This score reflects NHTSA safety data only — recalls, complaints, and crash ratings. It does not include title status, accident history, or odometer records. Verify hidden history with VIN Pro Plus →
Composite rating based on recalls, complaints, crash ratings, and vehicle age.
⚠ 5 open recalls⚠ 2415 owner complaints (high)⚠ 15+ year old vehicle✓ VIN fully verified
🚨DO NOT DRIVE — Active Safety Recall Requires Immediate Attention
15V606000: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
VIN 1FMCU03128KC80487 identifies a sport utility vehicle — the 2008 Ford Escape XLT. This specific unit was assembled at the KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES (USA) facility, one of Ford's North American production plants. It is equipped with 4x2 and a 3L 6 Cyl engine producing 200 hp.
This vehicle carries a significant 5 open NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include suspension:front:wheel bearing, hybrid propulsion system, power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. All recalls must be repaired by a Ford dealer at no charge to the owner. Contact a dealer with this VIN before finalizing any purchase. Verify current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The EPA rates this vehicle at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), which represents below-average for its class fuel economy. Annual fuel cost is estimated at $3400 at national average gas prices.
Based on vehicle class, trim, and U.S. market data, this 2008 Ford Escape XLT falls in an estimated used-market range of $10,300–$14,800. The high recall count may suppress resale value — factor this into price negotiation. Verify actual market value with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds using specific mileage and condition.
Important limitation: This free VIN report does not include odometer/mileage history, accident records, flood or fire damage, number of previous owners, or title/lien status. Get the full history with VIN Pro Plus for $4.99 — scroll down to unlock it. Use this report alongside a full history check, an independent pre-purchase inspection, and a NICB stolen vehicle check for the most complete picture before buying.
About the 2008 FORD Escape
The 2008 Ford Escape is a sport utility vehicle. For detailed model history and owner reviews, see Edmunds, Car and Driver, or Consumer Reports for the 2008 model year evaluation.
📊 View all 2008 Ford known problems & year comparisons →
🔢
VIN Decoded
VIN Verified
Official VIN decode record located
Type: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
Body: Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Plant: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES (USA)
⚠
NHTSA Recalls
5 Open Recalls
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front...
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year...
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year...
💬
Owner Complaints
2415 filed with NHTSA
While driving over 60 MPH the car will begin...
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact...
⛽
Fuel Economy
18 MPG Combined
City: 15 MPG
Hwy: 22 MPG
Combined: 18 MPG
Fuel: Gasoline
💰
Estimated Market Value
Based on vehicle age, class, trim & U.S. market conditions
Market estimate
$10,300–$14,800
Based on vehicle class, age, trim, and U.S. market trends. Verify with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for mileage-adjusted value.
Overall RatingNot availableFront Crash RatingNot available
Side Crash RatingNot availableRollover Risk3 Stars
Safety Recalls
15E04500003/06/2015
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner...
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may...
14V52600003/09/2014
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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...
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of...
15V60600029/09/2015
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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...
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...
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever...
14V28400029/05/2014
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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...
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...
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of...
10E04300003/09/2010
EQUIPMENT
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD...
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY...
TSBs are manufacturer repair instructions issued to dealerships. They are not safety recalls. If you're experiencing an issue, ask your dealer if a TSB applies.
NoneNHTSA
No bulletins found
No technical service bulletin records returned for this vehicle.
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OBD-II Check Engine Code Lookup
🔧 Check Engine Light Code Lookup
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Common:
Owner Complaints
ENGINE07/13/2026
While driving over 60 MPH the car will begin...
While driving over 60 MPH the car will begin to say the engine is hot and sometimes without warning going to stop safely now however when you open...
POWER TRAIN06/22/2026
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact...
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle and driving from a parking lot at 5 MPH, there was...
STEERING04/30/2026
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact...
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel seized. The failure was intermittent. Additionally,...
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN04/14/2026
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact...
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the powertrain malfunction warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The driver was able to...
STEERING04/06/2026
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact...
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet...
STEERING03/17/2026
The power steering torque sensor went out. It was...
The power steering torque sensor went out. It was recalled, the repair was made, but the part is failing again. It is creating a safety issue. Ford won't...
Check engine light keeps flashing, car vibration, bad head...
Check engine light keeps flashing, car vibration, bad head gasket, oil and fluid leak
STEERING02/18/2026
The power steering started going out at low speeds...
The power steering started going out at low speeds and eventually just stopped working. The car keeps saying power steering assist fault. The power steering no longer works.
Negotiation tip:
This vehicle has 5 open recall(s). Use this as leverage — ask the seller to confirm all recalls are resolved or reduce the price accordingly. Unresolved recalls cost dealers time and money to fix.
Automated checks against common VIN fraud indicators. Always verify with a paid history report and independent inspection.
✓Check digit (position 9) validates
✓VIN is exactly 17 characters
✓No invalid characters (I, O, Q not present)
✓Year position (pos 10) matches decoded model year
✓Manufacturer decodes to a known brand
✓Not a repeated-character test/placeholder VIN
Manual checks to do in person: Compare the VIN on the dashboard (visible through windshield), driver door jamb sticker, engine block, and title — all must match exactly. A cloned or re-VINed vehicle will show inconsistencies.
No model-specific issue notes in our database for this year. The 2415 NHTSA complaints filed provide the best available signal — review them in the Owner Complaints section above.
Estimated national average for this vehicle: $1,520/year. Your actual rate depends on your driving record, location, age, and coverage level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does VIN 1FMCU03128KC80487 decode to?+
VIN 1FMCU03128KC80487 decodes to a 2008 FORD Escape XLT, assembled in KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES (USA).
How many recalls does this 2008 FORD Escape have?+
This 2008 FORD Escape has 5 open recalls on record with NHTSA. Recalls are safety-related and should be resolved by a dealership at no charge to the owner.
Is it safe to buy a 2008 FORD Escape with open recalls?+
Open recalls don't necessarily mean the vehicle is unsafe to drive, but they should be addressed promptly. Contact a FORD dealer with this VIN to confirm which recalls have been completed and schedule any outstanding repairs — they are always free of charge.
What is the estimated value of this 2008 FORD Escape?+
Based on vehicle age, body type, trim level, and U.S. market data, this 2008 FORD Escape XLT is estimated at $10,300–$14,800. Verify with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for a precise appraisal based on mileage and condition.
Is this VIN check really free?+
Yes — the core VIN check on VinForFree is free with no signup required. All data is sourced from public records including NHTSA, the EPA, and official government databases.
What fuel economy does a 2008 FORD Escape get?+
According to EPA data, the 2008 FORD Escape gets approximately 18 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway). Estimated annual fuel cost is $3,400.