2008 Ford Escape Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 329about this part
- Share
- 17%of 1,974 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,100miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 329 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Ford Escape, 17% of the 1,974 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,100 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Suspension axle transmission front end while in motion loud clank metal sound. Took to shop and was told drive it until it dies. Too expensive to repair entirerepair of from axel suspension and transmission. I still have 15 months on my loan. No excessive driving and no hard use.”
NHTSA complaint #11280249, filed 2019-11, 147,550 miles“Driving to work I noticed a clicking noise if I let go of steering wheel which lasted about a week then on my way to work again it wouldnt go over 40 MPH and wont come out of gear. On the way home it wouldnt go over 30mph and still wont come out of gear.”
NHTSA complaint #11309764, filed 2020-02, 180,000 miles“I was at a red light preceded to go forward when the light changed a wrench symbol appeared and the car would not accelerate there was a semi truck coming at high rate speed so I had pull to the side of the road it was scary situation I could've been killed I like Ford but I probably will not get another one if this is not recalled”
NHTSA complaint #10763699, filed 2015-09, 113,000 miles“Power steering just went out, was working just fine then just all of a sudden quit working. Driving went to turn and all of a sudden it was just extremely hard to turn almost wrecked. Prior to this I was driving and turned went to accelerate and the car wouldn't go I had to pull off the side of the road and call a tow truck, the shop said the transmission went out. But no issues before this, just went out all of a sudden like the power steering now.”
NHTSA complaint #11366743, filed 2020-10, 135,000 miles“Transmission wrench light came on internet said the band in transmission was at fault. I was in a parking lot when the light came the car was shifting out of first into second. It has been shifting hard for a couple months. I had the unit worked on last year to replace a band that has broken. It worked fine for awhile then started this hard shifting. I spent over 700$ to get it repaired. The car has 180000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11104858, filed 2018-06, 180,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2008, Mercury Mariner 2001–2008
Related service bulletins
- 10044907Apr 16, 2012Ford: some model vehicles would lose 2nd and 4th gear on a cd4e transmission. Model escape 2007-2008.
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10041387Aug 30, 2010Ford service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. There may be a transmission fluid cooler tube crack which can lead to rough hard shifts/transmission failure.
- 10032610Apr 1, 2010Ford: increased shift lever effort may have debris or something, such as sweetened drinks spilled in/on the shifter. Shifter replacement resulting from spillage or debris is not…
- 10024826Mar 1, 2008Cd4e transmission--fluid leak transmission fluid cooler (excludes hybrids)--built on or before 2/18/2008.
- 10024695Feb 1, 2008Multiple vehicle lines - intermittent pcm, fuel pump, ign. Coil, a/c, abs or fog lamp operation.
- 10024328Feb 1, 2008No crank / no tcm communication / theft light on / multiple dtcs. (hybrid only)
- 10024327Feb 1, 2008Intermittent red triangle on and (stop safely now) on message center with wrench light and dtc p1a0c. (hybrid only)
- 10032244Oct 1, 2007Ford/mercury/lincoln: some vehicles equipped with a 6f50 transaxle , with any output shaft speed (oss) sensor or turbine shaft speed (tss) sensor diagnostic trouble code(s)…
- 10022282Jul 25, 2007Cd4e transaxle fluid weep - transmission cooler line.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 31 | 13% |
| 2021 | 46 | 13% |
| 2020 | 243 | 15% |
| 2019 | 128 | 21% |
| 2018 | 276 | 15% |
| 2017 | 391 | 14% |
| 2016 | 321 | 27% |
| 2015 | 287 | 25% |
| 2014 | 481 | 23% |
| 2013 | 401 | 15% |
| 2012 | 66 | 11% |
| 2011 | 268 | 20% |
| 2010 | 508 | 25% |
| 2009 | 301 | 18% |
| 2008 | 329 | 17% |
| 2007 | 44 | 17% |
| 2006 | 80 | 17% |
| 2005 | 117 | 8% |
| 2004 | 27 | 5% |
| 2003 | 55 | 10% |
| 2002 | 105 | 10% |
| 2001 | 128 | 13% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Escape
1,127 complaintsVehicle speed control
175 complaintsBrakes
140 complaintsElectrical system
136 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsFuel system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsEngine cooling
38 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 30, 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