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2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

415 reports with mileage · 28 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

74 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2016
EnginePower Train

IT WAS BEEN MORE THAN COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD ERROR MESSAGE" STOP SAFELY NOW" ON MY FORD 2008 ESCAPE HYBRID. DURING THAT TIME, I WAS DRIVING INTERSTATE ROUND 50-60 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL OF SUDDEN, IT STOP THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY GET IT FIXED. UNTIL RECENTLY, MAY 22, 2016 AND JUNE 20,2016 THE ERROR "…

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IT WAS BEEN MORE THAN COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD ERROR MESSAGE" STOP SAFELY NOW" ON MY FORD 2008 ESCAPE HYBRID. DURING THAT TIME, I WAS DRIVING INTERSTATE ROUND 50-60 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL OF SUDDEN, IT STOP THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY GET IT FIXED. UNTIL RECENTLY, MAY 22, 2016 AND JUNE 20,2016 THE ERROR "STOP SAFELY MESSAGE" CAME BACK. I TOOK TO THE SAME DEALER I USED TO GO BUT THIS TIME. I LEFT IT FOR 2 DAYS BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO DIAGNOSE WHATS IS THE ISSUE. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR THOSE DAYS BUT MY CAR WAS NOT FIX OR THE DEALER SAYING IT WILL TAKE A WHILE. I AM SURE THEY KNOW WHAT IS THE ERROR CODE. IS THIS A RECALL?I SEEN OTHER COMPLAIN IN HERE ALMOST THE SAME LIKE ME.

NHTSA ODI #10876306

60,000 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE "TURN OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, A LOCK WITH A KEY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE "TURN OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, A LOCK WITH A KEY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE IN 2013. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10876135

85,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Engine

WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM, THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE THEN STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55+). A RED HAZARD LIGHT THEN CAME ON, AND A STOP SAFELY MESSAGE CAME ON. PULLING THE VEHICLE OVER, AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE ALLOWED FURTHER DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 20-30 MILES BEFORE THE ISSUE WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10873281

90,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

AFTER APPROX. 10 MINUTES OF STOP AND GO DRIVING AT <5MPH A TONE SOUNDED, A RED TRIANGLE LIT, AND THE LED INDICATED "STOP SAFELY NOW." THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL, SHUT DOWN, OR GIVE ANY OTHER INDICATION OF A FAULT, THEREFORE I CONTINUED DRIVING AT <15MPH TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER I RETURNED SEVERAL…

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AFTER APPROX. 10 MINUTES OF STOP AND GO DRIVING AT <5MPH A TONE SOUNDED, A RED TRIANGLE LIT, AND THE LED INDICATED "STOP SAFELY NOW." THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL, SHUT DOWN, OR GIVE ANY OTHER INDICATION OF A FAULT, THEREFORE I CONTINUED DRIVING AT <15MPH TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER I RETURNED SEVERAL HOURS LATER THE ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY WITH NO FAULT INDICATION, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT ANY FURTHER FAULT INDICATION. I READ ON THE WEB THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED WITH OTHER 2008 ESCAPE HYBRIDS AND WAS DUE TO A FAULTY HYBRID SYSTEM ELECTRONICS COOLING PUMP. ONE COMPLAINANT INDICATED THAT THE 2008 ESCAPE HYBRIDS HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT SHOW ON YOUR, OR ON FORD'S, DATABASE FOR THIS VEHICLE. HAS THIS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY, AND WAS THERE A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10838501

105,200 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

IN 2012, I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROX 70MPH WHEN I HEARD THE WARNING SOUND AND RED LIGHT WARNING ME TO "STOP SAFELY NOW." I HAD TO CROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC AND BARELY GOT TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE POWER SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I WAITED AND IT RESTARTED, BUT IT DID IT TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I CALL…

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IN 2012, I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT APPROX 70MPH WHEN I HEARD THE WARNING SOUND AND RED LIGHT WARNING ME TO "STOP SAFELY NOW." I HAD TO CROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC AND BARELY GOT TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE POWER SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I WAITED AND IT RESTARTED, BUT IT DID IT TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I CALLED AND TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR REPAIR, WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE COOLANT PUMP (COST $1010.96). THE NEXT YEAR A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE OCCURRED AND I WAS REFUNDED THE COST FOR REPAIR. TODAY, 2015, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. THIS TIME I HAD JUST PULLED OFF FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT MAKING A U-TURN, SO TRAVELING MAYBE 10 MPH WHEN I GOT THE SAME SOUND AND WARNING RED LIGHT AS I FELT THE ENGINE LOSING POWER. I GOT THROUGH THE BUSY INTERSECTION AND SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. IT WAS CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED (COST $369.15; I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE VIN# GROUP). WHILE THE COSTS HAVE BEEN HIGH FINANCIALLY, WE ARE MOSTLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL COSTS FROM HAVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND SHUT DOWN. BOTH TIMES I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO AVOID CRASHES. SAME SYMPTOMS, DIFFERENT DIAGNOSES; CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT.

NHTSA ODI #10806377

70,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA

NHTSA ODI #10786540

170,000 miles · Oct 20, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILURE EQUIVALENT TO THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM BUT TOLD MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT IN THE APPLICABLE GROUP. LOSS OF ALL ENGINE POWER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 65MPH WITH A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILOR BEHIND ME. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #10783728

106,000 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION ONCE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION ONCE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED BY A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE PROGRAM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10713560

121,000 miles · Mar 14, 2015
Engine

VEHICLE GASOLINE ENGINE POWER QUITS WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ONLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONLY WHEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAT APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. A "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW", OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT, APPEAR ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. THE ELECTRIC ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IF IT HAS CHARGE. THE CAR W…

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VEHICLE GASOLINE ENGINE POWER QUITS WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ONLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONLY WHEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAT APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. A "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW", OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT, APPEAR ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN. THE ELECTRIC ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IF IT HAS CHARGE. THE CAR WILL RESTART ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, BUT WILL QUICKLY STALL AGAIN IF THE ENGINE IS NOT ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT OCCURS ONLY AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694277

91,100 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Engine

WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TO "STOP VEHICLE SAFELY". WE PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, CAR RESTARTED. THIS KEPT HAPPENING, FINALLY HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A CODE INDICATING A PROBLEM UNDER RECALL, AND ADVISED WE TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER. LOCAL GARAGE HAD CLEARED OUT ERROR CODES, SO FORD DEALER SAID WE HAD TO …

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WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TO "STOP VEHICLE SAFELY". WE PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, CAR RESTARTED. THIS KEPT HAPPENING, FINALLY HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A CODE INDICATING A PROBLEM UNDER RECALL, AND ADVISED WE TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER. LOCAL GARAGE HAD CLEARED OUT ERROR CODES, SO FORD DEALER SAID WE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY WOULD THEN REPAIR IT. THIS MEANS WE CANNOT TRUST THE CAR, AND MUST ONLY DRIVE WITHIN A TOWING RANGE. HOW LONG DOES FORD HAVE TO REPAIR A KNOWN PROBLEM, OR CAN THEY TELL OWNERS TO WAIT UNTIL THE CAR ACTUALLY HAS THE PROBLEM AGAIN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682965

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving

Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.