2008 Ford Escape Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  107
• Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
  5

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  269%
• 25k–50k
  8629%
• 50k–75k
  5117%
• 75k–100k
  5518%
• 100k–150k
  6823%
• 150k+
  155%

Owner reports

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

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the powertrain malfunction warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over, the battery was disconnected and reconnected, and the contact was able to continue driving. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard when the ABS light was illuminated. While reversing, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the repairs would be at the owner's expense. Another local dealer, Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln, located at 1845 E Joppa Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234, was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle and driving from a parking lot at 5 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the transmission skipped second and forth gear, and remained in third gear. The vehicle hesitated and stalled. An Independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed a bolt failure and that the transmission bands needed to be replaced. The transmission band was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 116,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked and attempting to shift into drive(D), the contact had to shift into 2nd gear prior to shifting into drive(D) to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel was sized and became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Car was parked on street with a slight downward slope behind it. It was turned off and placed in "Park". It rolled backwards down the street and hit a utility pole which caused it to stop. After seeing that it had "moved on its own" the shift handle was checked and still indicated the car was in "Park". Suspect some issue with the car actually being in park related to transmission, shift lever, or Ignition. The ignition has periodically displayed a reluctance to allow the car to start when the key is turned. The car will go to Ford dealer since I understand there was a large recall for this issue.

While the person was driving the wheel suddenly became stiff and very difficult to turn but luckily was in his neighborhood to park it. This could have been a very deadly crash if it happened anywhere else or suddenly on the main road. The person could have been seriously injured due to this malfunction or other people as well. This problem has been confirmed by ford and they issued a recall in 2014 for this exact same issue. The issue with the recall is my vehicle was manufactured during this 3 year period time of faulty manufacturing but is still not included in the recall list and so many other Americans are dealing with the same issue and no repairs. I would like ford to be held accountable and extend the vin list of cars needing repairs. No the vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning lamps prior until the incident which it now says power steering assist fault.

The vehicle frequently shuts down with a stop safely now light displaying on the dash. Gives maybe a 5-10 second warning before the vehicle is immobile. Has not caused an accident for us but has occurred abruptly on busy roads increasing the risk of one. However, it usually occurs when idling in a drive through or light etc. The vehicle also frequently does something that causes the clock and date to reset to 2004. This seems to always occur between drives overnight.

Hazard flashers turn on by themselves any rime night or day even while driving. Transmission oil cooler leaks. Transmission shift lever bushing in shift cable broke [ Thankfully while not on the road ] This car only has 25,000 miles on it

The power steering torque sensor failed while driving today. As a result the vehicle lost all power steering and became difficult to steer and posed a serious risk to my safety while driving a distance over an hour from home on back country roads in Kentucky which were winding and made making curves and staying on the road very difficult to manage. There was no warning, no engine check light to come on. About 5 minutes before the power steering failed to function, the steering wheel began to have a very slight movement while at a stop light. This was not a sufficient warning to give me enough time to determine that my vehicle was about to become unsafe and there was no noise coming from the car or affected components. …

I put my 2008 Escape in park, removed the keys from the ignition and exited the vehicle. I walked approximately 60 yards and was informed by a bystander that my vehicle was rolling away. The 2008 for Escape rolled approximately 200 yards down hill into a tree. I went to the vehicle and the gearshift was now in the "r" position after striking the tree. I know there was a recall for such a problem on certain Ford escapes. According to Ford my VIN number was not included in the recall.

Was diving down the road with my two kids in the car when I heard a pop I looked in my rearview and watched as a small part went bouncing down the road than it slowed down immediately and I couldn't accelerate or drive it stopped dead in the middle of the road I got out and my transmission fluid had gushed out all over the bottom and back rear windshield took it to a garage it is the transmission it needs to totally be replaced I'm guessing the trans cooler was leaking fluid and after the fluid was to low that it literally blew up I don't understand why there has not been a recall the 2008 Ford Escape has the most complaints than any other year it's insaine my car died in the middle of the road on a hill in the middle of no where with two little kids n the car we are so lucky that we didn't get smashed into by someone they better fix this problem I should sue Ford for selling faulty …

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Escape years