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.
I was turning right on a stop light and front left ABS tone ring broke. Car slipped gears and would not accelerate for 5-10 seconds. Rsc light and ABS light came on briefly. Car continued to do this randomly and ABS brakes were activated when braking at low speeds. Issue is with tone ring on many Ford Escapes from 2000-2008. Rings often break because of excessive rust build up on Ford components causing expansion. Part is constructed very poorly and as a result safety is compromised and service repairs profit goes up!
While driving my front wheel drive Ford Escape on a trip the ABS and stability control lights both came on. This did not initially cause any problems with normal braking while driving in dry conditions. At the end of the trip the ABS system activated on every stop, significantly reducing stopping distance on dry ground. My investigation found the following: Rusting of the driveshaft surface apparently caused outward pressure on the inside of the front right ABS tone ring resulting in it separating in one spot. This probably created a error in the monitoring by that ABS sensor resulting in the lights coming on. The ring may have held fast to the rust under the remainder of the ring during most of my trip causing no other problems. Near the end of my trip the cracked ring appears to have shaken free, slipping on the rotating driveshaft surface. This may have made the sensor think the wheel was not turning and applied the ABS to that wheel each time the brakes were applied. The danger then became increased stopping distance on dry ground and unknown performance on slippery surfaces. In checking around, this appears to be a common problem and the other ring will crack eventually due to similar rusting. Repairing this requires the ring to be replaced and possibly the driveshaft section it is mounted on.
I am having trouble with my 2008 Ford Escape the ignition switch won't start my car. Since about 6 months ago I have to keep pushing my key in further and further to try to get my car to start. Sometimes it take 10-15 min before I can actually get it started. Reading comments about the car this is a major issue and there should be a recall done.
I was driving through a crowded neighborhood with many people crossing the roads with the weather being warm. All of a sudden, the engine light and other dashboard lights came on, and the car stalled. The brakes would not work, so I turned on my hazard lights, held the horn down and waved frantically through my open window. Luckily I had enough space in front of me so I could allow the car to cruise to a halt. I unfortunately had to roll through a stop sign where the people were aware that I was having an issue with the car. Upon stopping the car and turning it off, I got out and looked under the hood for any smoke or other issues. I let the car sit on the side of the road for about 5-10 minutes, and then started it up again. I was within 2 minutes of my residence so I rolled the car all the way home with my hazards on. This could have been a serious situation with multiple injuries and/or fatalities (small children in area). Ford needs to fix this issue as soon as possible.
Experienced frequent loss of power steering at speed and at stop a few months ago. Replacing the battery resolved it for 2 months. Then it started again when in tucson. Extreme wobble in the steering column at all times. Restarting the car helped reset power steering for the first 2 days if the car lost power steering while at rest. Restarting the car at speed is not possible and losing power steering is pretty sudden and scary. Was driving at 70mph on interstate 10 and lost power steering several times. Had to pull over with available manual steering, which was hard. Researched online and found similar issues with the 2008 Ford Escape--loss of power steering both at rest and at speed. Filing complaint.
- Canyon Country, CA, USA
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When I was driving and then going to make a turn the car gas and steering shut down and the car would not move any longer. The steering wheel also got stuck in the process of turning and. The gas peddle also have been getting stuck before this incident it has been going on for at least 3yrs 2011 until 2014 the present we have gone to check it put no diagnosis was done to let us know the steering column system was out until this year when the car went out completely. This is not an acceptable problem and I should not have to pay to get it repaired.
Driving down the road, turned down a busy street, wheel locked up. Completely frozen, took an incredible amount of strength to turn into a parking lot to safety. Restarted car and it was fixed. Happened again later that day going down the highway, steering wheel locked. (it's like I have no power steering at all, but it is all electric). The wheel has continued to lock at random times, with no warning what so ever for 20 (twenty!) more times, I have documented them all. Nothing provokes this happening, like turning, going up or down hill, slow speeds, nothing, it just happens out of no where. This is extremely dangerous, numerous times I have been in very heavy traffic with no outlet available for me to turn into. It has happened waiting at a stoplight in a turn only lane, but I can't turn the wheel. It has happened again while in the middle lane of a busy highway and I've had to very forcefully angle the wheel so I could get on the shoulder. The wheel unlocks after you restart the car. My stability control light turns on every time the wheel locks. I have done research this is a known problem, hundreds of complaints and Ford is doing nothing about it. From what I have read, you have to replace the entire steering column (a $1,300 fix) due to a faulty switch. This is extremely dangerous and I could very easily wreck if it happens in a bad time or bad location. I have had numerous very close calls already and I am afraid to continue driving every day. Ford needs to recall this immediately.
