2008 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
65/100
#8 most-complained of 21 Escape years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Ford Escape has 1,974 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 65 out of 100 — #8 highest of 21 Escape model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is steering (1,127 complaints, 57% of the total). Complaints report 59 crashes, 6 fires, and 44 injuries.
- Complaints
- 1,974
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 59 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 44 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
Top 2008 Ford Escape problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering1,127 (57%)
- Transmission & Powertrain329 (17%)
- Engine273 (14%)
- Brakes171 (9%)
- Electrical System138 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires65 (3%)
- Fuel System62 (3%)
- Other62 (3%)
- Structure & Body46 (2%)
- Airbags31 (2%)
2008 Ford Escape recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Transmission & Powertrain57 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
- NHTSA 14V526000Sep 3, 2014Fuel System70,209 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
- NHTSA 14V284000May 29, 2014Steering740,878 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
2008 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford Escape a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Ford Escape ranks #8 of 21 among Escape model years (Complaint Index 65/100, verdict: Caution). It has 1,974 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Escape?
- The most reported problem areas are steering (1,127 complaints), transmission & powertrain (329 complaints), and engine (273 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 100,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Ford Escape, most recently reported 2015, covering transmission & powertrain, fuel system, and steering.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Ford Escape?
- EPA rates the 2008 Ford Escape at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.