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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,840 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #79

Jan 092020

Escape 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles

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

On 1/9/20 the car had its last dangerous malfunction of so many sense I purchased the vehicle from a dealership 10/18. The car was parked in a beach parking lot. As my son was getting ready to leave the parking lot he turned car on put car in drive slightly stepped on gas to begin pulling out and the car surged and accelerated full speed by itself. He lost all steering and had no breaks. He had absolutely no control of the vehicle. It went full speed into a parked car about 15 ft away! both cars were totaled. All 3 people involved were injured. There was 2 people in parked car and my son who was burrowing my car. Previous to this accident the Escape has had so many dangerous malfunctions. Some being total steering loss while I was driving 45mph.car was towed and fixed covered by factory recall. Another shock snapped and punctured my fuel tank. My mechanic said I dodged death by driving. He said car was a ticking bomb. Ive replaced 2 ABS sensors at different times because they failed and caused break pedel to vibrate and made it very hard to stop. Another wheel bearing and wheel compartment due to total rust and corrosion of under body. All these things happened in only a little over a year sense purchasing this vehicle from mid cape moters for 6000$ in October.

- Hyannis, MA, USA

problem #78

Dec 132019

Escape

  • 180,000 miles
On multiple occasions went to press brake pedal but pedal doesn't depress all the way down, as if there was a block of wood or something preventing it. "regen brake disabled" light would appear on dash. Braking power adversely affected during these episodes. Causing to press down on brake very hard just to stop. On some occasions the multiple attempts at pressing of break would cause pedal to depress a little more and on some times non depressing brake pedal sensation would persist, with adverse brake affect.... sometimes experiencing a hypersensitivity to pressing on brake with a choppy braking impact and sometimes experiencing a very limited braking effect, causing one to almost have to "stand up" on the break in order to prevent hitting whomever might be in front. I recall starting to experience this initially about a year ago - roughly Apr 2018 est.. between then and recently sometimes braking would be more problemsome then other times the experiences seem to wax and wain but about mid December 2019 after parking at work in the morning and returning to the car to go back home. It appeared the emergency parking brake I engaged was stuck. When I turned the vehicle on I got the same illuminated regens brake disabled signal on the dash and it appeared I couldn't get the car out of park. I had to leave vehicle at work. I was away from work a week. Upon return the car started without the regen brake disabled signal but when I release emergency brake & shifted car into reverse, regens brake disable came on again, I was still able to drive however and did, slow and guarded but did. Now a new symptom engaged - I drove to a stop sign and when braking at the light and pulling off, brakes felt still engaged somewhat and progressively driving felt this way. I drove a bit more but shortly had to pull over and call a tow truck. Was told by mechs master cylinder nds replacg

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #77

Dec 102019

Escape

  • 1,200,000 miles
While driving it was hard to push on brakes and when I took my foot off of the gas it vehicle would stop. So I took it to mechanic and he said my brakes went w caliber or wheel bearing. A few weeks later same thing happen all needed replaced now again its happened. This is to much something has to be wrong. It would pull back and burn the brakes up. I mean it was hard to get it two 25 miles per hour. This is the 3rd time. This happened while I was driving each time. The vehicle felt like it was pulling back, hard to go forward then hard to push on brakes then the brakes stated smoking.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #76

Oct 232019

Escape

  • 135,000 miles

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

Brakes go to the floor and I almost had to stand on the brake pedal to stop. Drove it back home, and scanned it, ABS codes are leading to the hydraulic control unit. After research, it's a pricey repair. I just cant believe Ford has not stepped up, recalled and fixed the issue.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #75

Sep 302019

Escape

  • 197,000 miles
2008 Ford Escape hybrid AWD, 197000 regen brakes disabled notice at vehicle start and in rush hour traffic. Soft brakes, nearly could not stop. Very unsafe in traffic or, in the case that it happens in a high-speed situation, could be deadly. Confirmed hcu and ABS system. The fact that this has so many complaints with different years and models of hybrid vehicles with no resolution is unacceptable.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #74

Oct 042019

Escape

  • 95,000 miles
ABS light came on over a year ago. Since then I've had it serviced 3 times and the brakes replaced. Now it's in for inspection and can't pass. My experience and mechanic experiences routine moments when the brakes do not engage even when the pedal is floored. They've bled the brakes and now are trying to explore other potential solutions. As of now 5 days without a car or any apparent solution to the diagnosis. Mechanic will not pass since the brakes fail without warning...it is still with the mechanic so no documentation as of yet.

