Ford Escape 2008–2012
2nd generation · CD2 (revised)
NHTSA data through 13 August 202610,606 complaints, 8,940 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 8,940
- Median of reported failures
- 68,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Steering (27.6%)
- Recalls
- 5
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,000 and 108,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Ford Escape 2008–2012 · 8,940 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 574 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 174 complaints (1.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 29,000
- 25%
- 45,000
- Median
- 68,391
- 75%
- 108,000
- 90%
- 148,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 279 | 3.1% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 75 | 0.8% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 106 | 1.2% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 133 | 1.5% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 147 | 1.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 192 | 2.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 281 | 3.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 449 | 5.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 556 | 6.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 574 | 6.4% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 472 | 5.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 480 | 5.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 428 | 4.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 398 | 4.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 367 | 4.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 293 | 3.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 273 | 3.1% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 310 | 3.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 235 | 2.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 234 | 2.6% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 260 | 2.9% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 213 | 2.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 206 | 2.3% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 162 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 221 | 2.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 151 | 1.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 172 | 1.9% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 142 | 1.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 163 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 98 | 1.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 190 | 2.1% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 78 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 99 | 1.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 71 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 60 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 46 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 53 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 24 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 39 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 36 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 174 | 1.9% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 10,606 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008–2012 Ford Escape, and 8,940 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,000 and 108,000 miles. The median is 68,391 miles.
The most-reported areas are the steering (27.6% of complaints, typically around 115,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (13.9% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles), throttle and speed control (12.5% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles).
5 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2008–2012 Ford Escape last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2008–2012 Ford Escape were filed by 68,000 miles and 90% by 148,000 miles — figures drawn from 8,940 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
174 reports (1.9%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Escape reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2008–2012 Escape: the 3-minute check
Generated from 8,940 mileage-tagged complaints, 5 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission on 2009–2012 cars. 6F35 6-speed automatic: torque converter shudder, and left-hand halfshaft seal leaks that drain fluid and burn the clutches.
- Check engine management. Electronic throttle body failures put the vehicle into reduced-power limp mode without warning.
- Check steering. Electric power steering assist can be lost intermittently, requiring steering gear replacement.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 45,000 and 108,000 miles, with a median of 68,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the steering and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 54,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Ford Escape 2008–2012
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline1,479 reports54,00039,000–76,000Transmission and driveline: 1,479 reports, median 54,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 76,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control1,330 reports54,00041,000–73,000Throttle and speed control: 1,330 reports, median 54,000 miles, middle half 41,000 to 73,000 miles.
- Engine1,150 reports55,00042,000–74,000Engine: 1,150 reports, median 55,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 74,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system982 reports57,00042,000–78,000Fuel and propulsion system: 982 reports, median 57,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 78,000 miles.
- Electrical system654 reports68,00046,000–106,000Electrical system: 654 reports, median 68,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 106,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise303 reports79,00046,000–125,000Problems owners could not categorise: 303 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 125,000 miles.
- Steering2,930 reports115,00086,000–146,000Steering: 2,930 reports, median 115,000 miles, middle half 86,000 to 146,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2,930 | 27.6% | 115,000 | 86,000–146,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 1,479 | 13.9% | 54,000 | 39,000–76,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 1,330 | 12.5% | 54,000 | 41,000–73,000 |
| Engine | 1,150 | 10.8% | 55,000 | 42,000–74,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 982 | 9.3% | 57,000 | 42,000–78,000 |
| Electrical system | 654 | 6.2% | 68,000 | 46,000–106,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 303 | 2.9% | 79,000 | 46,000–125,000 |
| Brakes | 297 | 2.8% | 100,000 | 70,000–137,000 |
| Body structure | 278 | 2.6% | 67,000 | 40,000–103,000 |
| Fuel system | 239 | 2.3% | 60,000 | 45,000–85,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Ford Escape 2008–2012 · 8,940 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 42% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 65% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 80% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 1.9% of reports (174) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
42% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 39,000–76,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 41,000–73,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 42,000–74,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 42,000–78,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 46,000–106,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 46,000–125,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Steering — middle half 86,000–146,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
65% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 54,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 54,000 mi
- Engine — median 55,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 57,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Steering — middle half 86,000–146,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 46,000–106,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 46,000–125,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
80% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 54,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 54,000 mi
- Engine — median 55,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 57,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 68,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Steering — middle half 86,000–146,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 46,000–125,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 68,391 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The steering accounts for 27.6% of complaints (2,930 reports, 2,335 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 115,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 86,000 and 146,000 miles.
A single system taking 27.6% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 13.9% of complaints (1,479 reports, 1,373 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 54,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 76,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 12.5% of complaints (1,330 reports, 1,273 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 54,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 41,000 and 73,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 10.8% of complaints (1,150 reports, 1,085 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 74,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 9.3% of complaints (982 reports, 727 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 57,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 78,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 6.2% of complaints (654 reports, 551 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 106,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2010 model year drew the most — 3,185 complaints — while 2012 drew the fewest at 792. The median year sits at 2,349.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (2), the fuel system (1), the hybrid propulsion system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 10,606 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 287 (2.7%)
- Fires
- 30
- Injury reports
- 165
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Transmission 2009–2012
6F35 6-speed automatic: torque converter shudder, and left-hand halfshaft seal leaks that drain fluid and burn the clutches.
Engine Management
Electronic throttle body failures put the vehicle into reduced-power limp mode without warning.
Steering
Electric power steering assist can be lost intermittently, requiring steering gear replacement.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2,405 | 2,065 |
| 2009 | 2,349 | 1,976 |
| 2010 | 3,185 | 2,778 |
| 2011 | 1,875 | 1,560 |
| 2012 | 792 | 561 |
Recalls (5) — is your car included?
Nov 2017 · 2010–2012 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
Oct 2015 · 2008 · Power TrainIf the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
What can happen. If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Oct 2014 · 2008 · Hybrid Propulsion SystemIf the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like…
The defect. 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. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
What can happen. If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Jul 2014 · 2008–2011 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
What can happen. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
May 2010 · 2010 · Power TrainA vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake may have unintended…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, milan, and Escape vehicles manufactured from february 27, through march 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin may not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "Theft protection and rollaway prevention".
What can happen. A vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 28, 2010. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 and for the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (tdd). Representatives are available monday through friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm.
What owners reported
Approximately 2 to 3 weeks ago i was sitting in a parking lot after shopping, went to start my car and it would not start. After about 10 minutes and several attempts the car finally turned over and started. I drove the car home and did not go out the rest of the day. This has happened several times. I called a…
2008 · Electrical system
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…
2008 · 2 miles · Throttle and speed control
I was driving when i noticed a loud bumping noise... My back passenger wheel well is completely rusted away, which has affected my shock mounting bracket. Every little bump causes it to shake . The bracket actually went through the plastic and there is a hole inside the back of the vehicle. I see so many identical…
2008 · 2 miles · Body structure
I was driving the car out of nowhere my passenger break decided to lock up and started burning break pad so i took it to the dealer only to find out that i needed to replace my calipers break pads rotors and my ABS hcu which it run to 5 thousand dollars i also been reading about this problem from Ford Escape hybrids…
2008 · 5 miles · Brakes
Built from 8,940 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page