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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,936 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford Escape drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 11 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Oct 042011

Escape 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had purchased this truck new from the dealer in March of 2008, this truck has had many problems in the past starting with the day I bought the truck. Now a few year's later the "a.C. condenser" was leaking transmission fluid and the dealer is now telling me that it is not covered under my "drive train warranty". I am not a mechanic but the several mechanic's that I have spoken to said that, that part is vital to the power train. I am a young struggling nurse trying to pay off school loans, and they are telling me that this is going to cost $700, I cannot afford it and I need my truck. I bought this new with the impression that these things will not be an issue and if they were they would be covered by Ford's warranty. I have done some research on the internet and this is a major problem with this specific year and truck. I am hoping that you guy's will be able to help with this matter. Thank you and god bless.

- Collegeville, PA, USA

problem #16

Oct 252011

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles
www.youtube.com/watch"V=-6xq2zyqmoi - this video depicts exactly what is wrong with the Ford 2008 Escapes. My vehicle started to leak transmission fluid profusely last week; which is not only a problem in major traffic if the Ford Escape 2008 transmission has no fluid, but also is an safety issue to those who walk in parking lots where my car has leaked fluid; it may cause a fall... especially with so many Ford Escapes 2008 having this exact problem. How many Ford Escapes 2008 must abruptly run out of transmission fluid before this does become a dire safety problem? side note: Ford hq states this is an ac problem; however, if my car leaks out all the transmission fluid, isn't it a drive line problem"

- Artesia, NM, USA

problem #15

Oct 302011

Escape 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
Purchased 2008 Ford Escape in June 2007. After around 25K miles the transmission was leaking fluid according to the Ford service center we took it to. They repaired this at no cost since this was under the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. Had a minor issue back in August with the air fan not blowing air properly. The fan had to be placed on high before it would blow out any air. This was fixed and cost approx. 200 dollars since the warranty was out in June 2007. No big deal. Then on October 30, around 73K miles on the car, it started stalling while driving and shaking violently. Put on brakes it would start to stall and when giving gas it would shake and then stall. Took it to the Ford service shop which is also the dealer where we have purchased around 5 or 6 vehicles and who has always serviced our Ford vehicles and were told that it needed a brand new transmission and since it is out of warranty this will cost $4,900. Have checked on numerous websites and this is a common issue with Ford Escapes. I actually know someone who bought her vehicle at the same dealer, the same year vehicle and had the same exact problem with around the same mileage when her transmission went out as well as the fan problem. I do not feel that I should have to pay for this since we had the same issue back when the car only had 25K miles on it. This car is only 3 1/2 years old and we should not have these many issues with this car. I cannot afford to have it fixed so it will sit in my driveway.

- Trenton, OH, USA

problem #14

Oct 122011

Escape

  • 104,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving to work, a wrench light illuminated. My car then had difficulty shifting and seemed to struggle to shift into gear. I took the car to my mechanic the next day and ended up having to spend $3,400 on a complete transmission overhaul. I do not think this should be since I service my car including transmission service on a regular basis.there was a recall on the condenser a while back. This was corrected.

- Highland Lks, NJ, USA

problem #13

Sep 212011

Escape 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
Defective transmission cooler fails and leaks transmission fluid. The vehicle lurches while low on transmission fluid.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

problem #12

Sep 032011

Escape

  • 57,550 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the transmission cooler fitting fractured, causing transmission fluid to leak. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer replaced the entire transmission condenser. The contact had not driven the vehicle since the repair. The failure mileage was 57,550. Kmj

- Danville, CA, USA

problem #11

May 012011

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Ford Escape just started leaking fluid one day. Even thought Ford admits its a huge huge problem that will effect my transmission its not recalled or covered by the warranty. The tranny cooler/ac condenser is leaking.

- Florence, AZ, USA

problem #10

Feb 282011

Escape

  • 38,300 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle jerked forward when accelerating from a very low speed or a stop. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told the vehicle needed a new condenser to help cool the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 38,300. The VIN was unavailable.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #9

Apr 052010

Escape 4WD

  • 12,600 miles
Ford Escape limited 4WD 2008 the pto seal on right side is leaking and was replaced at 17333km and a 20800km and is until leaking the pto will block and the wheel will block very dangerous.

