2018 Ford Escape Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Escape years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 27 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 1,816 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Escape. That ranks 6th out of 27 Escape model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (1,164 complaints, 64%), typically at around 78,667 miles. Complaints mention 26 crashes, 5 fires, 30 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 1,816owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 26complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 Ford Escape problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 1,164 | 64% | 78,667 | “coolant intrusion” (29%) | $9,800 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 344 | 19% | 89,300 | “coolant intrusion” (51%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 275 | 15% | 80,000 | “coolant intrusion” (17%) | $8,700 |
| Unknown or Other | 106 | 6% | 14,350 | — | — |
| Electrical System problems | 57 | 3% | 17,349 | “coolant leaking” (11%) | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 45 | 2% | 105,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 32 | 2% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 25 | 1% | 25,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 | 1% | 29,682 | — | — |
| Wheels | 22 | 1% | 41,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 20 | 1% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 | 1% | 112,324 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | 1% | 49,850 | — | — |
| Suspension | 11 | 1% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 9 | 0% | 59,381 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 0% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 7 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 0% | 20,185 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 6 | 0% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 6 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 6 | 0% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 0% | 64,800 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 0% | 6,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 0% | 44,381 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 0% | 61,500 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 0% | 10,800 | — | — |
| Firerelated | 1 | 0% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 0% | 120,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 Ford Escape recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
Air bags:side/window
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
My daughter was driving our 2018 Ford Escape at highway speed when it suddenly began shaking and shuddering violently, with no advance warning. The check engine light came on for the first time as the shaking began. The vehicle lost propulsion, and the shaking impaired her ability to control it…
On approximately September 28, 2026, the vehicle began sputtering when first turned on. It then progressed to running extremely rough. On September 30, 2026 the Engine Icon lit up first. A few days later, I received an Engine Fault Service Now message. I went to the Auto Zone on October 4, 2026 and…
Engine light came on so took vehicle to auto repair shop. They diagnosed coolant intrusion into the engine, and told me this is a known problem. Ford has issued technical service bulletin 22-2134, as well as other documentation on the problem. It is both a functional and safety hazard. There is a…
VIN:[XXX] Current Mileage: 110,900 I am experiencing coolant intrusion in the engine of my 2018 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle is losing coolant with no external leak visible. This has led to engine misfires, rough idling, and concerns about potential engine damage…
Failed Component/System: The engine assembly/engine cooling system. The internal structural failure of the cylinder block (open-deck design defect) allowing engine coolant intrusion into combustion chambers, cylinders 2/3. Safety: The vehicle is experiencing severe engine stalling, immediate loss…
Other Ford Escape years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 Escape | 26 | 9 |
| 2024 Escape | 76 | 8 |
| 2023 Escape | 100 | 11 |
| 2022 Escape | 235 | 19 |
| 2021 Escape | 349 | 19 |
| 2020 Escape | 1,608 | 23 |
| 2019 Escape | 595 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1,816 | 4 |
| 2017 Escape | 2,696 | 4 |
| 2016 Escape | 1,154 | 4 |
| 2015 Escape | 1,113 | 9 |
| 2014 Escape | 2,089 | 16 |
| 2013 Escape | 2,750 | 18 |
| 2012 Escape | 603 | 1 |
| 2011 Escape | 1,317 | 2 |
| 2010 Escape | 2,070 | 3 |
| 2009 Escape | 1,693 | 1 |
| 2008 Escape | 1,974 | 3 |
| 2007 Escape | 254 | 2 |
| 2006 Escape | 464 | 3 |
| 2005 Escape | 1,394 | 4 |
| 2004 Escape | 499 | 6 |
| 2003 Escape | 558 | 7 |
| 2002 Escape | 1,027 | 8 |
| 2001 Escape | 996 | 13 |
| 2000 Escape | 5 | 0 |
See all Ford Escape problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?
Owners most often report engine, engine and engine cooling, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 1,164 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Escape?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 Ford Escape a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Escape model years, the 2018 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.