2008 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,404 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Ford Escape, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 63/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 116,119 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2008 Ford Escape sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2006–2007, 2021–2022.
Avoid
Where 2008 sits among all Escape years
What owners report
“I was driving and the message center displayed power steering assist fault and lost all power steering while driving on 9/25/2017”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Escape
“Car will accelerate after coming to complete stop. Transmission shift bands broke. Ford is charging 1537 to rebuild the transmission. The issue seems to be common with the 2008 ford escape. Ford should have a recall on this part.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Escape
“The vehicle gas pedal becomes stiff in cold weather condition and doesn't allow me to accelerate from stop. One time the gas pedal cable also came out and pedal would not come back up.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Escape
“It has the no power steering problem just like the other vehicles of the same model and year.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Escape
“Brake pedal travels almost to floor. Had brakes replaced, master cylinder replaced. All brake lines bled and still having same problem.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Escape
“Engine unexpectedly shuts off while driving at various speeds without any warning.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Escape
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 2,019 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 100,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 65,500 and 133,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner…
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND…
Fix: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Federal defect investigations
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Ford Escape reliable?
The 2008 Ford Escape drew 2,404 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 63/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2008 Ford Escape problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Ford Escape are steering (1,131 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (335), and speed control (177).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Escape problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Ford Escape problems around 100,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 65,500 and 133,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Ford Escape have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Ford Escape. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.