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: other or unspecified
105 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2022
It wouldn’t go into second gear and would stop and not go so I turned the auto bio fuel feature off and it started to act better. Then it gave me a transmission default alert. I parked turned off the car and turned it back on and nursed it home
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 2, 2022
In April 2022 my 2018 Ford Escape started to malfunction. When in drive it would move backwards, which nearly caused an accident for me as there was a vehicle behind me when this occurred. It also would move forward when in park, and was a huge safety hazard. I had to get the vehicle towed to a service center because of these issues. Ford admits this occurred because of a malfunction but is refusing to pay for the cost to repair it. The Ford service center is estimating repairs to be $8,500. I received a recall notice in July 2022 about a bushing cable in the transmission as well.
Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2022, crash
On June 28, 2022 I pulled into a parking space, placed car in park & released brake, car abruptly flew into wall damaging hood & head light as well as engine. I have sore back & chest. Very disturbing, never involved in anything like this, never had accident in 41 years of driving.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 8, 2022
Hello, I am submitting a formal complaint on my 2018 Ford Escape. History: It is a Lease Plan vehicle that was assigned to me with 11,000 miles on it in 2018 It has a been maintained per the manufacturer schedule through the Lease Plan App Purchased the vehicle in May 2021 thru my companies purchase program, I have only had the car for 9 months and it is now inoperable It is a primary vehicle for work for a family member Situation Error alert appeared on the console for engine Took the car to Firestone initially as they had done all the maintenance work previously They were unable to look at the car and gave me a time of 5-7 days Took it to Tires Plus, they said they could look at it the next day which was a Sunday I had not heard back from anyone at Tires Plus, so I called, they recording indicated that they were closed. I drove up there and Mathew the Manager said that the mechanics had not shown up for work, it was Mother’s Day. Received call that the car needed 1 coil and spark plugs approved the work The told me to come pick up car, they were still working on it when I arrived and I stood around for 45 minutes waiting When the technician test drove the vehicle it started backfiring again, Diagnosis was a cracked spark plug and another coil. Waited another day for it to be completed Picked up the car to drove fine for two days then more engine error codes, overheating codes and the car went into “Limp Mode” The technicians allowed me to drive the vehicle and did not dive deeper into the codes to determine the root cause of why the car was showing all these engine codes Not until I brought it back 2-3 days later and explained that there was white smoke coming out of the tailpipes that the technician said these Ecoboost engines have a known issue with the computer dumping coolant into the cylinders. This cause the head gasket to blow. When I called Ford, they said there was not a recall for this VIN number even though the error codes and
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 8, 2022
Vehicle shakes badly after100/200 miles at speeds of 60 -70 miles hour
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 5, 2022
Our Ford Escape had a coolant leak causing misfires. After searching online, we see that this is a known problem that Ford hasn't addressed. The repair costs are high and it isn't right that Ford hasn't issued a recall.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2022
2018 Ford Escape SEL Blue in color. I bought this vehicle when it was 2 years old. The vehicle has had no accidents or major repairs needed. Paint started flaking away around the windshield. The driver’s side pillar and passenger side upper corner. The spots started out about the size of quarters and over the course of two days have gotten much larger about the size of a baseball. Took the vehicle to the collision center of the same dealer I bought it from. The estimate to fix it $3,005.48. Absolutely unbelievable.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2022
Door would not unlock when hand is placed on door handle with key fob nearby. Had to use keypad on door. Happens intermittently Also horn beeps by itself Driver seat memory wasn’t automatically activated All intermittently
Power train, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2022
Have taken my 2018 Escape S several times to Dealership where purchased for whirling winning noise from front end of vehicle and mechanic claimed could not hear noise now have clicking sound happening and expressing loose cv axel. . Headlights have started to peel Dealership shop staff claimed could not see damage or p R peeling. And front drivers seat lower upper back makes a popping sound and gives with any pressure to area. Dealership claims can not feel or hear.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 1, 2021
UNKNOWN The vehicle is only three years old is kept up with on a regular basis with the maintenance and is now having issues with a leaking evap system which has been an ongoing issue with a lot of Ford vehicles. I was notified by a mechanic that inspected my vehicle that the vehicle is not safe to drive and is like a ticking time bomb.
Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2021, crash
I was stopped for an accident on I70 E in St Louis County. While stopped a 2015 Mazda hit me in the rear. He hit me so hard that the the seat broke and I went all the way back to the back seat. He then pushed me into the stopped Tahoe in front of me. I went forward and hit the steering wheel. None of the airbags deployed. Component malfunction would be air bag system and seat. I feel that if I had one of my grand kids in the back they may have been crushed. As far as I know the problem has not been confirmed by anyone. The car was checked by insurance company and totaled. There were no warnings or warning lamps. I have pictures that can be emailed or texted, I can't get them in here.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2021
You may want to investigate this. I own a 2018 Ford Escape which I purchased new. Two week ago the left rear passenger window was broken out. As I was in Idaho at the time, and had to drive back to Washington State, I drove the car down the highway at 55 MPH with the sunroof open and all other windows closed. No problem. I then closed the sunroof and the car shook violently to the point I thought the back door might be ripped off. We seldom open the back windows so I never experienced this before but it could cause an accident.