I was at a stop sign, at a complete stop. When I accelerated, the car felt and sounded like it was going to stall and the gas pedal did not work--then the car surged forward. The ABS light and traction control lights then came on and would not go off. This is the 2nd time I have had an issue with the throttle body--I had it replaced at a Ford dealer 3 years ago, and now it is being replaced again. I have had the car since 2008, and I'm on my 3rd throttle body--the original one, the one replaced at the Ford dealer, and now this one. The financial burden is stressful enough, but then add on the fact that, at any time, the throttle can freeze up and stop working which can cause a serious accident.
While attempting to back out of my driveway, the steering wheel locked and the car wouldn't move. I registered the complaint with aboutautombile, .com on that very same day. The # is 10489579. The car was taken in last year and no one could find a problem as it is intermittent. 3 days ago, my 16 year old son was driving to school and as he was turning right at a corner (20mpg), the wheel locked. Since I was not with him, we said we would keep an eye on it. Today, again he was turning (this time left at 20 mpg) the wheel locked again. He was able to get it across the road and park it in a plaza. I picked him up and drove him to school. I have been waiting on service to call me to get the vehicle looked at. At this point, even though his school is lose to home there is no was I want my son to drive this Ford product. I work at henry Ford hospital and I am bewildered as to why this has not been recalled as it is an obvious safety issue. Looking on-line, there have been a large number of customers with the same complaint.
I was driving and the power steering went out! I struggled to maintain the Escape on the curve. I pulled off the road and shut off the car, when I turned it back on I was able to turn the wheel but that didn't last very long. I parked it for awhile and borrowed a car but I had to return it so now I'm driving and just praying I don't loose all control. Today it was diagnosed, need a new power steering electric motor, cost between 1300-1500 dollars! that is something that shouldn't be happening, Ford needs to fix this problem. I see how many complaints there are when I checked it out at all locations online.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 10 mph and approached a stop sign. The brake pedal was depressed however, there was a delayed response and the traction control and ABS warning indicators illuminated. In addition, there was a loud grinding noise heard from the vehicle. After repeated attempts, the vehicle halted. The engine was turned off and when restarted, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but they advised the contact that they were unable to perform a diagnosis without the malfunction occurring while being diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. The VIN was not available.
While driving gas pedal is sticking, electronic throttle body failures resulting in stall/surge while driving. This ia a very dangerous defect that can cause serious injury or death and needs to be addressed by Ford Motor Company. There currently is not a recall to this year model. Please help me.
ABS tone ring cracks because of rust on the axle and then it spins on the axle and causes the ABS to activate and the traction control to activate because it believes you are skidding. Then the ABS and traction control warning light activate to say there is something wrong with the system. After much research, this is a very common problem, is a design flaw, and is a safety feature for the vehicle.
Just lucky we pulled over for gas. Our vehicle keep running even when it was turned off. 2008 Ford Escape 4dr 2wd XLS with 48,0087 miles would not turn off. We stopped, purchased new battery $90 and continued 15 miles to charlotte parking lot. We were advise to pull out gas module, disconnect the cable to battery and we would get home. Wrong, after aaa tow 109 miles back to SC budd's delivered it to benson's Ford for review. After 5 hours no clue by co. Next day after 12 pm. Co said Ford engineering told them how to fix my anti-lock brake system with $589 module, F80 fuse and $39 rubber hose leaking.hose had hole in it. This car never in collision yet. We were saved by tow from aaa in charlotte nc to easley area. They say charges $1300 for sure. I know this must be the first report. But I wanted to let our national Agency know about the defect. Please call if needed. Email is [xxx]. we got lucky, we stopped before we lost brakes. There was however reported leaking rubber hose to replace. We were lucky, other may not be. I have always been cautious with cars..also reported 091B10 recall not advertised by Ford. That's leaky coolant. Not fixed yet. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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- Bloomington, IL, USA