WRENCH LIGHT OFF). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHERE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED, NOT UNDER WARRANTY (DESPITE TSB 09-19-12). ON FEB. 3, 2012, EXPERIENCED SIMILAR LOSS OF POWER PROBLEM, AND THE AMBER WRENCH LIGHT AND MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN (MILEAGE AT THIS POINT: 45,500 MILES). AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION & RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN NORMALLY FOR 45-60 SECONDS, THEN WOULD FAULT & SHUT DOWN. I WAS CLOSE TO MY WORKPLACE, SO I LIMPED IT BACK TO WORK. CALLED DEALER, WHO RECOMMENDED CALLING FORD'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO HYBRID CERTIFIED DEALER, WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY THIS TIME) AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. WHEN I CAME TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF POWER & WARNING LIGHTS (OPEN WRENCH LIGHT). DEALER NOW CLAIMS A SENSOR IN THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY IS BAD & IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM (CLAIMING THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY). VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALER AT THE TIME OF THIS POST. *TR

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.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, THE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED, "SERVICE BRAKES" FLASHED ON THE DISPLAY, AND I LOST ALMOST ALL OF MY BRAKING POWER AS I WAS COMING UP ON A STOP SIGN. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP. LATER, AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, THE BRAKES WERE RESTORED. THIS HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. EACH TIME I START THE CAR, ALL IS OK, AS I ACCELLERATE, THERE IS A CLUNK AS IF THE ENGINE WANTS TO STALL BUT KEEPS GOING DUE TO MOMENTUM. A SCAN OF SYSTEM FAULTS SHOWS BRAKES ALL OK. I DRIVE THE CAR A FEW MILE AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CHECK BRAKES LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. CAR STILL SEEMS TO RUN FINE WITH ABS LIGHT AND CHECK BRAKES INDICATOR. BUT SOFT BRAKES ARE VERY WOORYSOME. *TR

OPENED HOOD TO JUMP BATTERY @ APPROXIMATELY 1:30AM IN NOVEMBER, CAR WAS JUMPED, HOOD SLAMMED DOWN. DRIVING ON THE I-4 THE HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. THE SAFETY CATCH DID NOT PREVENT THE HOOD FROM OPENING, WHEN TESTED AND REPLACED THE SAFETY CATCH DOES NOT KEEP HOOD FROM OPENING,,IT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AND STILL DOES NOT CATCH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR IT FROZE AND STUCK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A THROTTLE CABLE BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE PEDAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT ONLY WHENEVER THE WEATHER WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 01/15/13*LJ UPDATED 1/23/2013 *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED TWICE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPDATED 1/23/2013 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STIFF AND WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUALLY IT FINALLY RESPONDED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

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

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

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

PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING MOTOR SUDDENLY SHUTTING DOWN ON THE HYBRID VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT VEHICLE TURNED ON UP TO MODERATE VEHICLE SPEEDS. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED, IT CONFUSED THE DRIVER, AS THE POWER STEERING WOULD EXPERIENCE SUDDEN LOSS DURING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN ELECTRIC MODE (0-30MPH). THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING PUTS THE DRIVER IS AT RISK OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND ACCIDENT. COMPLAINTS TO THE MECHANIC ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEM ARE DIFFICULT. WITH THE MOTOR OFF IN ELECTRIC MODE, AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, THE DRIVER IS LED TO BELIEVE THAT MOTOR IS AT FAULT, AND WILL COMPLAIN TO THE MECHANIC IN SUCH WAY. PICTURE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO POWER STEERING. YOUR LED TO BELIEVE THAT VEHICLE MOTOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH THE HYBRID, AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT ACTUALLY SHUT DOWN, IT'S IN ELECTRIC MODE. NO INDICATORS ARE PRESENT WITHIN VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH POWER STEERING. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR PROBLEM, CAUSING A BINDING ISSUE WITH THE COLUMN. TWO SERVICE DEPARTMENTS REPORT THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE ISSUE. SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE ARE INDICATING THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT UNIQUE, AND RATHER COMMON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ANDY GATES (FORD, VICTORVILLE, CA) REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S CURRENT STATE. THE REPORT FROM SERVICE DEPARTMENT VICTORVILLE, CA INDICATES THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DESIGNED WITH SAFETY FLAWS, AND FORD IS HAVING DIFFICULTY DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM EARLY ON. *TR

HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. AT 24,000 MILES THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE. AT 28,000 MILES THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE LEFT REAR WINDOW BROKE. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR BOTH THESE REPAIRS. AT 45,000 THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE. AT 59,000 MILES THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BROKE AGAIN. I PAID FOR BOTH THESE REPAIRS AT MY LOCAL BIG O TIRES, SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 65,000 MILES THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BROKEN. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN AND ASK THEM TO HELP PAY FOR REPAIR SINCE THIS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD TAKE 4 DAYS TO RENDER A DECISION. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS UNREASONABLE, THAT I WOULD BE UNABLE TO GO ANY WHERE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LOCK MY CAR. THEY RETURNED TO THE PHONE A FEW MINUTES LATER AND TOLD ME I AM RESPONSIBLE AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY COSTS BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS WINDOW REGULATOR IS A DEFECTIVE PART. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART PLACED IN MY CAR. I LIVE IN ARIZONA WHERE IT IS 115 DEGREES...I NEVER EVEN ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS, SO IT'S NOT BREAKING DUE TO OVERUSE! I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR.

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

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

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

DRIVING DOWN A CONGESTED INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME "STOP IMMEDIATELY" WAS SCROLLING ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TIME TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IN TRAFFIC. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS WITH LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR IN CITY TRAFFIC AS I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES BEFORE MAKING IT HOME. *TR

GOING FROM MISSOURI TO ARKANSAS MY CAR SIMPLY STOPPED RUNNING NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE TIME AND A TRIANGLE CAME ON STATING I COULD PULL OVER SAFELY NOW AND STOP. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AFTER TRYING TO MAKE THE ELECTRIC BATTERY ENGINE WORK. NOTHING HAPPENED. PEOPLE HELPED ME PUSH MY CAR OFF THE ROAD AND THEN A MAN SUGGESTED I TRY TO START IT AGAIN. IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND RAN FOR ANOTHER 20-30 MILES AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DO THIS ABOUT EVERY 5-10 MILES FOR HOURS. THE TEMP WAS RAINING AND ABOUT 60 DEGREES. AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME IN DRY WEATHER AND AT NIGHT IT DID THE SAME THING FOR 136 MILES. THIS WAS AT NIGHT AND I TRIED TO KEEP IT AT 60 MPH. FINALLY DROPPING IT TO 50 AND FINALLY MADE IT HOME. I'M TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC BUT WHEN I CALLED FORD WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE AN UNTRUTH AND FORD ( WHICH MY FAMILY HAS SWORN BY FOR MANY YEARS) REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

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

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

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

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.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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.

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

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

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

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.

I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE PURCHASED USED IN 2011, AND FROM DAY ONE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK I PURCHASED IT. IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND THEY COULDN'T RESOLVE/FIND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, ONLY TO COME BACK TO WHERE THE CAR STALLED WHEN EVER I CAME TO A STOP AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. NOW IT DOESN'T STALL BUT HAS A ROUGH IDLE, HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE LIGHT COMES ON.DRIVING IN TRAFFIC I FEEL I WILL GET WHIPLASH FROM IT NOT ACCELERATING WHEN TRYING PRESSING THE GAS AND IT NOT GOING AND BUCKING. I SEE IM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL FORD SHOULD PLAY A PART IN FIXING THIS BEING THAT'S ITS NOT THE DRIVER OBVIOUSLY ITS THE CAR! IF I COULD AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER CAR I WOULD BUT HAVE NO CHOICE TO BE STUCK WITH THIS ONE. *TR

