Hey everyone, I registered here today hopefully to get some insight on an issue or 2!
I purchased a 2008 Escape Limited in Feb, ok so far (this is my 2nd Escape LOVED the first one). I am puzzled by something and apparently so is the dealership...I have had a bad experiences in the past so I have learned to ASK for advice!

The traction control light came on about a month ago and didn't turn off until we turned the engine off. We were driving on regular pavement. Once you started the car again light was off and remained off.

About 2 weeks later it does it again, same thing, same kind of road conditions. Last week, it does it twice in the same week.

So truck is at the dealer for the whole day and they call me late in the afternoon to ask me "What light came on again?" (I respond the little slipping car light! left hand side) He responds "Are you sure it's not the ABS light?" No it's not!
Says they are getting no codes and really cannot find anything wrong. Finally 2hrs later they tell me to pick up the truck and say they ordered a part but can't give me a straight answer as to what it is. Now on the front seat I find in the truck a print out of a text regarding ABS light default...don't want this lovely dealer fixing something that doesn't need fixing all for lack of figuring out what's wrong.

So anyone has an opinion? Thanks!

 

I just bought an '05 hybrid in june and the traction light, if it is the same one I am thinking of, it shows a vehicle w/ the skid marks jkind of swaying to the left, actually the light never satyed on long enough to catch a good glimpse at it, took it to the dealer, ...no codes no problem...did it again, was told don't shut car off, bring in. Took it in no codes, the tech really took an interest at downs ford in Nj, a guy named Bob, found a cracked 'tone' ring...hence, replaced tone ring and no more light. I hope this helps.

 

The ABS system is part of the Traction Control system, so it is possible an ABS part will fix your Traction control system.

 

The MY08 Escape Hybrid has ABS only. There is no traction control. This is the same for MY05-08. (MY09 is a completely different story!)

To my knowledge, there are only two times the 'skidding car' lamp should illuminate. One is upon 'key-up' (or initialization) for 1-3 secs, and the second is during an ABS event (the skidding car icon will blink).

FYI, the reason the 'traction' lamp blinks in an ABS event on the Hybrid is that the brake control module does not have the positive feedback through the pedal like conventional ABS systems -- this car is "brake by wire" w/ a simulated brake pedal (spring).

I'd suspect something funky in the I/P cluster first, or possibly a short or funky brake module (since it commands the blink during an event).

Good luck. No solution here, just info. Sorry.

 

NONE of the Hybrids had traction control.. until the '09 models.

The little skidding light comes on when the ABS kicks in on the Hybrids (I have an '05 as well).

The ABS AND the Traction Control do work hand-in-hand, so I wouldn't worry too awful much about it. I assume you're still under warranty.. so just let them fix it and see.

 

since the light turned off when you turned the escape off and didn't relight till weeks later, is it possible that you pressed the traction control button right by the power outlet (cig plug). im not trying to sound like a smart A but my dad had a similar issue on his 08 mariner only to find out my mom hit the button when she was plugging in her cell phone charger in the 12v outlet.

with it happening a couple times in the same week makes me think there could be an issue but just wanted to cover the most basic of items.