- Longueuil, 00, USA

problem #8

Jan 202010

Escape

  • 37,000 miles
Vehicle is leaking severe amount of transmission fluid just at warranty mark. Dealer will not cover repair. There are a lot of complaints on internet in regard to this, it could cause a potential fire in vehicle or accident due to low levels of fluid, the control panel does not alert driver if transmission fluid level is low.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #7

Feb 182010

Escape

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2008 Ford. Escape transmission cooler. It is leaking fluid and is very dangerous. It causes the transmission to fail. I am surprised Ford has not done anything about this matter. I have read hundreds of complaints and failures.

- Cornelius, NC, USA

problem #6

Jan 282010

Escape

  • 39,555 miles
My 2008 Ford Escape has 'sprung' a transmission fluid leak causing my accelerator to 'rev' instead of driving properly and changing gears efficiently. If fluid gets too low, the rear end makes a loud thud noise when it kicks into gear. My SUV only has 39,555 miles on it, but since it is over the 36,000 miles, I no longer have any bumper to bumper warranty. This leaking seal is not covered by the 60,000 power train warranty as this is an external transmission part, and not an internal transmission part. As transmission fluid is designed to flow through the air conditioning coolant system, I now have to pay $800 to have this replaced. I have been told this is not a good design. Also, after researching this vehicle, I see there are other Escape owners experiencing the same problem. My transmission first acted up last week. I will be having it fixed at mike reichenbach Ford in florence, SC this Monday, February 8, 2010. This is not good...needless to say, I am a very dissatisfied Ford customer. We have owned several in the past. My husband was planning on purchasing a 2010 F150 truck, but has now said he will not. We feel very let down by Ford. This SUV should not have sprung a leak this soon.

- Freeport, OH, USA

problem #5

Oct 202009

Escape

  • 40,000 miles
My 2008 Ford Escape, (not hybrid), is leaking transmission fluid at 40K miles. The Ford dealership says they regularly see this problem. I have a lease and my warranty expired at 36K miles. Ford says they will not cover under warranty. Called Ford corporate in dearborn mich. They too agree this is a common occurrence in this year, make and model. They said a tsb, (technical service bulletin), has been issued, but no recall yet. Advised me to "save my receipt". this was my first Ford purchase and definitely my last.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 272009

Escape

  • 41,250 miles
Transmission cooler leaking on 2008 6cyl Ford Escape causing transmission to act erratically vibrates and lurch forward due to loss of transmission fluid. Also a fire hazard as undercarriage and radiator have heavy deposits of transmission fluid. Car has only 41,000 miles and majority of mileage has been on interstate. Currently car is in repair shop awaiting replacement parts. From complaints on internet this is a recurring problem for Ford Escapes and is not being addressed by Ford. Some of the complaints advised of near accidents due to this manufacturing defect. Ford should be forced to recall all 2008 Ford Escapes and reimburse all owners who have had to absorb the repair costs due to the manufacturing defect.

- Springboro, OH, USA

problem #3

Aug 192009

Escape

  • 44,381 miles
2008 Ford Escape--leaking transmission fluid---brought to dealer--crack in transmission cooler. Not covered under Ford's warranty or extended warranty we bought with the car. Ford will not do anything about it.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #2

Feb 282009

Escape

  • miles
We bougt a 2008 Ford Escape limited almost two years ago, it now has 70,000 miles and transmission is starting to go out., and when we took it to the dealership they said the compressor and the gearbox needed to be replaced. The trasmission fluid pours out and it shifts so hard into first and second gear that tires spin.

- Monticello, GA, USA

problem #1

Apr 262008

Escape

  • 10 miles
On leaving the lot a high vibration came thru the gas pedal at 1500 RPM's. I returned back to the dealer and was told to let it break in. After 1 month it did not go away and brought it in to service. 1st attempt they did nothing and was told to give them 2 weeks. 2nd attempt was then done and they re tied the gas cable and the problem didn't go away. The gave up and told me to call Ford. With Ford on the 3rd attempt replaced the shaft and made it worse. Now it vibrate and has a lingering buzzing sensation till 2000 rpms. They acknowledge the issue and are claiming it is normal, which no other vehicle except the Ford Escape has with the V6 engine, the V4 doesn't have this issue. This issue has been document on forums with the 2006 Escape having the same issues. Ford is also refusing to follow the lemon law by refunding my money since they cannot fix the problem and are not even offering an exchange as per law.

- Howell, NJ, USA

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