Check engine light keeps flashing, car vibration, bad head gasket, oil and fluid leak
2008 Ford Escape engine problems
120 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 67,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 120
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 67,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Cooling system12
- Engine2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Escape engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Ford Escape engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Loss of power 152Engine failure 85Stalling 78Won't start 29Check engine light 23Knocking 7
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the federal safety agency 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.
DP12006
What 2008 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault," message displayed; after which, the driver became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was firm and difficult to maneuver. After coming to a stop, the failure progressed, and the steering wheel became extremely firm. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a steering sensor rotation failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recently occurred and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 161,432.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the oil cap had loosened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the oil cap and the valve cover were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
Having issue with throttle body and or controller. Break takes time to respond and is stiff. When on an incline road, the car rolls backwards before accelerating forward. The rolled back at stop signs on inclined roads and inclined parking lots. The car shows no warming lights. The car has issues accelerating and decelerating. The car has rolled back while another car was behind it. The car at some instances has come to almost a halt while driving at 70 mph on the highway. While displaying no warming signals. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This type of issue has been confirmed by the dealership and has been recalled for some ford escapes but not all. The car has been inspected by a technician. The transmission has been rebuild but that did not work so a new transmission was placed inside yet this did not resolve anything. The car has been having these issues for some years.
The car show a message saying "stop safely now" and starts stalling and then suddenly turn off by itself. It can happen while driving in freeway or the street
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford escape. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the brake hose was defective. The brake hose and brake pads were replaced. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle however, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to the used car dealer where she purchased the vehicle, and was informed that the vehicle had a defective torque converter. The mechanic was unable to perform the repair so the vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic. After the vehicle remained in their possession for a few days, the contact called the independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle needed a new engine. The engine was replaced however, the contact stated that the check engine light illuminated upon return of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where the oxygen sensor was replaced. Holman ford turnersville (3641 route 42 south, turnersville, nj 08012) was contacted by phone and the contact was informed that there were no active recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failures to the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v606000 (power train) and 15e045000 (suspension). The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
While driving the ABS warning light comes on along with the check brakes took to a mechanic shop and was told it was the and module that was going out. They waited me a price of 2400 dollars to get a new module and 1200 to install. Took vehicle to the dealership and was told they could not find a problem. When I tried to drive it home the two lights came on and also the engine light. I called a weaker and had it dropped off at my house.
The car broke down at a traffic light a few miles from the highway entrance and would not run. Battery light, wrench light and stop safely came on. The car was towed to a ford dealer, diagnosed with p0a7a and p0a78 codes. The dealership said the car needed a new or rebuilt transmission, which would have cost more than the cars trade in value if if good running condition.
There have been numerous times where my car would suddenly stall or freeze up when making turns or pressing the gas after coming to a complete stop. By stalling I mean taking a second or two to accelerate then jerking kinda hard once I hit the gas pedal. When the car would freeze up, the traction and check engine indicator flashes and the steering wheel is completely stuck in place and I'd have to restart the car to get it going again. It doesnt freeze or stall on the highway but it always happens on city streets.
Questions about the 2008 Ford Escape engine
Does the 2008 Ford Escape have engine problems?
Owners have filed 120 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Ford Escape, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Escape engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 67,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2008 Ford Escape engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
Other 2008 Ford Escape problems
Steering 1,127Transmission 329Acceleration 175Brakes 140Electrical 136Fuel system 62Driver assistance 43Body 41Airbags 31Suspension 31Visibility 29Tires 25Wheels 14Lights 6Seat belts 5Seats 4Locks 2
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