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2021
Black mold on my cabin air filter. There appears to be a design defect with my 2018 escape (4 cyl) that does not allow the ac condenser to properly drain. This causes the cabin air filter to become water logged, which leads to the growth of black mold, which leads to the black mold being released into the cabin. Black mold in the cabin is definitely a safety issue. Each time I bring the problem to the local dealer they say all they can do is charge me another $50 to replace the cabin air filter.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 18, 2021
COMING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN NEVADA, IT BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE WE RAN OVER SOMETHING IN THE ROAD OVER AND OVER. THERE WAS A SHAKING IN THE STEERING/WHEELS SO FELT LIKE IT KEEP HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. WE FINALLY REALIZED THAT IT MAY BE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN IT WAS TURNED OFF, IT BEGAN TO CORRECT. BUT IT TURNED ITSELF BACK ON BY ITSELF.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 18, 2021
AT 26,000 MILES HAD A FULL ENGINE REPAIR DUE COOLANT ISSUE. FORD HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS. LESS THAN A FEW DAYS AFTER GETTING IT BACK HAD A FRONT CRANK SEAL LEAK DUE A DEFECTIVE PART. 3 MONTHS LATER CAR IS NOW THROWING HIGH TEMP/ENGINE FAULT CODES AND GOING INTO LIMP MODE. DEALER STATES ITS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. HAD THAT REPLACED THEN 4 DAYS LATER CAR WENT INTO HIGH TEMP/LIMP MODE AGAIN. WAITING TO HEAR WHAT'S WRONG NOW WITH THIS CAR. ALL THESE ISSUES HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE PARKED THE VEHICLE INTO A UPHILL DRIVEWAY, WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THE WIFE DID NOT HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ACTIVATED AND THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE ACROSS THE STREET WHILE HIS GRANDCHILD WAS STILL SEATED ON A CAR SEAT AT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE HAD SUSTAINED INJURIES ON BOTH KNEES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE COSMETIC REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2020
ONE DAY AFTER WORK, THE AC SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. UPON RETURNING HOME, WE NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, FROM WHICH WE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM 4 MONTHS PRIOR. THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE, AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP, AND THE BURNING RUBBER SMELL WAS FROM THE BELT. THEY THEN QUOTED US ROUGHLY $3500-$3600 TO FIX THE ISSUE, IN THAT IT WOULD INCLUDE THE ENTIRE AC COMPRESSOR KIT, CONDENSOR, AND AN AC FLUSH. IT IS A 2018, BUT WE WERE PAST THE FORD 36K WARRANTY PERIOD, SO WE DECIDED TO CALL AROUND TO OTHER SHOPS/MECHANICS. WE FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC WHOM HAD PREVIOUSLY DONE WORK FOR US, AND WE TRUSTED. PRIOR TO EVEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO HIM, THE OTHER INDIVIDUALS WE CALLED WERE SHOCKED TO HEAR WE HAD AN AC COMPRESSOR ISSUE, ON SUCH A RECENT MODEL. HE WAS SURPRISED, AND COMES TO FIND OUT THAT THE SYSTEM IS ESSENTIALLY PROPRIETARY, SO THAT IT'S DIFFICULT TO EVEN ACQUIRE THE PARTS/FLUID REQUIRED TO WORK ON IT OUTSIDE OF A FORD DEALERSHIP. WHICH MORE SO, WE BELIEVE, POINTS TO THE FACT THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED ON A 2018 VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE ISSUE IS THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP, AND SAID IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 48K MILES AND A RECENT MODEL.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2020
MOST OF THE TIME THAT I START THE VEHICLE IT MAKES A SQUEALING SOUND, IT ONLY LASTS AS LONG AS I AM IN PARK OR IF I AM IN REVERSE. ONCE I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE THE SOUND STOPS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND I HAVE EVEN RECORDED THE SOUND BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO NOISE. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I HAVE HAD IS A FOUL ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. IT ORIGINALLY STARTED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, THEN CONTINUED THROUGH THE SUMMER. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THAT I TURN ON THE HEATER AND SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN ON THE AC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ONE MECHANIC DID SMELL IT BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SO THEY PUT A CHERRY SCENT IN IT AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME. IF I NEED THE HEATER ON I HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A WINDOW OPEN TO KEEP FROM SMELLING THE BAD ODOR OF BURNT HAIR/HARSH CHEMICAL. BOTH OF THESE HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF ON 2/20/20
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2020
