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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,278 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 8 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #28

Jan 232012

Escape 4-cyl

  • 38,000 miles

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

My car appeared to go into neutral while driving, then revved up and shot forward. Putting myself and passengers at danger of getting into an accident. This appears to be a common flaw in the power train (transmission) of the Ford Escapes. There should be a recall issued before a fatality occurs due to Ford negligence. I called Ford immediately upon arriving at work and will take it in at the end of the day but, having looked for complaints/recalls on line I see that this is very common and Ford is not taking responsibility.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #27

Oct 112011

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck and could not be dislodged. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told there was no way to remedy the pedal failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Clinton, NC, USA

problem #26

Dec 072010

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle response time to acceleration attempts was extremely slow and the pedal could be depressed into the floorboard abnormally. The contact would have to depress the accelerator pedal at least three times for the vehicle to respond when the failure would occur. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was told that the pedal felt as if it was becoming slightly stuck when depressed, but that the contact should not be too concerned with the failure. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant to start and the contact would have to turn the key several times before the vehicle would respond. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 109,716.

- Srping Lake, NC, USA

problem #25

Jan 032011

Escape

  • 22,800 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when driving approximately 5-55 mph, the accelerator pedal would become stuck and could not be released for at least twenty minutes. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 22,800.

- Calamazoo, MI, USA

problem #24

Nov 272011

Escape

  • 36,100 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the accelerator pedal fractured without any warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that a spring in the accelerator pedal broke and as a result, needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 36,100.

- Garysburg, NC, USA

problem #23

Sep 172011

Escape

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated with an increase in the engine rpms. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the idle air control valve was replaced. One day after the repair was performed the identical failure recurred without warning. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for diagnosis and repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Burbank, CA, USA

problem #22

Aug 142011

Escape 4-cyl

  • 81,000 miles

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

2nd instance in less than one year of broken accelerator pedal cable clips in 2008 Ford Escape. The defect is known and is addressed in a Ford tsb, number: Tsb-09-21-9. this is an unacceptable problem that should not be repeated. The first instance occurred while attempting to pass on the freeway. The failure of the clips resulted in a complete loss of power, which was only non-life threatening because the vehicle was in the right lane. Today's instance occurred in a parking lot... after the car was sitting. No power was exerted on the pedal at the time of breakage. This is clearly a defect warranting recall and a more permanent and suitable repair fix. As I stated, this is the second instance in less than a year, so the original part replacement solution is not effective.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #21

Jul 242011

Escape 6-cyl

  • 46,600 miles
Gas pedal fell to floor and vehicle lost all power. No previous warning. Unable to use gas pedal. Driving on highway at 65mph. Was able to pull off ro side of road.

- Minoa, NY, USA

problem #20

May 152011

Escape 4-cyl

  • 33,252 miles
Important addendum to O.D.I. # 10407083: (June 16, 2011) TL* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to higher speeds. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a barrier before rolling over. The contact sustained minor scratches. The police were called and a report was filed. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was pending investigation. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 31,000. ******** car had ongoing mechanical issues which were brought to the attention of our Ford dealer: Chief complaint was the gas pedal dropping to the floor by itself-had to be manually coaxed back up to normal operating height; the dealer checked at 1st complaint, said it was ok: At 2nd complaint of the same: They installed a new throttle cable & gas pedal. The car was in a roll over accident which totaled the car shortly after the visit to the mechanic. The car accelerated out of control by itself. Ford has 2 other passenger vehicles on recall now for a similar problem: Throttle body issues leading to runaway acceleration (free style & free star).

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #19

May 152011

Escape

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to higher speeds. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a barrier before rolling over. The contact sustained minor scratches. The police were called and a report was filed. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was pending investigation. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 31,000. Updated 07/20/11 updated 3/16/12

- Stanford, CT, USA

problem #18

Mar 212011

Escape

  • 26,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph and as the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle began to lurch forward violently as the vehicle exhibited an abnormal increase in engine rpms. The failure recurred when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a diagnosis was performed. The failure was contributed to a leakage within the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 26,500.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #17

Dec 102010

Escape

  • 28,500 miles
2008 Ford Escape - 28,500 miles - problems with accelerator sticking. Large amount of force required to break through the sticking point which in turn caused the vehicle accelerate faster than desired - especially in stop and go traffic. Car was taken to the local Ford dealership and they determined that it was the throttle body assembly and replaced it. Thankfully, the car was still under warranty.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #16

Dec 062010

Escape

  • 35,000 miles
2008 Ford Escape failure to excel or sticking when pushing the gas pedal. After happening too many times, and scares us to use the car we took it in for repairs. According to warranty, this is not covered yet there was no regular maintenance needed or required on the gas pedal. They weren't going to honor our extended warranty until we showed them numerous online emails of others having the same problem. We had to pay $100 deductible from our extended warranty policy. We feel they aren't telling the general public this is a problem with this particular vehicle. We feel this is a serious safety issue and needs a recall.

