2008 FORD ESCAPE Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Escape. This model year has 2,412 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Steering Defects.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2008 Ford Escape Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Transmission / Drivetrain
Brake System
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Ford Escape. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 1,234 | 30 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 371 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 292 | 17 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 231 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 200 | 8 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 199 | 4 | 5 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 68 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 57 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 45 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 44 | 5 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 39 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 35 | 3 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 34 | 19 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 30 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 28 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Other | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Diesel | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 2,412 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the powertrain malfunction warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over, the battery was disconnected and reconnected, and the contact was able to continue driving. The brak…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm an…
The power steering torque sensor went out. It was recalled, the repair was made, but the part is failing again. It is creating a safety issue. Ford won't re-repair. The part they put in is failing again. It has been less than 15 years since they put in the recalled part.
Check engine light keeps flashing, car vibration, bad head gasket, oil and fluid leak
The power steering started going out at low speeds and eventually just stopped working. The car keeps saying power steering assist fault. The power steering no longer works.
Forscan showing torque sensor malfunction, the same issue that was recalled in 2014. Causing loss of power steering
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. An unknown warning light was illuminated, and an audible ringing sound was coming from the vehicle. The loc…
The electronic power steering stopped working and it is almost impossible to move or turn the car. Dashboard shows fault. This is a Ford Escape Hybrid 2008 model with 142,000 miles. The car has not been repaired and I have yet to take it to a Ford dealership.
Vehicle: 2008 Ford Escape VIN: [XXX] Component: Steering – Electric Power Steering Assist Recall Involved: 14S05 / NHTSA 14V-284000 Description of the Safety Problem: My vehicle is experiencing a recurrence of electric power steering assist failure after a prior safety recall re…
Manufacturer failed to respond to certified written request for recall coverage determination.
Manufacturer failed to respond to certified mail requesting recall coverage determination. All official Ford customer service and executive escalation email addresses returned as undeliverable
POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE light appears on dash board The power steering went out
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a light and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn, and a crescent wrench warning light was illum…
Please see uploaded documents. One is a letter to Ford, and Damerow Ford. The other is receipts for sending certified mail, return receipt, signature requested, to have a response within 30 business days. We've contacted the dealership, emailed [XXX] , and customer service, and s…
The gear shift bushing failed . I was lucky . Drive into driveway on a hill. Went to shift to park and the lever started to act like it wasn’t connected and started rolling backwards. While shifting it was in the neutral position. I quickly braked and turned car off . Had to use …
driving down the road and out of nowhere all the dash light come on, the speedometer and rpm all go to zero. I am able to still control the car and drive down, the only thing that won’t work besides the dash cluster is the air conditioning. Hitting a bump or smacking the dash nor…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to …
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to make the turn, but the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive to the residence. T…
The power steering in my '08 Ford Escape has intermitten issues, and does not engage sometimes (especially when starting the vehicle). There was a recall by Ford (recall id: 14S05) in 2014, and when I called the Ford Customer Service, they said the recall was repaired in 2015. Th…
Hazard flashers turn on by themselves any rime night or day even while driving. Transmission oil cooler leaks. Transmission shift lever bushing in shift cable broke [ Thankfully while not on the road ] This car only has 25,000 miles on it
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Ford Escape.
Recalls for 2008 Ford Escape
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Ford Escape. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2008 Ford Escape — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Ford Escape reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2008 Ford Escape has 2,412 NHTSA owner complaints, 72 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Steering Defects (1,234 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Escape?▾
#1: Steering Defects (1,234 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (371 complaints). #3: Brake System (292 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Ford Escape?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Ford Escape?▾
The 2008 Ford Escape has 72 crash-related complaints and 7 fire reports out of 2,412 total NHTSA complaints. 45 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Ford Escape have any recalls?▾
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2008 Ford Escape. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 Ford Escape?▾
The 2008 Ford Escape has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Steering Defects issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2008 Ford Escape
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.