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.
Service brakes, Aug 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while approaching an intersection and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal extended to the floor and failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal sound while the vehicle was idling back to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Engine, Jul 29, 2021
When I start my car it blows smoke from the exhaust. I took it to a repair shop and the gave me a TSB on the problem. I have learned since that this is a common issue but is not deemed a recall. This issue is definitely a safety issue and I need Ford to repair my car at no cost to me. If my engine blows in traffic this could lead to serious injury or death to me or to others. It is a 19-2375 bulletin.
Engine, Jul 28, 2021
My 2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L Ecoboost motor needs a complete replacement due to a manufacturer defect. The car presented with an engine misfire code of P0303 on July 2, 2021 and again on July 8, 2021. Upon inspection of the engine from Ford, it was determined that there was coolant leaking into the cylinder bores resulting in needing a complete engine replacement. I was informed that the more the vehicle is driven the more it would put the driver and passengers at risk because eventually the motor would seize while driving. Ford has refused to take responsibility in repairing this manufacturer defect which puts me and any passengers at risk of bodily harm.
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.
Engine, Jun 18, 2021
Engine coolant is leaking into my cylinder due to leaky cylinder head seal and issues with the engine block. Engine is at risk to overheat, fail, and catch on fire. This damage is the result of a known issue that Ford has filed an FSA for. I was never notified of the FSA and now the damage is done.
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.
Engine, May 22, 2021
Vehicle accelerated uncontrollably, cruise control was never turned on, brakes had to be applied, otherwise car would continue to accelerate uncontrollably. Finally came to safe place to park, put vehicle transmission in PARK, engine RPMs revved to 7000 rpms. Engine was immediately turned off. There was never anything caught on accelerator.
Engine, May 21, 2021
Coolant fluid leaking into #3 cylinder
Engine, May 12, 2021
ON 04/28/2021 MY REMOTE START ON MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM 2.0L, WITH ONLY 21,833 MILES ON IT, DID NOT WORK AND DID NOT START MY VEHICLE. I GOT IN, STARTED MY VEHICLE USING THE PUSH BUTTON START, AT WHICH POINT MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO OTHER INFORMATION. THE FORD PASS APP INDICATED 'MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP-REGULATORY' WITH NO OTHER DETAILS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, BELL FORD BUT THEY COULD NOT GET ME IN FOR SERVICE UNTIL MID-JUNE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR, FULLERTON FORD AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY 05/12/21. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN THIS MORNING AND AFTER 20-30 MINUTES MY SERVICE ADVISOR CAME TO ME AND SAID THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A LOANER CAR AND TOLD ME THEY WILL CONTACT ME WHEN THE NEW ENGINE IS INSTALLED, WHICH COULD TAKE LONGER THAN A WEEK.
Service brakes, May 6, 2021
I PUT IN A COMPLAINT #11414950 AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. PLEASE UPDATE ME.
Power train, May 5, 2021
2018 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (MASSEY FORD) WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE CODED P2701 AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION (KENT PARSONS FORD) STATING THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SPARK WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE NEXT DAY THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE INTO MASSEY FORD. KENT PARSONS FORD WAS RELUCTANT TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE AS THE BILL WAS NOT PAID FOR THE SPARK PLUG REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Engine, May 5, 2021
VEHICLE HAD ENGINE REPLACED JANUARY 2020 FOR ENGINE FAILURE. APRIL 2021 RECEIVED MESSAGE STATING ENGINE FAULT, BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD COOLANT WAS LEAKING, NOT RELATED TO THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS WOULD BE $1400
Service brakes, May 3, 2021
I HAVE A 2018 FORD ESCAPE WITH 13,967 MILES .BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD MY REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE TOTALLY BAD.HAD IT SERVICED LAST YEAR AND ONLY TRAVELED 7,000 MILES.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM REPORTED ABOUT THESE REAR BRAKES.AS EVERY MECHANIC I'VE TALKED TO CAN'T BELIEVE THIS COULD HAPPEN. I TALKED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND HE SAID TO ASK IF THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOU.