- Milford, MI, USA

problem #15

Dec 132010

Escape

  • 45,000 miles
2008 Ford Escape gas pedal sticks in cold weather. When the car is started in the morning after a cold night it is very difficult to push the pedal down. After warming it is drivable but has occasionally, in cold weather become difficult to push down after a few miles also. This is very scary. My Escape is a stick shift so I was able to put the car in neutral and try to pump the pedal up and down to loosen it up. Car is now at the dealer and waiting for the throttle body replacement which is on back order. Web search found others with the same problem after car has about 40K miles. Do no see any recalls at this time but it is a safety concern.

- Wernersville, PA, USA

problem #14

Dec 042010

Escape

  • 78,000 miles
I have a 2008 Ford Escape 2008 that has been having issues with the accelerator pedal being difficult to press or getting stuck while driving. I reported the issue in March 2010 to the dealership but they could not get it to replicated so I was told no concern found. However recently I was driving my vehicle on 12/04/2010 which is my birthday and my vehicle accelerator pedal got stuck to the ground of the vehicle while I was merging into traffic and almost had a major accident. I have gone to Ford website and noted that this issue has been ongoing with this make and model vehicle, I have taken my car back to the dealership and am struggling with them to get the repair done at cost to Ford. Ford customer care states there is no recall on the throttle body which in my car and others like mine needs replacing. Also I have seen on the official Ford site where this problem has been sited by other customers and yet nothing has been done by the company or the government to ensure the safety of the consumer. The service manager at the dealership luckily my problem got that high up the chain to get recognized otherwise I would still be driving myself, family and loved ones in a defective car... for all the Ford Escape drivers with the year make and models of 2008 we need your help! the economy is in a recession and yet we are still being gourged by capitalist companies that won't do right by consumers...

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #13

Nov 292010

Escape

  • 44,582 miles
I was driving my 2008 Ford Escape and the accelerator pedal gave out. I was going up the on ramp and I went to accelerate and the gas pedal went limp..from reading alot of reviews on line this has cause numerous accidents and Ford is not recalling this.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #12

Nov 202010

Escape

  • 65,210 miles
08 Ford Escape, gas pedal will stick and when I try to depress it, it will not, it requires a large amount of force to break the pedal free, it causes my SUV to accelerate at an uncontrolled rate. This has been a continuing issue and has only gotten worse.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #11

Nov 012010

Escape 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
On my 2008 Escape, my gas pedal will stick and when I try to depress it, it will not, it requires a large amount of force to break the pedal free, when this happens, it causes my SUV to accelerate at an uncontrolled rate. This is a continuing issue and has only gotten worse.

- Eastampton, NJ, USA

problem #10

Oct 232010

Escape

  • 38,000 miles
When driving our 2008 Ford Escape w/ 38,000 miles down the interstate at 65 mph, the gas pedal suddenly dropped to the floor and was lifeless. My 15 1/2 year old daughter was driving in the left lane and luckily she was able to avoid traffic and get to the only available shoulder on the right. It was a terrible situation that could have ended in disaster. The car is in the shop now and I can only anticipate that the Ford dealership will not stand by this product and I will pay for the repair and towing expense.

- Sheboygan Falls, WI, USA

problem #9

Oct 042010

Escape

  • 67,000 miles
My gas pedal just stopped working while I was driving 65 mph on a highway. It was flat on the floor - I could not even feel it with my foot. Thankfully I was able to get it off the road safely since it was early in the morning with no other cars around - it could have caused a major accident. We had the car towed to the dealership, and they told us that the throttle cable had broken. They refused to cover any expense of fixing it or towing it because our warranty of 36,000 miles has expired. This is a 2008 vehicle with 67,000 miles on it - the gas pedal should not just stop working! I have reviewed other complaints and it appears that at least 4 others have filed complaints for the same problem for 2008 Ford Escapes. I am very disappointed in how Ford is handling these issues.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

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