10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
135,561 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #85

Mar 232017

Escape Hybrid

  • 135,700 miles
As I was driving home from work Thursday 3/23/17 the steering wheel started clicking and shaking back and forth by itself during driving and at a stop. I investigated right away and discovered there was a recall on the torque sensor but all they did was a computer update rather then replace the part. Now they won't honor the recall and the cost is $1700-$1900 to fix.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #84

Mar 062017

Escape Hybrid

  • 180,000 miles
Multiple episodes of "stop safely now" (after new engine ($8000) was put in 6/2014). At time of engine replacement, recall for power steering module was completed. Fast forward to 3/2017.... Monday morning (8am) new 'wrench' light goes on in dash. Drop kids at daycare and when I restart car (830am) and went to back out of the driveway - no power steering!!! good thing Ford took care of that recall back in 2014...*sarcasm* now they say that the only way it would be covered under recall was if loss of power steering occurred within 12 months of recall being completed. This car has been nothing but a headache and 2 Ford dealerships that do not stand behind the Ford name or their service!

- East Haddam, CT, USA

problem #83

Mar 022017

Escape Hybrid

  • 127,798 miles
I have a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid, on 03.02.17 when I went to leave for work, a wrench light came on in my car. When I did some research I found a lot of recall notices of for this-prior to this, when at an idle my steering wheel had recently started to vibrate-the car drove perfectly fine to work. As I left from work that day, I had no steering!! it was worse than driving a car with no power steering. I was scared and almost got into an accident going home due to this!! I took it to the Ford dealership the next day and it pulled a code B2278-steering shaft torque sensor malfunction-which is exactly what the recall for my year, make and model were for. Well, Ford states my VIN number doesn't qualify for the recall!!! are you kidding me?!! I was almost in an accident and it is the exact same thing that the recall was for!!! I want Ford to be held responsible to reimburse me for this. They can't pick and choose which vehicles qualify and don't when it is the exact same problem.

- Hudsonville, MI, USA

problem #82

Mar 012017

Escape Hybrid

  • miles
Making a turn today March 1,2017 on a main street the steering wheel became very hard to turn. The dashboard error message stated poer steering assist fault. Called dealership since I read online of a recall for this malfunction but they said my VIN is not included. This is very dangerous since turning the wheel is extremely difficult and unsafe to drive!!!

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #81

Jan 212017

Escape Hybrid

  • 180,000 miles
Power steering assist cut out on route 80 at 65mph. Smashed into curb in rest area trying to stop. Replaced tire

- Pacifica, CA, USA

problem #80

Jan 222017

Escape Hybrid

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, a beeping noise was heard prior to the steering wheel seizing and the vehicle hit a curb. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering) was performed on the vehicle without knowledge or consent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact of the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Pacifica, CA, USA

problem #79

Jan 112017

Escape Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 139,151 miles
Remedy recall 14S05 -- power steering control module (pscm) software update performed (as directed) did not adequately remedy the safety defect (the torque sensor itself) and may in fact cause further issues with the vehicles power steering. Ford currently does not provide assistance for repairs under the safety recall. Perhaps they are waiting for more injury /civil lawsuits before addressing these critical safety concerns. The NHTSA also partly shares the blame for this... after issuing recall 14V-284 (voq 10670665), they have been informed of the continued pscm issues and have neglected to grant a decision that directly addresses the steering wheel torque sensor defect. Shame on you. Date of recall performed on 9/3/2014 at odo 116,044. Electric power steering assist failure observed and taken into dealership on 1/11/2017 at odo 139,151. Ford customer care denied assistance in replacing the torque sensor as noted in recall 14S05. I was told, "the recall addressed the software issue, not the defective part(s) and too much time has elapsed for our company to help you pay for the repair." Ford would rather its drivers (vehicles) operate in condition that is unsafe and at an increased risk of crash or injury, than go the extra mile to ensure the safety concern is resolved. Seeing as other petitioners have had the same issue and this is an open and ongoing investigation, myself and other drivers would appreciate an expedited response from the NHTSA to reconcile and re-mediate this issue. Thank you.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #78

Jan 102017

Escape Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
Steering torque sensor went out, over $700 in repairs, recall 14S05 in effect for this model year on this part, but somehow our VIN not included in recall. Should have been included in recall and we should not have to pay for this repair. Steering shaking, vibrating, stiff.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #77

Jan 022017

Escape Hybrid

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While driving approximately 75 mph, the power steering assist faulty message suddenly displayed. Also, the power steering suddenly failed and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired per a recall for the same failure in November of 2014. The recall information was not available. The failure mileage was 154,000.

