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.
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?? 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.
Steering, Feb 14, 2021
VEHICLE STEERING STIFF AND DOES NOT UNLOCK AFTER STARTING. MUST WORK MOVING STEERING WHEEL FORCE ABLE TO UNLOCK TO DRIVE. ALSO MAKES NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LOW BATTERY TAKING/CONSERVING POWER; HOWEVER UPON TAKING TO FORD DEALERSHIP IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MY RACK AND PINION NEEDS REPLACED. MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE HAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FORD TECHNICIAN INDICATED THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL REPAIR DUE TO THEY USUALLY DON'T SEE THIS REPAIR ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE LOW MILEAGE AND IT'S ABOUT 100,000 MILES LESS THAN HE USUALLY SEES. IT IS A DRIVING HAZARD AND COULD HAVE WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. SO DISAPPOINTED AND FEEL THERE IS A DEFINITE FACTORY-PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW.
Power train, Engine, Feb 9, 2021
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOLLOWING A RECALL NOTICE FOR CONTROLLER MODULE. TWO MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE BACK AND IT RESULTED IN A COOLANT LEAK INTO THE CYLINDER. THE BLOCK WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS A NEW FLYWHEEL AND HEAD GASKET. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED HARD AND THEN STOPPED BEING ABLE TO MOVE. THIS RESULTED IN A SECOND FLYWHEEL BEING INSTALLED ALONG WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION PUMP, SEALS, AND TORQUE CONVERTER. STILL DOES NOT RUN CORRECTLY AND THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF DOES NOT WORK. VEHICLE HAS HAD A SINGLE OWNER AND LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT. BELIEF IS THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE A RESULT OF A POORLY DESIGNED ENGINE AND THE ORIGINAL RECALL.
Electrical system, Feb 9, 2021
THE SYNC SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE APIM MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE DRIVEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME (UNTIL IT WARMS UP?) WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON THE SYNC SYSTEM MIGHT START WORKING.
Seat belts, Feb 9, 2021
THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE (DRIVER SIDE) IS NOT HOLDING THE BELT, DAMAGED
Engine, Feb 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO RESET THE WARNING LIGHT AND STATED THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER CHANGING THE COIL THE FAILURE PERSISTED. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT-OFF IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER GREAT LAKES FORD OF MUSKEGON (2469 E. APPLE AVE, MUSKEGON, MI 49442) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Service brakes, Jan 21, 2021
AT THE 32,000 MILE ROUTINE SERVICE THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR, IMHO, PREMATURE WEAR. BOTH REAR ROTORS WERE DEEPLY SCORED ON THEIR OUTSIDE FACES, WHILE THE OUTSIDE PADS WERE WORN DOWN THEIR WEAR SLOTS AND THE INSIDE PADS WERE HARDLY WORN AT ALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND BLAMED THE UNEVEN WEAR ON DIRTY PAD SLIDE PINS. HE COULDN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE DEEP SCORING. MY EXPERIENCE OVER 6 DECADES OF VEHICLES IS THAT PADS SHOULD LAST 40,000 MILES AND ROTORS 100,000 MILES OR MORE.
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.
Engine, Jan 10, 2021
BOUGHT A USED 2018 ESCAPE 1.5L IN JUNE 2019. JAN 5 I WENT TO CRANK IT AND IT WAA PUTTERING. WAS LOW ON GAS AND ON AN INCLINE SO THOUGHT THAT WAA THE PROBLEM. GOT GAS AND WAS FINE THE NEXT FINE. BUT THE 8TH...WENT IT CRANKED IT I HEARD WATER SLOSHING. LOOKED UP SOME STUFF AND HAD SOME MECHANIC FRIENDS LOOK AT IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET COOLANT WAS LOW. SO WENT TO ADD NORE AND IT SMELLS LUKE GAS. AND MY EXHAUST SMELLS LIKE ANTIFREEZE. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WITH THIS YEAR MODEL. SO NOW I HAVE IT IN THE SHOP HOPING IT GETS FIXED SOON. APPARENTLY THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I HAVE 55465 MILES ON IT.
Engine, Jan 5, 2021
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW 1DEC 2018. I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN FOR SMELLING COOLANT AFTER DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS 11134 MILES. DEALER TOLD ME THAT I HAD A LEAK IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER AND IT NEEDED A SMALL BLOCK REPLACEMENT. DEALER LEFT ME STRANDED AT DEALERSHIP AND 50 MILES FROM HOME. THEY DID OFFER ME A RENTAL VEHICLE WHICH I DECLINED. VEHICLE IS STILL ON BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. DEALER CANNOT GIVE ME TIME FRAME FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ONE OF THE WORST CAR EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER HAD. WISH THEY WOULD TAKE VEHICLE BACK AND I CAN PURCHASE SOMETHING MORE RELIABLE OTHER THAN FORD.
Engine, Dec 29, 2020
VEHICLE IS LOSING COOLANT AT 43,000 MILES I FILLED IT TO THE MAX AT 47,000 IT IS BELOW THE MINIMUM THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE ESCAPES BUT NO RECALL FOR MINE
Power train, Engine, Dec 26, 2020
DEC.20,2020, MY CAR PARK IN MY DRIVE WAY, START UP AND THE ENGINE RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND DISPLAY HAS A CODE FLASHING ( ENGINE ). TECH INFO ME THAT NUMBER 4 PLUG MISFIRE, ADD COOLANT, RESET CODE PO316 AND PO304. TECH SAID THAT THERE IS A TSB20-2100 ?
