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
1,795 reports, newest first.
Engine, Oct 3, 2023
My 2018 Ford Escape 2.0L Eco Boost engine has a coolant leak that is leaking into the number 3 cylinder. My local Ford dealer said it cannot be fixed and that a new engine is required. The estimated cost to replace the engine is $10,500. My car is out of warranty by 5 months with about 36,000 miles. The dealer will not fix it for free. An online search shows a TBS for the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. [XXX] Further searches provide links to Reddit and car forum posts by other owner's who have had the same issue. I will contact Ford corporate next to see if they can help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Engine, Sep 29, 2023
I purchased this vehicle in July of 2023 and put 3000 miles on it and then found out when parked and sits…when started blue smoke comes out of exhaust. Made an appointment at a Ford dealer, it was there 10 days without being looked at and I needed to return the rental car, which I told the service advisor that it had to be checked out in order for my warranty company to pay my rental fees, kept calling with no answer.. ended up taking it to another dealer which diagnosed it needing an engine due to the cyclinders taking coolant… they than til me they 6 months out due to having 6 escapes just like mine in front, all needing engines.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2023
Check engine light came on while driving down the highway. Vehicle lost power to approximately 20 mph even though the throttle was pressed. This was a hazardous situation as the speed limit was 55 mph and no place to pull off. Was told by a mechanic the throttle body was defective and needs replaced.
Engine, Sep 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle turned off independently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 34,035.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had misfired and that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired shortly after that the misfire reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic who then replaced the ignition coils. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine misfired again. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle the next day for approximately 10 miles at approximately 70 MPH when the vehicle sputtered and then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic who diagnosed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who related the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10213732 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 86,800.
Other or unspecified, Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2023
COOLANT APPEARS TO BE LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions where the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact then stated that the vehicle began to overheat as the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who discovered that coolant intrusion in the engine cylinder had caused a fracture in the engine block. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Engine, Sep 25, 2023
Engine died. Took it to a licensed mechanic and was told coolant leak caused total engine failure. Needs a new engine. Only 80000 miles.
Engine, Sep 25, 2023
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 taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the spark plugs, and ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,952.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2023
Coolant injection leak, blown engine.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 21, 2023
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 vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that coolant was intruding into the engine cylinder. The mechanic retrieved codes: P0304-00 and P0316-00. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shaking violently. There was no warning light illuminated. The following day upon start the vehicle, the "high engine temperature, stop safely" message was displayed. The contact stated that thick white smoke was coming from the tailpipe. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a Customer Satisfaction Program associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,783.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 15, 2023
Car has 95k miles. Recently started showing code P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). Took it to mechanic, replaced spark plug and engine coil. Got car back, ran fine a couple days, then started noticing coolant level way down from mechanics top off. Mechanic has it now and is thinking coolant leaking into engine. Common issue for this model as I have read online. Also read about a service bulletin offering a one time fix for this, but never received the alert in my Ford app. No recall issued that I can see. Hopefully won’t need a new engine.
Engine, Sep 15, 2023
On the first engine, a check engine light came on the dashboard, took it in, and was told code P300 was coming on but couldn't find where we were losing the coolant. Come to find out, the header was cracked and it was getting into the oil pan. We only had the vehicle for a few months since we purchased it. The second engine is, a replacement of the first and a used engine. Not even 400 miles and we start to get the check engine light on. He checked dtcs and found codes P300 P301 and P1299 stored, block tested the vehicle and the vehicle passed, performed a coolant leak test with the cooling system pressurized to 21psi and found no external leaks, removed cylinder 1 spark plug while leak testing the vehicle and found coolant on top of cylinder 1 piston.
Power train, Sep 14, 2023
My transmission started slipping and will not shift. When switching from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, the vehicle will not immediately shift directions. Instead, it will hesitate and then buck hard paired with a bang. I purchased this vehicle at the beginning of December last year and it hasn't even been an entire year. I am still making payments on a vehicle I can't drive and there is absolutely no reason a transmission (with regular maintenance records) that's 5 years old would randomly malfunction like that. This needs to be addressed. Ford has way too many problems and honestly shouldn't be allowed to put vehicles on the road that cause dangerous situations, especially knowingly.
Structure, Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side door failed to shut completely. While exiting the vehicle, the door continuously poked her lower leg. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon exiting the driver's side door, the contact was poked on her leg. The contact sustained injuries to the calf muscle and was cut. The contact was taken to the emergency room, where her leg was stitched up. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Engine, Sep 12, 2023
Engine cut out in middle of street right after turned on. Engine also overheated on highway. Garage says it's because of a leaked coolant into the engine causing a misfire.
Power train, Engine, Sep 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly; however, the vehicle jolted while reversing. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact there was a delay in the drive train, and that the engine had internal damages. The contact stated that the engine was replaced prior to the failure by the local dealer. The mechanic recommended that the engine be rebuilt. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
Engine, Sep 12, 2023
Car began running rough at initial start after a thunderstorm but subsided within a minute or two and was running normally. Car continued to run normally but check engine light came on. Took to the dealership who said that coolant had intruded into the engine, an engine assembly replacement was needed, and the replacement cost would be close to $12,000. The vehicle had 77,144 miles at the time. Due to being out of warranty, we would incur the total cost of repairs. This issue appears to be related to recall 17S09 but our vehicle has 0 unrepaired recalls.
Engine, Sep 12, 2023
I was having issues where my car was getting a code that there was an engine misfire occurring (PO302 code). I took it to multiple shops and nobody could figure out the problem. After extensive testing they finally figured out that there is coolant leaking onto my engine. I now have to repair basically half my engine and I have only had the car for 52,000 miles (5 years).
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 11, 2023
Was driving when engine light came on, then warning that engine was to hot. My car then began to slow down and I pulled over and allowed to cool for a while. Finally able to drive but each time I would drive it happened. Took to a independent contractor and was told my coolant was leaking into engine and it needed to be replaced
Engine, Sep 11, 2023
Coolant intrusion into cylinders causing head gasket failure. Needing replacement of block due to known issue with Ford 1.5 ecobost engine. TSB 20-2100
Engine, Sep 10, 2023
This auto engine has burned significant oil from day 1. About a quart for every 800 miles. It burns oil as evidenced by heavy carbon deposits in the the tailpipe. Dealer has no explanation or suggestions from either themselves or the manufacturer to resolve the problem. Nor has taken any action to resolve.
Engine, Sep 9, 2023
My 2018 ford escape over heated while I was on the highway. I had almost no coolant. The temp gage never moved. It never indicated there was a problem. There was never evidence there was even a leak. I have a coworker who also began having issues with her 2015 ford escape. Her check engine light began to blink when she turned corners. Her vehicle is under warranty and the engine is being replaced because coolant was leaking into the engine which seems to be happening to a lot of these vehicles. I am adding coolant a few times a week. I can't even afford to put it in the shop to get a proper diagnosis I have kept up on oil changes and also had the spark plugs replaced but the leak hasn't been found and I was told by a mechanic at a shop that it looks like my #3 spark plug was a little wet. I get a misfire at start of car
Engine, Sep 8, 2023
Last week, I noticed that my vehicle was not driving the same. It was like jerking a little. I called and made an appointment with Ford service department. They did a diagnostic and said coolant was leaking into the engine. The car has a little over 72,000 miles on it. I looked at saw other Escapes had the same problem. I am writing to add to other complaints concerning the engine. Thank you.