Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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. …
So the wheel is very hard to drive and turn. I took it to the dealer tom wood ford in indianapolis indiana and i let them know about the issue and they ended up only fixing the water pump which it was recalled and im sure the power steering has to have some type of recall . I usally drive and my kids ride with me and to have that fault of 2008 FORD Escape power steering assist fault light and be very hard to drive it can cause to have a motor vehicle accident because while driving it looses power
In 2016 November my gas pedal stuck to the floor and I freaked out and ran into my neighbors garage and I had 10 fired fighters and sherriff look at my turned off Escape and the accelerated pedel was completely sitting on the floor of the vehicle and it also was towed to Ford and said the accelerator pedal link was completely broke and it was not covered under insurance for they said this is a manufacture issue and not insurance and so I had to use the front end damage to pay for the $1500 repair on a part that should not have broke, Ford has now over 100 complaints to this say problem and no fix.....this vehicle accelerated and rammed a neighbors garage door and I could have been killed and all the sheriff and firefighters say they have never seen an accelerator pedal depressed to the floor and I was lucky....Ford fix this....this is going to kill someone and it I had injuries from the …
Took vehicle into Ford dealer for service on front wheel, yesterday 1/ 27/ 2021, which is unrelated. Serviceman told me that, due to excessive rust, the underframe has up to six cracks in it and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. The vehicle is thirteen years old. He stated that there is no repair for this except to replace the whole unibody underframe, which Ford takes no responsibility for. I had to replace the two rear shock tower housings because one popped through the floor on sept., 2020. The outer body has some rust but looks good, normal rust for it's age. On the internet I researched the problem and it shows that the 2001 to 2003 escapes have had a possible recall and shows that one Ford dealer had a 'fix' for the engine cradle, that did not work out well. There are numerous complains online about undercarriage rust and its problems. …
The rear inner fender rusted out and the rear strut broke through its mounting bracket while I was driving on a state highway and the vehicle is now unstable and dangerous to drive. Thankfully I was able to keep relative control of the vehicle and make it home safely. Upon doing a simple google search, this is a known issue with vehicles sold in the bother united states and Canada as stated on numerous websites and forums. Unfortunately this is my primary mode of transportation and I travel 120-125 miles per day round trip to work. This could have been much worse had I not heard the noise and braces myself prior to the vehicle becoming unstable. My biggest fear is that a family could be riding in a this type of vehicle and not have adequate reaction and become a vehicle casualty statistic.
The shock tower rusted through and caused the shock to puncture the interior trim of the vehicle. It happened while driving on a city street. It was taken to muffler man g3455 corunna rd flint, mi 48532; they couldn't repair it. Returned it to dave knapp used cars 1949 n lapeer rd lapeer, mi 48446 ph. [phone] where it was purchased. Because of the 10 year rust warranty dave contacted the Ford dealership which refused to discuss it. He had his body man look at it to no avail. Dave contacted iron mikes welding and fabricating 1535 n dort hwy, flint, mi 48506 [phone] after discussion it was determined irreparable. There is still 11/2 years let on the car loan and an irreparable vehicle that is unsafe to drive. The drivers shock tower is deteriorating also.
Traveling about 35-40 MPH. The left rear lower control arm broke in half. As a result of this failure the car jerked hard to the left than back to the right and then rolled over on to the drivers side and rested there with the side curtain air bags deployed. I have contacted the local dealer. The dealer backed off this immediately and said to contact Ford directly. I contacted Ford via the corporate web site 4 times with no response. I also returned to the local dealer for guidance they gave me the phone number of the district manager. I called and left a message. I have yet to get a response. I have pictures if desired.
I was driving my new Ford 2008 Ford Escape hybrid when the right front assembly fell apart. The wheel buckled under the car which caused me to veer into the oncoming traffic lane. Luckily I did not hit anyone nor anyone including myself was injured. When I had it towed the guy at the dealership said it looked like they forgot to attach the ball joint properly. Im lucky I wasnt on the freeway or in heavy traffic.
Just driving and all of a sudden loud metal noise. Then intermittent metal scraping sound. Took it to the shop and they said it's an axel and transmission problem. It will cost more to repair than the car is worth. I still owe 2 years of payments. Terrible absolutely terrible. On a city street coming to a stop at a light traveling approximately 25mph. No accident or anything just driving slow coming to a stop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While the contact was driving over railroad tracks, the shock bracket on the rear driver side wheel detached from the frame. The dealer and the manufacturer had not been contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 172,000.
Suspension complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2008 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the suspension of the 2008 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 1,974 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Escape suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2008 Ford Escape, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Escape suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 136,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.