2008 Ford Escape Suspension Problems

I have a constant issue with the power steering. This issue makes it hard for my vehicle to turn properly as well as when you go to turn a corner you have to be a body builder to get the car to even turn. At times I can't even drive my car because it gets so bad. Along with this issue I also have a wheel bearing issue in the front suspension. To me this issue feels like my whole car is going to rattle apart while I am driving it. To add to it, the propulsion system, it has a constant whine, tries to stall, and sometimes it will not get up to speed nor gain speed. There has been times when I am driving my car that I have to pull over to the side of the road very carefully because I feel like my car is going to die and then when I turn it off and then back on it acts like it has absolutely no power. I haven't gone anywhere to get my vehicle checked yet. But I have done extensive research on the issues that I am having with my vehicle and the three main issues are a recall for same year and same year make and model.

NHTSA ID

11661630

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

So the wheel is very hard to drive and turn. I took it to the dealer tom wood ford in indianapolis indiana and i let them know about the issue and they ended up only fixing the water pump which it was recalled and im sure the power steering has to have some type of recall . I usally drive and my kids ride with me and to have that fault of 2008 FORD Escape power steering assist fault light and be very hard to drive it can cause to have a motor vehicle accident because while driving it looses power

NHTSA ID

11641484

Incident

Jan 27, 2025

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING, TORQUE SUSPENSION STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO MANUAL MODE, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE AND UNCONTROLABLE FOR ADULT SENIOR WOMAN THAT WAS DRIVING IT.

NHTSA ID

11520385

Incident

Apr 22, 2023

Mileage

136,000 mi

Driving in the highway, the back shock absorber felt down crashing against the back right tire.

NHTSA ID

11483446

Incident

Sep 7, 2022

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

VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS, SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BOTH SIDES CRACKING, AC CONDENSER LEAKING

NHTSA ID

11338044

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

SUSPENSION AXLE TRANSMISSION FRONT END WHILE IN MOTION LOUD CLANK METAL SOUND. TOOK TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD DRIVE IT UNTIL IT DIES. TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ENTIREREPAIR OF FROM AXEL SUSPENSION AND TRANSMISSION. I STILL HAVE 15 MONTHS ON MY LOAN. NO EXCESSIVE DRIVING AND NO HARD USE.

NHTSA ID

11280249

Incident

Oct 16, 2019

Mileage

147,550 mi

JUST DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOUD METAL NOISE. THEN INTERMITTENT METAL SCRAPING SOUND. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT'S AN AXEL AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT WILL COST MORE TO REPAIR THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. I STILL OWE 2 YEARS OF PAYMENTS. TERRIBLE ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. ON A CITY STREET COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING JUST DRIVING SLOW COMING TO A STOP.

NHTSA ID

11278828

Incident

Oct 7, 2019

Mileage

147,250 mi

POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING LOST IT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING, PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW HAS LOST POWER. LOST IT WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11252712

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

367,865 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

REAR PASSENGER STRUT MOUNT RUSTED THRU. STRUT ONLY FASTENED BY LOWER PORTION. CAN SEE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE IN HOLE FROM OUTSIDE WHEEL WELL.

NHTSA ID

11170402

Incident

Sep 19, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THE SHOCK BRACKET ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID

11157230

Incident

Dec 8, 2018

Mileage

172,000 mi

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AFTER HAVING TRUCK FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS. I HAVE TO GET SUSPENSION PROBLEMS FIXED EVERY OTHER MONTH. AND THE MUFFLER EVERY OTHER MONTH.

NHTSA ID

11143980

Incident

Mar 22, 2017

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

THE SHOCK TOWER RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THE SHOCK TO PUNCTURE THE INTERIOR TRIM OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS TAKEN TO MUFFLER MAN G3455 CORUNNA RD FLINT, MI 48532; THEY COULDN'T REPAIR IT. RETURNED IT TO DAVE KNAPP USED CARS 1949 N LAPEER RD LAPEER, MI 48446 PH. 810-667-0001 WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. BECAUSE OF THE 10 YEAR RUST WARRANTY DAVE CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH REFUSED TO DISCUSS IT. HE HAD HIS BODY MAN LOOK AT IT TO NO AVAIL. DAVE CONTACTED IRON MIKES WELDING AND FABRICATING 1535 N DORT HWY, FLINT, MI 48506 (810) 234-2996 AFTER DISCUSSION IT WAS DETERMINED IRREPARABLE. THERE IS STILL 11/2 YEARS LET ON THE CAR LOAN AND AN IRREPARABLE VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DRIVERS SHOCK TOWER IS DETERIORATING ALSO.

