2008 Ford Escape - known issue tsb # 08-5-7 resulting in transmission cooler failure at 46,000 miles. Leaks significant amount of transmission fluid resulting in a potential fire hazard. In addition if not detected in-time, transmission failure will result due to lack of fluid. Ford did not notify customers of this known issue, and refuses to cover under powertrain warranty. Ford should be accountable for the proper repair of this known defect and compensate those who have had to make this repair.

- Lander, WY, USA

Leaking automatic transmission fluid from a weld on the transmission fluid cooling unit, car has 41000 miles. Ford tells me it is not covered under the 5 yr/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Approximate cost is $700 according to dealer. If this part continues to leak, transmission will over heat and seize up. Ford issued a tsb # 08-16-12 on 08/18/08 to its dealerships about this defect, while my car was under full warranty. Why wasn't there a recall?

- Montgomery, NY, USA

2008 Ford Escape - known issue tsb # 08-5-7 resulting in transmission cooler failure, leaks significant amount of transmission fluid, causes slipping and could be fire hazard if gets leaked fluid on catalytic converter. Ford did not notify customers of this known issue which is prevalent according to all dealers spoken with, and refuses to cover under powertrain warranty.

- Edinburgh , IN, USA

My 2008 Ford Escape has 38,000 miles on it. The warranty expired at 36,000. I noticed it running strangely and upon closer investigation, noticed a fluid leaking from the front. The dealer said it is transmission fluid. I need a new transmission cooler/ac condenser at a cost of around $750. I researched this problem online and found that it is extremely common with 2008 Escapes. One person complaining said that his dealership has around 10 of these a week to fix. If it is so common, shouldn't there be a recall? transmission failures can be very dangerous-I'm very upset about this and hope someone will check into this problem and make Ford fix them!

- Versailles, MO, USA

My 2008 Ford Escape would slip or stall when accelerating. Looked on web and found out needed new transmission cooler had to have replaced at my own expense since the transmission cooler has nothing to do with the transmission and is not covered under the powertrain warranty.

- Normal, IL, USA

My 2008 Ford Escape has transmission fluid leaking from the cooler. I found out about this issue after a regular oil change and am not sure how long it has been going on but have lost nearly 2 quarts of fluid. The Ford dealership indicated this is a common problem with these vehicles and Ford has issued a bulletin on how to correct the issue. Which basically involves replacing the entire system.

- Aurora, CO, USA

Throughout the time I have owned this vehicle the transmission has acted strangely. Sometimes it shifts violently and jerks the entire vehicle forward. Other times it seems that it simply won't shift into gear when first started. Last March I was waiting for a train to pass so I put the vehicle in park while I waited. Two or three seconds after I put it in park, the entire vehicle jumped forward a couple feet. It scared the crap out of me since the train was moving at 60+ mph and was only maybe ten feet in front of me. When the train passed I put it back in drive and it didn't engage. I put it back in park and moved the shifter through the gears. After this it worked again, but I was worried. I noticed transmission fluid leaking from the passenger side of the radiator area this morning. I needed an oil change anyway so I took it in today and was told that it is the transmission / ac cooler that is leaking transmission fluid and it needs to be replaced. I called Ford about it and they said that they couldn't guarantee warranty support, but that I should make an appointment with a Ford dealer for the repairs. Based on what I've read, the warranty is not going to cover it since I have 51,000 miles on it. The good news is that big O tires gave me an estimate for $512 for the repair work, which is much less than what others have been paying. But in the mean time I have a potential fire hazard due to transmission fluid leaking on components below the engine. I can't help but think that these events are somehow related. Especially when factoring in all of the prior complaints that I've found easily with simple internet searches. Unfortunately, it appears that it will take someone being hit by a train for anything to be done about this. For now I am going to wait until I take it in for my appointment at the Ford dealer. Consumers should not have to pay for repairs that make a vehicle safe to Transport their families in their every day lives.

- Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

The transmission coolant line running to the A/C condenser leaks and sprays transmission fluid everywhere. Started at around 36,000 miles found it at 38,000 and Ford has informed me that the transmission hose is not covered under the powertrain warranty because it is an ac part. Bogus

- Manning, SC, USA

2008 Ford Escape - I was informed that the fluid line leading from the transmission to the condenser had sprung a leak. After asking two separate Ford dealers and doing a lot of web research, I have come to find that this issue is widely prevalent with this model and is a result of a design flaw. I asked about the replacement part and if it would suffer the same fate. I was told that the replacement part, engineered and manufactured by Ford has been designed differently to accommodate the original flaw. This to me represents a situation where Ford knew of this issue and failed to inform customers or issue a recall. As a result I am out almost $800 for the repair. Ford will not cover it under warranty and accepts no responsibility for the defect. There is a technical safety bulletins issued on this defect tsb -08-5-7 if I recall right. It took me about 30 minutes to discover that this issue is wide spread and that all others affected with this problem on their Ford Escape vehicle have been given the same brush off by Ford. Something needs to be done about this. The resulting issue created by this problem, documented several places is a transmission failure. Some have resulted in the vehicle jumping into gear and others creating a lurching issue which ultimately leads to a potential accident situation.