- Huntingdon Valley, PA, USA

problem #73

Sep 162019

Escape

  • 126,000 miles

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

Brake peddle goes to the floor sometimes after a hard braking event. After pumping the brake peddle a few times, they come back. They sometimes go out when hitting a bump in the road also.again they come back after some vigorous pumping of the peddle. Fluid level is good. I haven't wrecked it yet, but I can for see a passable problem in the future.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #72

Sep 112019

Escape

  • 128,000 miles
Driving at 40 mph, ABS light came up first, then, brakes and then regent brakes disabled warning light came on. I was driving going home at 4:45 and stopped at a postal office when I noticed that to stop I had to push hard on the brakes to park. Leaving the postal office, I noticed the car wasn't breaking exactly when I wanted, to but decided that I wanted to get home, so I continue driving, but at a red light the brakes went all the way to the floor and I almost hit the car in front of me. I went into a panic and parked my car right there, in a bank parking lot, and proceeded to call a towing truck, to tow it to my friends house. I took uber back home and I'm not planning on driving that car.

- Annandale, VA, USA

problem #71

Sep 042018

Escape

  • 96,900 miles
While driving, the car will randomly display the "parking brake" warning-light, ABS warning-light, and a message stating that "regenerative braking has been disabled". at which point the brake pedal will no longer slow the car down unless depressed all the way to the floor. Braking appears to be entirely manual -- there is no support from the regeneration or hydraulic system. This can occur suddenly, without warning, in conditions as varied as highway driving (at speeds greater than 65 mph) or in stop-and-go traffic.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #70

Aug 192019

Escape

  • 161,200 miles
Recently purchased 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. On August 19th, when I turned the car on with approximately 161,200 miles, the "check ABS" light came on. While driving within city traffic with the "check ABS" light on, the car had sluggish braking. Applying the brake would slow down the vehicle, but the brake pedal would need to be pressed hard for the final 10-15 feet of the stop. The next morning, when I turned the car on again, the ABS light had disappeared and braking had returned to normal. The car is currently being checked at Virginia tire & auto 6620 backlick road, springfield, va 22150. It seems very dangerous that the ABS can fail intermittently, and a severe defect in the brakes should be recalled and repaired immediately by Ford.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #69

Jun 212019

Escape

  • 124,000 miles

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

Car was braking erroneously as I was driving. Misdiagnosed twice, it was ultimately diagnosed as ABS module failure. This put a strain on my engine and transmission and of course, the brakes. This is a very expensive repair if you get a new module and even with a rebuilt one. The initial rebuilt one as also faulty. Repair place struggled to get a unit because they are so in demand, I rebuilt my transmission less than three years ago M(which also shouldn't have happened) and now it is damaged. Even with a used unit, the total repair was $1200, not counting the rental car after the first replacement module failed. As this is a brake issue, it was recommended that I report it.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #68

Jun 262019

Escape

  • 86,090 miles
All associated brake failure warning messages appear on dash. Took it to the local dealership where they diagnosed it as a hydraulic control unit failure. Repairs quoted at $5000.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #67

Nov 242018

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
Ford Escape - brakes started to get very very mushy. Once I pushed on the brakes, the pedal would keep dropping and not be responsive. Luckily I had enough car lengths in front of me and was going slowly enough on neighborhood streets to stop without injuring anything. Luckily I was not on the highway! this is extremely dangerous while driving, so I took my car to a local shop and they replaced the master cylinder. That still did not resolve the issue so they said the hydraulic control unit is faulty and I will not be able to drive my car (as the brakes could completely fail at any time). Took the car to Ford and they said it was the master cylinder (just replaced) and sad if it wasn't that - it was the hydraulic control unit. They did nothing to resolve the issue. This is extremely unsafe and I cannot drive my car since the brakes are failing!