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 23, 2020
WHILE IN MOTIION (TAKING OFF AND DURING DRIVE) THE CAR 'CUTS BACK' AND DOESN'T PICK UP SPEED CAUSING DRIVER OF VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED(ONLY SOMEWHAT GRADUALLY AFTER ANOTHER CUTBACK). THIS HAPPENS WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS AND ON CITY STREETS OR COUNTRY ROADS. IN ADDITION, WHEN PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE (TO PARK OR PULL OUT OF PARKING SPACE) THE CAR EITHER TURNS OFF OR DOESN'T MOVE BACK WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL.
Engine, Dec 17, 2020
SECOND SERVICE AT FORD DEALERSHIP AFTER "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT DISPLAYED. COOLANT STATES AS IT NEEDS TO BE FILLED. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO ENGINE. VEHICLE HAS 18000 MILES AND SERVICED APPROPRIATELY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED WHEN IN MOTION. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2018 ESCAPES.
Engine, Dec 9, 2020
BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN ON JULY 13TH, 2020 (55,785 MILES) DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED. THE RECALL WAS FOR A POWERTRAIN REPROGRAMMING DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDER BORES. REPROGRAMMING WAS PERFORMED ALONG WITH AN OIL CHANGE. ON NOVEMBER 30, 2020 (CLOSE TO 66K MILES) MY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE SO THEY COULD READ THE CODE. IT WAS SHOWING MISFIRING ON CYLINDER 3. ON DECEMBER 1ST, I TOOK IT TO MARJENHOFF TRANSMISSIONS (FAMILY FRIEND). HE HOOKED IT UP TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND IT SHOWED THAT CYLINDER 3 HAD MISFIRED OVER 100 TIMES. ALSO, MY COOLANT WAS SUPER LOW. I PICKED IT UP DECEMBER 3RD AND WAS TOLD TO KEEP AN EYE ON MY COOLANT LEVEL UNTIL I GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DECEMBER 7TH. ENDED UP HAVE TO TOP OFF MY COOLANT ON THE 5TH. DROPPED IT OFF AT AUTONATION FORD ON THE 7TH TO HAVE THEM RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON WHAT I STATED WAS HAPPENING. RESULTS DID END UP COMING BACK THAT THE EXACT PROBLEMS THAT WERE STATED IN THE RECALL IS WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED MY SHORT BLOCK REPLACED. SINCE I WAS NO LONGER UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COVER THE COST. SHE THEN TOLD ME THAT SHE REACHED OUT TO FORD TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST IN FULL OR OFFER AN AMOUNT TOWARDS THE REPAIR. IT'S DECEMBER 9TH AND IM WAITING TO HEAR BACK. I FEEL THAT I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR EVEN THOUGH I AM OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO IT BEING A FACTORY DEFECT. THIS SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WARRANTY.
Air bags, Nov 23, 2020, crash
HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEFLATE.
Engine, Oct 11, 2020
2018 FORD ESCAPE HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT. MY COOLANT IS BACKING UP INTO MY ENGINE. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2020. THEY STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IT'S NOW OCTOBER 11TH, 2020 AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR IN. THEY STATED THEY DON'T HAVE ANY LOANER CARS TO GIVE OUT. THEY WILL NEED MY CAR FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 WEEKS. WHY ARE THEY ABLE TO SELL CARS WITH BAD ENGINES.
Power train, Oct 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON AN INCLINE OR A DECLINE, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSAXLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE LOCAL DEALER DCH FORD OF THOUSAND OAKS LOCATED AT 3810 THOUSAND OAKS BLVD, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Power train, Engine, Oct 2, 2020
2018 FORD ESCAPE PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIP IN FEBRUARY OF 2018, ON A STRAIGHT AWAY FELT LIKE THE ENGINE PULLING ITSELF BACK THEN FLASHED AUTO START/STOP PUT IN P AND RESTART. LOST ALL ENGINE POWER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. COASTED TO A PARKING LOT. ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP. NO CODES WERE SHOWING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. HAS HAD OIL CHANGED EVERY 5K TO 5500 MILES. ALL MAINTENANCE PER MANUAL COMPLETED WHEN DUE. ENGINE NEEDING REPLACED AT 81K MILES.
Engine, Sep 22, 2020
ENGINE FAILURE AT 10K COOLANT LEAKING INTO CYLINDER WALL. LOOK ONLINE AND ALL I SEE IS 2018 AND 2019 FORD ESCAPE 1.5 TURBO COOLANT LEAK ENGINE FAILURE..FORD NEEDS TO OWN THIS AND THIS NEEDS A RECALL.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 1, 2020
RECURRENT PROBLEMS WITH COOLANT LEAKING. ENGINE REPLACED ONCE, NOW LEAKING AGAIN. RECURRENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, CAR SHAKES WHEN DRIVING, UNABLE TO DRIVE WITH AIR-CONDITIONING ON
Power train, Engine, Aug 27, 2020
AT 62,000 MILES TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE NOW AT 75,000MILES MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3 CODE P0203 STILL WAITING TO BE FIXED THEN OVER HEAT WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF WHILE DRIVING
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.
Engine, Aug 19, 2020
WENT IN FOR RECALL OF POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE TWEAK FIELD SERVICE ACTION # 19B37, THEY RAN AN ADD'L TEST AND NOW ARE REPLACING THE ENGINE NEXT WEEK. I MEAN, THANK YOU AND ALL, BUT THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE -- THERE GOES MY RESALE VALUE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 11, 2020
ENGINE LONG BLOCK WAS REPLACED, FOLLOWED BY A FRONT MAIN SEAL FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT. AFTER PICKING UP VEHICLE FROM SERVICE, AFTER ABOUT 1000 MILES THE ENGINE LOST OIL A 3RD TIME AND CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" AND GAVE A CEL.