Problems · by component

2008 Ford Escape fuel/propulsion system problems

57 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Escape cite fuel/propulsion system, 2% of all 2,417 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
57
2% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2025Steering, Suspension, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11661630
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 22, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11637731
“Car will run fine then, all of a sudden, goes into no drive mode. Will not go forward or reverse without a lot of gas pedal pushing ( like if the e brake is on then pop and lunges forward, but there is no brakes being applied, just gas.) Now car is sitting because mechanic pulled code P0A7C and said can't drive until fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2021Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11428256
“MY CAR HAS DISPLAYED THE ISSUES THIS MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR NUMEROUS TIMES AND NOW WILL NOT START AGAIN. IT STOPPED DRIVING UNEXPECTEDLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON BOTH FREEWAYS AND RESIDENTIAL STREETS. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER, GAS AND BRAKE HAVE NO EFFECT, AND FLASHES A MESAGE THAT SAYS TO STOP SAFELY NOW (EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT ANYWAY). IT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE ONE OF THE HANDFUL OF RECALLS I'VE READ ABOUT FOR THIS CAR, YET MY VIN NUMBER SAYS THERE ARE NONE ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE REEXAMINED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2020Power train, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11350143
“THE GAS PEDAL STICKS AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES ACCELERATE IT IS VERY QUICKLY WHICH CAN SEND YOU INTO TRAFFIC. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. IT CAN HAPPEN FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, IT CAN ALSO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN YOU GO AGAIN TO PRESS THE GAS, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. THE GAS PEDAL WILL THEN SUDDENLY PRESS DOWN VERY QUICKLY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11311094
“WHEN I WILL DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, I WILL GET MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING SIGN ON MY DASHBOARD, A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE, AND MY VEHICLE ENGINE WILL INSTANTLY SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE- FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING FROM CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO TO ST. LOUIS, MO AND PULLED OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT THE LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, AND WON'T START BACK UP UNTIL A FEW HOURS LATER. THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING FROM ST. LOUIS, MO TO CREVE COEUR, MO. DURING THAT TIME I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL AND WAS BRAKING WHEN I GOT THE SAME WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE, AND MY CAR ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN THE SAME MONTH OF JULY OF 2019.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11311230

Showing 6 of 57 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.