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 and engine cooling
342 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine was running very hot, and the coolant level was extremely low. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir; however, shortly after, the coolant reservoir was low again. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine overheated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into cylinder #1. The dealer determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shaking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined there was coolant intrusion into the engine causing the engine block to crack. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant intrusion into the cylinder had caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 42,577.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed on the freeway, the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool off. The driver then drove to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The dealer was notified of the failure 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 in adding the VIN to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 58,466.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined there was a misfire in cylinders #2 and #3, and that the battery needed to be replaced and a tune-up was needed. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic ,who stated that the coolant level was low. The coolant reservoir was refilled. The contact stated that the following day, the coolant level was low. The mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into various cylinders, resulting in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short block Replacement after Coolant Intrusion). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to start. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the cylinders and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there a misfire coming from the engine, with an abnormal coolant odor on the inside and outside of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local O’Reilly’s, where it was diagnosed with a #4-cylinder misfire, and the power pack was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic for a second opinion, where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted and advised that there was coolant intrusion into cylinder #4; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle needed to be towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into various cylinders, causing damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block replacement after Coolant Intrusion). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed an engine misfire in cylinders #1 and #3. The contact was informed that the engine short block needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 40,602.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into several cylinders which resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Firestone Service Center, where it was diagnosed with cylinder #4 misfire, a coolant leak, and a blown head gasket. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the engine block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 93,870.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine was idling rough. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact detected a sweet odor inside the vehicle and noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact also discovered that coolant was leaking on the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the road and restart the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with DTC: P0012. The vehicle was taken to another independent service center, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P0014, P1299, P0012, and P04DB were retrieved. The local dealer was contacted and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,318.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact heard an abnormal sound while attempting to start the vehicle. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant leaking into cylinder #3, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 91,060.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated for approximately 2 miles. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the warning light was no longer illuminated. The contact called a person who inspected the vehicle, but was unable to identify any failures with the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who retrieved DTC: P0303 (Cylinder #3 misfire - and fractured head gasket). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to another mechanic who scheduled an engine replacement. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Collison Center and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the misfire in cylinder #3. The contact stated that the spark plugs, and ignition coils were replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that recently the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
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 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 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.
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 and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinder, causing 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 informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 65,000.