2008 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 2398 complaints
2398
Total Complaints
98,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
80
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
63,000
25th Percentile
98,000
Median Mileage
132,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
1105
Power Train
221
Vehicle Speed Control
167
Electrical System
127
Service Brakes
120
Automatic Transmission
107
Engine
83
Unknown Or Other
55
Fuel/Propulsion System
36
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
36
Severity Assessment
80
Crashes
9
Fires
74
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THE NEWLY REDESIGNED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "AREA" FOR THE NEWLY ARRIVING 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE IS A SAFETY AND TRAFFIC HAZARD IN THE FOLLOWING WAY: BECAUSE OF NEW SHAPE FOR THE PLEXIGLASS FRONT AND THE LOCATION OF THE HOOD AND THE MATERIALS USED, IT ALLOWS THE SUN'S RAYS TO SPOTLIGHT ON THE SPEEDOMETER A..."
"I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 FORD ESCAPE ON JUNE 2,2007. MY DAUGHTER IS ACTUALLY COOWNER/DRIVER. SHE GOT IN THE VEHICLE ON WED, JUNE 6 AND WHEN SHE WENT TO START IT, IT WAS LOCKED UP. NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE STEERING, ETC. TO WORK. SHE SAID IT WAS LOCKED IN ADVANTRAC MODE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOW..."
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE CLAMPS WHEN HE INSPECTED THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. HE BELIEVES THAT THE CLAMPS WERE DESIGNED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
1105 complaints
25th: 88,000 mi
Median: 115,374 mi
75th: 144,000 mi
Power Train
221 complaints
25th: 64,250 mi
Median: 87,000 mi
75th: 115,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
167 complaints
25th: 49,000 mi
Median: 77,000 mi
75th: 102,000 mi
Electrical System
127 complaints
25th: 67,750 mi
Median: 101,780 mi
75th: 132,125 mi
Service Brakes
120 complaints
25th: 80,975 mi
Median: 114,206 mi
75th: 150,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
MI: 230
CA: 164
OH: 163
TX: 162
PA: 135
IL: 125
NY: 100
VA: 83
NJ: 75
IN: 68
Who Files Complaints?
1.7%
Original Owners
98.3%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Wheel Bearing
Campaign 15E045000 | 03/06/2015
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 1-866-984-6536.
Hybrid Propulsion System
Campaign 14V526000 | 03/09/2014
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Floor Shift
Campaign 15V606000 | 29/09/2015
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 vehic
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 1-866-43
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 14V284000 | 29/05/2014
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.
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
Equipment
Campaign 10E043000 | 03/09/2010
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
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.
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28