2008 Ford Escape: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 9, 2022 · Body · 190,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the rear-end started swaying to the left and the right. The vehicle was bouncing while driving over potholes or imperfections on the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle was also making a rattling sound while driving. The contact stated there was no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove to her destination and after stopping and inspecting the vehicle, she observed that there were large gaps inside the passenger’s side wheel well. The contact stated that the passenger’s side shock absorber had penetrated the trunk. Additionally, the front driver’s and passenger’s side control arms and subframe members were severely corroded. The contact observed that the frame was rusted on the driver’s and passenger’s side rear wheel wells. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Engine, Suspension · GA

Valve cover gasket leaks, suspension control arm both sides cracking, AC condenser leaking

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · Steering, Wheels · 150,000 miles · WV

I was driving my vehicle when all of sudden my power steering completely went out on me causing my driver side front ball joint to bust along with I dont know what else & almost wreck my vehicle. Good thing I was near a parking lot that I could get my vehicle into enough to get my vehicle off the main road so I was not hit & involved in an accident. I bought vehicle used in april of 2016 & do not know what was done n what was not. My power steering went out abt a month ago & it has been sitting undrivable since then. A friend that is a mechanic finally was able to take a look at my vehicle & after just taking a look at the vehicle to see what was going on, he came to the conclusion without even knowing of any recall & advised that is what the issue wrong with my vehicle. He advised I need check into this to have ford take care of the issue free of charge. I ran the VIN # to check recalls on my vehicle but came up no recalls however my vehicle falls in the year of the recalls. Researched online & there are several recalls. How do I go about this & getting all the recalls taken care of for mine & my passengers safety, if my VIN # is showing as no recall but the recall issue has happened to my vehicle? I need to take care of this ssap, as this is/was my only & main source of transportaion.

Filed Nov 15, 2013 · Steering · 110,000 miles · LA

While driving the steering column began to shake and I lost all power steering. I was also informed this has caused wear on my tie rods and they are now in need of replacing.

Filed Jan 21, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 101,500 miles · MI

My ford escape is my family and work vehicle. One morning I started it after it was parked in cold overnight, engine started but the steering was stuck, thought battery was bad. Restarted several times until steering loosened up. Drove car and every stop light or while idling, the steering wheel vibrated so hard and have to hold it steady, thought, time to have my control arm replaced again. Took it to a friend's car shop , said, they've been having costumers bringing their ford escapes lately with the same problem. They couldn't fix it. Told me to go to my dealership. Dealership diagnosed it , electronic steering problem $90 for diagnosis, $1100 parts and labor, about 3-days to order for parts. Too expensive and dangerous, needs to have a recall.

Filed Oct 18, 2011 · Suspension · 38,000 miles · MD · crash

Traveling about 35-40 MPH. The left rear lower control arm broke in half. As a result of this failure the car jerked hard to the left than back to the right and then rolled over on to the drivers side and rested there with the side curtain air bags deployed. I have contacted the local dealer. The dealer backed off this immediately and said to contact ford directly. I contacted ford via the corporate web site 4 times with no response. I also returned to the local dealer for guidance they gave me the phone number of the district manager. I called and left a message. I have yet to get a response. I have pictures if desired.

Filed Oct 9, 2011 · Steering · 81,000 miles · NY

The 2008 escape I own has been the most dangerous vehicle that hit the road. The most recent failure has been the steering shaft and a joint which caused the vehicle to be unable to steer. It happened in a parking lot and I just slammed on the brakes so I did not hit anything but it could have been much worse. The car was clunking and my mechanic said most likely it's a ball joint or tie rod and to get it in soon, but I have been trying to catch up as this vehicle was just in due to the failure of the transmission cooler which was almost a $1000 repair. The car again is undriveable, and from what I researched this problem is another $1500 to repair. Ford is making money hand over fist with these vehicles and will not repair anything. Second major issue where I was told out of warranty not our problem! People are going to get killed, if I wasn't 1 year from paying this junk box off I would dump it. The first issue almost caused a major accident because the part that failed dumped all my transmission fluid out and I went to merge onto the highway and my vehicle almost stood still and would not move. This steering problem would have been much worse as 95% of my 55 mile commute is highway and I am thanking god it happened in a parking lot and not on the highway. Someone needs to help us not only to get ford to fix and pay for their faulty product but to recall these items before someone gets killed!!!! Don't buy a ford escape they are dangerous and a huge money pit!

Filed Sep 13, 2007 · Suspension · 800 miles · WI · crash

I was driving my new ford 2008 ford escape hybrid when the right front assembly fell apart. The wheel buckled under the car which caused me to veer into the oncoming traffic lane. Luckily I did not hit anyone nor anyone including myself was injured. When I had it towed the guy at the dealership said it looked like they forgot to attach the ball joint properly. Im lucky I wasnt on the freeway or in heavy traffic.