- Fairlawn, OH, USA

Trans fluid leaking on floor. Dealer says it is a known issue by Ford and they will not pay for it. Tsb # 08-5-7.many other complaints on this form and others. May cause trans failure at any time and cause someone to get killed in traffic.

- Manhattan, IL, USA

2008 Ford Escape: Failure mileage 21,775. Engine rev-ed for no reason at < 10 mph. Vehicle stalled while coming to stop. Vehicle leaked large puddle of transmission fluid under right front passenger side. Ford replaced transmission cooling assembly (part #8L8Z-19712-J) under warranty noting tsb 09 09 04. I purchased this Escape on 08-04-09 as a certifed used Ford off a Ford lease with mileage 20,227. I had not yet made the 1st payment. This appears to be an ongoing issue with many 2008 Escape owners and over the long term causes damage to the transmission due to a dangerously flawed design. There is no recall at this time.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

2008 Ford Escape - 41,800 miles. RPM's would fluctuate - car would not accelerate - car would roll backwards on incline- car would stall out. Took in for service dealer advised transmission fluid is leaking due to cracked in the transmission cooler. Defect is not covered by powertrain because they say this part is not part of the transmission it is a cooling unit. Approximately $750 to fix.

- Deptford, NJ, USA

Transmission fluid leak within condenser resulting in transmission damage and gear slippage. The vehicle would suddenly not accelerate or would lurch forward. There is no evidence to suggest it was caused by an outside source, rather a faulty line that cracked. This repair was not covered under warranty and occurred shortly after 36K mile warranty expired. Total cost for repair was $1025, plus out of pocket tow because it turned out not to be covered under a warranty repair.

- Riverview , FL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that she noticed an oily substance leaking in the engine area of the vehicle. She confirmed that there was transmission fluid leaking from the vehicle. While driving the vehicle it failed to shift into first gear. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the transmission cooler was leaking fluid and the cost to repair the leak was 1,000. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that since the warranty expired they were unable to assume the repair cost. The contact stated that recall 07V453000, power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines is related to the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 37,200.

- San Fransico, CA, USA

Transmission fluid leak. Has been recalled for many other Ford SUV's but not the Escape. Started leaking just after my 36,000 warranty ran out so they gave me an estimate of $750 to repair. My car is 1 year old.

- Dahlonega, GA, USA

2008 Ford Escape--leaking transmission fluid---brought to dealer--crack in transmission cooler. Not covered under Ford's warranty or extended warranty we bought with the car. Ford will not do anything about it.

- Littleton, CO, USA

Condenser/transmission cooler leaking resulting in transmission damage and/or failure. 2008 Ford Escape. This is 3rd time leak/transmission problem has occurred with the first 2 happening under warranty. Ford Motor Company refusing to cover the cost of transmission repair D/T the "condenser" not being manufactured by Ford. Thankfully, no vehicles were behind me when I lost transmission first time while going up a steep hill.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

I have to replace the transmission cooler on my 2008 Ford Escape for the second time in less than a year. It was replaced last August 31st and went again yesterday Aug.6th. I am being told Ford has a tsb for this part, and it is a known issue. The car simply will not move in drive. The cooler leaks the transmission fluid causing the vehicles transmission to slip and then eventually does not engage into gear. I came to a red light yesterday at a busy intersection and my car would not move!!! last August Ford replaced the part under warranty. I am being told I have to pay this time even though it has the tbs.

- Indiana, PA, USA

Car in reverse backing into my drive --I remove foot from gas pedal and car immediately rolls back down into street staying in reverse but going forward. When in drive entering driveway and I remove foot it again rolls back down into street being in drive but moving in reverse. I must use the brake at all times. It is not a steep drive at all. Ford says they can't duplicate it so it isn't true and refused to put it on a lift to check for defects. Another mechanic says it's dangerous and so did several friends who also experienced it. I am afraid it will roll into the street or fail to stay in drive when or if I try to travel over a hill or steep grade. It is automatic but seems to act like a stick shift.

- Berlin, NJ, USA

2008 Ford Escape. No problems up until leaking from the front. At first thought it was condensation from using my A/C. however, it turned out to be leaking transmission fluid. The transmission has started to fail and slip out of gear on highways and rural roads.

- Allendale, MI, USA