Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel sensor was defective; and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure returned soon after repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 219,000.
I have a constant issue with the power steering. This issue makes it hard for my vehicle to turn properly as well as when you go to turn a corner you have to be a body builder to get the car to even turn. At times I can't even drive my car because it gets so bad. Along with this issue I also have a wheel bearing issue in the front suspension. To me this issue feels like my whole car is going to rattle apart while I am driving it. To add to it, the propulsion system, it has a constant whine, tries to stall, and sometimes it will not get up to speed nor gain speed. There has been times when I am driving my car that I have to pull over to the side of the road very carefully because I feel like my car is going to die and then when I turn it off and then back on it acts like it has absolutely no power. I haven't gone anywhere to get my vehicle checked yet. …
The vehicle frequently shuts down with a stop safely now light displaying on the dash. Gives maybe a 5-10 second warning before the vehicle is immobile. Has not caused an accident for us but has occurred abruptly on busy roads increasing the risk of one. However, it usually occurs when idling in a drive through or light etc. The vehicle also frequently does something that causes the clock and date to reset to 2004. This seems to always occur between drives overnight.
Car will run fine then, all of a sudden, goes into no drive mode. Will not go forward or reverse without a lot of gas pedal pushing ( like if the e brake is on then pop and lunges forward, but there is no brakes being applied, just gas.) Now car is sitting because mechanic pulled code P0A7C and said can't drive until fixed.
When you are stopped and idling the car, it stalls out. It stalls when idling in gear, but not when in the park position. If you slow down at a light or for traffic obstacles, it sometimes stalls before you actually stop. As long as I have no stop lights or other obstacles to slow me down I'm fine. It mostly happens on city streets. Sometimes but not always it seems to buck a little. I am female and know little about cars, my husband took care of everything, this was his vehicle, but he passed away last month after a long illness. I did hope it was the fuel filter, so I had that replaced a few days ago. It did not help. When this occurs none of the many warning lights on the dash come on, nor do they come on or stay on other than when you first start the car. …
We bought our car used in 2008/2009. We took our car into a dealership when it was under warranty because of exhaust fumes. We often are smelling exhaust but since the dealership dismissed our problem we have been dealing with it all these years as 'normal'. I recently was hearing of police officers with Ford vehicles passing out or having damage because of the fumes in their Ford SUV. I took my daughter to the doctor a few years ago after being on a trip in the vehicle because she was throwing up on the way there and back. The doctors gave her back x-rays and said that it was just motion sickness.. She often complains of being sick in the car. I also don't like the fumes, but just drive it. Now I realize it May be a problem that was ignored by Ford to begin with. The more I drive it the more dizzy spells I have during the day. …
Sometimes when I push on the gas pedal...it just won't depress and I am pushing on the pedal with my foot - but I can't make the car go, and the pedal seems 'stuck'...it has LED to a few dangerous situations where I tried to merge onto a highway and pulled out - but then could not get the gas pedal to depress! Eventually after 3-10 seconds the pedal will depress and I can get the car to move but I never really know when it will happen. Sometimes it seems to be 'stuck' worse than others.... I can tell it happens more often as the air gets colder - it has happened while the car was in motion and I used to think it was because I had a floor mat that I was certain was causing the problem and getting in the way- but when I removed the floor mat the issue still persisted. [redacted]
In colder temperatures, below approximately 45 degrees, the accelerator becomes "stuck" and unable to be pressed down. After several times of stomping on it, it releases and the car accelerates. This continues to occur at every stop, red lights, stop signs, etc., until the car/temperature warms up. While waiting to pull out into traffic, upon releasing the brakes the car merely idles into traffic as the accelerator is stuck and unable to be pressed, leaving the car creeping on to the road/highway until the accelerator loosens and is able to be pressed. As told by a Ford service technician and others with this same problem, the issue is with the throttle body. This same issue does not occur during warmer seasons/temperatures.
When I will drive on the highway for an extended period of time, I will get master vehicle electrical hazard warning sign on my dashboard, a "stop safely now" message, and my vehicle engine will instantly shut off. This happened to me twice- first time, I was driving from cape girardeau, mo to st. Louis, mo and pulled off from the highway and stopped at the light when the engine turned off, and won't start back up until a few hours later. The second time I was driving from st. Louis, mo to creve coeur, mo. During that time I was driving downhill and was braking when I got the same warning light and message, and my car engine just shut off. Both of these incidents happened within the same month of July of 2019.
While sitting in a drive thru the gas pedal went flat to the floor. Had towed to dealer and was told throttle cable broke.needed replaced and throttle body,injectors cleaned. Cost approximately $800.00. Looked on internet and found it to be a common problem. Called dealer and no help. Called Ford corporate and they took information but would not offer any help. If this had broke while driving we and others on the road could of been injured or killed. This vehicle should be immediately recalled in my opinion. Also this fix is no guarantee it won't happen again. Nice thought to have while driving in traffic.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 1,974 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Escape fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-526 (hybrid propulsion system, Sep 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Escape fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.