Engine, Apr 30, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALDORF FORD, INC. (2440 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20601) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,344.
Suspension, Wheels, Apr 23, 2021
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE
Engine, Apr 19, 2021
COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. TOOK 2018 FORD ESCAPE SE 4X4 TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD AN ENGINE BLOCK AND OTHER PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONLY HAD 34,500 MILES.
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.
Engine, Mar 29, 2021
JUNE 2018 PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM THE LOCAL DEALER. SEPTEMBER 2019 BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR ENGINE TROUBLE. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPEATED CALLS - WAITING ON PARTS, YOU ARE NEXT, WAITING ON ENGINE FROM FORD. FINALLY PICKED UP ON DECEMBER 19, 2019 (3 MONTHS!). TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ON 12/20/19. QUICK CONNECT HOSE INSTALLED WRONG. SPRING 2020 TOWED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP, NOT STARTING. GROUND CABLE, OCTOBER 2020 FLY WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AGAIN TROUBLE GETTING THE PART. JANUARY 27, 2021 OXYGEN SENSOR, TROUBLE GETTING THE PART. MARCH 9, 2021 AGAIN BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR ENGINE TROUBLE. AGAIN, THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IS 28,000MILES THE NEW ACCEPTABLE STANDARD FOR AN ENGINE TO LAST? WE ARE GOING ON ENGINE NUMBER THREE. DEFINITELY AN ENGINE DEFECT!
Power train, Mar 24, 2021
TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING NOISE AND STUTTERING. IT WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT WAS FIRST NOTICED. AS SOON AS I TURNED THE CAR ON AND SWITCHED GEARS THE TRANSMISSION STARTED WITH A WHIRRING NOISE. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION PUMP. WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES.
Power train, Mar 14, 2021
MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE LOST THE TRANSMISSION ON 24/27 ALBEMARLE ROAD. I WAS TAKING MY SON FOR DOCTORS CHECKUP. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS SO MUCH TRAFFIC ON MY WAY. SOMEONE COULD HAVE HIT OUR VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. I MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE ROAD. THIS WOULD HAVE COSTED OUR LIFE'S HAS SOMEONE HIT US FROM THE REAM.
Power train, Mar 9, 2021
DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER WHEN MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE SHOOK HARD AND TRANSMISSION OR WARNING LIGHT POPPED ON. WE SWERVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PUSHED IT A BLOCK BACK TO MY HOUSE. I NOTIFIED FORD AND THEY TOWED IT TO WALT SWEENEY ON GLENWAY IN CINCINNATI. WALT SWEENEY DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME A LOANER CAR BECAUSE THEIR POLICY IS TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BEFORE LOANING ONE OF THEIRS OUT. I WENT TO ENTERPRISE RENTAL WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER 400. FOR A CAR FOR TWO DAYS. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A TICKET ON RECORD. I CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. IT HAS 47000 MILES ON IT. THERE IS NO WAY THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD BECAUSE IF ME. IT IS A CLOSED UNIT. FORD SAID THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD PAY ENTERPRISE FOR A RENTAL. THE ONLY WOULD PAY ME BACK. I COULDN'T AFFORD THE RENTAL CAR THEN AND CAN'T NOW. THIS POLICY IS FOR THE POORER PERSON WHO CAN'T AFFORD A RENTAL, SO FORD DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY THEM BACK. I'M DISGUSTED BY FORD TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MOST HELP. I CALLED FORD OVER AND OVER AND NO MATTER WHO I TALKED TO I WAS TOLD TOO BAD. I WALKED THE HALF MILE TO SWEENEY AND BROKE DOWN CRYING. THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH TO DO THE RIGHT AND LEGAL THING WHEN FORD REFUSED THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT FORD SOLD A FAULTY NEW VEHICLE, IT BROKE DOWN AND THEY REFUSED TO GET ME A RENTAL CAR UNLESS I HAD OVER 400. TO RENT THE CAR. THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE IF IT WAS MORE THEN 2 DAYS. SWEENEY, NOTIFIED ME THAT MY CAR NEEDS A TOTAL TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AND A TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. SO NOW THEY ARE OFFERING A RENTAL AFTER I COULD HAVE LOST MY JOB, BUT YET AGAIN IT IS 300 DOWN AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PART BACK. THERE ARE REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS YEAR FORD.I CAME AFFORD A MONTH OF RENTAL PAYMENTS, LET ALONE A WEEK
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 3, 2021
COOLENT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE BLOCK.
