Sell your 2008 Ford Escape for cash

The 2008 Ford Escape is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.3L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 18 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 2008 Escape in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 2008 Escape

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

2008 Ford Escape at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic (variable gear ratios)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy17–34 city / 22–30 highway / 19–32 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,100–$3,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂278–468 grams per mile
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,565–3,587 lb
Versions tested by EPA7 configurations: Escape FWD, Escape Hybrid FWD, Escape 4WD, Escape Hybrid 4WD
Age18 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 18 years old, most of a 2008 Escape's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2008 Escape weighed 3,565–3,587 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the steering, typically around 100,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2008 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2008 Ford Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Power TrainSep 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V606000

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…

Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is be

Hybrid Propulsion SystemSep 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V526000

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…

Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

SteeringMay 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V284000

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…

Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Common 2008 Escape problems

Owners have filed 2,417 complaints about the 2008 Ford Escape with NHTSA. 72 reports involved a crash and 7 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 45 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Steering1,216
  • Power Train265
  • Service Brakes249
  • Vehicle Speed Control193
  • Electrical System191
  • Engine157

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Steering100,000 mi
  • Power Train86,000 mi
  • Service Brakes114,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control77,000 mi
  • Electrical System96,000 mi
  • Engine84,000 mi

2008 Ford Escape crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Ford Escape.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 Dr, FWD/AWDNot rated——★★★☆☆20.4%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2008 Ford Escape service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 41 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2008 Ford Escape. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Fuel System4
  • Power Train4
  • Service Brakes4
  • Equipment3
  • Steering3
  • Gasoline2

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2026 · SSM 54601

    Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card cont

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2024 · SSM 52476

    All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed i

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2023 · SSM 51536

    For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommen

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2018 · SSM 47201

    Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional f

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2016 · TSB 16-0118

    Some 2005-2012 Escape Hybrid and 2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid vehicles may set DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96 (battery pack cooling fan

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2016 · SSM-45870

    2005-2008 Escape/mariner hybrid - anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning indicator illuminated with dtc(s) c1478, c1479, c1480 and/or c1481

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 4 defect investigations covering the 2008 Ford Escape.

Electrical SystemDP22005 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023Led to recall 22V063000

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pe

SteeringDP15001 · opened Apr 2015, closed Jun 2018

Loss of power steering while driving

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric

EngineDP12006 · opened Oct 2012, closed Feb 2013

Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford

TiresPE08060 · opened Oct 2008, closed Apr 2009

Tire valve cracking

On october 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by Ford motor company.the valves were supplied to Ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by t

Other Ford Escape years

‹ Sell a 2007 Escape · Sell a 2009 Escape › · All Ford Escape years

Other 2008 Ford models

Selling a 2008 Escape: questions

How much is a 2008 Ford Escape worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2008 Escape that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2008 Escapes that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2008 Escape with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Ford Escape; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2008 Escape?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 2008 Escape today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer
Get my offer