2008 Ford Escape Body & structure Problems

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic for a tire rotation, and the contact was informed that the subframe was rusted. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection at the same local independent mechanic during another routine tire rotation, it was noticed that the failure had worsened. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was advised that rust was a category that was not inspected or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11618752

Incident

Apr 15, 2024

Mileage

81,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11496813

Incident

Nov 6, 2022

Mileage

190,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the front frame detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was unaware the diagnosis however, the frame was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact noticed the frame was slowly detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that underneath the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11457142

Incident

Jan 31, 2022

Mileage

86,000 mi

The rear passenger door will not catch to release unlock or lock latch. It's like the door is forced closed will not open.

NHTSA ID

11445871

Incident

Jan 15, 2021

TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE ON FRONT WHEEL, YESTERDAY 1/ 27/ 2021, WHICH IS UNRELATED. SERVICEMAN TOLD ME THAT, DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST, THE UNDERFRAME HAS UP TO SIX CRACKS IN IT AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. HE STATED THAT THERE IS NO REPAIR FOR THIS EXCEPT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIBODY UNDERFRAME, WHICH FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TWO REAR SHOCK TOWER HOUSINGS BECAUSE ONE POPPED THROUGH THE FLOOR ON SEPT., 2020. THE OUTER BODY HAS SOME RUST BUT LOOKS GOOD, NORMAL RUST FOR IT'S AGE. ON THE INTERNET I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND IT SHOWS THAT THE 2001 TO 2003 ESCAPES HAVE HAD A POSSIBLE RECALL AND SHOWS THAT ONE FORD DEALER HAD A 'FIX' FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE, THAT DID NOT WORK OUT WELL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINS ONLINE ABOUT UNDERCARRIAGE RUST AND ITS PROBLEMS. I'VE ALSO TALKED TO A BODY SHOP OWNER AND HE TELLS ME THAT THEY GET SEVERAL ESCAPES A YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET THE REAR WHEEL HOUSE MOUNTINGS REPLACED, THERE WAS ANOTHER ESCAPE BEING REPAIRED FOR THE SAME THING IN FROM OF MINE. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT IRON MIKE'S METAL FAB SHOP IN FLINT, MI. 810 234 2996, OF COURSE WELDING ANY METAL TO RUSTED METAL HAS NO GUARANTEE.. TRUCK WAS IN MOTION ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THE SHOCK STARTED BREAKING THROUGH THE FLOOR, AROUND MARCH OF 2019. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT I HAVE TO USE, WHICH IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO YOUR STANDARD IS UNDER FIFTEEN YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ID

11390515

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

167,000 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS VERY FAST IF YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL. YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTROL IT ON THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. IF YOU TRY TO BACK UP, AND TURN THE WHEEL ONE WAY, IT WILL NOT STEER THE CORRECT DIRECTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS ON IT'S OWN. VERY DANGEROUS. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

NHTSA ID

11374065

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO KEAST AUTO CENTER (2101 23RD ST, HARLAN, IA 51537 (800) 234-4927) AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND STATED THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID

11234457

Incident

Jul 2, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE ABS MODULE IS BAD READ TONS OF FORUMS SAME PROBLEM I ALMOST DIED DUE TO THIS. SECOND QUARTER PANELS STARTING TO RUST. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN LAW WAS PASSED IN 70S TO PREVENT THIS. REQD TONS OF FORUMS PEOPLE SAME PROBLEM BOTH NEED RECALL ASAP

NHTSA ID

11221726

Incident

Feb 17, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi

AFTER PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE I HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE AREA BEHIND AND ABOVE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND SAW THAT THE SHOCK AND NECESSARY ATTACHMENTS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID

11185752

Incident

Mar 11, 2019

Mileage

122,000 mi

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND TOWER HOLDING THE SHOCK IN PLACE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT

NHTSA ID

11185685

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

196,857 mi

THE FRONT WHEEL HUB STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS AROUND 10 THREE 2018. THEN ON 12 20 2018 THE HOOD CAME UNDONE AND SMASHED MY WINDSHIELD. EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 2015 IT HAD POWER ASSIST PROBLEMS IN THE STEERING.

