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: power train
271 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Jan 6, 2023
2018 Ford escape with 53,700 miles. Ford designed a faulty metal plate between the cylinders. Too thin. It cracked. Coolant flooded the engine. The engine needed to be replaced. The dealership replaced the lower half of engine, luckily, before my 60,000 mile warranty. This is a common problem that has been happening since 2018!!! Please issue a recall. Ford is just waiting until people are stranded on the side of the road facing thousands of dollars in repairs!
Power train, Jan 3, 2023
2018 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HNTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-413. THE CONSUMER STATED AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO SERVICE A RECALL BUT INFORMED AFTER ARRIVING THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALLS AND LONGER WAIT TIMES. ALSO, FORDS INABILITY TO ADEQUATELY SERVICE RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Power train, Engine, Dec 26, 2022
Coolant has leaked internally, without warning, until a few days ago when I got a "high engine temperature" warning and my car is now unusable. My engine is shot.
Power train, Nov 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Nov 4, 2022
The contact owned a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as she no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Power train, Engine, Nov 1, 2022
On April 2022 my vehicle began to malfunction while I was driving. My car was in drive and when I hit the gas pedal it began moving backwards. Then, the vehicle would not move at all when it was in drive. I turned the car off, restarted, and was able to drive to a safe location. When I tried driving the vehicle again it was moving in reverse even though it was in park. I at that time called AAA and had my vehicle towed to a service center. During this time my safety was in danger as I was on the road and could have been in an accident with the way my car was malfunctioning. Before this problem occurred there were no warning lights, it just happened out of nowhere. I would later learn the engine needed repairs and I needed a new transmission.
Power train, Oct 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the transmission fault and another unknown warning light were illuminated. After the contact made the local dealer aware of the failure, the contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, she stated that she had not received a recall notification. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired, and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 78,500.
Power train, Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V4130000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Oct 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake while the gear shifter was shifted into drive(D) or reverse(R). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,617. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Oct 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Oct 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started jerking and failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact persistently depressed the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded, however the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Oct 3, 2022
Some time the shifter dosent want to come out of park or go in gear. It happens both ways.
Power train, Sep 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Sep 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle would vibrate while in park(P) or drive(D) without warning. The contact also stated that an abnormal thumping noise was coming from the vehicle while shifting gears, without warning. The dealer had been notified about the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Sep 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Sep 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Sep 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that she placed her foot on the accelerator pedal attempting to merge into traffic when the vehicle started to shake with the gear shifter was stuck in drive. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Sep 19, 2022
SAFETY RECALL ON MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE WARNING RISK IN DAMAGED OR MISSING BUSHING IN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR CRASH. PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX AND WE ARE TAKING OUT OF STATE TRIP. I ASSUME IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT FORD IS RESPONSIBLE BUT WE DON'T WANT TO CHANCE DRIVING A RECALLED VEHICLE. WHEN WILL THIS SAFETY ISSUE BE RESOLVED?
Power train, Sep 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH on a curve, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon veering to the side of the road, the vehicle began to operate as needed. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,121. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Sep 12, 2022
THE CAR DOES WORK TRANMISSION..
Power train, Sep 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was jerking with the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P); however, the gear shift indicator register that the transmission was in neutral(N). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was unable to repair the vehicle due to parts not being available and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Power train, Aug 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after shifting into drive(D), the vehicle instead reversed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated for a short period of time. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination at a slow speed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was 79,334.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The contact was able to pull off the highway and after waiting approximately an hour was able to continue driving; however, the failure persisted. The temperature gauge was elevated to the hot position. The check engine and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic and was referred to the local dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Power train, Aug 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact had experienced an unintentional rollaway and was injured when the vehicle rolled over her right ankle and calf. The contact was taken to the hospital by a friend to seek medical attention. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.