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2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,359 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 Hybrid engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 252011

Escape Hybrid

  • 55,415 miles

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

I was driving my 2008 Ford Escape hybrid around 70 mph on a toll road when there was a sudden beep and a "stop safely now" message came up on the screen. The power to the engine cut out and I had to coast to a shoulder several hundred yards ahead of me. The car reduce it's speed; I was able to break but I was unable to accelerate. It sounded like the engine had completely shut off. I was able to re-start the car after being towed off the freeway and was able to keep driving the car as long as I kept me speed under ~60mph. This was a horrible experience and after seeing how well documented the problem is I can't wait to trade in for a different brand. This will be my last Ford.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 032011

Escape Hybrid

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving my 2008 Ford Escape hybrid on the high way and it stalled 3 times at high speeds. "stop safely now" came on dash. I did tons of research and this is a huge problem with the motor over heating. Ford had backorders up to nearly 900 coolant pumps last year. This is very scary because you just lose power in the middle of he highway. Toyota just recalled theirs, why has Ford not been on this. It is all over the internet. I am bringing my car in to the dealership with printed research and a letter of concern. I am blown away that so many people have had this issue with the stalling at high speeds and Ford has done nothing. This is very concerning.

- Hackensack, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jun 282011

Escape Hybrid 4WD 4-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
I own a 2008 Escape hybrid. On numerous occasions my escape's engine stalls/shuts down at speeds over 40 mph. The red triangle on the right of the instrument panel lights up and the display reads 'pull over safely now'. I can immediately start the car again and go, but it will only travel 1-2 miles before stalling/shutting down again. Typically, if I wait 3-5 minutes I can go and have no more issues for a week or a month (it went one time 9 months before it happened again). There is no rhyme or reason for this; it has happened in 90 degree weather and 40 degree weather, rain or shine. Last night driving home on the interstate, it shut down every 1.6 to 5.4 miles on my 42 mile commute home. I let it sit for over 10 minutes and it still shut down. I drove it to work this morning, no troubles. I have had it in the shop multiple times and they replaced the battery said the water pump and nothing has worked. I bought the vehicle new and this problem started approximately 23K miles in. Ford is telling me they really don't know what is causing it, but don't have problem taking my money trying to figure it out. I am afraid this is going to lead to an accident as most of the time we are on the interstate traveling over 65 mph with tractor trailers next to us. I have read numerous blogs with other Escape hybrid owners having this same issue.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #4

Mar 052011

Escape Hybrid

  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. The contact stated the electric water pump was not functioning and causing the vehicle to stall when driving at high speeds above 70 mph. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several moments and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who will replaced the electric water pump. There were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted who took a report but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Alameda, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 102010

Escape Hybrid

  • 53,200 miles
While driving at highway speeds (~75 mph) my combustion engine shut off and a red warning light was displayed on the dash with a message of "please pull over safely". my vehicle has approx 53000 miles on it and is 3.5 years old. Luckily I was in the right lane and not in any danger of causing an accident. This is truly a major safety issue. Had I been passing another vehicle or had someone tailgating me, it could easily have been a major or even fatal accident. I called Ford and they say they have no record of this even though I've seen another oid on this issue that stated they were # 891 in line for a replacement part. Please make Ford recall any vehicle that have this part installed and replace it with a more reliable part.

- Morrison, CO, USA

problem #2

Aug 132010

Escape Hybrid

  • 70,000 miles
I have a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. On 3 seperate occasions, my combustible engine has shut off. The display on my dash then tells me to "pull over safely." I still do have a small amount of power from the electric engine. After pulling over, I can turn off the car, wait a couple of minutes and restart the engine. It will not last. After milking the gas, trying not to exceed 2,500 rpms, my car might last 1/2 to 4 miles before it does it again. Luckily, during the times that this has happened to me, I have been on an interstate that had 3 or less lanes. However, I might not have been as lucky if I was on the 8 lane connector of I 75/85 in atlanta. I called the dealership about my problem and spoke to the assistant service manager at gene evans Ford in union city. After describing my problem, he quickly knew what the problem was and mentioned that he has had quiet a few people with this problem. He said that it is a problem with the vehicle's coolant pump. I did some research saw several postings of people that have had the same problem. It really concerns me that there have been multiple cases of this occurring and I have not heard anything from my dealer or Ford that this is going on, especially after the Toyota scandal.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

problem #1

Apr 192010

Escape Hybrid

  • 45,900 miles
Stop safely now warning went off and the engine lost power. My wife was forced to pull over to the side of the freeway. After turning the engine off, the car did restart and she was able to drive home safely. Took it to the dealer for trouble shooting, but so far it has been almost 6 hours and they still haven't figured out what is wrong. The owners manual claims this is a warning prior to failure of the hybrid system in her Ford Escape hybrid.

- Gardena, CA, USA

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