NHTSA ID

11163242

Incident

Dec 20, 2018

Mileage

13,360 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE CONNECTOR TO FRACTURE, WHICH CREATED A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS COULD ALLOW CARBON MONOXIDE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING IN COLD WEATHER. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED STURMAN & LARKIN FORD, INC. AT 412-892-2300 (LOCATED AT 900 REGIS AVE, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 152360), BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11132721

Incident

Sep 19, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD BUMPING NOISE... MY BACK PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY, WHICH HAS AFFECTED MY SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET. EVERY LITTLE BUMP CAUSES IT TO SHAKE . THE BRACKET ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE PLASTIC AND THERE IS A HOLE INSIDE THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I SEE SO MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AND ITS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I KNOW THAT THE FORD ESCAPE 2001- 2004 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND ITS DISCONCERTING THAT THEY ARE IGNORING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2005-2008 ESCAPE. HOW MANY MORE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THEM TO AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS UNSAFE, REOCCURRING ISSUE?! HOPEFULLY , SOMETHING WILL BE DONE SOON BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ID

11131015

Incident

Aug 28, 2018

Mileage

2 mi

THE REAR INNER FENDER RUSTED OUT AND THE REAR STRUT BROKE THROUGH ITS MOUNTING BRACKET WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO KEEP RELATIVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. UPON DOING A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VEHICLES SOLD IN THE BOTHER UNITED STATES AND CANADA AS STATED ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND FORUMS. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS MY PRIMARY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND I TRAVEL 120-125 MILES PER DAY ROUND TRIP TO WORK. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE HAD I NOT HEARD THE NOISE AND BRACES MYSELF PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE BECOMING UNSTABLE. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT A FAMILY COULD BE RIDING IN A THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND NOT HAVE ADEQUATE REACTION AND BECOME A VEHICLE CASUALTY STATISTIC.

NHTSA ID

11124660

Incident

Sep 5, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY STREET....THE BACK DRIVER-SIDE LIFT GATE HINGE CRACKED IN HALF AND MY GLASS WINDOW WAS HANGING BY A THREAD. SUPER DANGEROUS TO OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. LUCKILY IT DID NOT FALL TO THE ROAD AND SHATTER, OR FLY OFF THE VEHICLE HITTING SOMEONE, OR THING, OR CAR. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR/ CORROSION. OTHER VEHICLES 'YOUNGER' THAN MINE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE! SHAME ON THEM! DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE AN ACTION IS TAKEN? EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. AND STRESS AND WORRY WHILE DRIVING WITH THE BACK WINDOW LITERALLY FLAPPING IN THE WIND! WTF? AGAIN. THANK GOD IT DIDN'T CAUSE DAMAGE TO SOMEONE OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I REALLY PRAY THIS CAN BECOME A RECALL ITEM, BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED! OMG! AWAITING REIMBURSEMENT IN OHIO!

NHTSA ID

11118489

Incident

Aug 7, 2018

Mileage

99,000 mi

EXTREME UNDERCARRIAGE / WHEEL WELL EROSION. THE SHOCKS HAVE PUSHED UP INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AS THEY ARE NOT MOUNTED TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE BODY. TRUNK MATT IS EXPOSED THROUGH WHEEL WELL. SUSPENSION IS DISENGAGING FROM THE BODY.

NHTSA ID

11022300

Incident

Sep 8, 2017

ON THE EXTERIOR OF EACH OF THE FOUR DOORS, THERE IS A BLACK FILM THAT COVERS THE STAINLESS STEEL OF THE WINDOW FRAME. THIS STARTED PEELING OFF 6 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR WITHOUT ANY CONTACT WITH FOREIGN OBJECTS OTHER THAN RAIN. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST MY CAR AT FIRST, BUT IN THE YEARS SINCE, I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER ESCAPES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE UNDERLYING STEEL IF NOT REMEDIED.

