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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 5 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #138

Sep 132015

Escape

  • 113,000 miles

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

I was at a red light preceded to go forward when the light changed a wrench symbol appeared and the car would not accelerate there was a semi truck coming at high rate speed so I had pull to the side of the road it was scary situation I could've been killed I like Ford but I probably will not get another one if this is not recalled

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #137

Sep 012015

Escape

  • 86,000 miles
Vehicle displayed a wrench symbol on the dash and vehicle lost power to the wheels. After pulling over and stopping I tried putting the vehicle in drive and it would not move. Then I tried reverse and again it would not move. Had it scanned and it suggested that it was a transmission problem. After reading previous similar complaints Ford should realize that this a serious issue and should take responsibility and put a recall before someone gets seriously injured. The vehicle is seven years old and under 87,000 miles it should not be the owners rresponsibility to correct the problem.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #136

Jun 142011

Escape

  • 42,000 miles
I purchased a 2008 Ford Escape limited edition for my son in college, first, there were problems with the tires which sounded like the tires were going to explode. The noise was so loud and took it to my local dealership and they did nothing. I had the vehicle for approximately six months. The second issue pertained to the steering/suspension and that cost me $900. The dealership constantly states, "just keep your receipts." Today, I contacted sheehy Ford in springfield va regarding the new problem which is the throttle. The vehicle lost power and he could not shift the vehicle at all. The customer service representative looked up the VIN number and informed me my vehicle was not covered. I explained to the gentleman that I was on line and found information that Ford has issued an extended warranty for defective throttle body assemblies and sensors for 10 years or 150,000 miles based on an investigation by the national highway safety administration (NHTSA) for a defect investigation of alleged throttle body failures in 2005-2012 Ford Escapes (complaints from nc). I was informed my vehicle was not covered because only specific VIN numbers were included. I am a single parent and I have put too much money in this vehicle. After reading the comments on line, this vehicle appears to have numerous defects. What does it take for our government to take action, lost of lives" is the dollar more important than people lives" we need to start holding these companies accountable. There is clearly issues with this vehicle and I want Ford to pay for my repairs.

- Kingstowne, VA, USA

problem #135

Jul 072015

Escape

  • 150,000 miles

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

Attempted to pull into uncoming traffic in a 45mph zone, but could not get to more than 10mph. The power train light appeared as a wrench bottom left of steering wheel. Glided/steered car immediatly to closest parking lot and called closest Ford dealership.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #134

Jun 262015

Escape

  • 159,000 miles
Was diving down the road with my two kids in the car when I heard a pop I looked in my rearview and watched as a small part went bouncing down the road than it slowed down immediately and I couldn't accelerate or drive it stopped dead in the middle of the road I got out and my transmission fluid had gushed out all over the bottom and back rear windshield took it to a garage it is the transmission it needs to totally be replaced I'm guessing the trans cooler was leaking fluid and after the fluid was to low that it literally blew up I don't understand why there has not been a recall the 2008 Ford Escape has the most complaints than any other year it's insaine my car died in the middle of the road on a hill in the middle of no where with two little kids N the car we are so lucky that we didn't get smashed into by someone they better fix this problem I should sue Ford for selling faulty transmissions and not fixing them and I don't understand after all of the complaints you have had why the safety comics ion or the government has not done a recall on this year especially I've read over 800 complaints and R stone has been the. Same thing with my year and moe it doesn't matter how many times the transmission is replaced you get about 24K to 40K before you need to replace them again

- Waterville , ME, USA

problem #133

Apr 282015

Escape

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #132

Apr 142015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles

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

In heavy traffic the car lunged as it was going through the turn lane. The car is not shifting correctly between 1 and 2 gears. It stalls and then lunges. This is my wife's car and she was terrified to drive it. We took it to finish line Ford in peoria and they said there was a service bulletin out on this common problem. The 2008 Escape does not shift correctly between 1&2 gears and 3&4 gears. The repair costs $1300 so Ford is making major profit. I was previously offered a service contract to continue the warranty which they point to and say I could have taken it. If Ford was honest and knew about this problem and told everyone that owned a 2008 Escape that failure was going to happen on this transmission then I might have purchased the contract but they with-held information needed to make an informed decision. This lunging is extremely dangerous.

- Brimfield, IL, USA

problem #131

Mar 272015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 86,200 miles
Driving down the road at about 30 miles per hour. Slowed down to about 15 to go over a set of railroad tracks. Upon acceleration the engine revved up to 3500 RPM before shifting. At that point the 2nd and 4th gears were no longer available. Diagnostic at Ford indicated the gear band had broken. $4463 repair for a transmission with only 86,000 miles.

