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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,161 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 4 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #158

Apr 252016

Escape

  • 118,888 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While at a stop and attempting to move forward, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle jerked before moving forward. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,888. The VIN was unavailable.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #157

Apr 132016

Escape

  • 21,000 miles
A wrench warning sign.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #156

Apr 122016

Escape

  • 71,000 miles
Transmission - the service wrench dash light came on and the transmission started to shift badly. A quick trip to the Ford service center indicates that gears 2 & 4 need to be replaced (at 71,000 miles). Ford has issued a tsb on the problem, and there are multiple posts on the internet concerning this issue. This needs to be upgraded to a warranty recall as it does effect the safety of the vehicle.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #155

Apr 052016

Escape

  • 100,000 miles

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

2008 Ford Escape failed to accelerate while making turn into traffic. Examination revealed significant leak of transmission fluid from transmission fluid cooler resulting in "slippage" of transmission. Investigation of issue found that leakage was a cracked tube at right hand mounting bracket of transmission fluid cooler. This condition is covered by Ford csp 09B10, but had not been brought in for mitigation by previous owner. Ford has expired csp 09B10 as of August 2010, even though the condition appears to be a certainty (based on abundant internet commentary) relatively early in mileage life of vehicle (my Escape has very moderate mileage). Rapid and unexpected change in transmission performance is a safety issue, and should be subject to appropriate recall as opposed to a "fix-it" bulletin. Ford has indicated that they will not provide remediation of this problem.

- Clinton, TN, USA

problem #154

Apr 082016

Escape

  • 134,080 miles
Wrench light appears on lower left dash. Car has a difficult time getting into gear. Slow to engage, though high RPM. Happens while in motion. Or taking off from a stop.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #153

Nov 042015

Escape

  • 143,241 miles
Transmission will not go in drive only go in drive two one and reverse.

- Crivitz, WI, USA

problem #152

Feb 082016

Escape

  • miles

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

The steering wheel motor is not working

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #151

Feb 182016

Escape

  • 87,000 miles
Truck has 87,000 miles, riding down the road tranny not shifting properly, almost causing me to hit another car when I tried to accerlate.took to shop, transmission needs to be replaced. My god you got to be kidding me.terribly designed SUV. No more Ford for me.unheard of.

- Essex, MD, USA

problem #150

Nov 202015

Escape

  • 134,000 miles
At approximately 134,000 miles while driving on the highway, my car suddenly drastically slowed down quickly, started revving really high and the 'wrench light' came on. This almost resulted in getting rear-ended by the car that was traveling behind me on the highway. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership for an estimate. Was told the transmission was missing 2nd and 4th gear and the transmission would need to be replaced. Was told by Ford that the cost would be $4,200 to replace the transmission. The band for 2nd and 4th gear broke, sending the vehicle into limp mode (only using 1st and 3rd gear). I found this is a known issue as there are many complaints about this as well as a tsb (#tsb-12-4-8). After further research, I have discovered that this is a common issue with all Ford family vehicles that have the cd4E transmission. I have owned Ford vehicles for over 20 years and have never had this issue. Ford knows that this is a common issue but refuses to assist their loyal customers with a solution. While talking to a Ford service technician about this, I was told that Ford knows about the issue but refuses to do anything about it, leaving the customer to pay to replace something that Ford knows has issues. Does it really take someone to get injured or get killed in order for something to be done about it? if feel that Ford should pay to have the transmission replaced or provide a significant discount if the customer must pay for the replacement.

- Homewood, IL, USA

problem #149

Jan 272016

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
After depressing the accelerator the vehicle RPM's increase but the vehicle speed will not....almost as if the throttle is "sticking." This occurs while the vehicle is in motion.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #148

Jan 012016

Escape

  • 107,000 miles

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

Slipping when it goes from third to fourth gear

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #147

Feb 122015

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While parked, the vehicle leaked fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission was leaking fluid and would need to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission was leaking fluid and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #146

Jan 172016

Escape

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving 45 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The rpms increased. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, while attempting to tow the vehicle with the gear shifter in the park position, the vehicle rolled away. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 15V606000 (power train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #145

Nov 022015

Escape

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds for a long time, a leak from the rear driver's side of the vehicle was noticed. In addition, the vehicle was losing power. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed to engage properly, the axels and parts to the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer out of state where axels were replaced but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle was able to shift gears and the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer again, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired and was inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V606000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #144

Dec 192015

Escape

  • 38,000 miles
The throttle seems to get stuck while I'm driving. I'll push down on the gas pedal, the rpms will go up, but the car won't speed up or respond for a few seconds and then it will finally "catch" and accelerate. Happens often, sometimes from a stop and sometimes when I'm already in motion, even on the highway. I've been having the problem for about a year now, and I only have around 38,000 miles on the car.

- Mead, WA, USA

problem #143

Sep 092014

Escape 4-cyl

  • 131,837 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,837. Updated 02/18/16 updated 5/9/18

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #142

Nov 252015

Escape

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While parked, the vehicle was unable to start. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where it was repaired; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. In addition, while at a stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact switched off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #141

Nov 222015

Escape

  • 181,000 miles
I have had to have the transmission replaced 3 times. Now I am in the same position again. Ford was no help to me.

- Saxonburg, PA, USA

problem #140

Nov 112013

Escape

  • 86,000 miles
3 years ago my radio no longer lights up, the heat & ac only works on high and inside lights don't work. Then in 2013 replaced the transmission with absolutely no warning with 86,000 miles on the vehicle now in 2015 the power steering has gone out on the vehicle and this was recalled in 2014 and I took it to the dealer and they said that they would have covered it if it was within 12 months. It was a week and half over that.

- Scottsville, NY, USA

problem #139

Oct 032015

Escape

  • 162,000 miles
Acceleration is labored. The vehicle skips gears when driving at a low speed rate. The vehicle will jerk and make noises as it skipping through 2nd and 4th gear. Unfortunately, this happened in traffic at rush hour.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

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