2018 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,795 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 25 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 30 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Jun 10, 2022
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 22V413000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 12, 2018
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.
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V104000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowDec 18, 2017
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V803000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
1,426 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jun 18, 2025
Engine coolant leak caused spark plug to get stuck and as a result I had to pay out of my pocket to replace the engine.
Engine, Jun 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 26,998. The VIN was unavailable.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Jun 17, 2025
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered. The vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to the fuel pump and fuel lines. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 116,147.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #1, and that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred a month later. The vehicle was then taken to dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that there was a misfire in cylinders #1 and #2 due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, Jun 16, 2025
Cylinder 2 misfire. Fixed twice in one month. Coolant entering engine and engine needs replacing.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 16, 2025
Engine overheating due to coolant loss into cylinder through internal leak. Engine and vehicle are available for inspection. Engine overheating due to coolant loss into cylinders can be a risk for vehicle fire. Overheating affected my engine longevity and function and caused my vehicle to stop in an unsafe location (i.e. the highway). This is a serious safety concern for my family since we also live in Arizona where we are highly susceptible to extreme heat. I took the Ford vehicle to a Ford dealer to inspect and they verified that the engine block was warped due to an internal leak of coolant into the engine cylinders through a known recall issue Ford Vehicle has been inspected by the Ford dealership by certified Ford mechanics. Overheating had no warning since internal coolant leaks are not detectable through external means. When car overheated, I took the vehicle to Ford for inspection.
Engine, Jun 13, 2025
There was a coolant intrusion into engine and mixing with oil causing check engine light to come on. There is a memo from Ford that if this happens the only repair would be to replace the engine motor assembly with all hardware (for the cost of $9, 467.88). The safety of myself and others was put at risk because the engine experienced sudden performance issues due to coolant mixing with the oil. These symptoms could have led to a complete engine failure, especially at highway speeds or in heavy traffic, which creates a serious risk of accidents. Additionally, the potential for internal engine damage raises the risk of a fire, as documented in similar cases involving EcoBoost engines. I was driving a vehicle that could unpredictably stall or become inoperable, putting both me and other drivers in dangerous situations. The Willowbrook Ford Dealer diagnosed the problem on 6/13/25 after running diagnostics. The engine light came on on 6/11/25.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a routine service, the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced and was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,428.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "High Engine Temperature - Service Now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,852.
Engine, Jun 11, 2025
At approximately 53000, our 2018 Ford Escape began experiencing engine misfires, rough idling, and visible white smoke from the exhaust. After inspection, the dealer confirmed that coolant was leaking into the combustion chamber due to a known design flaw in the 1.5L EcoBoost engine — a condition widely reported by other Escape and Fusion owners. This issue was previously covered under Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP 21N12), which extended short block replacement for this exact problem. However, Ford has denied coverage, citing that the vehicle is now just outside the 7-year eligibility window, despite the low mileage and the fact that this is a documented manufacturing defect, not normal wear and tear. Coolant intrusion into the engine is a critical safety risk, as it can cause sudden engine failure, stalling, and loss of power — all of which create dangerous driving conditions, especially at highway speeds. Thousands of owners are reporting identical issues online, and many have suffered catastrophic engine failure well before 100,000 miles. Request: I’m submitting this complaint to formally document the safety concern and urge the NHTSA to investigate this widespread issue and consider a recall. The current extended warranty program is inadequate, as it leaves many consumers — like myself — with no recourse for a known, dangerous defect.
