2008 Ford Escape: won't start

Filed Aug 19, 2022 · Electrical · MI

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.

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 88,611 miles · CA

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.

Filed Aug 18, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · 115,000 miles · AZ

My car has displayed the issues this model was recalled for numerous times and now will not start again. It stopped driving unexpectedly on several occasions when I have been driving on both freeways and residential streets. When it happens it becomes impossible to steer, gas and brake have no effect, and flashes a mesage that says to stop safely now (even though you have no control over it anyway). It sounds exactly like what happens in the one of the handful of recalls I've read about for this car, yet my VIN number says there are none associated with it and I think that needs to be reexamined.

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Fuel system · 121 miles · MO

When I will drive on the highway for an extended period of time, I will get master vehicle electrical hazard warning sign on my dashboard, a "stop safely now" message, and my vehicle engine will instantly shut off. This happened to me twice- first time, I was driving from cape girardeau, mo to st. Louis, mo and pulled off from the highway and stopped at the light when the engine turned off, and won't start back up until a few hours later. The second time I was driving from st. Louis, mo to creve coeur, mo. During that time I was driving downhill and was braking when I got the same warning light and message, and my car engine just shut off. Both of these incidents happened within the same month of july of 2019.

Filed May 9, 2019 · Electrical · 151,444 miles · FL

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.

Filed Apr 27, 2019 · Electrical · 108,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Nov 21, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 128,500 miles · CA

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

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Aug 1, 2018 · Electrical · 106,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jun 25, 2018 · 115,000 miles · MO

The key in the ignition will not start the car. I see on the internet that this is a known manufacturer problem. Why isn't it a recall? It is not just with the 2008. People are doing all sorts of work around because the repair cost is the entire steering column.

Filed Jul 17, 2017 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 7, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 110,000 miles · VA

Takata recall - vehicle transmission slips, engine revs and decelerates while driving, ignition switch will not start car each time. Sometimes it takes twenty tries. I have read hundreds of these complaints on the internet.EV