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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-FORD-ESCAPENHTSA data synced 6 days ago
Ford
2008 Ford Escape problems
The 2008 Ford Escape has 2,414 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 2 active recall campaigns.
The 2008 Ford Escape has 2,414 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 1,233 complaints, typically surfacing around 118,701 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Escape?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Brakes: 248 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 73,000–140,000 mi
Body: 31 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–97,541 mi
Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Ford Escape? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 1233 owner reports
· tends to show around 118,701 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 316 owner reports
· tends to show around 75,380 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 248 owner reports
· tends to show around 110,707 mi · ~$450 to fix
cruise control — 138 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,786 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 110,707 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 Escape· steering
My Ford escape's power steering suddenly went out in my while driving, it made the rest of the ride home from work extremely difficult and unsafe. I did my research and found there was in fact a Ford recall on this issue for my year and model car, however my VIN was not…
Took the vehicle in for the 14s05 recall, which is intended to correct a steering issue. This occurred on 12/10/2014. The repair supposedly reprogrammed the power steering torque sensor to prevent the power steering from turning off while driving. On 12/28/2014 the power…
When the temperatures drop to below 25 degrees - the accelerator / gas pedal will often "freeze" and not allow acceleration and/or will stay depressed even with application of the brake (car still stops) and idles very high when in neutral. When starting from a traffic light at…
At times before acceleration, the accelerator gets stuck. The vehicle continues to go unless the brakes are applied. There have been times when I am in traffic and it has happened. The sticking happens either at a stop sign, traffic light, or simply just leaving out of a parking…
Had a problem with your 2008 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
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 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.
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
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Ford Escape reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 2,414 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Ford Escape has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2008 Ford Escape?
The 2008 Ford Escape is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Brakes: 248 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 73,000–140,000 mi; Body: 31 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–97,541 mi; Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Ford Escape?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 1,233 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 118,701 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 2,414 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 118,701 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Ford Escape?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 1,233 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 118,701 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 118,701 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Escape has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Ford Escape?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,414 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 6 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/Escape.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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