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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
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD IN OCTOBER 2014 STATING THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP MAY FAIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT CAUSING IT TO LOSE POWER AND STALL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. SO FAR I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO BRING THE CAR IN TO FIX IT. I DID STOP BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO F…

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I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD IN OCTOBER 2014 STATING THAT THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP MAY FAIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT CAUSING IT TO LOSE POWER AND STALL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. SO FAR I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO BRING THE CAR IN TO FIX IT. I DID STOP BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE HAVEN'T NOTIFIED ME AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NEVER RECEIVED THE PARTS FROM THE FORD COMPANY. WE ARE PLANNING ON A LONG TRIP SHORTLY BUT AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. [ ITS BEEN 6 MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE LETTER ] I THINK ITS TIME THEY TAKE CARE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679927

81,000 miles · Jan 29, 2015
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #10679707

69,500 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Engine

THE ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. LATEST WAS 2 DAYS AGO. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR ACCELERATION ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPS TO ZERO AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO. IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. AFTER ABOUT 2 OR 3 MINUTES A MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH THAT SAYS "IT IS SAFE TO SHUT OFF YOUR VEHICLE NOW." ONCE THE VEHICLE IS…

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THE ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. LATEST WAS 2 DAYS AGO. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR ACCELERATION ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPS TO ZERO AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO. IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. AFTER ABOUT 2 OR 3 MINUTES A MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH THAT SAYS "IT IS SAFE TO SHUT OFF YOUR VEHICLE NOW." ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND I WAIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES I CAN START IT AGAIN. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING ON MY DASH FORD AND THE DEALER WILL NOT DO THE RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS. SO I HAVE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR UNTIL THERE ARE PARTS AVAILABLE ALL BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A CODE. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS A GROUND FAULT WIRE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO THE RECALL. THIS IS REALLY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP ON ME. THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE BUT WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS EVEN THOUGH RECALL LETTERS CAME OUT IN OCTOBER. IT'S NOW JANUARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676774

28,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10676723

62,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANSMADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR UNTIL RECENTLY. THE MANUFACTU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANSMADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RECUR UNTIL RECENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10670289

46,550 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Engine

REFER TO TSB-08-24-5 AND RECALL 14S19. ESCAPE HYBRID EXPERIENCED THE EXACT FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 70 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND A RED TRIANGLE APPEARED. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER WHO NOTED THE TSB NUMBER ON THE REPAIR…

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REFER TO TSB-08-24-5 AND RECALL 14S19. ESCAPE HYBRID EXPERIENCED THE EXACT FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 70 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND A RED TRIANGLE APPEARED. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER WHO NOTED THE TSB NUMBER ON THE REPAIR INVOICE. THIS VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM FORD'S LIST AS A COVERED VEHICLE. FORD REPRESENTATIVES DENIED ANY INTEREST IN REFUNDING THE REPAIRS COSTS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE GROUP AND FAILURE WAS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. NTSB NEEDS TO EXPAND THIS RECALL TO ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS FAILURE EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON FORD'S LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663621

105,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Service Brakes

WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE LOSES REGENERATIVE BRAKING AND REVERTS TO FAIL SAFE MODE. MOST NOTABLY THIS OCCURS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT. BRAKES APPEAR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY, HOWEVER AT THE END OF A BRAKING CYCLE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE STABILITY …

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WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE LOSES REGENERATIVE BRAKING AND REVERTS TO FAIL SAFE MODE. MOST NOTABLY THIS OCCURS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT. BRAKES APPEAR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY, HOWEVER AT THE END OF A BRAKING CYCLE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE STABILITY CONTROL DASH LIGHT QUICKLY FLASHES ON AND THEN OFF. ALSO, THE GAUGE THAT SHOWS POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE BATTERY STOPS CHARGING THE BATTERY AND RETURNS TO THE NORMAL POSITION POINTING STRAIGHT UP. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AFTER THIS OCCURRENCE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS OR AFTER EFFECTS ARE KNOWN. IT MAY HAPPEN AT ONE STOP LIGHT AND NOT THE NEXT. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. SOMETIMES IT MAY DO THIS 2 OR 3 TIMES WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FOR 30 MINUTES OR IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AT ALL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO A FAULTY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS A COMPONENT FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, NOT DUE TO DRIVER-INDUCED DAMAGE OR WEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662896

117,540 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AS THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL NHTSA CAMPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AS THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE SECOND DAY AFTER THE SOFTWARE WAS REPROGRAMMED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,540.

NHTSA ODI #10659769

115,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659464

1,990,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Steering

CAR STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING AND CAR BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER SHIP AND THEY WILL CHARGE OVER $900.00 TO REPAIR AND TAKE 2 DAYS. STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO FORD DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658920

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.