- Plymouth , MN, USA

problem #130

Apr 032015

Escape

  • 147,000 miles
My wife was driving when she went to take off and the car went to around 3500 RPM before shifting out of first gear. We took it that day to the Ford dealer and it was diagnosed with a broken overdrive band and the car is missing 2nd and 4th gear. I have done a google search of this issue and it is a very common one on this car. There are thousands and thousands of complaints out there. It is so common that when I picked it up at the Ford dealer they told me there was no charge for the diagnosis even though I had not had it fixed yet as they knew exactly what the problem was without taking it apart. They said they see it all the time. If my wife had been pulling into traffic when this happened and was expecting it to take off like normal she could have been in a wreck as the car will not take off like normal. She was very lucky. How Ford can get away with not doing a recall when this is such a common issue is beyond belief. I am now looking at a minimum $1300 bill just to fix that part. That is if I don't do a rebuild or new transmission. This is the 6 cylinder version of this vehicle.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #129

Mar 102015

Escape

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle failed to shift gears and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road to a complete stop. After few minutes, the vehicle started normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Brooklyn, CT, USA

problem #128

Mar 102015

Escape

  • 118,000 miles

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

Driving down highway car suddenly didn't want to accelerate from stop light. Rpms would surge to 4.5-5,000 but car wouldn't go faster than 20mph until about 100ft. Wrench light came on. Took it to Ford dealer, bands 2 to 4 are broken. Have to get a new transmission for $3,800. An inability to accelerate is a very serious safety issue. Ford_please do the right thing and put a recall on this!

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #127

Mar 022015

Escape

  • 85,000 miles
There is a bad weld on the ac condenser/ transmission cooler estimated cost $800. If not replaced transmission will fail. Found multiple complaints.

- Arvada , CO, USA

problem #126

Feb 092015

Escape 6-cyl

  • 123,000 miles
My car feels like it's jerking into gear. If started off only jerking when I would be at a corner and I needed to make a turn. The car would move very slow and then mum forward. This is very dangerous because any cars coming could possible hit me. After a while it would also jerk when I was stopped at a light and needed to pull off, the car would move forward slowly and then jerk forward. Now the jerking is happening while I'm driving. Is there something going on with this vehicle? I am scared that I'm going to get hit one day.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #125

Mar 022015

Escape 4-cyl

  • 124,485 miles
We have had throttle body problems since 2008. Ford dealer replaced it once in 2008. Throttle body sticks and you can't push the gas pedal down. This happens the first 5-15 min of starting the car.. it happened on 3-2-2015 while trying to cross a highway, could not push gas pedal down. We just about got T boned ! also we have had the transmission replaced at 114000 miles. Dealer says we have transmission problem again and the throttle problem again.

- Smithfield, NC, USA

problem #124

Feb 112015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Backing into parking spot car started to surge and stop. While attempting to get car home it started surging and over revving. When stopped it would not move. Pushed off the road. Restarted and revved hard and was able to get it home. Now you put it in gear, engine revs, then decels to 800 RPM and will move some.

- Minford, OH, USA

problem #123

Feb 092015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
Escape would not shift gears when it hit 20 mph it stalls when going from a stop position. Rpms would jump up during this time until it finally does kick into gear. Took to mechanic and was told the 2nd and 4th bands on the transmission are faulty and need transmission rebuild. There is a tsb out for this problem but this is a safety issue and should be a recall. Mileage is at 101,000 miles. Having your car not accelerate from a stop position puts the driver and other drivers at risk.

- Bennington, NE, USA

problem #122

Feb 032015

Escape 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle made a loud clinking noise and the transmission seized. The contact lost control of the vehicle. The service vehicle warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 4/15/15 updated 03/09/16.

- Zion, IL, USA

problem #121

Jan 232015

Escape 6-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
After the recall on the power steering for the 2008 Ford Escape we have had numerous issues. Moses Ford of St. Albans, wv said the computer must re-set. At 7:30 a.M. on 1/23/15 the power steering went out. Ford Motor Company states we must pay for all repairs even though a problem has existed. Was told that some cars had to have complete system replaced because of problems. This comment was made when I contacted Ford Motor Company. The computer was just re-programmed on mine.

- Poca, WV, USA

problem #120

Jun 302014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 112,474 miles
I was driving the vehicle and a loud noise was made and the vehicle stopped running. Had car towed to garage and the 2nd and 4th bands were destroyed. The transmission was rebuilt. It took 1.5 months to complete the work. Now here I am again sitting along the highway with the same issues 2nd and 4th bands destroyed and the engine mounts destroyed this time. It has only been 7 months and 6,526 miles later and I have to put another transmission in the car. There is a serious problem with these transmissions.

- Princess Anne, MD, USA

problem #119

Jan 102015

Escape 4WD 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
It feels as though the car is pulling to drive forward. And a puttering effect.

- Freeport, NY, USA

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