Ford Escape Generation 2 (2008–2012)

Ford Escape Generation 2 (2008–2012) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Ford Escape — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 2001–2007 —
Generation 2 2008–2012 —
Generation 3 2013–2019 —
Generation 4 2020–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Escape

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Ford 2.5L 4-cylinder 2009–2026 16 models 125
Ford 3.0L V6 (Vulcan & Duratec) 2001–2022 21 models 111
Ford 2.0L I4 (Duratec & EcoBoost) 2001–2021 24 models 67
Ford 2.3L EcoBoost I4 2005–2008 33 models 45
Ford 1.6L 4-cylinder 2013–2016 7 models 30

Ford Escape fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Ford Escape prices by year → · Chevrolet Equinox vs Ford Escape · Ford Escape vs Nissan Rogue · Ford Escape vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

About this generation

The second-generation Ford Escape debuted at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The North American market Escape and its Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner siblings were redesigned to stay competitive with other new compact SUVs; however, most of the internals have been carried over for the 2008 model year. The Escape still uses the CD2 platform. Ford also included an electronic stability control system on the 2008 Escape.

The Mercury version lasted until late 2010, withdrawn from the market as part of the closure of the Mercury brand, with Mazda's Tribute ending production in late 2011. Ford ended manufacture of the second-generation Escape in 2012. The updated Escape received some styling cues from the Explorer, Edge, and Expedition. Changes included a new grille with larger headlamps in the front fascia, while the sides were revised with cleaner lines and rounder wheel arches.

The interior was also completely redesigned, including the newest standard Ford family navigation system. The 2008 Escape and its Mercury Mariner sibling were the first vehicles to feature Ford's pull-drift steering mode, an enhancement made possible by applying software control to the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. This system came standard on all second-generation CD2 models. All second-generation CD2 models came with front disc/rear drum brakes, except for 2008 Hybrid models which carried over the four-wheel disc brake setup from the previous generation.

The 2008 models of all three CD-2 versions retained the previous generation's engines and transmissions. However, the manual transmission was only available with the four-cylinder and front-wheel drive, and with the XLS trim. For 2009, all three versions received engine and transmission upgrades that increased performance and fuel economy. Ford ended production on the second-generation Escape in 2012 and moved production to its Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, where it was succeeded by a new Escape based on its European CUV counterpart, the Ford Kuga.

A new concept version for the Asian market, called the Ford Escape Adventure Concept, was revealed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. It features a revised front and rear fascia, incorporating Ford's three-bar grille styling theme and restyled LED tail lamps. For the 2009 model year, the 2.3 L Duratec 23 was replaced by a new 2.5 L Duratec 25 4-cylinder, which boosted standard power to and of torque, while increasing fuel economy by 1 mpg (~2L/100 km) on both urban and extra-urban cycles.

This engine was the base engine on all trims. The 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6, optional on XLT and became standard on Limited, was thoroughly updated, resulting in a increase, bringing power output to and of torque. The Duratec 30 also saw a fuel economy improvement. Another significant change was the switch to Ford's new 6F35 6-speed automatic, which became standard on all models except the XLS FWD, where it was optional.

The Hybrid is also upgraded to use the 2.5 L (albeit still using the Atkinson cycle for better fuel economy). Efficiency improved to city and highway according to the US EPA. The 2.5 L engine brings the Hybrid's power output up by to combined when the electric motor is added in. In addition, the 2010 hybrid model changed the air conditioning compressor from an engine-driven belt to being electrically powered by the HV traction battery.

This allowed the air-conditioning system to continue cooling while the gas engine was off; for example, while at stop lights. Other mechanical changes include a new rear stabilizer bar, revised suspension tuning, upgrades to the 3.0 L V6 that brought power to 240 hp, and a new exhaust system on all Escapes. The braking system for the Hybrid versions has been revised with a vacuum assist unit that reviewers have said give the brakes a consistent feel over the entire travel of the brake pedal.

Source: Wikipedia — Ford Escape — Second generation (2008), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2008 5 4,830 Steering, Power Train, Service Brakes
2009 3 1,844 Steering, Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control
2010 5 4,254 Vehicle Speed Control, Power Train, Engine
2011 3 2,647 Steering, Power Train, Fuel/Propulsion System
2012 2 1,198 Fuel/Propulsion System, Steering, Engine

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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