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, Jul 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to respond while driving from a complete stop. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle, diagnostic test codes for several cylinder misfires were retrieved. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle, diagnostic test codes for cylinder #2 misfire was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 86,964.
Engine, Jul 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,360.
Engine, Jul 3, 2024
On June 25, 2024 my 2018 Ford Escape overheated. I had to get it towed. I noticed there was no coolant in the coolant receptacle under the hood. There was also no evidence of a coolant leak anywhere. On June 27, I brought it into a service station where a pressure test was performed and no leak was detected. I then brought it to a Ford dealership and explained the issue. It was then I learned about the eco boost engine and coolant leaking into the cylinders issue. The fix for this issue is to replace the engine or the long block assembly. I was quoted a price of $8500. to do this by the Ford dealership. My car has only 57,700 miles on it.
Engine, Jul 2, 2024
I had an issue in 2022 with my 2018 ford escape they said I had no antifreeze left and needed a transmission it took 5 months but never found the antifreeze issue or fixed it. Now engine light came on to be told a TSB came out 3 months after my repair with a diagnosis for the issues I have had since purchased car. They are refusing to fix unless it’s under warranty I had a warranty when I first took car in 2022 but now I am just out a $35,000 car that I can’t afford to replace engine. TSB report Ford don’t care nor want to assist in anyway with an issue reported and brought up before warranty expired yet I am at fault now. Not ok they should be fixing this issue for free but due to entire engine being damaged they are just letting customers lose everything including a job when they don’t have a way to get to work after paying for 6 years and won’t offer help
Engine, Jul 2, 2024
My car began displaying an alert that the engine was overheating anytime I drove over 50mph. I took it for repair and was told there is coolant intrusion to the engine and the engine needs to be repaired. After some research I have found this is a known issue and ford had a customer satisfaction program to extend warranty for this issue to 84k miles. I was never notified of this and am now at 88k miles so cannot receive any assistance. My car will cost $10,600 to repair per an estimate and I am unable to afford the repair or a new car. This car is not old and does not have a lot of miles- this is unacceptable.
Engine, Jul 1, 2024
My inquiry is to add VIN# to the Ford Program my engine has failed at 62,000 miles Ford stated would have to request VIN# to be added to cover the repair All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers SUBJECT: Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine – Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion REF: Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 - Supplement #4 Dated: June 09, 2022 REF: Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2134 Dated: December 19, 2019quiry is to request VIN# is added to the Ford Customer Satisfaction program 21N12
Engine, Jul 1, 2024
Vehicle ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM completely blown due to Coolant system flooding engine cylinders, from ZERO fault of the original vehicle owner, due to complete malfunction of the cooling system leaking into the engine components, requiring FULL COMPLETE engine /cooling system replacement at full cost to owner of CASH TOTAL : $12527.59. VIN : [XXX] [XXX] CUSTOMER STATES CEL IS PRESENT, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELS Operation Tech units COMPLETELY OKAY 0.0 194 24.0 Amount 0.00 0.00 Amount 0.00 4656.00 51-1 LONG BLOCK + FLEXPLATE AND BOLTS + TURBO STUDS, NUTS AND THE GASKET+TURBO OIL SUPPLY TUBE ASSEMBLY +TURBO OIL RETURN TUBE AND GASKET THERMOSTAT HOUSING O-RING SEAL + OIL COOLER AND RETAINER+ FUEL INJECTOR ORING KIT + HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP O-RING SEAL +HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL TUBE+INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET 51-2 TURBOCHARGER COOLANT TUBE ORRENG SEALS REGAE VACUUM PUMP GASKET+COOLANT OUTLET O-RING SEAL+. INSPECT VERIFIED CONCERN ECOTEST INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Jun 28, 2024
At 62,0000 miles, the coolant has started leaking into one of the engine cylinders. The Ford dealership says that the engine block is cracked, the engine needs to be replaced, and that Ford will not warrant it. I have seen hundreds of reports of this same issue at about this same mileage online. Clearly this is a manufacturing defect. No one expects a car to only last 62K miles.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a white cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The smoke dissipates after several minutes. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of coolant. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the short block had fractured. The short block was replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred approximately one and a half years later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who diagnosed that the short block needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not covered by warranty or recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Engine, Jun 26, 2024
Coolant intrusion. Bought the car from the dealership and had the 30 day 1000 mile warranty. Was in the shop for the first two weeks and they said it was not coolant intrusion. Well guess what, on day 35 the car is completely worthless due to coolant intrusion now I’m stuck with a $17000 repair on a $14000 car I have a loan on that IS NO LONGER COVERED BY FORD
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective sensor; however, the failure returned soon after the sensor was replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the failure was linked to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2322. The contact called the dealer and while the vehicle was being serviced, the technician discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a pressure test was performed, and the dealer discovered coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the engine would misfire while depressing the accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Engine, Jun 25, 2024
