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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
63,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A BEEPING CHIME HEARD IN THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTRUCTING THE CONTACT TO STOP AND PULL OVER SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS A BEEPING CHIME HEARD IN THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTRUCTING THE CONTACT TO STOP AND PULL OVER SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC COOLING PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10393924

52,961 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUXILIARY COOLING PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE GASOLINE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN AS IT WAS ELECTRIC. THE ELECTRIC MOTOR STILL FUNCTIONED BUT THE GASOLINE ENGINE WOULD STALL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNED THE CONTACT TO PUL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUXILIARY COOLING PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE GASOLINE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN AS IT WAS ELECTRIC. THE ELECTRIC MOTOR STILL FUNCTIONED BUT THE GASOLINE ENGINE WOULD STALL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNED THE CONTACT TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME BUT COULD ONLY DRIVE 7-8 MILES BEFORE THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AGAIN AND LET IT SIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE COOLING PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,961 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,045.

NHTSA ODI #10393862

26,000 miles · Mar 14, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED ABNORMALLY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DISABILITY. THE CONTACT WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COAST OFF ROAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED ABNORMALLY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DISABILITY. THE CONTACT WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COAST OFF ROAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPAIRED THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSEMBLY EACH TIME. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10390134

34,485 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Fuel System, DieselParking BrakePower Train

2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: TURNED ON THE CAR, TURNED INTO A DRIVE WAY TO TURN AROUND NOTICED PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. BRAKE NOT ENGAGED? BRAKE FAILURE CAR ROLLING INTO PARKED VEHICLE HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO STOP. BACKED OUT OF DRIVE WAY ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE FAILURE ON DASH, GET BRAKES CHECKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. NO BRAKES. I …

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2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: TURNED ON THE CAR, TURNED INTO A DRIVE WAY TO TURN AROUND NOTICED PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. BRAKE NOT ENGAGED? BRAKE FAILURE CAR ROLLING INTO PARKED VEHICLE HAD TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO STOP. BACKED OUT OF DRIVE WAY ABS LIGHT ON, BRAKE FAILURE ON DASH, GET BRAKES CHECKED, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ON. NO BRAKES. I BACKED UP AGAIN AND THEN THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND THE CAR HAD HYPER BRAKES.... LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAY SENSITIVE. OVER STOPPAGE... TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY? THEN MY SON TOLD ME ABOUT THE HYDRAULIC PROBLEM????? FORD STILL HAS CARE SERVICING OTHER ISSUES, 34,485 MILES>. *TR CONSUMER STATED DAMAGED WAS REPAIRED, BY STATE FARM. TRADED THE CAR SHORTLY THERE AFTER. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10389798

50,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Electrical System

CAR FAILS TO START AND DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, THE CAR JUST WILL NOT START. THE ALARM LIGHT BLINKS FAST AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE …

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CAR FAILS TO START AND DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, THE CAR JUST WILL NOT START. THE ALARM LIGHT BLINKS FAST AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD ALARM LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ODOMETER WILL RESET TO ALL DASHES, A WARNING READS THAT THERE IS A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, BUT I CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FORD TECHNICIANS CANNOT VERIFY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET IT TO HAPPEN IN THE SHOP. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT STARTS HALF THE TIME AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382743

28,700 miles · Jan 31, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DRIVING OFF ROAD UP A STEEP INCLINE (40-45 DEGREES), THE VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT. THERE WASN'T ANY POWER GOING TO THE TIRES EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE RPM WOULD ONLY REV UP TO ABOUT 1200 RPM. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE AS THERE WAS NO POWER BE…

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DRIVING OFF ROAD UP A STEEP INCLINE (40-45 DEGREES), THE VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT. THERE WASN'T ANY POWER GOING TO THE TIRES EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE RPM WOULD ONLY REV UP TO ABOUT 1200 RPM. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE AS THERE WAS NO POWER BEING DELIVERED TO THE TIRES. THE TIRES DID NOT LOOSE TRACTION OR SPIN EITHER. WHAT WAS ESPECIALLY UNSAFE ABOUT THIS IS THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BACKING DOWN THE STEEP HILL I HAD TRIED TO ASCEND. I WAS TRYING TO BACK DOWN SLOWLY BY USING THE BRAKE, BUT MANY TIMES THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT AND SLIDE SOMETIMES SIDEWAYS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. I TRIED TO AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY THE US FOREST SERVICE IN WHICH MANY TIMES THE VEHICLE IS REQUIRED TO GO OF ROAD ON FOREST SERVICE ROADS. THERE IS A SECTION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT OFF ROAD DRIVING, BUT IT MAKES NO MENTION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UP STEEP INCLINES.

NHTSA ODI #10380495

55,668 miles · Dec 24, 2010
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR ON A TWO LANE UNDIVIDED HIGHWAY, I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO FOLLOW A CURVE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOCKED, AS I WAS DRIFTING OVER THE CENTER LINE INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE, I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR, AND P…

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WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR ON A TWO LANE UNDIVIDED HIGHWAY, I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO FOLLOW A CURVE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOCKED, AS I WAS DRIFTING OVER THE CENTER LINE INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE, I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR, AND PROPER STEERING RESUMED. EVEN THE SHORT TERM LOSS OF STEERING CAN AND WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR DEATH. A SAFETY RECALL NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED ON THESE VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #10372868

63,084 miles · Nov 23, 2010
Power Train

MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS EXPERIENCED AT LEAST TWO UNEXPECTED AND UN-COMMANDED ACCELERATIONS IN THE PAST WEEK. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT ONCE AND REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT ABS TONE RING. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS TODAY 23NOV2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367299

33,000 miles · Nov 19, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AND WHILE BRAKING, POWER STEERING SEEMED TO FAIL COMPLETELY FOR 3-5 SECONDS. STEERING DID NOT LOCK COMPLETELY, IT SEEMED, BUT IT TOOK REAL STRENGTH TO MOVE IT AS I WAS GOING AROUND A GENTLE CURVE. I'M NOT SURE MY WIFE COULD HAVE DONE SAME. POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. …

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I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AND WHILE BRAKING, POWER STEERING SEEMED TO FAIL COMPLETELY FOR 3-5 SECONDS. STEERING DID NOT LOCK COMPLETELY, IT SEEMED, BUT IT TOOK REAL STRENGTH TO MOVE IT AS I WAS GOING AROUND A GENTLE CURVE. I'M NOT SURE MY WIFE COULD HAVE DONE SAME. POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. CAR IS WITH DEALERSHIP NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366788

29,000 miles · Nov 5, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2008 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE PREVIOUSLY HAD A MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TONE RING AS A RESULT OF BRAKE FAILURE. YESTERDAY THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN THIS TIME THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. THE MECHANIC AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, BUT A COMPLETE PART FAILURE…

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2008 FORD HYBRID ESCAPE PREVIOUSLY HAD A MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TONE RING AS A RESULT OF BRAKE FAILURE. YESTERDAY THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN THIS TIME THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. THE MECHANIC AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, BUT A COMPLETE PART FAILURE THAT INVOLVED THE ABS SYSTEM. THE PART IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED, BUT I WILL HAVE IT RETAINED. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS ONLY AND HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS THE 3RD ISSUE OF BRAKE FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO ATTEMPT TO MAKE FIXES TO NO AVAIL. *TR CONSUMER STATED HE MADE A COMPLAINT PROBABLY 7 YEARS AGO. VEHICLE HAS LONG SINCE BEEN REPAIRED SO THERE IS NOTHING TO TEST. UPDATED 6/8/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10364202

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.