Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
4025–50K
8750–75K
7675–100K
131100–150K
69150K+
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
129,800 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND NOTHING HAPPENED I COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPH. I KEPT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WHERE MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE I COULDN'T DRIVE…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, TRIED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND NOTHING HAPPENED I COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPH. I KEPT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WHERE MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE I COULDN'T DRIVE IT ANYWHERE. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AND TO REPLACE IT WAS 780.00 THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2009 TO 2013 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR 2008 OR HYBRIDS.
NHTSA ODI #10760245
160,000 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Service Brakes
I WAS DRIVING WITH FAMILY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND IT WENT TOTALLY FLAT. THE ABS AND CHECK BRAKES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES ARE CURRENTLY TOTALLY UNOPERATIONAL. I TOOK CAR IN FOR REPAIRS, TOLD THAT A NEW ABS CONTROL MODULE(HYBRID ECU & HCU) REQUIRED - COST $4000.
NHTSA ODI #10759018
130,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Service Brakes
I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, STRAIGHT ROAD WITH A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. I RELEASED PRESSURE AND PRESSED AGAIN. AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO PRESS THE BRAKES (BRAKES NOW IN SAFE/MANUAL MODE). I GOT AN ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT…
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I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, STRAIGHT ROAD WITH A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. I RELEASED PRESSURE AND PRESSED AGAIN. AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO PRESS THE BRAKES (BRAKES NOW IN SAFE/MANUAL MODE). I GOT AN ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING. AFTER I STOPPED, I PULLED OVER SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR, WAITED A MINUTE, AND RESTARTED. AFTER RESTART, BRAKES WORLD NORMALLY. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPED SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #10745796
102,000 miles · Jun 22, 2015
Service Brakes
REGEN BRAKE DISABLE LIGHT ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $4700.
NHTSA ODI #10726624
130,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10725740
89,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Steering
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS A POWER STEERING RECALL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL. HOWEVER, WITHIN THREE DAYS THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE POINT OF THE RECALL WAS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE OF SUDDEN POWER STEERING SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. A…
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MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS A POWER STEERING RECALL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL. HOWEVER, WITHIN THREE DAYS THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE POINT OF THE RECALL WAS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE OF SUDDEN POWER STEERING SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE POWER STEERING IS STILL FAILING AFTER BEING "FIXED" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL. THERE ARE 1.1 MILLION VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND FORD HAS YET TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE MAY 2014 AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT BEING FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10723527
85,000 miles · Jun 1, 2015
Structure
BOTH REAR QUARTER PANELS ARE PREMATURELY RUSTING AND I HAVE SEEN THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS.
NHTSA ODI #10722793
98,000 miles · May 22, 2015
Steering
I EXPERIENCED THE "SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING". TOOK CAR INTO SERVICE AND THEY ARGUED WITH ME BUT FINALLY FOUND AND REPAIRED THE ISSUE. THIS WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I THINK I WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR. CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPT SINCE THE WAS IDENTIFIED AS A DEFECT?
NHTSA ODI #10721083
100,000 miles · May 15, 2015
Service Brakes
WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 35 IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS WHEN COMING DOWN HILL WENT TO HIT BRAKES AND BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AN WE HAD NO BRAKES. INFORMATION CENTER WAS SHOWING THAT BRAKES HAD BEEN DISABLED AND I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW CAR DOWN ENOUGH TO KEEP FROM COLLIDING WITH CAR IN FRONT OF US. LIMPED HOM…
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WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 35 IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS WHEN COMING DOWN HILL WENT TO HIT BRAKES AND BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AN WE HAD NO BRAKES. INFORMATION CENTER WAS SHOWING THAT BRAKES HAD BEEN DISABLED AND I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW CAR DOWN ENOUGH TO KEEP FROM COLLIDING WITH CAR IN FRONT OF US. LIMPED HOME IN CAR WITH NO BRAKES AT TIMES PULLED OVER IN PARKING LOT TURNED CAR OFF AN UPON TURNING IT BACK ON CAR RESET ITSELF AN WE HAD BRAKES FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AN WAS TOLD THE ABS HCU WAS BAD AN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS A 4500 PART AND WE HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR A WEEK BEFORE. FORD NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE IN OTHER FORUMS OTHER DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES WITH BRAKE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDERS AND THIS PART THE ABS HCU
NHTSA ODI #10716598
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
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.
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year