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Vehicle Overview:
Vehicle Type: Sport Utility Vehicle
ABS Brakes: Standard
Standard Airbags: 6
MPG: 19-24/23-26 (City/HWY)
Engine Offered:
2.3L I4 153HP
3.0L V6 200HP
Consumer Ratings:
Performance: 3.2
Exterior: 4.0
Interior: 3.2
Overall: 3.2
Review Guide:
5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
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Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
By Cynthia
Submitted Mar 9, 2011, 08:51pm
Performance: 
Exterior: 
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
Over all, I like it but now my warranty ran out.... Now issues are surfacing. The dealership and service department treat me very well. :)
Customer service at Ford Credit Company are wonderful!
This is my second Escape Limited. The first one was lease and I gave it back just in time. This one was good til 30,000 kms, then went to bad fast. I love the way it handles on the Alberta winter roads.
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Extend your powertrain warranty to 90,000 from 60,000 kms.
Finance department did not cancel my 2006 Escape lease to Ford in time (2.5 weeks they had) and I had two truck payments the first month owning this one. All they said to me was, "you have to contact Ford to cancel you monthly payments." In the end, they credited my new term with the money they withdrew from the lease. They have caused me a lot of hassle that could have been avoided.
Tire wear is horrible. Lucky if I got 55,000 kms on original tires. Second set of Michelin lasted to 90,000 kms. Rating was 100,000 kms. Now onto set #3. Moved to Firestone Destination tires and they good so far.
My gauge used to state I could get at least 550 km to a tank. now it reads between 390 - 420 kms. I feel like I'm spending more time fueling up than enjoying driving like I used to.
Heated Seats only heat the bottom of seat not your back.
The rims rust very easy. I had 17" chrome wheels on both escapes and they both started rusting at less than 10000 kms on both vehicles.
2008 Ford Escape Review:
I like it because it is my second limited. I would not get a cloth version. It has a sleek, unique design which is what I liked the most.
My daughter picked this one out. Truthfully I can't wait to cut my ties / losses when I have less owing since it is worth 1/3rd of what I paid for it 2.5 years ago. Good for taking trips with, but not so good when driving short distances.
By will179
Submitted Jan 24, 2011, 09:59am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
I own a Black 2008 v-6.
1. Surprisingly fast SUV. When I see an opening to merge onto I-83...there is no problem with acceleration and control.
2. I have hauled grills, tv's, lumber, yard tools, etc. in it. I have only needed to borrow a truck twice since I have owned it. Once for a crib I didn't want to break down, and another for a free snowblower.
3. Does very well in the snow.
4. I feel safe. I know accidents are all circumstantial, but recently here in PA, we had one get hit by a train, and the people survived. That says something.
5. Easy to zip around parking lots and squeeze into Target's tiny spaces.
6. Does good off road. Being a hunter, there are times when I go up an old farm trail where I have to straddle vehicle crippling ruts and washouts....it climbs them just fine.
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
1. I don't think I am getting as good gas mileage as I should. I'm no speed racer, and I don't run the AC a lot. The only time I feel I'm getting the best is on a long trip with cruise control on.
2. An occasional rattling when I turn on the heat.
3. Braking is tricky when it rains. Sometimes I would slow down to pull in a parking spot....and it would keep going. No it's not my tires, I have new ones. It almost seems like the ABS kicks in, and I very slowly (2-3 mph) "coast". I hit the brake again and it slam stops us. The dealer didn't believe me.
By J_Bernier
Submitted Sep 21, 2009, 02:09pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
When I purchased the vehicle, I liked the fact that the rear seats folded perfectly flat. Enjoyed the drive, interior and satisfied with the performance for a 4 cylinder vehicle.
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
For a SUV, and being the owner of a canoe, there are no real tie downs to secure the canoe to the vehicle. Roof rack seems to be more cosmetic than functional - too small.
My key issues are with the workmanship and dealer support. Paint on side trim pieces flaked off and dealership would not cover. Paint on rear hatch hinges starting to do the same. Uneven wear on tires and is starting to sound like a bus when driving highway speeds. Vehicle has been under the dealership's care the whole period and they are not owning up to the problem.
The redesigned windshield washer blades are useless in Canadian "slushy" winters. During one storm, I had to pull over on a multi-lane highway three times to clear the blades. They do not offer a winter version of the blade and they are too new to find an aftermarket brand.
2008 Ford Escape Review:
Though I enjoy driving the vehicle, the issues I have run into with the dealership / Ford standing behind their product is leaving me bitter. We are looking for a new vehicle for my partner and am about to send an email to both Ford and the dealership letting them know that we will not be looking at their product due to the lack of confidence
By escapesRjunk
Submitted Feb 25, 2012, 08:15pm
Performance: 
Exterior: 
Interior: 
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
The style and design. THAT IS IT!!!
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Reliability, quality, almost everything but the styling. It's nice looking and that is it!
