I have been having problems with the ignition switch for a few months . At times my car wont start. Everything comes on. It feels very loose and having to push in the key and turn is very difficult and hurts my hand. Plus the alarm button gets pressed when I turn the key.. I have to turn key on and off while pushing key into ignition several times and pray that it will crank. I have had no other issues or repairs that are needed. I now have my car in the shop to replace the ignition lock assembly I have an estimate of $400 for this repair. I have heard this is a common repair for this part on the vehicle I own.
2008 Ford Escape electrical complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 136, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My 2008 Ford Escape XLT electrical power steering will stop working while driving the vehicle. It is available for an inspection at anytime. The safety issue is the car is next to impossible to steer once it stops working. My wife just missed running into a power pole while driving in a roundabout when it stopped working while she was driving it. It has happened more then this one time. If it happens at low speed it’s even harder to steer. I called a recall number to see if it was in a recall but was told it was not in a recall due to where it was manufactured. I have not taken the Escape to a Ford dealer yet because of what I was told about the recall. However since that time I found out my Escape was manufactured at the plant where the recall is for. There has not ever been a warning light that comes up on the dash before it stops working, it just stops working. It has the same symptoms that are given in the recall.
I started my vehicle and I got a warning beep saw the display saying power steering assist fault. My steering wheel was vibrating and a loud motor type noise was sounding. I would drive and I could feel the steering wheel shimmy while driving. The next day I started my car and display showed right away the power steering assist default. And I had no power steering from then on. Other 2008s had recalls for power steering but my VIN was not on the list for recalls
Red battery light came on. All accessories went off and the car wouldn't start again. I just replaced my 12v battery the night before. The car had been driven 2 miles, at most. The brand new battery had been in the car less than 24 hours. I had no steering capability as my steering wheel locked up. I couldn't shift. The brake pedal pushed my foot back like it was "pumping" my foot. Put another fully charged battery into my car and started right up. Drove home and as I was pulling into driveway exact same thing happened. Both batteries were drained completely dry of any voltage. Abs light on all the time. Check brake system/regen brake disabled on drive info.
Vehicle fire. Fire started in area of driver's side taillight while vehicle was idling in a parking lot. Suspected electrical short.
I'm scared to drive my car. Sometimes the wheel locks when I'm driving , also the wheel shakes like I'm on a rollercoaster . I can't drive over 20 MPH because the wheel starts to shake even more
Suddenly the brake system fails causing the brake pedal to go all the way to floor making it difficult to stop properly.
"stop safely now". It did a couple times while driving and now it won't turn on at all.
About 4 months after purchasing my ford 2008 the steering column locked up and has become difficult to drive. It was diagnosed with having an electrical power steering failure, which is similar to having no power steering fluid. As a result, I can't drive on highways and it's increasingly dangerous to drive the car period. I brought it to my local ford dealership and it's a $1500.00 fix to replace the steering column; which is what's needed, which I don't believe I should have to pay for. When researching this on youtube, I found it to be a serious problem that comes up often. Ford is aware of it and it seems will only include VIN's they want to. I think mine and all 2008 should be covered under a recall, this is a dangerous problem that they new about and refuse to fix it because it cause to much? I could have been killed, not knowing this problem. My reactions as a safe drive is what prevented me from being in a serious accident at that time. I'm including the invoice which shows the evaluation of the car, ford should not have a choice as to whether or not they should cover a vehicle. Ford produced a vehicle that has a problem, that shouldn't be on the consumer. Please view youtube on this topic, there are numerous videos on the 2008 topic and the problem people are having. Anything you can do to help this situation is greatly appreciated. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My electric power steering assist has been out for some time now and been using without power steering. My vehicle fits the exact description as the recall for this issur deacribes and was manufactured at the kc plant as well and is a 2008 escape xlt but yet I'm left responsible and would rather blow the thing up than fix and never druve another ford again for them not claiming responsibility.
Recalled other models identical to mine for the exact issue I am having with the airbag clock spring; however, did not recall mine for some reason. Car has 99.7k miles I am absolutely furious nothing has been done about this issue for select cars while others have been corrected. The dealership my car was taken to was too incompetent to repair the issue.(cactus jacks)
Ignition switch not allowing cranking during engaging. Switch feels unsecured. Also difficult to insert key . This is a constant ongoing problem . Mileage is 85,xxx .
Today is 10/1/2019. I dropped my kids off at school came home and my neighbor son had missed the bus. I was on my way to take him to school when after I started my car my steering wheel wouldn't turn. First I thought I had done something wrong so I parked it and tried to reverse and turn the wheel again same thing happened. My electric steering wheel has gone out or is no longer working there was a recall before I got the vehicle 14s05 but with previous owner. I went to 3 different places saying the same thing how can a recall that claims to be fixed not be fixed thank god my truck was parked already so now they are saying it could cost 800-1800 and I have to take it to a ford place so disappointed. I purchase the truck in 2017 so approximately 2 years later and this happens.
Power steering quit working lost it on the highway while driving, passenger's front window has lost power. Lost it while driving
While driving from midland texas to el paso texas on the way back my car started to slow down, on the instrument cluster it stated safely stop this will be the 2nd time this has happened to me I was informed that it can be the mec pump but when calling ford and putting it in my VIN number it doesn't show that my vehicle is one of the ones that particular has a recall on, it is also having steering issues parts have been replaced, yet still the steering wheel seems loose
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact had to jiggle the key in the ignition a couple of times to start the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unknown.
