Escape (2nd)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
Ford
3.0L 6-cyl / 240 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
9 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2008-2012 Ford Escape
That's roughly 5.7x the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers, even after accounting for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 133 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
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.
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2008] Forscan showing torque sensor malfunction, the same issue that was recalled in 2014. Causing loss of power steering
- [2008] The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist with the power steering assist fault message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer
- [2008] FORD ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (ETB) ISSUE MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES RELATED TO AN ILL-DESIGNED ETB SINCE 2010 (WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE). IN THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE FREQUENCY OF ISSUE OCCURRENCE HAS PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED. CURRENT RATE OF OCCURRENCE IS 3 - 6 TIMES PER WEEK. RANDOMLY THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" WHILE DRIVING, WHERE THE ENGI
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2008] MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 58049 ORIGINAL. I NOTICED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITHIN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. I WOULDN'T GET AN ALERT ABOUT THE ODOMETER READING THAT WOULD SAY REGEN BRAKES DISABLED I ALSO NOTICED WHEN I TRY TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BUCKLE WHILE PRESSING IT. AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SEEM TO NOTICE THAT I'M TRYING TO STOP, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP. IT'S A GOOD THING THAT I'M NOT A TAILGATER
- [2008] THE REGEN BREAKS DISABLED LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE BREAKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, IF AT ALL. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE BREAKS SOMETIMES LOCK ON AND THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE AT ALL. UNABLE TO GO MORE THAN 40 MPH. IF YOU ATTEMPT, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE BREAKS SMOKE. I TOOK IT TO FORD FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY INFORMED ME IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE
- [2008] WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON, WITH A WARNING TO "STOP NOW, PULL OVER." LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY DRIVING SLOWLY AND I STOPPED SAFELY. THE ENGINE THEN DIED. I TRIED RESTARTING, BUT THE RED TRIANGLE CAME BACK ON, AND THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEAD HYBRID BAT
High-Voltage Battery
- [2008] RED BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. ALL ACCESSORIES WENT OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I JUST REPLACED MY 12V BATTERY THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 2 MILES, AT MOST. THE BRAND NEW BATTERY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR LESS THAN 24 HOURS. I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY AS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T SHIFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED MY FOOT BACK LIKE IT WAS "PUMPING" MY FOOT. PUT ANOTHER FU
- [2008] THE CAR BROKE DOWN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT A FEW MILES FROM THE HIGHWAY ENTRANCE AND WOULD NOT RUN. BATTERY LIGHT, WRENCH LIGHT AND STOP SAFELY CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, DIAGNOSED WITH P0A7A AND P0A78 CODES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NEEDED A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD HAVE COST MORE THAN THE CARS TRADE IN VALUE IF IF GOOD RUNNING CONDITION.
- [2008] 86,000 MILAGE. ABS SEVICE LIGHT ON FOR COUPLE MONTHS. PAST 2 DAYS REGEN BRAKES DISABLED MESSAGE ON, AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON, BRAKES A LITTLE STIFF IN OPERATION THUS FAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM, AND $5000 TO FIX. CAN I RELY ON THE MECHANICAL BACKUP BRAKING? EVEN IF SO I AM NOW NOT CHARGING MY HV BATTERY, SO WILL BE JUST CARRYING AROUND A HEAVY LOAD, WITH NO BENEFIT TO
Regenerative Braking
- [2008] DRIVING AT 35MPH ABS LIGHT CAME ON THEN CHECK BRAKES FOLLOWED BY BRAKE REGEN DISENGAGED. THIS CREATED NO STOPPING OF VEHICLE AND RUNNING THROUGH STOP LIGHT. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES COMING FROM OTHER DIRECTIONS. STILL NO BRAKES AND APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE BY PUBLIC AND FORD.
- [2008] WHILE DRIVING, OR SOMETIMES WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE MESSAGE READS "BRAKE REGEN FAIL". THE BRAKES GET MUSHY AND BECOME MANUAL BRAKES. THE MECHANIC SAID I NEED A HYDRAULIC ABS BRAKE SYSTEM OVERHAUL. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN IT IS VERY HOT OUTSIDE. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, I COULD "FIX" IT BY TURNING THE CAR OFF, ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, AND THEN RE
- [2008] ABS LIGHT GOES ON, BRAKE REGEN GOES ON CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP. SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH THERE IS NO KNOW RECALL BY FORD FOR. $5000 DOLLAR FIX TO REPLACE THE HCU. WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Thermal Events
- [2008] THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 27, 2012, AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC NEAR MY HOME, THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FAILED, MY DASHBOARD READOUT INDICATING MY REGENERATIVE BRAKES HAVE DISENGAGED. I CAREFULLY RETURNED THE QUARTER MILE OR SO HOME, AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEARBY FAIRFIELD (CALIFORNIA) FORD DEALERSHIP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, BOTH IN ORDER TO AVOID OTHER DRIVERS, AND HAVE MY BRA
- [2008] INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON 12/02/2011. AFTER WORK I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE 405 FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I WAS IN LEFT LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. SMOKE STARTED TO COME UP FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER ON THE FREEWAY. THE ONLY LANE TO T
- [2008] THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 27, 2012, AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC NEAR MY HOME, THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FAILED, MY DASHBOARD READOUT INDICATING MY REGENERATIVE BRAKES HAVE DISENGAGED. I CAREFULLY RETURNED THE QUARTER MILE OR SO HOME, AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEARBY FAIRFIELD (CALIFORNIA) FORD DEALERSHIP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, BOTH IN ORDER TO AVOID OTHER DRIVERS, AND HAVE MY BRA
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2008] MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 58049 ORIGINAL. I NOTICED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITHIN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. I WOULDN'T GET AN ALERT ABOUT THE ODOMETER READING THAT WOULD SAY REGEN BRAKES DISABLED I ALSO NOTICED WHEN I TRY TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BUCKLE WHILE PRESSING IT. AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SEEM TO NOTICE THAT I'M TRYING TO STOP, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP. IT'S A GOOD THING THAT I'M NOT A TAILGATER
- [2008] RED BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. ALL ACCESSORIES WENT OFF AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I JUST REPLACED MY 12V BATTERY THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 2 MILES, AT MOST. THE BRAND NEW BATTERY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR LESS THAN 24 HOURS. I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY AS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T SHIFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED MY FOOT BACK LIKE IT WAS "PUMPING" MY FOOT. PUT ANOTHER FU
- [2008] MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 58049 ORIGINAL. I NOTICED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITHIN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. I WOULDN'T GET AN ALERT ABOUT THE ODOMETER READING THAT WOULD SAY REGEN BRAKES DISABLED I ALSO NOTICED WHEN I TRY TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BUCKLE WHILE PRESSING IT. AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SEEM TO NOTICE THAT I'M TRYING TO STOP, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP. IT'S A GOOD THING THAT I'M NOT A TAILGATER
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Ford Escape regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (7)
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.
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.
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
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.
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.
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".
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2008-2012 Ford Escape problems?
The 2008-2012 Ford Escape has accumulated 14,739 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Fuel System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Ford Escape engine is most reliable?
The 2008-2012 Ford Escape was offered with 10 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2008-2012 Ford Escape a good used car?
The 2008-2012 Ford Escape can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 14,739 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2012 Ford Escape have?
The 2008-2012 Ford Escape has 14,739 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2008-2012 Ford Escape?
There are 7 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2008-2012 Ford Escape vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Ford Escape?
Before buying a used Ford Escape, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Fuel System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Escape?
The 2012 Ford Escape received an overall 3-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 3 stars. Side crash: 3 stars. Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 14,739 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.