2008 Ford Escape Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,974 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Ford Escape, 2% of the 1,974 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2008 Ford Escape started jerking during acceleration and shuttering at stop lights. No lights check engine light ever came on, and didn't happen all the time. Finally the car stalled at a red light and I decided to bring it in. My Ford dealership said its the transmission fluid leaking via the AC condenser. They are fixing it, $800 cost.”
NHTSA complaint #10318510, filed 2010-03, 42,000 miles“I have a 2008 Ford Escape and it seems there is a part in which the cars transmission could be ruined. This part is the A/C condenser which tends to go out every 20,000 miles which is my experience so far. There was a recall on this part but it seems it did not do any good because even after the replacement part is put in, the part still has to continue to be replaced in order to keep the car functioning as it should be.”
NHTSA complaint #10401046, filed 2011-05, 64,865 miles“My 2008 Ford Escape would slip or stall when accelerating. Looked on web and found out needed new transmission cooler had to have replaced at my own expense since the transmission cooler has nothing to do with the transmission and is not covered under the powertrain warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10290269, filed 2009-10, 42,000 miles“I bought a 2008 Ford Escape (used) and approximately 6 months after I bought it and 38,000 miles, I noticed the vehicle would lurch forward when I pressed on the accelerator. I started doing research and found that it may be a problem with the transmission and sure enough, found a large puddle of transmission fluid on the floor of my garage. I have to refill the transmission fluid weekly due to the massive amounts its leaking and am looking into getting this fixed now.”
NHTSA complaint #10315479, filed 2010-03, 38,000 miles“2008 Ford Escape - I was informed that the fluid line leading from the transmission to the condenser had sprung a leak. After asking two separate Ford dealers and doing a lot of web research, I have come to find that this issue is widely prevalent with this model and is a result of a design flaw. I asked about the replacement part and if it would suffer the same fate. I was told that the replacement part, engineered and manufactured by Ford has been designed differently to accommodate the original flaw. …”
NHTSA complaint #10286632, filed 2009-10, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10039244Oct 1, 2010Ford: there is excessive engine or exhaust noise, or an exhaust odor due to an exhaust leak. There will be no warning codes or lights. 2007-2008 escape/mariner.
- 10024321Feb 1, 20083.0l duratec engine--oil leak (low ambient temperature)--dipstick or crankshaft seal.
- 10021601Jun 11, 2007Engine stalling on engagement/stopping.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 12 | 1% |
| 2019 | 94 | 16% |
| 2018 | 345 | 19% |
| 2017 | 509 | 19% |
| 2016 | 57 | 5% |
| 2015 | 44 | 4% |
| 2014 | 187 | 9% |
| 2013 | 175 | 6% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 17 | 1% |
| 2010 | 35 | 2% |
| 2009 | 37 | 2% |
| 2008 | 38 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 90 | 6% |
| 2004 | 18 | 4% |
| 2003 | 47 | 8% |
| 2002 | 294 | 29% |
| 2001 | 282 | 28% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Escape
1,127 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
329 complaintsVehicle speed control
175 complaintsBrakes
140 complaintsElectrical system
136 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsFuel system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsElectronic stability control
36 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsSuspension
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology