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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
134,000 miles · Mar 8, 2015
Steering

PARKED THE CAR AT NIGHT, NEXT MORNING THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692798

80,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN VERY HOT WEATHER, THE BATTERY WOULD OVERHEAT AND A MESSAGE TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION WOULD DISPLAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THEY BATTERY PUMP WAS FAULTY A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN VERY HOT WEATHER, THE BATTERY WOULD OVERHEAT AND A MESSAGE TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION WOULD DISPLAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THEY BATTERY PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CODE IDENTIFYING THE FAILURE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10692486

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2015
Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10691653

64,481 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Service Brakes

MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED AN ABS SYMBOL IN MARCH 2014. THE BRAKES BECAME ERRATIC AND I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED FOR A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN AND LOOSE ABS TONE RING ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AXLE. THE TONE RING AND WHEEL AXLE WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THEN, IN FEBRUARY 2015, MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED ANOTHER ABS…

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MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED AN ABS SYMBOL IN MARCH 2014. THE BRAKES BECAME ERRATIC AND I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED FOR A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN AND LOOSE ABS TONE RING ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AXLE. THE TONE RING AND WHEEL AXLE WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THEN, IN FEBRUARY 2015, MY DASHBOARD DISPLAYED ANOTHER ABS SYMBOL. AGAIN, I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED AND THE MECHANIC FOUND ANOTHER BROKEN AND LOOSE TONE RING. THIS TIME IT WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AXLE. AGAIN, REPAIR WAS DONE AT MY EXPENSE. THESE PROBLEMS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE AND COMPENSATION FROM THEM. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THESE PROBLEMS SINCE THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY PROGRAM. MY CAR PROBLEMS SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL OR SAFETY PROGRAM FROM THE NHTSA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691026

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2015
Hybrid Propulsion System

2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER THE SAFETY RECALL FOR WHEN ENGINE GOES INTO "IDLE" MODE AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUTS WHEN A FAULT IS DETECTED WITH THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP, WAS NOT BEING FULLY ADDRESS BY FORD. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAL SAFETY ISSUE WAS THE SOFTWARE THAT TRIGGERED THE ENGINE GOING I…

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2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. CONSUMER THE SAFETY RECALL FOR WHEN ENGINE GOES INTO "IDLE" MODE AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUTS WHEN A FAULT IS DETECTED WITH THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP, WAS NOT BEING FULLY ADDRESS BY FORD. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAL SAFETY ISSUE WAS THE SOFTWARE THAT TRIGGERED THE ENGINE GOING INTO IMMEDIATE IDLE MODE. FUTURE FAILURES OF THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP WOULD TRIGGER THE ENGINE GOING INTO THE IMMEDIATE IDLE MODE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE APPROPRIATE FIX WOULD BE TO CHANGE THE SOFTWARE FROM GOING TO IMMEDIATE IDLE MODE TO GOING TO IDLE MODE AFTER A DELAY OF A PERIOD OF TIME OR WHEN THE VEHICLE'S SPEED IS ZERO WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. RECALL # 14V526000. JB

NHTSA ODI #10668008

300,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V28400…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

NHTSA ODI #10683269

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

95,568 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Steering

LOCAL FORD DEALER COMPLIED WITH FORD RECALL NOTICE TWO MONTHS AGO ON STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR. LAST WEEKEND, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON. NEVER BEFORE HAND A PROBLEM WITH STEERING OR HAD EVER SEEN THIS INDICATOR LIGHT. WITHIN 24 HOURS OF FIRST SEEING THE WARNING LIGHT,…

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LOCAL FORD DEALER COMPLIED WITH FORD RECALL NOTICE TWO MONTHS AGO ON STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR. LAST WEEKEND, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" LIGHT CAME ON. NEVER BEFORE HAND A PROBLEM WITH STEERING OR HAD EVER SEEN THIS INDICATOR LIGHT. WITHIN 24 HOURS OF FIRST SEEING THE WARNING LIGHT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY. THIS MORNING THE DEALER TELLS ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN, TO BE PAID FOR BY ME PERSONALLY, AS IT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL (WHICH INCIDENTALLY STATED IT WOULD REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN IF NECESSARY). APPROX. COST $1200, WHICH I HAVE AUTHORIZED. GOOGLING AROUND THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS I AM NOT ALONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682961

125,700 miles · Feb 5, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE THROT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS STUCK AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,700.

NHTSA ODI #10681406

80,000 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680064

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.