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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

Service Brakes complaints

129 reports
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110,000 miles · Jun 23, 2018
Service Brakes

WITH FREQUENT BREAKING I GET BREAK LIGHTS WARNING SIGN/SOUND AND OCCASIONAL ABS SIGN/SOUND. IF THAT OCCURS, MY BREAKS SINK TO THE FLOOR NEEDING AN EXTRA EFFORT TO STOP THE CAR. UPON TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN ON, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. HOWEVER THE LIGHT COME AGAIN DURING A FREQUENT BREAKING IN A RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS SIT…

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WITH FREQUENT BREAKING I GET BREAK LIGHTS WARNING SIGN/SOUND AND OCCASIONAL ABS SIGN/SOUND. IF THAT OCCURS, MY BREAKS SINK TO THE FLOOR NEEDING AN EXTRA EFFORT TO STOP THE CAR. UPON TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN ON, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. HOWEVER THE LIGHT COME AGAIN DURING A FREQUENT BREAKING IN A RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS SITUATION BECOME QUITE SCARY AND I AM AFRAID OF LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VBEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ON PERUSING THRU THE INTERNET, I FOUNT THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF ESCAPE HYBRID 2005 ON EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS AND ARE ADVISED TO CHANGE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WITH A COST IN EXCESS O $7000.00. THAT THE ESTIMATE GIVEN TO ME AN MANY OTHER ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUES BEFORE PEOPLE START DYING, JUST FROM THE DRIVER'S PANIC REACTION ALONE. FORD CO. SO FAR REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM FROM THE TOP MANAGEMENT. SINCE MY INVOICE INCLUDES PERSONAL INFORMATION, I SUGGEST YOU CONTACT LEN STOLER FORD DIRECTLY

NHTSA ODI #11103570

125,000 miles · Jun 20, 2018
Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHT WITH ABS LIGHT COME ON THE DASH AND LOOSE THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE BECOMES TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE .

NHTSA ODI #11102861

185,000 miles · Jun 18, 2018
Service BrakesCrash

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 50+ MPH ON AN POPULATED ROAD. HAD TO STOP USING EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DRIVING ON THE DIVIDER. BRAKE LOSS WAS DUE TO A FAILED MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND HYDOLIC CONTROL UNIT. SIMILAR IF NOT IDENTICAL TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 05-8-5 (AUGUST 5, 2005) (NHTSA ID #10017553)

NHTSA ODI #11102451

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2018
Service Brakes

TAKATA RECALL MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA ODI #11101365

155,000 miles · Jun 12, 2018
Service Brakes

BRAKE FAILURE ABS MODULE

NHTSA ODI #11101322

103,000 miles · May 27, 2018
Service Brakes

VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKES WAS TOLD IT IS A ISSUE WITH A VALVE IN THE HYBRID BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH COST OVER 5 GRAND TO FIX THROUGH FORD.

NHTSA ODI #11098224

98,000 miles · May 18, 2018
Service Brakes

MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2008 BRAKES FAILED ON MAY 14, 2018 NEARLY CAUSING A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AFTER MY ABS LIGHT & PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ALSO DISPLAYED "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AS WELL AS "REGEN BRAKES DISENGAGED". I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 FRO…

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MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2008 BRAKES FAILED ON MAY 14, 2018 NEARLY CAUSING A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AFTER MY ABS LIGHT & PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ALSO DISPLAYED "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AS WELL AS "REGEN BRAKES DISENGAGED". I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 FROM A USED CAR DEALER. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THEM WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO SCAN FOR ANY CODES BUT INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE TO FORD WHERE IT COULD BE PROPERLY SCANNED. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT ON 5/17 FOR THE ABS CODES TO BE SCANNED WHERE THEY FOUND TWO CODES: LEFT FRONT BRAKE PRESSURE & A FAULTY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THEY STATED THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN FAILING AMONG THE HYBRID VEHICLES AND FORD HAS ISSUED A 'SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE' REGARDING THESE PARTS AS IT IS NEARLY $6,000 TO REPLACE WITH NO GUARANTEE OF IT WORKING. THE FACT THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS FAULTY PART WITH EVIDENCE ALL ACROSS THE INTERNET AND VARIOUS OTHER SOURCES I HAVE RESEARCHED. I HAVE MADE MY STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL (CT),THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, LOCAL NEWS STATIONS, BBB ALL AWARE OF THE ISSUE IN HOPES THAT SOMETHING WILL CHANGE FORD MOTOR COMPANIES MIND IN AVOIDING ANY OTHER NEAR ACCIDENTS OR EVEN DEATHS TO OCCUR. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF ANY OTHER MATERIALS ARE NEEDED. I WILL PURSUE ALL APPROPRIATE AVENUES UNTIL FORD INITIATES A RECALL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11096738