Coolant intrusion in engine with MIL P1299 stated from CSP 21N12 CSP 21N12 states: This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the 1.5L short block, due to coolant intrusion to the cylinder bores, for 7 years of service or 84,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program. If a vehicle has already exceeded either the time or mileage limits, this no-cost, one-time repair will last through November 30, 2022. Coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine temperature gauge raised and indicated that the engine was HOT. The message "Overheating - Pull Over Immediately" was displayed temporarily. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant leak present in cylinder #2. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Engine, Jun 24, 2024
Engine coolant leaks that ford is not covering
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 24, 2024
Coolant leaking into engine.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The contact was informed that cylinder #2 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed again with a failure within cylinder #2, due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that cylinder #2 needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failure of cylinder #2 due to coolant intrusion and engine failure. The contact was informed that due to the coolant intrusion and the repeated cylinder #2 failure, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,617.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering and making an abnormal rattling sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer at slow speeds. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that coolant had leaked into an unknown valve and into the pistons, causing engine damage. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Engine, Jun 22, 2024
While driving 70 mph on the interstate, the check engine light came on and the brakes went out and the car died. It was moved to the shoulder and towed to Jarrett Ford (Charlotte Co FL). They diagnosed it with fluids have leaked into the engine and now the engine needs replacing. I am of course 1,300 miles outside of warranty. Upon researching engine troubles, this seems to be a recurring issue in Ford Escapes. I contacted Ford and they refuse to help me. $7300 is a lot of money for a non profit animal rescue to come up with.
Power train, Engine, Jun 21, 2024
Check engine light came on with a P0302 code, indicating misfire. Took it to the dealer that verified coolant intrusion, indicating 21N12. Mileage exceeding the allowable coverage under 21N12, but it was covered by an extended warranty. In addition to having the short block replaced, the wiring harness and PCM were soaked with oil, requiring additional replacement of both. A month prior, the flex plate also failed and required replacement under warranty.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine misfired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved DTC code: P201, indicating there was moisture in the cylinder. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,347.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to idle rough with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the 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 150,000. The VIN was not available.
Engine, Jun 19, 2024
On the 1st of this month (June 2024), my check engine light came on. we took it to our local auto shop and had a diagnosis ran on it to see what the problem was. We were told that a p303 code was what showed up. I took it to a local mechanic who replaced the spark plug and ignition coil. The next day, it threw the same code again. Same mechanic replaced it all again. The code popped up again. Took it to another mechanic who then told us take it to Ford as it had a blown head casket and our coolant was leaking into the combustible engine. I took it to Ford and they acknowledged it was an ongoing issue with this make and model of vehicle. We had ford diagnose the vehicle themselves and are now telling us that we have to replace the whole engine. We found online there are over 500 people having the same issues as we are. I was warned that if i continue to drive it, my engine can literally catch fire at this point. It is definitely a safety concern for all who drive an escape. Also my vehicle doesn't even have 100k miles on it yet. I am suprized that there hasnt already been a recall on this motor yet seeing as how many people are having this same issue.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, she noticed a slight vibration in the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted for over a year and recently the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
Engine, Jun 18, 2024
The motor blew. Dealer confirmed no compression in cylinder 2 and damage to the top and bottom of the head requiring the motor to be replaced. I was accelerating onto the freeway going uphill when I lost acceleration. The car went into "limp mode". I had no warning lights until the vehicle lost power at which time the service engine soon light illuminated and flashed intermittently. Evidently it's a known issue with this engine and a service advisory was issued but nothing was done to proactively prevent the issue. My vehicle is less than 6 years old and was under 75,000 miles.
Engine, Jun 17, 2024
This vehicle was purchased in 2018 new. In 2020, due to engine misfiring/recall a new engine was installed.. On June 10, 2024, the vehicle started misfiring and running sluggish. Took the vehicle on June 11, 2024 for a diagnostic test. The test showed that the number two cylinder was bad. It was suggested I buy a coil and spark plugs and they were installed on June 12, 2024.The vehicle still runs badly so it has been parked since June 12, 2024. I reached out to a Ford dealership and they agreed to come and fix the vehicle, but they only did the recall on the transmission. I was also informed to bring the car to their shop.