2008 Ford Escape Review:
I bought my 2008 Escape brand new in March of 2008 trading in my 2006 because of the redesigned version being much nicer. What a mistake. I drive a lot and ALL highway about 200 miles a day 75 miles each way on the NYS thruway and 20 miles on another major 2 lane highway. Needless to say I racked the miles up quickly and by a year and a half I was out of warranty. My heater started only working on high when the car had 40,000 miles on it, the seats stained almost immediately from the sweat of a water bottle, black paint/tape on the doors started peeling after a year, then the major stuff started happening. At 62,000 miles it was dumping transmission fluid by the quart daily. I researched it and found out thousands of others with the same vehicle and the sister cars (Tribute, Mariner) were having the same issue. Clearly it's a manufacturer defect. I called Ford who will do absolutely NOTHING for you. They will tell you that your out of warranty your responsible and it doesn't matter whether or not the issue can kill you. Well that fix was $900 for a 2 year old car. Then I get the truck back and a month and a half later there is loud clunking when turning. I take it to Monro and they find it to be a steering universal joint and guess what surprise dealer only part. Funny thing again I research the problem again which is life threatening as the part can fail and you will have no steering and again thousands of people online complaining that they are having to pay to fix this and again I call Ford and get the same old speech. This repair was $1100 to repair as the steering shaft needs to be replaced as well. I surely think its funny that Ford boasts that it never needed a bailout but is it because they are making money hand over fist due to defect parts going on BRAND NEW cars. I consider myself luck as mine went after 60,000 miles and some people's are failing as early as 40000 miles. STAY AWAY FROM THE ESCAPE. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IT IS THE MOST UNRELIABLE VEHICLE OUT THERE. DO THE RESEARCH FOR YOURSELF IF YOU FEEL I AM OVER BIASED OR BLOWING OUT OF CONTEXTED. CHECK YOUTUBE FOR ISSUES THEY HAVE VIDEOS. It's crazy that a car company can care less about possibly killing someone with a defective product. Thanks for reading I hope this helps with your decision on purchasing one of these waste of money.
By GUEST
Submitted Feb 16, 2012, 11:45am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
Small enough to easily fit into small parking spaces.
Love how the back seats fold flat to haul things.
V6 is strong enough to tow my trailer with motorcycle or riding mower.
I love my Escape - not had to do anything except general maintenance and I'm at 70,000 miles so far.
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Wish gas mileage was a bit better. I average around 21-22 mpg and I'm not a lead foot type of driver.
By GUEST
Submitted Dec 27, 2011, 09:46am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
Drives ok.
Inside ok.
Like size.
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Longer warr.
Better body, exterior paint rust on body.
Transmission.
2008 Ford Escape Review:
Not too pleased. Does not get best miles on gas for size. Transmission shifts rough. Just hope I didn't make a mistake.
By Tyler_pew
Submitted Dec 2, 2011, 07:23pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
I love everything! Money well spent!
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Higher quality materials.
Overall great little suv.
2008 Ford Escape Review:
I bought my Escape used 6 months ago. Before I had a Honda CR-V and loved that. But when I got my 2008 Escape used with 29000 miles, I was very pleased and happy. Since I got it, it has had zero problems and very reliable - thinking of buying another, probably a 2012 used. Very satisfied.
And I love it when walking out of the grocery store, Walmart or other stores, I get my keys out push the trunk button and the rear glass opens.
I also love having two keys and they have the key and remote together. I keep one on my main keys and the other in my night stand. Great truck, Ford. Love it.
By joe929
Submitted Sep 26, 2011, 07:48am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
Handles well.
Nice inside.
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Road noise very bad - you hear nothing but tires riding the road. You need the radio on loud to drown it out.
2008 Ford Escape Review:
Other than that, it's okay. Wouldn't buy it again.
By Kim897
Submitted Sep 7, 2011, 07:30pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
This is my second Escape. I had the 2005 before and loved it. The size of the vehicle, the ease to whip around parking lots, everything!
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Make parts for it available????? That would be a nice start. I have had 3 after market alternators installed as there is not one to be found in Canada or the USA! They are obsolete? Whaaaa????? Obsolete? Yet, they are made for all other years?
2008 Ford Escape Review:
The 2008 Ford Escape is an off beat year for this SUV. Ford tried to modify their design a bit and found it not to work so put it back to the 2007 way after. For example, the alternator. In the 2008 it is located on the back of the motor. For all other years, it is on the front of the motor. Also, if you check the stats on Escapes sent in for repairs, most of them are 2008s. I now have a vehicle that can not be fixed, am incurring rental charges for a vehicle replacement. What is Ford going to do for me???? How are they rectifying this problem? They can not do a recall as there is no replacement part! Unacceptable. I am going to my city newspaper with this story!
By dan331
Submitted Aug 1, 2011, 10:09am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2008 Ford Escape?
Like the looks of it.
The way it drives.
Great in snow.
Nice interior.
Gas mileage is ok.
Cons: How would you improve 2008 Ford Escape?
Put spare tire inside vehicle.
2008 Ford Escape Review:
I have close to 60,000 with no major repairs. I would buy another one.
Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
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