VehicleVerdict

2008 Ford Escape electrical system problems

The 2008 Ford Escape has 178 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

178

Electrical System complaints

7%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Escape electrical system complaints by model year383 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 154 complaints2002: 135 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 36 complaints2005: 170 complaints2006: 40 complaints2007: 38 complaints2008: 178 complaints2009: 168 complaints2010: 244 complaints2011: 132 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 383 complaints2014: 225 complaints2015: 141 complaints2016: 93 complaints2017: 161 complaints2018: 58 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 153 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 19 complaints2023: 38 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 6 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Escape electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 19, 2009 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2008 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA has 178 complaints about the 2008 Ford Escape electrical system — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.