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3.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,819 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2008 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #87

Oct 022010

Escape 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

2008 Ford Escape, broke down in the middle of intersection. Did get it moved out of way of traffic. But it was due to a failure in the torque converter. And, after 7 weeks and finding out that it is actually a recall and Ford stated that they will not notify owners of the vehicles, but just if it happens to replace it. Not everyone could be so lucky as me to get out of imminent danger! when this goes out, the vehicle dies when the vehicle slows down.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #86

Jun 012010

Escape

  • 49,500 miles
I have a Ford Escape 08, and about 6 months ago I noticed that it started leaking at the front of the vehicle, which at the beginning I thought it was the air conditioner. But then searching on the web I realized that the problem was the vehicle oil cooler transmission and now it just doesn't stop leaking alot.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #85

Sep 042010

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
After stopping or slowing down and when you push on the gas to drive or speed up the car would hesitate as if it were in neutral and then kick into gear and the car would jerk and the tires would skid. This happened for about 2 weeks and then my car stopped driving. It was out of warranty by 10,000 miles and the band broke inside the transmission so now it needs a transmission overhaul.

- Celebration, FL, USA

problem #84

May 262010

Escape

  • 20,000 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 while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly stopped moving forward although the engine was still running. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that there was a problem with the coolant in the transmission. The VIN was unavailable at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 20,000.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #83

Dec 292009

Escape

  • 13,160 miles
No prior warning transmission failed while traveling 40 mph, moved to side of road, towed to dealer, transmission was filled with metal chips and was burnt, replacement transmission installed 1/4/2010, lasted a month, would lurch when starting out, when entering intersection it lurched into it, returned vehicle to dealer 2/10/2010, internal crack was found, now on 3rd transmission with no confidence in this vehicle.

- Milford, NH, USA

problem #82

Apr 052010

Escape

  • 29,300 miles
-the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph approaching a stop sign. While at a complete stop the transmission slipped out of gear without assistance. When pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lurched forward and into the prior selected gear. Suddenly, the tires screeched. The failure occurred on three different occasions. Additionally, the gears would lock and not shift into another gear. Also, there was transmission fluid leakage. The vehicle had not been repaired for the malfunctions. Failure mileage was 29,300. The current mileage was 29,592.

- Saint Michael, MN, USA

problem #81

Apr 152010

Escape

  • 60,328 miles

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

Recently my 2008 Ford Escape started hesitating when taking off. Almost caused an accident since I was pulling out into traffic. Today as I stopped at a stop light the transmission did not shift down, it lurched forward and died. It appears many 08 Escape owners are also having this problem. Why has this not been investigated. Someone may be killed if something is not done.

- Zimmerman, MN, USA

problem #80

Apr 052010

Escape 4WD

  • 12,600 miles
Ford Escape limited 4WD 2008 the pto seal on right side is leaking and was replaced at 17333km and a 20800km and is until leaking the pto will block and the wheel will block very dangerous.

- Longueuil, 00, USA

problem #79

Feb 282010

Escape

  • 42,000 miles
My 2008 Ford Escape started jerking during acceleration and shuttering at stop lights. No lights check engine light ever came on, and didn't happen all the time. Finally the car stalled at a red light and I decided to bring it in. My Ford dealership said its the transmission fluid leaking via the ac condenser. They are fixing it, $800 cost.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #78

Feb 012010

Escape

  • 32,567 miles
Leak in the transmission, cooler thru the ac condenser. Kept leaking transmission fluid.

- Berlin, NJ, USA

problem #77

Mar 042010

Escape

  • 40,925 miles

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

Car start stalling, took it to the dealer and they said the transmission cooler was leaking and when the transmission get hot it will not work due to the lack of fluid.

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

problem #76

Jan 102010

Escape

  • 58,000 miles
The car started to drive sluggish and hesitated in the middle of the street. After checking the transmission fluid I found that I was nearly empty. I refilled the tranny with about 3 quarts of fluid. The next day I checked it again and there was no fluid on the stick. I looked at the right passenger front side of the vehicle and saw were fluid was leaking from under the radiator. After having this checked out I am told that this is the transmission cooler and lines and there is no fix for the problem. It can be replaced but it will happen again according to the dealer. Now, I have to put a quart or more in every day. There is no recall and the warranty does not cover this repair. This fluid leak could possible cause a fire under the hood and by dripping out so fast it could cause the vehicle to stop in traffic without warning.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #75

Mar 012010

Escape

  • 40,000 miles
Car started jerking (or stopping) when stopped at stop signs/stop lights. I took to the dealer and they had to replace transmission cooler / A/C combo.

- Hoboken, NJ, USA

problem #74

Feb 012010

Escape

  • 28,000 miles
1) limited use of vehicle, 28,000 miles on a 2008 Escape (used moderately in cold weather situations) 2) transmission cooler failure, leaks cooler fluid and transmission fluid all over engine compartment. Vehicle "springs" forward or stalls after coming to a stop (daily). Vehicle loses a quart or more of fluid monthly. Vehicle shifts very loudly and roughly (daily - is an automatic) 3) repair is quoted at $1000 dollars for replacement cooler piece. Even though vehicle is still under power train warranty and under bumper to bumper warranty (for miles, not time which ended a week ago). Dealer and Ford Motor Company is uncooperative.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

problem #73

Mar 032010

Escape

  • 48,410 miles
My 2008 Ford Escape is leaking transmission fluid from the condensing unit located by the radiator. The transmission fluid leaking from the air condensing unit/transmission cooler is causing damage to the transmission and could cause a fire hazard for unsuspecting drivers.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #72

Nov 102009

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,990 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The vehicle was being repaired when the contact noticed that there was a puddle of transmission fluid under vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission and the sensor caused the leak. The vehicle was repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed. The manufacturer stated that the complaint would be forwarded to the engineering group. The failure mileage was 47990 and the current mileage is 55000. Updated 4/5/10 updated 05/17/10.

- Towson, MD, USA

problem #71

Feb 252010

Escape

  • 39,500 miles
2008 Ford Escape developed fluid leak in transmission cooler after less than 40,000 miles. Ford recognized problem with cd4E transmission manufactured before 2/18/2008 with tech service bulletin #08-5-7. loss of transmission fluid could result in dangerous vehicle operation or fire. Part was replaced with upgraded cooler by Ford service at owners expense.

- Winfield, WV, USA

problem #70

Feb 282010

Escape

  • 51 miles
Have a 2008 Ford Escape, the transmission started acting up a couple of days ago. I would put my foot on the gas and the vehicle wouldn't move then it would jerk and move. It stalled twice on the road. This is a big issue since this can cause a huge car accident that could hurt people. Took to the dealership and was told it a transmission condenser, which cost to repair over $800 plus this is not covered by the powertrain warranty. This is a issue that needs to be looked at since will cause mayor accident and effect people life.

- Duluth , GA, USA

problem #69

Aug 192009

Escape

  • 39,000 miles
Girlfriend bought 2008 Ford Escape new from dealer. At approx. 39,000 miles noticed fluid leak from front of engine. Soon car began stalling and or jumping as stop and go driving. She called dealer for appointment to have condition of transmission checked. And was advised to check fluid level. Level was low but kept appointment. Upon arrival was quoted $850 to replace leaking transmission cooler. I got angry that Ford isn't standing behind their product and used some profanity to express my dissatisfaction. At this point service manager at hansel Ford says that they don't need our business, retrieved her car and we were told to leave. Had car repaired by private shop for $650. No recall yet? 2008 Explorer has recall for loose mounting bolt for lines from tranny to cooler for possible fire danger, (see NHTSA id 07V453000, Ford recall number 07S56). Will all of the people who have had this problem corrected have to replace these units every 38,000 miles?

- Windsor, CA, USA

problem #68

Aug 012009

Escape

  • 41,000 miles
For no apparent reason the transmission cooler on my 2008 Ford Escape started to leak. The leak go T worse and I took it to Ford who told me it would be about $950 to fix it. The car had 41,000 miles on it when the problem started. Ford will not fix this even though the drive train is still under warranty. Ford customer service told me that if it didn't break during the original warranty period it was my problem. I found out the leak was due to the fact that they riveted the air conditioning pipes to the return tube of the transmission cooler and the rivet fails on almost all the units causing the leak.

- Kailua, HI, USA

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