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 TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. *TR
2008 Ford Escape cruise control problems
moderate 138 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600
Complaints
138
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$600
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 LOT. SOMETIMES IT MAY HAPPEN IF I AM COMING OUT OF A TURN. ITS SCARY WHEN I AM ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, STREET, OR ON/OFF RAMP…
PURCHASED A 2008 FORD ESCAPE NEW IN 2008 AND HAVE HAD IT WORKED ON 3 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE ACCELERATOR STICKING CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY. IT WAS NEVER REPLACED. NOW BECAUSE I HAVE 116000 MILES ON IT I JUST GOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. ONCE AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HOLD THE BRAKE AND SHUT IT OFF. I PAID $110 TO TOW IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. WELL NOW IT IS G…
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE ACCELERATOR WILL DEPRESS. THERE IS NO INDICATION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WILL BE FREE AND GREAT CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID A SUDDEN LUNGE FORWARD. JUST ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND WARM UP DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 138 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.