NHTSA ID

10990512

Incident

May 19, 2017

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOTH REAR DOORS WERE RUSTED THROUGH AS WELL AS THE FRAME ABOVE THE TIRES. THE DOORS ALSO HAD RUST INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME AND/OR VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10954932

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR GLASS FELL IN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BODY INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,541.

NHTSA ID

10785313

Incident

Oct 21, 2015

Mileage

97,541 mi

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DROPPED SUDDENLY AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING OCCURRED TO A BACK WINDOW, THEN NEXT THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED TO TWO OTHER FORD VEHICLES - MY BROTHER'S TRUCK, AND A FRIENDS TRUCK. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, VERY INCONVENIENT, ESPECIALLY IF RAINING --- AND CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN LIVING IN A LARGE CITY WITH HIGH CRIME.

NHTSA ID

10750376

Incident

Sep 19, 2014

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS SEVERE RUST PROBLEMS WITH BOTH OF THE REAR QUARTER PANELS. RUST DAMAGE IS COMING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. TALK TO FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RUST THROUGH DAMAGE AND FORWARDED THEM TO FORD MOTOR. DEALER SAID HE SEE A LOT OF RUST COMPLAINTS ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. DEALER RECOMMENDS A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR QUARTER PANELS. FORD MOTOR DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RUST PROBLEM, AND IS NOT EVEN WILLING TO MEET PART WAY WITH THE DAMAGES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10692788

Incident

Sep 4, 2014

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE LIFTGATE WINDOW LATCH ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT HAS SEPARATED FROM THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. THE GLUE JOINT HAS FAILED AND ALLOWED THE LATCH TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE WINDOW. NOW THE WINDOW CANNOT BE CLOSED TIGHTLY AND LOCKED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE EXHAUST GASES MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE GAP BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE WINDOW SEAL ON THE LIFTGATE. IT IS ALSO A SECURITY ISSUE, SINCE SOMEONE COULD EASILY PRY THE WINDOW OPEN AND ENTER THE VEHICLE CABIN. ORIGINALLY, THE LATCH WAS APPARENTLY GLUED TO THE GLASS AND ALSO IS ATTACHED LOOSELY WITH A SINGLE BOLT TO THE REAR WINDOW WIPER ASSEMBLY. RIGHT NOW, THE SEPARATED LATCH IS FLOPPING AROUND IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE WINDOW CAN BE PULLED OPEN BY ABOUT 1/2 TO 1 INCH. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS LATCH ON THIS VEHICLE. THE LATCH IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL TO THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE FORD TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME INSECURE DEFECTIVE LATCH DESIGN AND REPLACE IT WITH A SECURE DESIGN THAT WILL REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE WINDOW GLASS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649847

Incident

Oct 22, 2014

Mileage

87,484 mi

RIGHT & LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTING. *JS

NHTSA ID

10598305

Incident

Jun 14, 2014

Mileage

125,312 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED NEAR THE REAR WHEEL WELL AREA. THERE WERE ALSO RUST BUBBLES THAT HAD FORMED IN ADDITION TO SIGNS OF CORROSION. THERE WAS ALSO RUST ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 8/6/14*CN UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10587085

Incident

Feb 2, 2013

Mileage

70,000 mi

I HAVE A 2008 USED FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS PURCHASED DECEMBER 2012. IT NOW HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT. IN JUNE OF 2013 I NOTICED ABOVE THE REAR WHEEL WELL THERE IS RUST BUBBLES POPPING UP UNDER THE PAINT. ONCE I NOTICED IT IN JUNE 2012, I TOOK IT TO PACKEY WEBB FORD IN DOWNERS GROVE, IL AS SOON AS I NOTICED THE RUSTING UNDER THE PAINT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE $1900 TO FIX AND THAT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY. SINCE THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES I SHOULD CONTACT FORD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RUSTING WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FORD TOLD SAID THE WEAR AND TEAR WAS PART OF THE CAR AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NOW IF I WANT TO GET THIS FIXED, IT WILL COST ME $2000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10584084

Incident

Jul 19, 2013

Mileage

30,000 mi