- Mora, NM, USA

problem #76

Dec 052016

Escape Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft torque sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 05/04/17

- Lynden, WA, USA

problem #75

Nov 072016

Escape Hybrid

  • 100,000 miles
When I would turn occasionally the wheel would lock up but after a few seconds I would regain power. I parked it at school and approximately 7 hours later I returned and started it. As I was backing out the steering only worked for about 2 seconds and locked up except this time it did not correct itself. I tried turning it off and on again but it was not fixing it. I had to have it towed. There is a recall on other '08 Ford Escape hybrids but not mine. All for the same problem too.

- Paragould, AR, USA

problem #74

Oct 152014

Escape Hybrid

  • 102,000 miles
In August 2014 with 99K miles vehicle was taken to dealership for regular scheduled maintenance. The vehicle had not experienced any steering problems however, during maintenance dealership installed software updates to pscm and ic modules per NHTSA recall 14-V284000. Within a few months the vehicle began intermittently losing the power steering during lower speed turning, the exact thing the recall was supposed to fix. In August 2015 at the next regular service appt I informed dealership of the problem and copies of on-line research that showed it as an ongoing problem related to the recall. I was told that they had done the recall "fixes" and could not specifically identify the problem but if I wanted the steering column replaced they would do it, for several thousand dollars, of which I declined. I have had many close calls when without warning the steering becomes almost locked up but have been able to so far muscle it around the turns.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #73

Jul 102016

Escape Hybrid

  • 116,742 miles
The safety recall notices 14S05 / NHTSA recall 14V-286 and 14S09 / NHTSA 14V526000 were performed on my 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. However, the problems did not go away. Since the recalls, the car has had issues with reduced steering range, key/ignition not turning, power surge while driving, locking steering wheel, and the worst: A complete shut down of the powertrain while driving, resulting in a stall-like condition, putting our lives at risk. On June 11, 2016 the car was serviced and steering housing replaced. We asked for service to check the entire car-- everything!!!!-- as the car had been acting strangely with power surges and locking steering wheel while driving. Today, July 10 2016, while driving South on interstate-5 in ca, heading from home (danville, ca) to college (san diego, ca) the car's system completely failed while driving up the grapevine, a section of freeway that is extremely crowded and full of large 18 wheelers. My poor daughter (who now owns the car) called me, screaming hysterically, full of terror and fearing for her life. She had no power, was unable to steer, did her best the Dodge the 18 wheelers and "limp mode" over to the side of the freeway. She's now on the way with tow truck driver to drop the car off at Ford of valencia ca. I told her do not ever drive that car again. It is a seriously dangerous vehicle.

- Danville, CA, USA

problem #72

Jan 152016

Escape Hybrid

  • 100,000 miles
Steering became very difficult to control while driving in March, 2016. Had tires/alignment checked out all good. When it started vibrating while stopped in may, 2016, I took it to dealer and was told it was a recall which was already done in January, 2016, and the recall is closed now, so I have to pay for it.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #71

May 232016

Escape Hybrid

  • 104,000 miles
Back in April, 2016 I noticed the car started vibrating more and more as I drove down the freeway. I had to drive slow to be able to control it safely. I had the wheels checked, my alignment was good, and nothing wrong from there. The tire guy couldn't find anything wrong. Then the steering wheel started vibrated intensely while I was at a stop! after taking it to the Ford dealer, it was determined that a steering wheel recall that was done on my vehicle less than six months ago to prevent this ended up happening anyway. Ford recall will not pay for this becvause "the recall is closed."

