2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid ranks 2nd worst of 15 model years with a complaint index of 93 and 443 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Brakes (36% of complaints), engine (28%), and steering (25%) are the top problem areas, with a median failure mileage of 95,568 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 93/100
- #2 of 15 Escape Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 443
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 31.5 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes161 (36%)
- Engine123 (28%)
- Steering110 (25%)
- Electrical System64 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain43 (10%)
- Fuel System31 (7%)
- Other17 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (1%)
- Airbags3 (1%)
- Structure & Body3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the regenerative brake system disabling itself, showing an ABS light and 'regen brakes disabled' message, followed by little or no brake pedal response.
- Some describe complete brake failure at highway speed requiring use of the emergency brake or a curb to stop the vehicle.
- Several report the steering wheel suddenly seizing, shaking, or losing power assist while driving, sometimes after a related steering recall campaign.
- One owner described the gas engine shutting down without warning at an intersection, traced to a failed electronic cooling pump, resulting in a rear-end collision.
- An airbag complaint noted that frontal airbags failed to deploy in a head-on crash even though side airbags deployed.
- One driver reported a sudden loss of control while parking, jumping a curb and striking objects, filed under the fuel system component.
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 31.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Escape Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA data shows it ranks 2nd worst of 15 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 93 and 443 complaints, mostly tied to brakes, engine, and steering.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid?
- Brakes lead with 161 complaints (36% share), followed by engine issues (123 complaints, 28%) and steering problems (110 complaints, 25%). Median mileage at failure for brakes is 111,200 miles.
- Does the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2008 model year in this dataset, despite the high complaint volume.
- How does the 2008 Escape Hybrid compare to other years?
- It has a higher complaint index (93) than most other Escape Hybrid years; only 2020 (index 100) scores worse across the full model lineup. Years like 2012 and 2013 score much lower, at 21 and 7.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 30 mpg combined (31.5 city / 28.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,175.