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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Ford EscapeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 2,417 owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Escape. Most complaints involve steering (1,237) and power train (372). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–24mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Sep 2015
Owner complaints
2,417
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: floor shift

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Sep 29, 2015NHTSA 15V606000

Suspension: wheel bearing

Free remedy

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 vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

SuspensionReported Jun 3, 2015NHTSA 15E045000

Hybrid propulsion system

Free remedy

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.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Sep 3, 2014NHTSA 14V526000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,417 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2007 – Sep 2026
  1. Steering1,237
  2. Power train372
  3. Service brakes249
  4. Electrical system200
  5. Vehicle speed control200
  6. Engine157
  7. Engine and engine cooling75
  8. Fuel/propulsion system57
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)45

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escape model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20011,027
20021,070
2003598
2004499
20051,584
2006720
2007393
20082,417
20091,693
20102,130
20111,319
2012604
20132,757
20142,089
20151,135
20161,178
20172,701
20181,823
2019599
20201,548
2021353
2022238
2023102
202477
202526
20263
Crashes reported
72
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
45
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

1,237 reports30 crashes
“Was driving on highway at 55 when the wrench warning light came on drove car to residence and turned it off, when car was cranked again it had no power steering. Vin number was not included in recall on same issue. Has not been fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2026SteeringODI 11756566

Power train

372 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle and driving from a parking lot at 5 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the transmission skipped second and forth gear, and remained in third gear. The vehicle hesitated and stalled. An Independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed a bolt failure and that the transmission bands needed to be replaced. The transmission band was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 116,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2026Power trainODI 11745583

Service brakes

249 reports15 crashes
“In rainy conditions, executed a hard stop activating the ABS. After successfully activating, the brakes go almost to the floor, and ABS function has stopped. No air in brake system, and master cylinder checks out good. Seems dangerous that the one time you really need ABS, it goes out. No warning lights on dash, mechanic has confirmed issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2025Service brakesODI 11649792
All 2008 Escape problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escape FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,600370
Escape FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,850404
Escape 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
Escape FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
Escape 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300468
  • Escape FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Escape FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Escape 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Escape FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Escape 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Ford Escape as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 2804Vehicle 2378
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Escape questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Escape have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Ford Escape problems?

Owners filed 2,417 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (1,237), power train (372), service brakes (249). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Ford Escape get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Ford Escape at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026