Engine, Jun 11, 2025
the check-engine light started coming on just over mile 100k, codes came back as a cylinder misfire. Due to faulty coolant supply systems, the coolant would be used up very quickly, which could cause the engine to overheat and become dead in the water, effectively endangering anyone driving it. The vehicle has had several repairs to the engine, all for the light to come on several times more.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine was running roughly while driving at various speeds. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond and decelerated instead. The contact was able to continue driving off the highway at a slower speed. The following day while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The “WRENCH” warning light was illuminated, indicating the vehicle needed to be serviced. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure due to a coolant leak in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and provided a reference number from the dealer for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the temperature gauge went to hot(H). The contact stated that the check engine and two unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, and when the hood was opened, the contact and her husband smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the coolant had gone through the exhaust and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into two cylinders from a cracked engine block, allowing coolant vapor out of the exhaust, and the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 10, 2025
Check engine light first appeared early May 2025 days after the car started running very roughly, then bucking upon startup; local mechanic said may need engine but should go to dealer; dealer towed a couple of days later as engine light had begun to blink and said it couldn't be driven; a few days later dealer reported coolant leaking into combustion chamber and would need a new engine at $12,860. Apparently a known failure as reported in Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229, date 6/9/2022 for vehicles including my 2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0 L Ecoboost with only 44k miles, final assembly Louisville KY. Reported danger of engine failure while driving, possible fire.
Engine, Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was parked for several hours and then started, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking, lost motive power, and the engine warning light started flashing. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, restated the vehicle and the check engine warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. Additionally, the mechanic observed coolant leaking into the engine and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Engine, Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a cylinder #2 misfire. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and shaking abnormally. The check engine waning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the EVAP purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred two days later. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Engine, Jun 7, 2025
The gasket cracked and coolant leaked into the #2 cylinder.
Engine, Jun 6, 2025
Engine is shaking car. Appearing to misfire. Car was on highway when this occurred.
Power train, Engine, Jun 5, 2025
Blown engine, misfire cylinder 3 coolant leaking into cylinder 3, block cracked...smuttering. problem has been identified by our mechanic, and Ford has been called for a replacement engine. Check engine light was on.
Engine, Jun 5, 2025
Ford EcoBoost 1.5l block has design flaws, causing coolant to enter into the block which causes the car to studder and reduce speed due to a misfire happening in the engine. Inspection upon request approved. Car acted completely fine, as we entered onto the highway we started to pick up speed as traffic is very fast, about 100 yards after entering the highway the vehicle failed causing sudden reduce engine performance. Traffic caught up to us as we veered to the far right shoulder, almost getting rear ended and causing a multiple car pileup. Car was towed to the Ford dealership for diagnosis, that was when ford told us this is a common issue on 1.5l EcoBoost's and common on all of the EcoBoost. There was a recall for this issue, but it does not pertain to this VIN due to the build location? There were no warning signs, no messages or any other symptoms to know this was going to happen. Ford knows about this EcoBoost problem and has made a new block to replace the design flawed 1.5l EcoBoost, but no recall on for anything in relation to this. Ford didn't notify us about this issue, which very easily could have ended in a horrible car accident and the death of the multiple people in the vehicle when it failed. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND FORD SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE POORLY DESIGNED ENGINES! I'm very lucky my mother wasn't driving, as this could have ended very horribly.
Engine, Jun 4, 2025
Bought a used car from Marsh Auto Sales in Ortonville Michigan in April, the very next day the check engine light came on and car would not start. It kept saying “Engine Fault.” Finally got the car to start, drove it for the rest of the month, scheduled a service appointment but the car overheated, we were stuck on the side of the road, it would not run and the coolant was low. Looked on Ford’s website and there was a “Customer Satisfaction Recall or program - 19B37, Campaign number 21N12“ that issued a recall for a the exact problem and the engine needed to be replaced. They issued the recall during Covid, and Im sure it was hard for the original owner to submit it for service as getting appointments was extremely hard. I called Ford, and Marsh Auto Sales and neither were willing to help.
Engine, Jun 4, 2025
Experiencing coolant intrusion with a 2018 Ford Escape. Ford is charging $8,000 for the repair. This is known issue with the vehicle. They instituted a temporary program to fix the vehicle free of charge but has expired in 2022. Ford should have recalled the vehicle for this issue. It is unacceptable they can charge so much for a known issue, that they acknowledge is their own fault.
Engine, Jun 4, 2025
Check engine light came on and coolant tank was nearly empty after refilling it days before. Mechanic confirmed engine failure.
Engine, Jun 3, 2025
Check engine light came on and engine running rough. Shop found coolant leaking into cylinders due to issue with the make of the engine. Needs a new engine before it can be drivable. This is a known problem with these engines that Ford is aware of but a formal recall has not been issued.