2008 Ford Escape Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 1,972 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Ford Escape overview page.
What owners report
“MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE, (NOT HYBRID), IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 40K MILES. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY REGULARLY SEE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A…”NHTSA complaint 10295747 — filed 12/15/2009
“TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING ON 2008 6CYL FORD ESCAPE CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO ACT ERRATICALLY VIBRATES AND LURCH FORWARD DUE TO LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALSO A…”NHTSA complaint 10290036 — filed 10/27/2009
“2008 FORD ESCAPE--LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID---BROUGHT TO DEALER--CRACK IN TRANSMISSION COOLER. NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY WE BOUGHT WITH THE CAR. FORD WILL…”NHTSA complaint 10281158 — filed 08/20/2009
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Ford Escape have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2008 Ford Escape: 223 of 1,972 complaints on file (11.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2008 Ford Escape have in total?
1,972 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 59 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 44 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