We have been having electrical surges in our 2008 ford escape xls. The surges are becoming more frequent. They will happen when we are at a stop light, getting ready to go; after having my foot on the gas for a second (or less) a power surge will happen in the car (ABS light pops on and 2 others). It also happens when we are driving on the highway going 60 or 70 MPH and all of a sudden a power surge happens. I do not have a current video of this happening, but I will be sure to get one within the next day or so to be sure I have this proof on file for you, if needed. Please help us with this issue. This has been ongoing since winter. We originally thought the engine just needed to warm up because of how cold winter got but it is now warmer and the problem persists. The date below is the most recent incident, the first time we had a power surge was in late january.
The SUV intermittently goes into a no crank/no start condition. You turn the key and it doesn't crank. This happens while I'm traveling and left me stranded at a rest stop and panicking thinking it wasn't gonna start. Since it doesn't happen all the time mechanics can only rely on what they think could be the problem which include the ignition switch ignition lock module and starter relay. I've also found a variety of reviews explaining even after parts are replaced the problem still existing for this specific make and model. And concerning recall number 14v284000. Ford dealerships are only clearing the recall codes if they consider the part not needing to be changed so that aftetwards when the steering torque sensor does go bad they no longer have to check it or fix it for free. Please help because too many people have the same problem for this to have not been recalled yet.
The key and ignition switch will not start the car. It is not the battery, alternator et al. It is the ignition switch. When the key is turned, everything comes on but the car will not start.
My lights on dash will all randomly flash while my speedometer and rmp will stop working. My car also seems to not shift well when this happens. My steering feels extremely loose and unsafe. I don't dare to drive over 30mph and have not had anyone be able to tell me exactly what is wrong. My steering has also locked a few times, usually when I'm in reverse. I have to turn the car off and back on to make it work again. I fear for my son and family every time I have to drive to work and school.
Power steering loss
Sometimes my steering wheel is very hard. In addition, my car won't able to start when turn my key - my battery is good and my starter is ok. No crank no start
Took my car in for a basic oil change the dealer informed me that there was a recall on my vehicle concerning the steering. They proceeded to correct whatever recall needed. Upon retrieving the vehicle back I had a hard time turning my key to start the car. I informed the dealership and they informed me that "I must press very hard jam it in there to start it" now a year later the car would not turn over had to have it towed to the dealership and was informed that the ignition switch was bad and was going to cost me $700 to repair. I have researched and found many 2008 ford escapes with the same problem my understanding was that this was a recall. Now I am stuck without my vehicle unless I pay the money for the vehicle that apparently has been an issue.
I have been having multiple problems with this vehicle. I went and got the power steering recall fixed 1 yr to maybe 2 yrs ago and ford said it was fixed. Now I'm having power steering going out while driving and car pulls to the right. I then turn the vehicle off and back on and it goes back to working correctly. I went back to ford and they said that the recall has been fixed and closed out and nothing they can do. Now I'm having power steering still going out and now all my lights (ABS,traction control,tire,air bag, anti theft light). After spending 200 at ford they told me ECM is bad and need to replace. Almost 500 at ford for keys to be programmed to new computer I am still having same problems and ford wants me to spend more money to see what the next step is.
My key fob unlocked the car, as usual, put child in. Got in drivers side. Put key in ignition. All locks locked! Car did not start. I hit key fob and the pad to unlock several times... Unlocked my door... I assumed all doors. Would not open door where daughter was in car seat in back (back passenger side). Key fob or door unlock would not work to unlock it. Key fob did not work at all after that first time and did not unlock her side. I got her out on driver's side backseat. We have video surveillence so incident should be on there. Vehicle was stationary. End of 100' driveway. No neighbors in sight. Terrifying to think if the key fob hadnt opened my door that last and apparently one and only time, if id be stuck in hot car with daughter in back seat.
Vehicle has a known problem with the ignition. There is difficulty starting the vehicle due to a faulty ignition cylinder requiring the operator to have to push the key in, often with great pressure, then twist the key to get the car to start. Eventually the ignition mechanism will fail completely requiring the entire ignition housing within the steering column to be replaced and at great expense. I was left stranded when the car failed to start and had to have it towed. Repairs cost over $500. The problem never affected me during normal driving, only when the car needed to be started. A simple search revealed many other escape owners report the exact same issue so it is highly unlikely this is a random problem or the result of normal wear. Indeed, this is a factory defect that was never addressed by ford. However, this is a very serious issue since, as happened to me, the car can and will leave the driver stranded which, it should go without saying, is not just an inconvenience but also a potential safety hazard. These vehicles need to be recalled and the problem remedied by ford. Since I already paid for the repair I think it only fair that ford reimburse me the costs.
Ignition switch will stop working and become loose, which will prevent the vehicle from starting while stationary.
Key ignition switch is difficult to work. Ford told me to punch the key in hard then turn, which works most of the time. I've read where is a common problem with lots of owners. To fix the problem, ford says it will cost between $800.00 - $1000.00, but that it may happen again. No guarantee. Since this problem is so prevalent, why no recall to fix this common problem.
While driving there is a loss of power steering assist at various speeds on city streets and highways going stright and sometimes during a turn, the vehicle is difficult too steer, the engine remains operational however the instrument cluster goes into test mode where all the indicator lights come on and the tachometer and speedometer go to zero usually within 5-10 seconds it goes back to normal or the vehicle ignition switch has to be turned off and restarted and the vehicle is normal from a few minuets to a few days and then the event may return. This similar to the federal safety agency campaign # 14v264000. However this vehicles was manufactured in may 2008 and its VIN #, per ford, was not included in that recall which started august 2006 through september 2010
Ford escape 2008 has ignition switch problem. When turning the key when parked, there is no ignition to starter. Panel lights come on, but engine does not start. Ford recalled vehicles for this problem, but my VIN was not included. Extremely dissatisfied that ford did not cover all make/model/year vehicles that exhibit this fault.
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