There are no safety recalls for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, but owners have filed 443 complaints with NHTSA.
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Service Brakes | 129 | |
| Steering | 111 | |
| Engine | 74 | |
| Electrical System | 64 | |
| Power Train | 43 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 40 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 25 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 20 | |
| Unknown or Other | 13 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 9 | |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 4 | |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 7
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 4
- Structure › Body — 3
- Steering › Column — 2
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder — 1
- Suspension › Rear — 1
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
- Steering › Electric Power Assist System — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 95,500 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · reported Jul 13, 2026
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 extreme amount of coolant gone from the engine coolant tank have replaced coolant tank itself still having issue begin happening in March and is still continuing
Steering · at 290,000 miles · reported Mar 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel became stiff and made a hard right and the vehicle jumped the curb. The brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to steer correctly, and the steering wheel needed to be held with added force. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to…
Steering · at 143,000 miles · reported Dec 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn with the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
Steering · at 185,000 miles · reported Feb 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated while starting the vehicle later that day, the power steering was no longer functional, and the message was displayed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Steering · reported Nov 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping between gears, and there was a significant delay while shifting into third gear. Additionally, the contact stated that when turning the steering wheel while driving, the vehicle failed to respond immediately and responded with a significant delay. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more frequently while driving. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V284000 (Steering) and 15V606000…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid?
Owners report service brakes problems most often (129 reports), followed by steering (111). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 95,500 miles.
Are Ford recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.