2008 Dodge Nitro vs 2008 Ford Escape
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2008 Dodge Nitro | 2008 Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 393 | 1,972 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 59 | 41 |
| Investigations | 1 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 17 | 59 |
| Fire reports | 12 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 17–19 | 19–32 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 80,000 mi | 100,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Nitro | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 12 | 1,125 |
| Power Train | 26 | 329 |
| Electrical System | 198 | 135 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 175 |
| Service Brakes | 27 | 120 |
| Engine | 29 | 83 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 66 | 22 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 46 | 36 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 40 | 92 |
| Check engine light | 12 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 11 | 23 |
| Loss of power | 8 | 133 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 34 |
| Airbag warning light | 6 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 233 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 156 |
2008 Dodge Nitro
2008 Ford Escape
Compare all Dodge Nitro vs Ford Escape years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.