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON, ALONG WITH MESSAGE "SYSTEM BRAKE FAILURE" AND "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED". AT THIS TIME, THE BRAKES ALMOST FEEL TOTALLY OUT (1/2 PRESSED) OR VERY TOUCHY (FULL PRESS). TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE ABS MODULE ($2500) WHICH WE AGREED TO. A FEW DAYS AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, SAME THING HAPPENED (LIGHTS, MESSAGES AND BRAKES ISSUES). WE TOOK IT BACK, AND BY THE TIME IT WAS TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHTS, MESSAGES AND BRAKES WERE BACK TO NORMAL. THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ISSUES. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE IN A TRAFFIC JAM (VERY SCARY!!!) TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE CODES. TOOK THE CODES TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK MY ESCAPE FOR 2 DAYS, SAYING THEY RESET THE CODES AND IT WAS A COMPUTER ISSUE. 5 DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN OUR DOWNTOWN (VERY SCARY). NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE HOWEVER I HAVE SEEN OTHER MENTIONS ABOUT THIS ONLINE. *TR

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED A PART ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT THAT PART WAS SPECIFICALLY. TWO WEEKS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. ....UPDATED 10/11/12 *BF UPDATED 10/17/2012*JS

OUT OF NOWHERE IN SEPT AND OCT OF 2011 MY SUN ROOF, RIGHT PASSENGER AND RIGHT BACK PASSENGER WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. THEY FELL STRAIGHT DOWN.. THE MOTOR AND THE BAND QUIT AND NOW COME AUGUST AND OCTOBER OF .2012 THE SAME THING ON THE LEFT. I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW ON 2008 OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW I HAVE TO SPEND MY TIME AND MONEY FOR A DEFECTIVE AUTO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE THAN TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO UPDATE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

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

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.

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

MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID (53,000 MILES) IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON I-5 I HEAR A POPPING SOUND AND SUDDENLY ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IS LOST. A RED EXCLAMATION POINT WITHIN A TRIANGLE APPEARS ON THE CONTROL PANEL AND A SINCERELY BIZARRE MESSAGE DISPLAYS ITSELF: "PLEASE PULL OVER SAFELY". THIS IS QUITE THE CHALLENGE WITH 18 WHEELERS BEHIND ME, TO THE SIDE OF ME, AND OTHER CARS ALL AROUND. WITH QUICK REFLEXES, I AM ABLE TO GET OVER TWO LANES AND SLOWLY (I THINK ONLY THE ELECTRIC ENGINE IS WORKING, NO GAS) DRIVE OFF THE NEXT EXIT. SITTING IN THE CAR, I AM IN SHOCK. WHAT JUST HAPPENED? WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN? BECAUSE WE ARE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM OREGON TO THE EAST BAY AREA IN CA, WE ATTEMPT TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND MAKE OUR WAY SOUTH. WITHIN 40 MINUTES THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENS AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME THERE ISN'T AN EXIT RAMP. WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF AN BUSY TWO-LANE SOUTHERN TRAVELING FREEWAY. ONCE SAFELY TO THE SIDE, THE CAR RESTARTS AND APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, BUT WANT TO GET HOME. I DECIDE TO GO A LITTLE UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT (A HAZARD) AND STAY IN THE LEFT LANE. AFTER THE CAR FAILS AND TELLS ME TO "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW" FOR THE 5TH TIME, I DECIDE I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. WE CALL FORD'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER AND WAIT TWO HOURS (YES! TWO HOURS!) FOR A TOW TRUCK, ONLY TO BE CALLED BACK BY AN AUTOMATED DISPATCH THAT GIVES US THE NAME OF A DIFFERENT TOWING SERVICE THAT ESTIMATES ITS ARRIVAL TIME IN 2 HOURS (THE FIRST COMPANY APPARENTLY HAD TO GO TO A POLICE EMERGENCY TOW, BUT I BELIEVE THEY DIDN'T AGREE ON A DECENT WAGE FOR THE SERVICE). NOT WANTING TO WAIT 2 MORE HOURS, I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE AGAIN. WITHIN 10 MINUTES, THE CAR FAILS AND WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GLIDE TO AN OFF RAMP AND INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. THANK GOODNESS WE DIDN'T GET ANY FURTHER; THE NEXT STRETCH OF FREEWAY HAD NO SHOULDER AT ALL AND THE NEXT PART WAS A LONG BRIDGE. CAR IS NOW AT DEALER WAITING FOR MON APPT. *TR

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