Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Tire Size: P235/70R16 104T In the first week of April, 2024, the rear passenger side tire was showing low air. I took it to a tire shop close by. They checked it and could not find any defection, except air. They inflated and balanced it. I started driving it hoping everything would be OK. After 3 days the same thing happened. Again, I took it to a different tire shop, and they took their time and thoroughly checked, no nails or air leak at all. At that point and after I told them the history of the tire, they suggested that it is a manufacturer's defect or it is a defected tire. More over, the tire guy advised me to contact the NHTSA or the manufacturer. On top the purchasing price, I spent $60.00 for inspection, the purchasing price was $112.50, from Walmart. In conclusion, I purchased a new tire and replaced it, and costed me to mount it. …
Tire size: P235/70 R16 Since April, 2024 this tire started inflated every week. After 2-3 weeks trial I decided to take it to the tire shop, after they tested it, no error was detected. Then they told me that technically this tire is defected. It costed me $75-90.00 bucks just for the diagnostics. At that point, I did not have a choice but to buy a new tire. The new tire cost me another $140.00+, before down time and a waste of energy. Time is everything in this country. Thank you,
The steering wheel spins very fast if you let go of the wheel. You are not able to control it on the road. This occurs forwards or backwards. If you try to back up, and turn the wheel one way, it will not steer the correct direction and the steering wheel spins on it's own. Very dangerous. The repair shop has replaced the rack and pinion and it did not fix the problem. They are unable to determine what the issue is.
I purchased a 2008 Ford Escape limited edition for my son in college, first, there were problems with the tires which sounded like the tires were going to explode. The noise was so loud and took it to my local dealership and they did nothing. I had the vehicle for approximately six months. The second issue pertained to the steering/suspension and that cost me $900. The dealership constantly states, "just keep your receipts." today, I contacted sheehy Ford in springfield va regarding the new problem which is the throttle. The vehicle lost power and he could not shift the vehicle at all. The customer service representative looked up the VIN number and informed me my vehicle was not covered. …
I was driving my vehicle when all of sudden my power steering completely went out on me causing my driver side front ball joint to bust along with I dont know what else & almost wreck my vehicle. Good thing I was near a parking lot that I could get my vehicle into enough to get my vehicle off the main road so I was not hit & involved in an accident. I bought vehicle used in April of 2016 & do not know what was done n what was not. My power steering went out abt a month ago & it has been sitting undrivable since then. A friend that is a mechanic finally was able to take a look at my vehicle & after just taking a look at the vehicle to see what was going on, he came to the conclusion without even knowing of any recall & advised that is what the issue wrong with my vehicle. He advised I need check into this to have Ford take care of the issue free of charge. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape equipped with capitol precision trac ii tires, size: 235/70r16. The contact stated that the front and rear passenger side tires kept flattening. The contact found out online that there was a recall on the tires. The contact experienced the failures for approximately one month. The tires that were going flat were both the front and rear passenger tires. The contact replaced the front passenger tire recently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle failure mileage was 140,000. The tire failure mileage and VIN were unknown.
I pulled into a parking space at around 5-10 MPH, hit the brakes and the accelerator pedal stuck. The car took of at around 40-50mph jumped a fence and crashed into a ravine, hitting a big tree. I was pinned in the automobile hit my head and injured my leg. I was taken to the emergency room where I suffered a spinal cord injury and a huge hematoma on my left leg.
Wheel mechanics failed safety inspection. Needed to replace both front wheel control bars and right front stabilizer bar. Mechanic said unsafe to drive even a 100 miles. Mechanic also said this resulted from a design flaw of certain Ford models that affected the Ford xlss of 2008 and perhaps other late 2008 or 2009 models.
The front wheel hub started giving me problems around 10 three 2018. Then on 12 20 2018 the hood came undone and smashed my windshield. Ever since I've had the vehicle since 2015 it had power assist problems in the steering.
Driving in the highway, the back shock absorber felt down crashing against the back right tire.
NHTSA investigations
Tire valve cracking
On October 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by Ford motor company.the valves were supplied to Ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international…
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2008 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2008 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 1,974 complaints. The component named most often is pressure monitoring and regulating systems (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Escape wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.