Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. When the contact entered the vehicle and closed the front passenger door, the front passenger window slid down into the door and could not be raised. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred four times on the front driver's side window, six times on the front passenger window, twice on the rear passenger window, and once on the rear driver's side window. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic each time to have the failures repaired. The contact called town east Ford (located at 18411 lyndon b johnson fwy, mesquite, tx 75150,[phone]) and informed them of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
While driving down the highway, it sounded like a huge pop or like a gun shot sound and when we stopped, we found that the sunroof had "exploded". There was nothing that hit our car. Luckily the slider was closed so the glass that shattered did not fall all over us. We did some research and found that this has happened to many other vehicles to where there has been nothing to came in contact with the vehicle. We were driving back from my son' graduating college, so we still had to drive with it like this another 2 1/2 hours.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was stationary, the sun roof exploded without warning. There were no injuries. Frontier Ford in santa clara, california was made aware of the failure, but could not determine the source. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,500. The VIN was not available.
Three out of four windows have failed due to regulaters. When auto shops were asked about the problem, the reply was that it is a common problem. Repairs range from two hundred to six hundred dollars. It would seem that the factory would address a problem as common as this.two windows came down while driving and one while parked
I shut my back hatch lightly being it is not hard to shut went to walk away and my glass exploded. Glass was everywhere in the car and as far as 3 feet behind the car. I had glass in my hair. I'm just glad it happened after I turned around. It was raining and a little chilly but not cold.
Car was stationary, parked in a parking lot. Rear tailgate glass was open, tailgate itself was closed. I was loading groceries into the car when the rear window glass exploded. I wasn't in the process of closing the glass. I did not see or hear anything hit the window.
I have a 2008 Ford Escape. The problem concerns the wipers. Each time it has snowed and we have needed to drive in it, snow and ice builds up on the middle 2/3rds of the blade lifting it enough so the blade does not make contact and clean the windshield. I called the dealership where we purchased the vehicle and asked for "winter blades", I was told that was not available, I then asked if they could put different arms on our vehicle so it could accept "regular" wipers, I was again told no. The wiper is called a contour wiper and what both the dealership and Ford motor consumer line have told me, there is no other wiper arm or blade that will fit this vehicle. OK, now the danger factor arises when driving in snowy conditions, the blade looses contact with the windshield, hence the windshield builds up snow and ice and visibility is near zero. …
Have a 2008 Ford Escape. At 24,000 miles the window regulator on the drivers side broke. At 28,000 miles the window regulator on the left rear window broke. The car was under warranty for both these repairs. At 45,000 the right rear window regulator broke. At 59,000 miles the drivers side window broke again. I paid for both these repairs at my local big o tires, since it was no longer under warranty. Now at 65,000 miles the front right side window regulator has broken. I called Ford customer service to complain and ask them to help pay for repair since this obviously a defective part. I was informed it would take 4 days to render a decision. I told them that was unreasonable, that I would be unable to go any where that I would have to lock my car. …
Starting at around 15,000 miles my window regulator/motor broke in my 2008 Ford Escape. Currently in October of 2013 I have replaced all of the window regulators/motors (4 total) in my car. The windows broke at around 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles and now at 85,000 miles. When speaking with my Ford service advisor he has stated that this is a huge issue with the Ford escapes and continues to say that is really should be a recall for this make/model. The last window broke when I was driving and sounded like a gun was fired at me and my drivers side window dropped, causing me to swerve in traffic. This is a major safety concern and should be a recall. As stated all 4 of my windows have now been replaced and they cost about $380 per window to replace. …
2008 Ford Escape - windshield wipers. The 2008 model Escape utilizes a new "springless" wiper design. The Ford edge and taurus also use the same wiper design for 2008. The design does not place enough downward pressure on the windshield to allow for consistent contact leaving large areas completely missed by the blade. I've noticed this to be more problematic in cold weather, which May be a result of the blade material stiffening allowing for curved blade to not flex and lie flat against the windshield surface. I've contacted Ford and the dealer, and Ford does not make a winter blade for this vehicle. After market blades are also not an option because the connection between the blade arm and blade only supports the Ford stock wipers. Ford also does not currently offer an optional blade arm for this vehicle that would utilize a different connector. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2008 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2008 Ford Escape, 1% of the model year's 1,974 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Escape window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.