2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Fuel System Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  14%
• 25k–50k
  519%
• 50k–75k
  831%
• 75k–100k
  519%
• 100k–150k
  519%
• 150k+
  28%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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. …

I was on a road trip with a passenger in my vehicle. We stopped in barstow, ca for lunch. While pulling into a parking space, my vehicle suddenly accelerated jumping the parking block and the curb. I was able to stop the vehicle from going into the building but not before hitting some newspaper vending machines. The front bumper sustained minor damage. I have been driving for many years and have never experienced anything like this. Both my passenger and myself were pretty shook up afterwards. The person sitting in the car next to us who witnessed this event said that there was an older man standing right where we jumped the curb a few moments earlier. Fortunately, he had left or this incident would have been much worse.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while idle or driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut-off as the stop safely now warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle resumed normal operation after waiting for approximately five minutes. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 14V526000 (Hybrid propulsion system) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign. The manufacturer offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V526000 (Hybrid propulsion system). The failure mileage was 28,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal engaged with a slow response. The failure recurred on a separate occasion. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V526000 (Hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 72,902. Updated 06/29/16

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.

The triangle/! Symbol comes up and engine loses all power on the freeway. My car has been into the dealership twice for this dangerous issue. The 2008 Escape hybrids are supposedly not covered for throttle body issues and my coolant fan for the battery is supposedly "updated" and doesnt need to be replaced. . Over 700 dollar fix for safety and flaw in quality of pats?

Electronic throttle body failure equivalent to the customer satisfaction program but told my VIN number is not in the applicable group. Loss of all engine power while on the freeway traveling at 65mph with a semi tractor trailor behind me. I was barely able to get the vehicle onto the side of the road.

Driving vehicle on interstate highway @ highway speeds. While merging into traffic, experienced abrupt loss of power. Amber wrench warning light came on. Moved to shoulder of road in heavy traffic, stopped vehicle, turned off ignition & after about 30 - 40 seconds restarted vehicle, power restored & vehicle continued to drive normally (wrench light off). Took vehicle to dealer, where throttle body was replaced, not under warranty (despite TSB 09-19-12). On feb. 3, 2012, experienced similar loss of power problem, and the amber wrench light and master vehicle electrical hazard warning light came on, and vehicle completely shut down (mileage at this point: 45,500 miles). After shutting off the ignition & restarting, the vehicle would run normally for 45-60 seconds, then would fault & shut down. I was close to my workplace, so I limped it back to work. …

Starting in May of 2014, my car's performance has been untrustworthiness. Some days there's no problem-- I push on the gas pedal and the car moves accordingly. At a stop sign, I can go. While moving at 50 MPH on the freeway, I can easily accelerate and move around a monster size 18 wheeler. But on the days when I press the gas pedal and the car doesn't respond, I sweat. Here's a description: foot on the gas pedal, no response... So I press down further, without any acceleration of the car. Finally, now freaked out that the car is not moving (and that another car is right on my tail) I press the pedal to the floor-- with no immediate reaction. Then-- bam-- surprise! It works and the sudden surge sends me flying beyond intention and I must press on the brakes to slow. At stop signs this happens and people behind me get frustrated, probably thinking I'm on drugs or something. …

Fuel System complaints in other Escape Hybrid years