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.
My lights on dash will all randomly flash while my speedometer and rmp will stop working. My car also seems to not shift well when this happens. My steering feels extremely loose and unsafe. I don't dare to drive over 30mph and have not had anyone be able to tell me exactly what is wrong. My steering has also locked a few times, usually when I'm in reverse. I have to turn the car off and back on to make it work again. I fear for my son and family every time I have to drive to work and school.
Sometimes my steering wheel is very hard. In addition, my car won't able to start when turn my key - my battery is good and my starter is ok. No crank no start
Took my car in for a basic oil change the dealer informed me that there was a recall on my vehicle concerning the steering. They proceeded to correct whatever recall needed. Upon retrieving the vehicle back I had a hard time turning my key to start the car. I informed the dealership and they informed me that "I must press very hard jam it in there to start it" now a year later the car would not turn over had to have it towed to the dealership and was informed that the ignition switch was bad and was going to cost me $700 to repair. I have researched and found many 2008 Ford Escapes with the same problem my understanding was that this was a recall. Now I am stuck without my vehicle unless I pay the money for the vehicle that apparently has been an issue.
I have been having multiple problems with this vehicle. I went and got the power steering recall fixed 1 yr to maybe 2 yrs ago and Ford said it was fixed. Now I'm having power steering going out while driving and car pulls to the right. I then turn the vehicle off and back on and it goes back to working correctly. I went back to Ford and they said that the recall has been fixed and closed out and nothing they can do. Now I'm having power steering still going out and now all my lights (ABS, traction control, tire, air bag, anti theft light). After spending 200 at Ford they told me ECM is bad and need to replace. Almost 500 at Ford for keys to be programmed to new computer I am still having same problems and Ford wants me to spend more money to see what the next step is.
- Ridgeville, SC, USA
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My key fob unlocked the car, as usual, put child in. Got in drivers side. Put key in ignition. All locks locked! car did not start. I hit key fob and the pad to unlock several times... unlocked my door... I assumed all doors. Would not open door where daughter was in car seat in back (back passenger side). Key fob or door unlock would not work to unlock it. Key fob did not work at all after that first time and did not unlock her side. I got her out on driver's side backseat. We have video surveillence so incident should be on there. Vehicle was stationary. End of 100' driveway. No neighbors in sight. Terrifying to think if the key fob hadnt opened my door that last and apparently one and only time, if id be stuck in hot car with daughter in back seat.
Vehicle has a known problem with the ignition. There is difficulty starting the vehicle due to a faulty ignition cylinder requiring the operator to have to push the key in, often with great pressure, then twist the key to get the car to start. Eventually the ignition mechanism will fail completely requiring the entire ignition housing within the steering column to be replaced and at great expense. I was left stranded when the car failed to start and had to have it towed. Repairs cost over $500. The problem never affected me during normal driving, only when the car needed to be started. A simple search revealed many other Escape owners report the exact same issue so it is highly unlikely this is a random problem or the result of normal wear. Indeed, this is a factory defect that was never addressed by Ford. However, this is a very serious issue since, as happened to me, the car can and will leave the driver stranded which, it should go without saying, is not just an inconvenience but also a potential safety hazard. These vehicles need to be recalled and the problem remedied by Ford. Since I already paid for the repair I think it only fair that Ford reimburse me the costs.
Key ignition switch is difficult to work. Ford told me to punch the key in hard then turn, which works most of the time. I've read where is a common problem with lots of owners. To fix the problem, Ford says it will cost between $800 - $1000, but that it may happen again. No guarantee. Since this problem is so prevalent, why no recall to fix this common problem.
While driving there is a loss of power steering assist at various speeds on city streets and highways going stright and sometimes during a turn, the vehicle is difficult too steer, the engine remains operational however the instrument cluster goes into test mode where all the indicator lights come on and the tachometer and speedometer go to zero usually within 5-10 seconds it goes back to normal or the vehicle ignition switch has to be turned off and restarted and the vehicle is normal from a few minuets to a few days and then the event may return. This similar to NHTSA campaign # 14V264000. However this vehicles was manufactured in May 2008 and its VIN #, per Ford, was not included in that recall which started August 2006 through September 2010
Ford Escape 2008 has ignition switch problem. When turning the key when parked, there is no ignition to starter. Panel lights come on, but engine does not start. Ford recalled vehicles for this problem, but my VIN was not included. Extremely dissatisfied that Ford did not cover all make/model/year vehicles that exhibit this fault.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving or while the vehicle was stopped, it stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred intermittently. On several occasions, when the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition collar and break away bolts failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,500.
My Ford Escape's power steering suddenly went out in my while driving, it made the rest of the ride home from work extremely difficult and unsafe. I did my research and found there was in fact a Ford recall on this issue for my year and model car, however my VIN was not included in the recall, only the software update which I did handle in September 2014 at the dealership. The recall states the affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect steering input. As a result could remove the esp assist (electric power steering) we talked with Ford corporate and they said it was not part of recall but if the exact part that is included in the recall that will be replaced at no charge, they would work with us to have it replaced. When we brought it to local dealership, they confirmed after getting the error code the torque sensor did need to be replaced. They would not assist us in fixing it and after 2 calls to a supervisor we got them to escalate to Ford that still denied claim, and service manager even agreed that it should be added to the recall list when we picked it up that night. We called Ford again and talked with customer service and they said it had been too long since the software upgrade and nothing they could do. I will be reporting Ford to the BBB and still trying to escalate further as this car should be included in the recall due to the safety issue. All they said was to report it to the NHTSA site.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving 25 mph and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized and the wrench sensor indicator illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after the first attempt. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (electrical system, steering), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
ABS control module / hydraulic control unit hcu has gone out on my 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. It has left me with very little braking ability. If this was to happen on the hwy it could have been catastrophic. It is a $6,000 repair and it apparently requires a full replacement of the $4,000 part, the ABS control module / hcu. Ford needs to take ownership of this issue and correct the problem with their faulty hcus in these cars!
As I was driving home from work and turning a corner, my power steering just stopped working and I almost drove into another car, so to avoid colliding into on coming traffic I went onto the shoulder. I contacted the dealer and they said that my car was not included in the recall, but according to this web site it is. What do I need to do, crash?
When sitting idle at red light or stop sign, it rumbles roughly, I hit the accelerator it hesitates to go then all of a sudden gets a burst of speed. This mainly happens in city street.
For several weeks, it was having a difficult time getting my car to start. I had to push the key in all way in...pushing it hard and sometimes jiggling the key to get it to start. I replaced the ignition switch (module) and that did not correct the problem and my car would not start at all. I had a locksmith change the ignition but that didn't work. Finally Ford said that it was the "ignition switch housing". this seems like Ford has a problem with defective parts. As the Ford dealer had to order a 2nd "switch housing" because the 1st one (the one in stock) was defective.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. After stalling, the emergency warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical coolant pump motor for the hybrid battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14V526000 (hybrid propulsion system), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 150,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gardiner, ME, USA