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #66

Apr 182019

Escape

  • miles
Brake pedal travels almost to floor. Had brakes replaced, master cylinder replaced. All brake lines bled and still having same problem.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #65

Mar 052019

Escape

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle lost electric power steering (eps) ability, which caused the contact to have to maneuver the steering wheel with extreme difficulty. The eps warning indicator flashed when the failure occurred. An independent mechanic located a diagnostic trouble code for the steering shaft torque sensor. The torque sensor needed to be replaced the ABS control module needed to be reprogrammed. Dick masheter Ford (1090 S hamilton rd, columbus, oh 43227, (614) 861-7150) and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle received a software update in 2014 for NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering); however, the remedy failed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: DP15001 (steering); however, the failure was related. The manufacturer provided no assistance other than suggesting the dealer replace the part. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #64

Sep 152018

Escape

  • 135,000 miles
The breaks continue to fail. Has all new pads, rotors and the master cylender replaced. When coming to a stop the breaks vibrate and then need to push the petal to the floor to be able to slowly slow down. I then need to pump visiously up to 5 times to get the breaks to temporarily work again. Was then told by my mechanic the ABS is the issue. I have researched this issue with the yr of my vehicle to find that this is a serious issue with many 08 Ford Escapes and have yet to find a recal for this deady malfunction. My car only has 135000 miles and this is a safety issue that Ford needs to fix with a recall asap.

- Sanbornville, NH, USA

problem #63

Dec 132018

Escape

  • 18,000 miles
I just purchased this car. It has 18,000 miles on it. After driving for one week. I noticed the car brakes have become very hard to stop. Almost to the point where I have to press the pedal to the floor. I was driving about 45 mph when a car turned in front of my and I had to hit the brakes. I had an extreme delay in the brakes and almost smashed into the car in front. Luckily there was another lane to merge into or I could have been in a major accident. I now always have to have my foot ready for the emergency brake because I am afraid the brakes will go out. I took the car to a Ford dealership and they are telling me that the car has a faulty hcu. The cost to replace is over 5000 dollars. How does a car with 18K miles require a part that cost more than an engine? this car is not safe to drive. Upon research we noticed that thousands of these cars have the same braking issue and its a hazard. A recall must be issued and Ford needs to own up to their faulty car before someone gets killed. This car is dangerous and we will be taking a huge loss and disposing it if there is no recall issued.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #62

Dec 152018

Escape

  • 150,000 miles
The front passenger brake caliper keeps seizing. I replaced it in July along with the rotor and pads and now its started seizing yet again. The steering shaft U joint wears out easy and causes the steering to become loose.

- Shavertown, PA, USA

problem #61

Dec 182018

Escape

  • 230,000 miles
I have had several occasions in the past few months when the brakes went almost to the floor and came back up after I pumped them. They continued doing this every time I stopped until I got home. I have had a mechanic check out the brake system each time and he can find nothing wrong with the brakes. His only suggestions is that "maybe" the ABS module is trying to go out and if it happens again, pull over, turn off the car and turn it back on and see if that fixes it for the time being. The only common element I can think of is that one time, I had driven over a very rough spot in the road, one time I had just hit a pothole, and one time I was making a turn as I hit a rough spot in the road. The mechanic thought this was making the ABS system think it needed to engage but offered no suggestions of how to fix the issue other than what I mentioned above.

- Kearney, MO, USA

problem #60

Nov 122018

Escape

  • miles
When you take the transmission is sluggish on changing gears and after a change out of logan her into high gear is sykes working fine wine step on the brakes the truck starts bouncing feels like the front end is about to fall out from under the truck and I told you to the Ford company and they said there's no any recall on my VIN number but I have a part that is listed under the government site is good that's what's going on with my vehicle is a Ford Escape 2008.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

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