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2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

415 reports with mileage · 28 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

443 reports
180,000 miles · Jan 11, 2017
Steering

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10944374

154,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Steering

TL* 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 MA…

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TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI #10939654

112,900 miles · Dec 20, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE IDLING THE WARNING MESSAGE "STOP VEHICLE SAFLEY" APPEARED AND THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE. AFTER CUTTING ENGINE OFF TO RESET, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AGAIN. AFTER A SHORT TIME OF IDLING AGAIN, THE VEHICLE GAVE THE SAME WARNING MESSAGE. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE TO A SAFE PARKING AREA IN "LIMP" MODE. THE VEHICL…

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WHILE IDLING THE WARNING MESSAGE "STOP VEHICLE SAFLEY" APPEARED AND THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE. AFTER CUTTING ENGINE OFF TO RESET, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AGAIN. AFTER A SHORT TIME OF IDLING AGAIN, THE VEHICLE GAVE THE SAME WARNING MESSAGE. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE TO A SAFE PARKING AREA IN "LIMP" MODE. THE VEHICLE THEN HAD TO BE TOWED AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10936631

230,000 miles · Dec 17, 2016
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULDN'T GO DOWN, I TRIED AGAIN AND THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING WASN'T WORKING, ONLY FELT ABOUT HALF POWER BRAKES. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND A RED LIGHT THAT SAID CHECK BRAKING SYSTEM. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. RESTARTED THE CAR BACK TO NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #10936008

150,000 miles · Dec 8, 2016
Steering

TL* 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 FAILU…

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TL* 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*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10933895

210,000 miles · Dec 8, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STOP-SAFETY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PRODUCE A FAULT C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STOP-SAFETY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PRODUCE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ODI #10933846

217,032 miles · Nov 15, 2016
Service Brakes

I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL EPISODES WHILE BRAKING OF THE YELLOW ABS AND THE RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP LIGHTING UP AND THE DISPLAY SAYING "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED" OVER THE PAST YEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKES ARE SLOW TO STOP THE CAR WITH …

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL EPISODES WHILE BRAKING OF THE YELLOW ABS AND THE RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP LIGHTING UP AND THE DISPLAY SAYING "REGEN BRAKES DISABLED" OVER THE PAST YEAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKES ARE SLOW TO STOP THE CAR WITH A JERKING ACTION. ALL OF MY FAILURES HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. ONCE I ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ONLY WAY I COULD CORRECT THE ISSUE WOULD BE TO STOP THE CAR, DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD TO THE FLOOR,THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD THEN RESTART MY CAR AND THE BRAKES WOULD THEN RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE POSTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. ALL COMPLAINTS ARE FROM OWNERS OF FEH'S 2005 TO 2008. WHY HASN'T THIS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE BEEN ADDRESSED? FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THE REPAIR COULD BE FROM $3000 TO $7000 DOLLARS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. OR HAS THERE BEEN. PLEASE ADVISE. DL

NHTSA ODI #10926276

100,000 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Steering

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 A…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10925104

55,000 miles · Oct 25, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON, WITH A WARNING TO "STOP NOW, PULL OVER." LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY DRIVING SLOWLY AND I STOPPED SAFELY. THE ENGINE THEN DIED. I TRIED RESTARTING, BUT THE RED TRIANGLE CAME BACK ON, AND THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO L…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON, WITH A WARNING TO "STOP NOW, PULL OVER." LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY DRIVING SLOWLY AND I STOPPED SAFELY. THE ENGINE THEN DIED. I TRIED RESTARTING, BUT THE RED TRIANGLE CAME BACK ON, AND THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEAD HYBRID BATTERY, WITH A REPLACEMENT COST $12,000. UNFORTUNATELY, THE 8-YR BATTERY WARRANTY EXPIRED JUST A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS. I ASKED ABOUT RECALL 14S19, WHICH SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER AND FORD CORP CUSTOMER SERVICE BOTH SAID MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. ABOUT 18 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS, I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE, WITH THE RED TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER. THEIR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS A DEAD HYBRID BATTERY, WHICH WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER CALLED BACK TO SAY THEY HAD DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH FORD CORPORATION, AND THEY CHANGED THE DIAGNOSIS. THEY REPLACED THE "IGNITION SWITCH AND HOUSING" (NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) FOR $743. THE CAR RAN OK UNTIL THE PROBLEM RECURRED THIS MONTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10918680

86,000 miles · Oct 21, 2016
Service Brakes

86,000 MILAGE. ABS SEVICE LIGHT ON FOR COUPLE MONTHS. PAST 2 DAYS REGEN BRAKES DISABLED MESSAGE ON, AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON, BRAKES A LITTLE STIFF IN OPERATION THUS FAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM, AND $5000 TO FIX. CAN I RELY ON THE MECHANICAL BACKUP BRAKING? EVEN IF SO I AM NOW NOT CHARGING MY HV BAT…

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86,000 MILAGE. ABS SEVICE LIGHT ON FOR COUPLE MONTHS. PAST 2 DAYS REGEN BRAKES DISABLED MESSAGE ON, AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON, BRAKES A LITTLE STIFF IN OPERATION THUS FAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM, AND $5000 TO FIX. CAN I RELY ON THE MECHANICAL BACKUP BRAKING? EVEN IF SO I AM NOW NOT CHARGING MY HV BATTERY, SO WILL BE JUST CARRYING AROUND A HEAVY LOAD, WITH NO BENEFIT TO THE CO2 ENVIRONMENT. WHEN WILL FORD BE REQUIRED TO RECAL & REMEDY THIS?

NHTSA ODI #10917864

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving

Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.