9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
136,350 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. no the problem is still the same (3 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #6

Dec 142020

Escape XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

This is the third time this has happened and this time, escaped after a hard brake. The next time I went to use the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. I managed to coast and stop and had the car towed.

Each time there have been no warning lights brake light or ABS light at all on the dash. I took it to the mechanic they cannot find the problem. The next day when they went and drove the car the pedal was fine. So evidently there is a malfunction somewhere in the system that nobody can seem to detect.

However, the tow driver when he got into moving the car did say there was a definite problem with the brakes and the car was dangerous to drive. If you have a complaint for Ford, of course they never get back to you, they don’t want to be bothered. So I’m not sure at this point what to do.

ABS module costs thousands of dollars. My only issue with that is why did I not get any ABS warning light on my dashboard? So I tend to not agree since they’re guessing at what it is. Is anybody else having the same problem or anybody else get a fix for it? I'm just lucky that I was able to stop and not crash or kill somebody.

- punkieo57, West Haven, CT, US

problem #5

Sep 162019

Escape 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,352 miles

Brake pedal goes to the floor after a hard stop. and sometimes after hitting a bump in the road. Scary and should be recalled. I see that other people have had the same problem. Is there a fix for this or should I just throw this Ford away and buy a Chevy?

- James M., Lexington, US

problem #4

Dec 182018

Escape Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 230,000 miles

I bought this 2008 Ford Escape brand new and with the exception of some problems early on with the heater fan (which was repaired under warranty) I have not had any major complaints until a few months ago when the brakes went almost to the floor after hitting a pothole. They came back up after pumping them but not before I was scared half to death. They continued to do this the rest of the way home every time I came to a stop.

I took it to a repair shop and because it "was not doing it at the time", I was told they could not diagnose it. They did, however, check out the entire brake system and could find nothing wrong with anything. The same thing occurred a month or so later. Went to repair shop and again, they could find nothing wrong with the brake system.

Now, it has happened for a third time yesterday when I was on my way home from work. I hit an unexpected pothole, same scenario. I drove straight to the repair shop again, this time I left the car running in case shutting it off was preventing them from finding the problem. I rode with the mechanic this time as he drove the car. When he backed out of the parking spot, he the brakes went down a little farther than they were supposed to, but they acted fine during the rest of the test drive.

We discussed the fact that all of the times this has occurred was after I had hit a pothole and he is "guessing" that the ABS module is getting ready to go out. The only solution I was given is that when/if it happens again. Pull over to the side of the road as soon as I can, turn off the engine, let it set for a few minutes and turn it back on and this should "reset" it.

Come on Ford, there has got to be a solution to fix this dangerous problem!

- Janice L., Kearney, MO, US

problem #3

Mar 222018

Escape 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,000 miles

I have a 2008 Ford Escape, its at 129000 miles. It started back in March 2018 when I went over train tracks. My pedal went down to the floor. I pump them back up and after stopping and let my Escape cool down. Thought everything was going to be ok.

Then on March 22, 2018 I was driving to work and mind you I'm in stop and go traffic. I get off the freeway and stop at 2 lights and at the 3rd light, my brakes went down to floor and I hit the car in front of me. The car I hit had minor damage compared to my Escape. The power steering column went out, my asshole ins co says they won't pay for it to be replaced. Meantime, I have Ford check my brakes to find out why they went out and they come back saying they cannot find why they went to floor. So all they do us adjust them, make them tighter. Today 5/8 I'm getting off the freeway and they go down again, WTF.

Can anyone tell me why the heck there doing this please?

- Denise T., Anaheim, US

problem #2

Mar 092017

Escape Limited 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

This issue with the braking system has happened 3 times separately now. Took to the Ford dealership where I purchased the car USED at 45,000 miles. They acted like they had never heard of braking issues with this year and model. I proceeded to explain what happened/conditions of ALL 3 occasions and was replied to with HMM.. So Ford would rather look at a customer like they are ignorant/insane, than try to offer a fix for a potentially harmful situation. Since they would not offer any information on the issues, I took the car to a local mechanic that states the issue is an underlying problem in the ABS system. (reluctor rings, magnetic wheel speed sensor and ABS module). This mechanic now considers this car a liability if something happens to the car, me or other parties involved. (Thank you, Ford) master cylinder is in perfect working order as are the hydraulic lines, brake pads/drums, etc. When presenting the newly learned info to Dealership, I was told "Well, maybe it IS the ABS system?" Again, Thank you. FORD.

- Danielle S., Clyde, US

problem #1

Sep 132016

Escape 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,556 miles

I have a 2008 Ford Escape w/ 95,554 miles on it and never had a problem with it until last year and is continuing. As I was slowing down to go across railroad tracks for unknown reasons my brakes went all the way down to the floor which scared the daylights out of me. There was not warning lights, brakes lights or any lights that came on o that would give me a warning that my brakes was going. Also, I checked my brake fluid it was full, then I had the master cylinder changed this helped last year. However this is happen again. Can someone please tell me what is the problem? This is scary and very dangerous. Thank you

Mary G.

Update from Jan 5, 2017: I had my 2008 Ford Escape checked out by a Ford dealership and I was told that it was the HCU. When I asked how much this will cost I was told $2000. plus I was stunned! Not to mention, I didn't have that kind of money right then and there. Mine beliefs, this is an issues that needs to be recall! Plan and simple.

- gilbertmary56, Louisville, KY, US