2018 FORD ESCAPE SE ACQUIRED ON 09/2018. AT 17000 MILES, IN 08/2019, AND DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE STARTED TO DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: "HILL START ASSIST WARNING" "POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION/REDUCED POWER" "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP - REGULATORY" "ANTILOCK BRAKE FAULT" "RESTRAINTS INDICATOR LAMP WARNING" "ENGINE FAULT - SERVICE NOW". PULLED OVER, SHUT DOWN VEHICLE, RESTARTED VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING. ABOUT 10 MILES LATER, ALL DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS TURNED ON AND COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL INSTRUMENTS (TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, TEMPERATURE, MILEAGE, ETC.) AND A/C. BROUGHT IT INTO DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS LATER (EARLIEST AVAILABLE TIME) AND THEY CLAIMED IT WAS THE RESULT OF A BAD BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. TWO AND HALF WEEKS LATER, VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. BROUGHT IT INTO SAME DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A BAD ABS MODULE AND THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN 06/2020, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE EXHIBIT THE SAME BEHAVIOR AS THE PREVIOUS TWO TIMES. SHUT DOWN VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER 45 MINUTES VEHICLE RESTARTED AND TOOK IT TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WERE ERROR/FAULT CODES, CLEARED THEM AND TEST DROVE FROM IT FOR 20 MILES AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. CURRENTLY WAITING ON FORD CORPORATE TO GET VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP THAT CAN RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2020
THE BACK WINDOW ON THE HATCH IS SHATTERING. THE WINDOW FIRST HAD DONE SIZE CRACK IN IT. IT THEN WAS CRACKLING AND AFTER HOURS THE WHOLE WINDOW IS SMALL PIECES. IT WAS JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT BLEW THE SIDE PANEL OFF.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 29, 2019, crash, fire
ON DECEMBER 26, 2019, ANOTHER OTHER VEHICLE HIT THIS 2018 FORD ESCAPE, SPINNING IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES (ALL FORDS) WERE IN MOTION TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS ESCAPE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 122 NEAR BURNT CHIMNEY, VA. THE OTHER TWO FORDS WERE TRAVELING SOUTH ON THIS TWO LANE ROAD.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 27, 2019
I LEASED MY FIRST NEW CAR ON JANUARY 29, 2018. STARTING IN APRIL OF 2019 MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IAT AND THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT WON'T START WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE (SOMETHING NEW). AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE, IT STOPPED AND THE DISPLAY SAID "TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK". THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. IT HAS STALLED AND REFUSED TO START IN MY GARAGE, ON A CITY STREET AND IN A PARKING LOT. IT IS VERY SCARY - ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD MY TWO GRANDCHILDREN WITH ME.
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, May 24, 2019
ON LATE EVENING OF MAY13, 2019 I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE (ODOMETER IS AT 1368 MILES) ON EXCELLENT ROAD CONDITIONS ALONG SIDE ONE VEHICLE WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC. WE JUST PASSED UNDER TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITH ESTIMATED SPEED AT 10-15MPH. WITHOUT WARNING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BUCKLED UNDER THE FRAME. THE SOUND WAS FRIGHTENING AND SO LOUD THAT THE DRIVER NEXT TO ME HEARD THE INCIDENT AND TURNED AROUND AT THE NEXT LIGHT TO COME BACK AND CHECK ON ME. I SKIDDED IN MY TRAVEL LANE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15FEET.THERE WAS NO COLLISION, NOR IMPACT WITH ROAD MEDIAN NOR DID I COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY DEBRIS / POTHOLES ON ROAD. IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHICH IS ONE OF THE WONDERFUL SAFETY FEATURES WHICH HELPED BASE MY DECISION ON PURCHASING OF MY ESCAPE. THE DAMAGE CAUSED DIFFICULTY TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR,THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM RIM IN ADDITION TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE DAMAGE. I FOUND SIMILAR INCIDENTS ON THE FORD RECALL SITE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED , YET I HAVE A CLAIM IN WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY.$500 DEDUCTIBLE UNPLANNED EXPENSE.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2019
BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR DID NOT WORK AFTER A SUDDEN STOP ON THE SIGNAL LIGHT (ON A SLOP, ENTRANCE OF A HIGHWAY). AFTER THE STOP , MY CAR STARTED ROLLLING BACKWARD, NEITHER BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR COULD STOP THE BACKWARD ROLLING. I HAVE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR TO AVOID CRASH WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. LAST TIME I WAS ON THE ENTRANCE OF A HIGHWAY, ABOUT TO ACCELERATE, BUT SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST ITS POWER, THE ACCELERATOR DIDN'T WORK. BUT THAT TIME BRAKE WAS WORKING.
Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2018
2018 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A RUMBLE NOISE WHILE TRAVELING AT 45-50 MPH. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE RUMBLE WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. *JS