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #70

Apr 042016

Escape Hybrid

  • 108,000 miles
I had recall for electric power steering completed in December 2015, and then in January 2016 my steering wheel started vibrating/locking. In April power steering went completely out. I took vehicle in and asked if power steering was related to the recall and he said no it was a separate sensor that was causing the power steering to go out. So, I gave permission for the work to be completed. Then, I started researching and found this has been happening to many people. I had my boyfriend call back as he knows more about cars than I do and he was told again that a sensor not related to recall that was performed was causing P.S to go out that was unrelated to the recall. We go to pick up the car and pay for it and when we are going over our paperwork in the car we find that the work they did was replace the torque sensor which is part of the recall. I called the overall service manager and spoke to him. I asked him if I wouldn't have brought it in December when I was experiencing no issues and would have waited until April when my power steering went out would the code (P2278) be covered under the recall and he said yes, that I would not have to pay for the work. That code would cause them to replace the torque sensor free of charge. So I asked him if he was suggesting that people wait until they are driving down the road and the power steering goes out so that the work will actually be covered" he said no of course not, but what other option is there? you take it in when there are no issues they update software, and then when you start having issues with torque sensor or steering column you are responsible for the bill. What option are people going to take" obviously, they are not going to want to pay a 675 dollar repair bill on something that should have been covered by a recall so they will drive until power steering goes out which is not safe.

- West Linn, OR, USA

problem #69

Mar 092016

Escape Hybrid

  • 191,000 miles
The recall issued in may, 2014 for the power steering assist fault did not fix the problem. The sensor failed again, and the remedy by Ford literature to the dealership was erroneous and overly costly to me. The service department detected a fault code, B2278, and the remedy listed three repairs in sequence to fix. The first was the software update proscribed in the recall bulletin. That procedure had been completed by a dealer previously. The second in the sequence was to replace the sensor. Dealer followed this and the fix failed, causing replacement of the steering column, costing an additional $1200 on top of the $500+ for the first failed fix. Attached receipt for entire repair of a recall that didn't get fixed the first time.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

problem #68

Mar 032016

Escape Hybrid 4WD 4-cyl

  • 120,900 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. After starting the vehicle, a power steering failure message displayed and the steering wheel began to vibrate at speeds less than 35 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering torque angle sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under a recall for the same failure. The VIN and NHTSA campaign number were unknown. The failure mileage was 120,900. Updated 04/14/16 the consumer stated the was a computer software update but no repair was made to the vehicle.

- Green Valley, AZ, USA

problem #67

Feb 122016

Escape Hybrid

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid. While driving approximately 25 mph, the steering lost power for a few seconds and then returned to normal. The failure recurred two days later, while the contact's daughter was in reverse. The steering lost power completely without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who previously repaired the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The dealer stated that the recall repair was already performed and the contact would be responsible for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #66

Feb 052016

Escape Hybrid

  • 100,000 miles
Before the torque sensor recall, my power steering went out intermittently sometimes accompanied by the stop safely now red triangle. Upon being notified of the recall I took the vehicle to jack safro Ford in oconomowoc, Wisconsin to complete the recall. I was told my vehicle required the easier fix and the dealer didn't replace the torque sensor. Within a few months my power steering started going out intermittently again. It started going out more often and I also noticed that the car would not start first try. Usually I had to turn the ignition 3-4 times to get the vehicle to start. In the past month my power steering is now completely out. It is a very dangerous situation as if a car went over the center line or a deer or animal were to go in front of me I would not be able to react quickly without power steering. Also, it is so hard to pull into parking spaces and turn the wheel that I have to see a doctor because I am having sharp pain in my shoulders. We took the car to jack safro this week and they told us they would talk to Ford. All they did was try to reset computer and the steering is still completely out. They said Ford would not cover it and gave us the 800 number to complain. So now I am stuck with an unsafe car and I have a grandson I need to Transport some days. Why in the world can't the dealer replace the torque sensor if that was the recall and what is needed to repair my car" why does it have to issue certain codes? can't the dealer see for themselves there is no power steering due to the fact that they never did the proper vehicle recall repair" I am baffled! our son just purchased a Ford truck and my husband also owns one so we have 3 Ford in our driveway!

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »