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Engine & cooling

2008 Ford Escape Engine problems

Owners have filed 231 complaints about the 2008 Ford Escape's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 10% of all its complaints, most recently on July 13, 2026. They describe 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
231
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

While driving over 60 MPH the car will begin to say the engine is hot and sometimes without warning going to stop safely now however when you open the hood nothing is hot to touch and there's an extreme amount of coolant gone from the engine coolant tank have replaced coolant tank itself still having issue begin happening in March and is still continuing

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11750029
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

Check engine light keeps flashing, car vibration, bad head gasket, oil and fluid leak

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11721440
SteeringEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault," message displayed; after which, the driver became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact...

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related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11609380
SteeringEngine & cooling

The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was firm and difficult to maneuver. After coming to a stop, the failure progressed, and the steering wheel became extremely firm. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a steering sensor rotation failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recently occurred and related...

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the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 161,432.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11589075
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the oil cap had loosened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the oil cap and the valve cover were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11511245
Driver assistanceEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled, but restarted after 45 minutes. The vehicle stability assists system warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11477839
Acceleration & cruise controlBrakesEngine & cooling

Having issue with throttle body and or controller. Break takes time to respond and is stiff. When on an incline road, the car rolls backwards before accelerating forward. The rolled back at stop signs on inclined roads and inclined parking lots. The car shows no warming lights. The car has issues accelerating and decelerating. The car has rolled back while another car was behind it. The car at some instances has come to almost a halt while driving at 70 mph on the highway. While displaying no warming signals. ...

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Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This type of issue has been confirmed by the dealership and has been recalled for some ford escapes but not all. The car has been inspected by a technician. The transmission has been rebuild but that did not work so a new transmission was placed inside yet this did not resolve anything. The car has been having these issues for some years.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11448986
Engine & cooling

The car show a message saying "stop safely now" and starts stalling and then suddenly turn off by itself. It can happen while driving in freeway or the street

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11415124
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the brake hose was defective. The brake hose and brake pads were replaced. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle however, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to the used car dealer where she purchased the vehicle, and was informed that...

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the vehicle had a defective torque converter. The mechanic was unable to perform the repair so the vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic. After the vehicle remained in their possession for a few days, the contact called the independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle needed a new engine. The engine was replaced however, the contact stated that the check engine light illuminated upon return of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where the oxygen sensor was replaced. Holman ford turnersville (3641 route 42 south, turnersville, nj 08012) was contacted by phone and the contact was informed that there were no active recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failures to nhtsa campaign numbers: 15v606000 (power train) and 15e045000 (suspension). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11364490
BrakesEngine & cooling

While driving the abs warning light comes on along with the check brakes took to a mechanic shop and was told it was the and module that was going out. They waited me a price of 2400 dollars to get a new module and 1200 to install. Took vehicle to the dealership and was told they could not find a problem. When I tried to drive it home the two lights came on and also the engine light. I called a weaker and had it dropped off at my house.

Filed Incident Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11355678
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The car broke down at a traffic light a few miles from the highway entrance and would not run. Battery light, wrench light and stop safely came on. The car was towed to a ford dealer, diagnosed with p0a7a and p0a78 codes. The dealership said the car needed a new or rebuilt transmission, which would have cost more than the cars trade in value if if good running condition.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11339395
Driver assistanceEngine & cooling

There have been numerous times where my car would suddenly stall or freeze up when making turns or pressing the gas after coming to a complete stop. By stalling I mean taking a second or two to accelerate then jerking kinda hard once I hit the gas pedal. When the car would freeze up, the traction and check engine indicator flashes and the steering wheel is completely stuck in place and I'd have to restart the car to get it going again. It doesnt freeze or stall on the highway but it always happens on city streets.

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11338994
SuspensionEngine & cooling

Valve cover gasket leaks, suspension control arm both sides cracking, ac condenser leaking

Filed Incident Suspension · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11338044
Engine & cooling

I found my ford escape hybrid 2008. Engine stalled while driving. It shot down and I have to pull over and restart the engine. I have research internet and found that same ford escape model from 2003- 2008 issue. However, when I run my vin does not appear it has recall. Its suppose to have ford recall 14s19. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11329798
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Randomly the car will 'stall' to to speak even though it is an automatic and not a 5-speed. When I say stall I am referring to when I am stopped at a stop sign, red light, yielding to turn, etc - when I go to hit the gas the rpm's rev up high and the car speed is very low and at a rolling speed - even though I push down all of the way in order to get the car to speed up to avoid being struck my other vehicles when turning. The car will then regain all speed at once - instead of gradually. This has happened numerous...

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times while I am trying to merge onto an oncoming interstate ramp or am at a red light or stop sign. I have missed being hit thus far but have had a few close calls. I have a check engine light on and have taken it to several dealerships and auto mechanic shops that have been unable to determine an issue with the car. They have read the check engine code and have found nothing wrong with the car.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11306945
SuspensionEngine & cooling

Just driving and all of a sudden loud metal noise. Then intermittent metal scraping sound. Took it to the shop and they said it's an axel and transmission problem. It will cost more to repair than the car is worth. I still owe 2 years of payments. Terrible absolutely terrible. On a city street coming to a stop at a light traveling approximately 25mph. No accident or anything just driving slow coming to a stop.

Filed Incident Suspension · EngineNHTSA 11278828
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The engine motor mounts have failed three times on the vehicle causing exhaust parts to break. The ford oem parts only last one year before needing to be replaced again. Recently, the bad motor mounts caused the engine to move so much it caused the front flex pipe to break which subsequently clogged one of the catalytic convertors to clog.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11257133
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

My vehicle will be in motion while driving and suddenly have a shifting problem. The vehicle will shake and stutter and looses power no matter how much you press your foot on the gas peddle. My engine light flashed on and off a couple times and then once my vehicle shifted, it would idle rough and act like it was going to die when I would stop at a light. This has been happening for several days now at different speeds on residential streets and the highway. The engine light has not come on since. I took it to have the error code read from the engine light coming on but it was only a generic code. One of the codes was for an airbag sensor. I do not know what is wrong with it.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11228511
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape hybrid. While driving approximately 75 mph, the contact noticed a rattling noise emerging from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to metro ford (5422 wayne terr, madison, wi 53718) where it was determined that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11217125
Engine & coolingCrash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. While approaching a stop, the vehicle accelerated on its own in traffic without warning. The contact applied the brakes and emergency brake and the vehicle swerved off the road. The contact finally stopped the vehicle before crashing. The vehicle was taken to carmax of arlington (8400 anderson blvd, fort worth, tx 76120, (817) 801-1501), but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed because the test could not be read. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 50,000. The vin was invalid. *Js

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11206295
SteeringEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. When the vehicle was started and placed in reverse, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the steering seized. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in nhtsa campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11173057
SteeringEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape hybrid. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel shook severely and the vehicle was out of control. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normally. The vehicle was slowly driven to matthews currie ford (located at 130 n tamiami trail, nokomis, fl 34275, (800) 248-2378) where it was diagnosed that the steering column assembly...

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needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the vin. The contact was referred to nhtsa. The approximate failure mileage was 133,588.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11164608
Acceleration & cruise controlDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

This has happened multiple times randomly without warning. I have been on a freeway, bridge, regular street, traffic. A red warning light will come on with "stop safely now" and the car will quickly slow down. It will go really slow regardless of stepping on the gas. Once I pull over I have t stop the car and put it in park then turn it back on. This is extremely dangerous especially when I am on the freeway or on the bridge (i work in san francisco).

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11128821
Engine & cooling

Engine unexpectedly shuts off while driving at various speeds without any warning.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11110416
Engine & coolingFuel system3 injuries

We bought our car used in 2008/2009. We took our car into a dealership when it was under warranty because of exhaust fumes. We often are smelling exhaust but since the dealership dismissed our problem we have been dealing with it all these years as 'normal'. I recently was hearing of police officers with ford vehicles passing out or having damage because of the fumes in their ford suv. I took my daughter to the doctor a few years ago after being on a trip in the vehicle because she was throwing up on the way...

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there and back. The doctors gave her back x-rays and said that it was just motion sickness.. She often complains of being sick in the car. I also don't like the fumes, but just drive it. Now I realize it may be a problem that was ignored by ford to begin with. The more I drive it the more dizzy spells I have during the day. The fumes are almost immediately when we run the vehicle and when driving. This is been re-accuring since we bought the vehicle with around 50k, now it has 212k miles.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11097968

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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