NHTSA ID

11078300

Incident

Feb 17, 2018

Mileage

112,609 mi

I HAVE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. I HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE TRUCK IGNITION WENT OUT ON 10/31/17.

NHTSA ID

11045303

Incident

Sep 2, 2016

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

WHILE DRIVING IT SEEMS LIKE THE FRONT SUSPENSION OR WHEELS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. IT SOUNDS UNSTABLE ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING.

NHTSA ID

11000010

Incident

Jun 16, 2017

Mileage

112,700 mi

IN 2016 NOVEMBER MY GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND I FREAKED OUT AND RAN INTO MY NEIGHBORS GARAGE AND I HAD 10 FIRED FIGHTERS AND SHERRIFF LOOK AT MY TURNED OFF ESCAPE AND THE ACCELERATED PEDEL WAS COMPLETELY SITTING ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT ALSO WAS TOWED TO FORD AND SAID THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LINK WAS COMPLETELY BROKE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER INSURANCE FOR THEY SAID THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND NOT INSURANCE AND SO I HAD TO USE THE FRONT END DAMAGE TO PAY FOR THE $1500 REPAIR ON A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE, FORD HAS NOW OVER 100 COMPLAINTS TO THIS SAY PROBLEM AND NO FIX.....THIS VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RAMMED A NEIGHBORS GARAGE DOOR AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND ALL THE SHERIFF AND FIREFIGHTERS SAY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS LUCKY....FORD FIX THIS....THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE AND IT I HAD INJURIES FROM THE WHIPLASH.

NHTSA ID

10986262

Incident

Nov 14, 2016

Mileage

2 mi

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. NO 2ND OR 4TH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10669919

Incident

Dec 9, 2014

Mileage

153,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AXLE AND AXLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,259.

NHTSA ID

10660143

Incident

Aug 1, 2014

Mileage

91,259 mi

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BEARINGS. I GO SLOW AND TURN. THE SAME SIDE CONTINUES TO NEED REPAIR I HAVE REPAIRED IT 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS AND NOW IT IS MESSING UP AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH SAID THE SAME THING (THAT THE BEARINGS GO OUT ON THESE CARS OFTEN ) I THINK THE CAR MY BE TOO HEAVY FOR THE WHEEL SYSTEM THEY CHOSE NOT SURE BUT IT STARTS TO PULL MY STEERING WHEEL TO THAT SIDE AND I HAVE HAD 2 ALIGNMENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID

10598420

Incident

Aug 1, 2012

Mileage

190,000 mi

SERIOUS VIBRATION, LOT OF CRACKING NOISE, STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP, HAVE TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL TO START VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10563614

Incident

Sep 10, 2013

1/22/13-STARTED MY VEHICLE UP AT 8AM AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ENGAGE, THINKING IS WAS DUE TO COLD, I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE UP, POWER ASSIST ENGAGE AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE APPROX 1/4MILE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE POWER ASSIST FAILED AND NEARLY COLLIDED MY VEHICLE ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC DUE TO STEERING FAILURE; I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. ON 1/23/13 I DROVE THE VEHICLE VERY CAREFULLY TO A NEARBY FORD DEALERSHIP (APPROX 2 MILES FROM HOME). I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST) THAT THE STEERING COLUMN REQUIRES REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILURE AS IT IS PART OF THE VEHICLES ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM (EPAS) AND WAS QUOTED A REPAIR PRICE (>1400.00). I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS TYPE OF STEERING FAILURE IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE EPAS AND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY CONSUMERS ON THIS EXACT STEERING PROBLEM. DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY, POTENTIAL DANGER AND THE COMMONALITY OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, COULD THIS WARRANT A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE OR AT LEAST A SERVICE BULLETIN OF THIS POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC STEERING ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10494602

Incident

Jan 21, 2013

Mileage

72,900 mi