The Lemon Index2008 Ford Escape.
The 2008 Ford Escape is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 352 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 227, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 to 32 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 2,417 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Escape year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 65K to 133K miles on the car (2,118 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 88K–145K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 41K–104K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 86K–144K miles
Recalls 5
- transmission & drivetrain 2015
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.
- suspension 2015
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.
- hybrid propulsion system 2014
The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Show all 5 recalls
- steering 2014
The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input.
- equipment 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine stalling on engagement/stopping
- Multiple vehicle lines - intermittent pcm, fuel pump, ign, coil, a/c, abs or fog lamp operation
- 3.0l duratec engine--oil leak (low ambient temperature)--dipstick or crankshaft seal
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedLoss of power steering while driving2015–2018
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2012–2013
- ClosedTire valve cracking2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Automatic transmission fluid cooler faulty. Causes vehicle to jerk forward suddenly while accelerating. Vehicle has 37,000 miles and has followed all regular service. Ford dealer states the part is not covered under warranty.
2008 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 10312034
More owner reports
My 2008 Ford Escape hybrid has experienced at least two unexpected and un-commanded accelerations in the past week. The dealer has looked at it once and replaced the left front abs tone ring. The problem persists today 23nov2010.
NHTSA complaint 10367299
Car start stalling, took it to the dealer and they said the transmission cooler was leaking and when the transmission get hot it will not work due to the lack of fluid.
NHTSA complaint 10317395
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 227; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2008 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), steering (16%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Escape have?
5 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Escape get?
19 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 65,000 and 133,000 miles. The middle report was at 99,800 miles, from 2,118 complaints.
Does the 2008 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Ford Escape have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works