135,823 miles · May 4, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ,THE "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND RE-GEN BRAKE DISABLE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. IN ADDITION, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ,THE "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND RE-GEN BRAKE DISABLE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. IN ADDITION, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,823.

NHTSA ODI #11091918

112,000 miles · May 3, 2018
Service Brakes

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH 112K MILES FROM A LARGE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD AN INSPECTION DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND ONE DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NO CODES OR SIGNS OF BRAKE FAILURE WERE APPARENT. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK, WITH LESS THAN 25 ADDITIONAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING ON A …

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH 112K MILES FROM A LARGE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD AN INSPECTION DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND ONE DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NO CODES OR SIGNS OF BRAKE FAILURE WERE APPARENT. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK, WITH LESS THAN 25 ADDITIONAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE 'BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE' LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE "REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE" LIGHT CAME ON, THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND NO COLLISIONS, WE WERE ABLE TO SLOWLY GET THE CAR TO OUR HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE BRAKES THEN FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AND NO LIGHT WAS BEING DISPLAYED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING PAPERWORK AND INFORMED THE SALESMAN OF THE SITUATION AND TOLD HIM IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN I WOULD TAKE IT IN AND HAVE IT CHECKED. WELL ' IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON APRIL 26TH, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET. THIS TIME WE WERE BARELY ABLE TO COME TO A STOP BEFORE RUNNING THROUGH A STOP SIGN. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. I BROUGHT IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FULL HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE (THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT) ' FOR AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $5800.00. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE BRAKES RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE A LOSS OF LIFE AND LAWSUIT BEFORE THE NHTSA WILL DO SOMETHING. BY THE NHTSA'S OWN WORDS : A RECALL IS ISSUED WHEN A MANUFACTURER OR NHTSA DETERMINES THAT A VEHICLE, EQUIPMENT, CAR SEAT, OR TIRE CREATES AN UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISK OR FAILS TO MEET MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS. MOST DECISIONS TO CONDUCT A RECALL AND REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT ARE MADE VOLUNTARILY BY MANUFACTURERS PRIOR TO ANY INVOLVEMENT BY NHTSA.". LEGALLY, WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS VEHICLE MEETS YOUR OWN STATEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11091499

136,000 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TWO MESSAGES "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED" AND "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM". CAR BRAKES VERY HESITANTLY WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE EXTREMLY DANGEROUS. TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. HE READ CODES 1478, 1480 AND U2023. QUOTED ME THAT I NEED THE ABS MODULE REPLACED AT USD 5,537.00 P…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TWO MESSAGES "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED" AND "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM". CAR BRAKES VERY HESITANTLY WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE EXTREMLY DANGEROUS. TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. HE READ CODES 1478, 1480 AND U2023. QUOTED ME THAT I NEED THE ABS MODULE REPLACED AT USD 5,537.00 PLUS TAX. THIS IS ABOVE THE KBB VALUE OF THE CAR. INVESTIGATING ON THE NET THERE IS EASILY HUNDREDS OF THE SAMECOMPLAINT OF PEOPLE LOOSING THEIR CAR AS IT IS BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR. ON TOP, I THINK I ONLY GOT LUCKY THAT THE FAILURE DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #11091103

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.