Engine, Mar 2, 2021
I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 FORD ESCAPE IN 2018. ON FEBRUARY 22, 2021, MY ESCAPE, WITH ONLY 32,264 MILES, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, A DASH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, HIGH TEMPERATURE PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. I CONTACTED JC. LEWIS FORD IN SAVANNAH, GA AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THEIR DEALERSHIP, WHICH IS WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT HAD NO COOLANT AND WOULD NEED TO KEEP THE CAR UNTIL END OF WEEK, SAID THEY HAD NO LOANER CARS AVAILABLE. FOUR DAYS GO BY, NO WORD, CALLED SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AGAIN TOLD NO COOLANT. MY HUSBAND DEMANDED A LOANER DUE TO THE FACT THIS IS THE SECOND CAR THEY SOLD TO US WITH KNOWN PROBLEMS. WE PURCHASED A 2014 FOCUS IN 2014, ENGINE PROBLEMS IN 2018 AT 62,000 WHICH FORD DENIED OUR CLAIM TO COVER THE $9000 REPAIR SO WE ENDED UP PURCHASING THE ESCAPE. ON MONDAY, MARCH 1,2021, JC LEWIS FINALLY PROVIDED A LOANER CAR AND LATER THAT SAME DAY SAID THE ESCAPE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. I TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD EVER COME ON ABOUT LOW COOLANT AND PRIOR TO HAVING THE CAR TOWED I RAN A SYSTEM CHECK ON THE ENGINE AND IT STATED ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL WHICH I TOOK A PHOTO. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE CONCERNED THAT THE NEXT ENGINE THEY PUT IN WILL DO THE SAME THING AND WILL BE AT MY EXPENSE SINCE MOST LIKELY THE WARRANTY WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT. I'VE READ MANY ESCAPE OWNERS THAT HAD REPLACEMENT ENGINES FAILED ALSO.
Visibility, Feb 17, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE REAR WINDOW FRACTURED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND LEFT TO RIGHT. THE REAR WINDOW THEN SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT NEAR THE LIFTGATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF AN IMPACT TO THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE GLASS REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED GLASS COMPANY THROUGH THE INSURANCE THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2021
COMPLAINT REAR WINDOW SHATTER OF 2018 FORD ESCAPE: REAR WINDOW GLASS SHATTERED ON LIFTGATE PANEL DOOR, (UNKNOWN REASON) TWICE SINCE BOUGHT FROM FORD DEALERSHIP, FEBRUARY 2020. GLASS SHATTERED ON 11/28/20 (WAS REPLACED) AND AGAIN, ON 2/17/21. CAR WAS PARKED AND UNDISTURBED IN MY DRIVE WAY, BOTH OCCURRENCES. NOTHING AROUND IT OR IN IT TO POSSIBLY CAUSE ANY SHATTERING. THERE MUST BE SOME SORT OF ISSUE GOING ON WITH THE GLASS OR INTERIOR CABIN PRESSURE TO THE GLASS OF THIS MODEL, FORD DEFECT POSSIBLY?? BRAND NEW WINDOW INSTALLED ON 11/28/20, AND 2 1/2 MONTHS LATER, SAME TYPE OF SHATTER TO WINDOW, WHEN CLOSED MY CAR DOOR, HEARD THE NOISE OF GLASS SHATTERING, MOST ALL OF IT ALL CAVED IN AND FELL INTO THE CAR IN TINY PIECES, JUST LIKE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE.