2008 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Steering complaints dominate at 57% of the 1,974 total complaints, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering transmission, fuel system, and steering.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,974
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 59
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 44
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 44 / 0
Top 2008 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel suddenly locks up while driving and won't turn, then seems to reset itself after the vehicle is stopped and restarted.
- Front suspension components, including a ball joint, separate or fall apart at very low mileage, causing the wheel to buckle.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed frontal or side-impact crashes even though the vehicle sustains significant damage.
- Brake pedal goes soft or travels to the floor with little stopping power, sometimes after the dealership finds nothing wrong on inspection.
- Parking brake fails to hold the vehicle on level ground, letting it roll backward into other vehicles or objects.
- Electrical system ignites fires inside the instrument panel or dashboard vents, in some cases destroying the vehicle.
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 reliable?
- Compared with other Escape model years, 2008 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 years. Steering problems account for 57% of its 1,974 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Ford Escape?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 57% of complaints (1,127 of 1,974), with a median failure mileage of 116,000 miles and 28 related crashes reported to NHTSA.
- Does the 2008 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Escape: one for a transmission shift lever bolt issue, one for a hybrid coolant pump, and one for a steering torque sensor software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2008 Escape compare to other years?
- 2008's complaint index of 65 is worse than 2005-2007 and 2012, which earned Good verdicts, but better than 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020, which are rated Avoid.