2008 Ford Escape 2.5 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

One of Ford's tanks

Faults:

Master cylinder at 49,000.

Valve cover gasket at 85,000.

Driver's rear window regulator a month ago.

General Comments:

Repairs listed above were very minor and easy to fix if you are a do-it-yourselfer. Though I do think that a master cylinder failing at early mileage would have been a concern later, but it wasn't.

The 4 cylinder runs strong and durable & delivers good gas mileage, but is a bit underpowered.

Seats (cloth) are uncomfortable on long trips and the ride and handling are more truck-like. I like the body style also, seeing how it doesn't look like every other wedge shaped crossover out there today. Kind of reminds you of a 4-door Bronco II.

All in all, this has been a great vehicle as far as reliability and utility. It has been on many long trips, which would explain so many miles in a short amount of time.

Only trading it in for something more comfortable with a car like ride. Went with a 2014 Chevy Equinox.

I recommend this generation Escape, but get the V6 instead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2017

2008 Ford Escape XLT 2.3 from North America

Summary:

Try it, I think you will like it

Faults:

At 65,000 miles, the transmission had to be replaced.

The battery was replaced after 45000.

Now at 105000, it has a humming sound. Not sure what it could be, but people think it may be a timing belt.

The car has been a work horse for me. But the comfort of the seat and the interior needs more attention to detail.

The center console is cluttered, and it's a pain to find the buttons when driving.

It is almost impossible to remove a stain from the chairs. For some reason, it holds on to the stains, and I am a furniture cleaner by trade, and I cannot get most of the stains out.

Since 25000 miles you hear a lot of creaks and sounds in the interior.

General Comments:

The car is a good commuter... and not bad on gas...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th May, 2011

8th Sep 2015, 22:42

All I know is that I have been tough on my XLT 2008 Escape 2-wheel drive. It's a 4-cylinder engine. I've kept up the 3000-mile oil changes & other appropriate maintenance schedules. I've had 4 accidents. Two that have required me to get it registered as a salvaged vehicle due to the insurance co's totaling ideas. I've got a little over 50,000.00 miles on it, but it still seems to be running OK as far as I'm concerned.

I am a disabled veteran. Some of the accidents were my fault, but I was also hit by two hit & run drivers. Both times with the hit and run drivers caused some injuries to me, but the safety features of the restraint systems worked very well and minimized my injuries to just having to go to the VA for physical therapy sessions, in spite of other service connected disabilities that I have to deal with as a 100% USMC Vietnam combat veteran. Agent Orange and PTSD problems.

I would buy a third Ford SUV vehicle. I used my vehicles in the construction industry for many years. I believe that Ford SUVs and their trucks are well made and are built to be a reliable product. I plan to buy another SUV, if I live long enough. I keep my trucks until they're worn out...

Regards, Karl aka the Birdman...

2008 Ford Escape XLT 2.3 I4 from North America

Summary:

Fun to drive and great 4WD, but reliability and poor service makes it one to avoid

Faults:

Transmission cooler began leaking. When I took it to the dealer, they wouldn't fix under warranty, because the cooler is not considered a part of the drivetrain, in spite of the fact that the tranny clearly cannot function without it. This is well documented problem that Ford refuses to issue a recall on.

General Comments:

I traded a 2005 Escape that never gave me one problem for the newer one; a regrettable mistake.

The ride is smoother and gets better mileage than most SUV's. Interior is a little cramped, and as others have noted, the plastic is cheap and scratches easily.

The Intelligent 4wd is excellent. I've driven both the 2005 and 2008 at least 100 times in snow, ice, slush and crazy combinations of all three, and never struggled uphill or downhill.

It's not the fastest or nimblest SUV on the road, but is better than average in most regards, except reliability.

I had a high opinion of the Escape until I had to absorb the cost of a major repair for a faulty component, which is well-documented common problem that's 100% result of faulty manufacturing. The service manager told me this breakdown is so common he keeps two tranny coolers in stock at all times.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th April, 2011

26th Apr 2011, 21:12

Many of us of made the mistake of trading in a good car for a average/bad or even worse, a flat out lemon of a car... Also it shows that newer ones are not necessarily better than older ones. What makes it bad also is that in many cases the older one is already paid off which makes it more painful!

16th May 2011, 22:52

I have a 2008 Ford Escape XLT and after 45,000 miles the puller broke, making the belt fall underneath the car while I was driving. Although I don't have any complains driving under the rough snow winters, the SUV is very reliable on rainy and winter weather.

If given the chance again I will never buy another Ford made vehicle.

In reply to 16th May 2011, 22:52

4th Apr 2012, 15:53

Original reviewer here. Since the first review, the factory battery died, three days after the Ford dealer changed the oil and supposedly checked the battery. I had to fix a minor problem with the exhaust, and now the ABS and traction control lights are on due to a faulty ring sensor; yet another common problem that Ford refuses to do anything about. Won't ever consider another Ford.