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2008 Ford Escape XLT

The 2008 Ford Escape XLT is a 153-hp 2.3-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $20,880 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 153 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The Escape measures 174.7 inches long on a 103.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,272 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$20,880 ($31,519 *)
MSRP with Destination$21,545 ($32,523 *)
Destination Charge$665
Engine
Engine Type2.3L I4
Displacement2.3 L
Horsepower153 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque152 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway28 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Tank Capacity16.5 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16.0 in
Wheels Rear16.0 in
Tires FrontP235/70R16
Tires RearP235/70R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length174.7 in
Width71.1 in
Height68 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb Weight3,272 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (20.4 % risk)
Tested variant: 2008 Ford Escape 4-DR. w/SAB (Later release)
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2008 Ford Escape 4-DR. w/SAB (Early release): overall not rated

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford ESCAPE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 29, 2015 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

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.

Consequence: 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 vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: 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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

NHTSA campaign 15V606000

Jun 3, 2015 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

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.

Consequence: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 15E045000

Sep 3, 2014 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 recall is 14S19.

NHTSA campaign 14V526000

May 29, 2014 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.

NHTSA campaign 14V284000

Sep 3, 2010 · EQUIPMENT

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. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 10E043000

2,417 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 Ford ESCAPE

Owner Complaints

2,417 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford ESCAPE (72 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 37 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering1,237
Power Train372
Service Brakes292
Electrical System200
Vehicle Speed Control200
Engine157
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 2, 2026 · Steering, Electrical System
“Electronic power steering went out a couple times on me .”
Aug 12, 2026 · Steering
“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…”
Jul 13, 2026 · Engine
“While driving over 60 MPH the car will begin to say the engine is hot and sometimes without warning going to stop safely now however when you open the hood nothing is hot to touch and there's an…”
Jun 22, 2026 · Power Train
“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…”
Apr 30, 2026 · Steering
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel seized. The failure was intermittent. Additionally, the contact…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2008 FORD ESCAPE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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