One problem related to service engine light on has been reported for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid based on all problems reported for the 2008 Escape Hybrid.
Since the first time I experienced a braking failure incident I have done a lot of research&visits to mechanics to retrieve codes thrown from the car off diagnostic machines. Replacing the hcu carries a premium price tag of $5k-7k. Prior to the first accident,there is no obvious way that I could have damaged the hcu with my very normal driving habits (I. E. No history of towing, no long downhill braking)&the hcu is not a component susceptible to wear to the point of early failure. I believe that the Escape Hybrids braking system is defective by design (hence the TSB)&fault lies with Ford. I consider this brake failure very serious&a problem that Ford had never bothered to notify me about or recall. My attempts to get Ford's attention on this matter have been fruitless. To summarize NHTSA is not concerned b/c nobody has gotten killed by these defective brakes. Ford claims no responsibility for this very serious&significantly dangerous design flaw. After several episodes of brake failure I found TSB 05-8-5 (8/5/05 NHTSA id#10017553:escape hybrid vehicles exhibit the yellow abs&red e- brake warning lamps illuminating after the engine is started,&an increase in brake pedal effort)Ford claims no responsibility to deal w/the problem. Its not safe to drive w/o the repair,it had no value being broken,&I did not have the conscience to sell the vehicle w/a dangerous problem. Fords failure to proactively address this safety issue is rather appalling. Ford abandoned me w/a$7,000 bill to repair a problem that is solely related to their poor design. First accident description:abs warning light&service engine light illuminated on cluster. "service brake system"&"regenerative braking disabled" illuminated on message board. On the highway in rush hour traffic,upon extreme braking, brakes failed to stop the vehicle in time to avoid a rear-end collision with the vehicle stopped in front of me.