Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping between gears, and there was a significant delay while shifting into third gear. Additionally, the contact stated that when turning the steering wheel while driving, the vehicle failed to respond immediately and responded with a significant delay. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more frequently while driving. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V284000 (Steering) and 15V606000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The safety recall notices 14s05 / NHTSA recall 14v-286 and 14s09 / NHTSA 14V526000 were performed on my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. However, the problems did not go away. Since the recalls, the car has had issues with reduced steering range, key/ignition not turning, power surge while driving, locking steering wheel, and the worst: a complete shut down of the powertrain while driving, resulting in a stall-like condition, putting our lives at risk. On June 11, 2016 the car was serviced and steering housing replaced. We asked for service to check the entire car-- everything!!!!-- as the car had been acting strangely with power surges and locking steering wheel while driving. …
The vehicle stalled and lost all power to the engine with a "pull over safely" sign while on the freeway back in September 2013 wherein I was told to have the cooling part for the Hybrid battery replaced. I was told the part was faulty. The replaced part had to be replaced again that same week by another dealership with Ford. Fast forward to today, and the same red triangle warning lights appeared and the part needs to be replaced again. The warranty for the part is only for 2 years, but after 3 years with the part, the dealership is telling me it needs to be replaced again. I find this aggregious in nature and a racket that Ford is taking advantage of their customers. …
I have a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid that displayed a stop safely now sign and then immediately lost power, while I was driving 60 MPH on the highway. The car began losing power and within seconds wouldn't move at all. I am the not the first person to have this happen to and it appears that Ford is aware of the cause. It is the engine cooling system pump, and yet even with their knowledge they have failed to issue a recall. I believe they are waiting for something terrible to happen to someone before anything is done about this. Having a car lose complete power on a highway is completely unsafe and the issue appears to only be with 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrids. Again indicating Ford is aware of the problem, and the problem stems from something they originally did wrong in the manufacturing of the car and yet chooses to do nothing about it. …
While driving down the road at 45mph, tried to press the gas pedal to accelerate and nothing happened I could not go any faster and my car slowed down to 20 MPH. I kept pushing the gas pedal to the floor and nothing would happen I had to pull off to the side of the highway. Where my car had to be towed because I couldn't drive it anywhere. I took it to the garage they told me that the electronic throttle body was bad and to replace it was 780.00 there is a recall for 2009 to 2013 models for the same problem but not for 2008 or hybrids.
Vehicle was parked. I got in to start the vehicle. Upon reversing it immediately locked the steering wheel, shut down completely and I saw the letters 'safely stop' appear as well as the red triangle (per auto manual the red triangle is described as 'master vehicle electrical hazard warning lamp' and I was unable to move the vehicle at that point at all. I tried to turn it back on several times. Often it wouldn't turn on at all, but when it did then the red triangle would appear again & car wouldn't budge.
Dealer says electronic throttle body must be replaced, powertrain control module refreshed. Escape stalled multiple times while driving in city, loss of power and fuel, emergency light, had to be restarted. Known issue. "customer satisfaction program" for electronic throttle body 2009 - 2013 Escape of warranty extension 10 years, 150K, is not extended to 2008. My Escape is 9 years, 110K. Should be recalled for all years. Incredibly dangerous and scary.
Car wont start, the (stop slowly now) appears on dash screen . It attempts to start then it is killed, then the stop slowly now warning comes up..it has done that while we are driving to. We have replaces Hybrid cooling pump we were told that is the problem. Fixed it now it is worst
Incident took place on 12/02/2011. After work I was driving south on the 405 freeway in southern california. I was in left lane going approximately 60 miles per hour when the car lost power and I could no longer accelerate. Smoke started to come up from the hood of the car. I immediately put on my hazard lights and tried to make my way to the right shoulder on the freeway. The only lane to the left of me was the carpool lane. It was during a heavy traffic time and I was nearly rear-ended several times as I tried to get to the shoulder on the left side of the freeway without the ability to accelerate. This entire time the car was getting smoky and it was hard to see and breathe. Cars were honking at me and one car pulled up next to me and yelled at me that there were flames coming from my car and the car was on fire and I needed to get out immediately. …
A problem that surfaced again after experiences many times since the above mentioned incident date: a wrench sign was coming on the dashboard frequently, and sometimes disappeared itself without doing anything.similar sign or indication for oil change was also experienced even after a scheduled oil change was done with the dealer. When the problem was reported in early period, I (the customer) was advised to disregard, because the mechanic forgot to reset after the oil service, when Ford customer service was notified today (11/7/12), it was acknowledged as a service issue, which I do not agree. Since the problem existed when the vehicle was new in early stages after the purchase, my concern is that this is a manufacturing defect with battery door which malfunctions, and does not allow ventilation on & off. …
Transmission complaints in other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, 10% of the model year's 443 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.