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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

443 reports
165,931 miles · Jul 14, 2021
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake was applied however, was spongy and slow to respond. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The Regan brakes disable failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the cont…

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The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake was applied however, was spongy and slow to respond. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The Regan brakes disable failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to a local dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 165,931.

NHTSA ODI #11424786

133,540 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED JORDAN FORD (609 E JEFFERSON BLVD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED JORDAN FORD (609 E JEFFERSON BLVD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE HYBRID BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,540.

NHTSA ODI #11407294

120,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING SOUND DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING SOUND DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11397385

191,000 miles · Sep 2, 2020
Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLE OR DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF AS THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLE OR DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF AS THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 191,000.

NHTSA ODI #11352850

97,000 miles · Jan 26, 2020
Steering

THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP WHEN MAKING A TURN AT LOW SPEED. IF I PULL DOWN HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL BREAK LOSE, BUT THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11301946

155,000 miles · Oct 17, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED A MONTH AGO AND THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AND ONLY OPERATED AT 40% CAPACITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF AND THE BRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED A MONTH AGO AND THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AND ONLY OPERATED AT 40% CAPACITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF AND THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #11269216

57,000 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CALLED PREFERRED FORD (L…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CALLED PREFERRED FORD (LOCATED AT 1401 S BEACON BLVD, GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417, (616) 842-0600) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE INDICATOR WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED, HE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. EACH TIME THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11232787

110,000 miles · Jul 7, 2019
Service Brakes

AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, THE ASB AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKES WEREN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I WAS ABLE TO CAREFULLY DRIVE IT HOME, 5 MILES. AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR A SHORT TIME IT WAS STARTED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT ON AND IT DROVE NORMALLY. I TOOK IT TO FORD GARAGE WHERE …

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AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, THE ASB AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKES WEREN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I WAS ABLE TO CAREFULLY DRIVE IT HOME, 5 MILES. AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR A SHORT TIME IT WAS STARTED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT ON AND IT DROVE NORMALLY. I TOOK IT TO FORD GARAGE WHERE THEY SAID THE HCU MALFUNCTION AND IT NEEDED REPLACED. THE HCU PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HYBRIDS AND VARY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND DANGEROUS IF NOT FIXED. IT'S BEEN AT THE LOCAL FORD GARAGE FOR OVER 7 WEEKS AND THEY CAN'T BLEED THE BRAKES TO FINISH THE REPAIR. ALSO, WHEN THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T BLEED THE BRAKES, I NEED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OF BLEEDING THE BRAKES. AT LEAST IT'S SAFE SITTING AT THE FORD GARAGE AND NOT BEING DRIVEN. FORD SHOULD RECALL THEIR HCUS

NHTSA ODI #11229873

162,330 miles · Jun 21, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE WON'T STOP. THE REGEN BRAKE DISABLED LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. NO BRAKES AT ALL

NHTSA ODI #11221812

118,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Service BrakesCrash

REGEN BRAKES DISABLED MALFUNCTION, LEADS TO LOSS OF BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. MANY MANY OTHER ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS HAVE FILED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS . PLEASE DO A GOOGLE SEARCH TO VERIFY THE EXTENT OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED PROMPTLY BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #11219703

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.