COOLENT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE BLOCK.
2018 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
668 reports with mileage · 1,123 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 1,145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 342 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 269 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
53 reportsTHE 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.
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
DIFFICULTY STARTING. STATIONARY
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 …
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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.
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAR/APR 2019 WITH 3000 MI. THE VEHICLE HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS PRIOR TO THE 11/11/19 INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO VEHICLE ALERTS REGARDING COOLANT OR ENGINE OVERHEATING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AT 17349MI, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER A 35MIN DRIVE ON THE TOLLWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD ONE COOLANT/…
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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAR/APR 2019 WITH 3000 MI. THE VEHICLE HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS PRIOR TO THE 11/11/19 INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO VEHICLE ALERTS REGARDING COOLANT OR ENGINE OVERHEATING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. AT 17349MI, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER A 35MIN DRIVE ON THE TOLLWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD ONE COOLANT/HOT ENGINE WARNING AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 2.5HRS IN SUB-ZERO WEATHER. I TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN 5 MIN LATER. THIS TIME THE ENGINE SHUT ITSELF OFF IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE KEY TURN.THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE "LOCKED UP" AND IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS REPAIR COULD TAKE 4-6 WEEKS BECAUSE ENGINES ARE ON BACK ORDER AND GENERALLY TAKE UP TO TWO WEEKS TO INSTALL. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO STATES THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT THIS REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND IN PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE CHECKS.
2018 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 2 TIMES WITHIN ONE MONTH. BOTH TIMES FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. THERE IS NO POWER WHATS SO EVER. ONCE IN MY DRIVEWAY AND 2ND TIME AT A RESTAURANT. CAR WAS STATIONARY BOTH TIMES. TRIED JUMPING CAR BUT NO LUCK. CALLED ROADSIDE ASS…
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2018 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 2 TIMES WITHIN ONE MONTH. BOTH TIMES FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. THERE IS NO POWER WHATS SO EVER. ONCE IN MY DRIVEWAY AND 2ND TIME AT A RESTAURANT. CAR WAS STATIONARY BOTH TIMES. TRIED JUMPING CAR BUT NO LUCK. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSIST TO TAKE TO FORD DEALERSHIP. THIS TO ME IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS INDICATE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AND HAVING NO CONTROL OVER CAR. I'VE OWNED THE CAR 4 MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT INCLUDED NO POWER BUT ALSO THE STOP/START FEATURE WOULD FAIL TO RESTART THE MOTOR AFTER BEING STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 35 TIMES WITHIN 4 MONTHS...SECONDLY THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT LOCK PROPERLY AND THE USB PORTS WOULD NOT CHARGE MY IPHONE. THE DEALER INDICATED THE BATTERY SHOWED A FAILURE AND REPLACED BATTERY, BUT STOP/START FEATURE CONTINUES TO FAIL. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.
2018 ESCAPE PURCHASED MARCH 2018. APRIL 2018 AFTER DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHILE DECELERATING DOWN OFF RAMP THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES BEGAN FLASHING: HILL START ASSIST UNAVAILABLE, STEERING ASSIST NOT OPERATIONAL, AND 911 ASSIST NOT OPERATIONAL. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE INTO SERVICE SCHEDU…
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2018 ESCAPE PURCHASED MARCH 2018. APRIL 2018 AFTER DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHILE DECELERATING DOWN OFF RAMP THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES BEGAN FLASHING: HILL START ASSIST UNAVAILABLE, STEERING ASSIST NOT OPERATIONAL, AND 911 ASSIST NOT OPERATIONAL. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE INTO SERVICE SCHEDULE. DURING MALFUNCTION VEHICLE WOULD BECOME HARD TO TURN. REPAIR ORDER OPENED 4-26-18 DURING DIAGNOSTIC 28 CODES WERE FOUND IN MEMORY. BCM REPLACED VEHICLE RETURNED ON 05-03-18. AUGUST 2018 SAME PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN, IN ADDITION TO SEATBELT MINDER LIGHT ILLUMINATING WHILE ALL PASSENGERS WERE BUCKLED, AND AIRBAG LIGHT. VOICE COMMAND SYSTEM SPOKE PROCEED TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. REPAIR ORDER OPENED 2ND TIME 08-29-18. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT UNABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE IN TIMELY MANNER THROUGH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. COMPLAINT TO FORD HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPENED ON 10-18-18 AS VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT FULLY REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME LATE OCTOBER, DEALER HAD VEHICLE IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEARLY 3 MONTHS. MULTIPLE POWER MODULES REPLACED, WIRE HARNESS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE AND MULTIPLE WIRE CAPS REPAIRED/REPLACED. JUNE 2019 SAME EXACT PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN, SAME WARNING CODES AND LIGHTS AS THE FIRST FEW TIMES ONLY NOW THEY HAPPEN AT RANDOM. VEHICLE MILEAGE JUST OVER 13,000. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 14 MONTHS THAT THE SAME ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED. CURRENTLY AWAITING SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT THIS TIME.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC/RUBBER FILLED THE CABIN. I DID MAKE IT TO WORK AND HAD SEVERAL COWORKERS SIT IN THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE I WAS NOT IMAGING AN ODOR. ALSO LIFTED THE HOOD TO CHECK ENGINE FOR ANY MELTING HOSES ETC AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THAT MORNING, …
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC/RUBBER FILLED THE CABIN. I DID MAKE IT TO WORK AND HAD SEVERAL COWORKERS SIT IN THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE I WAS NOT IMAGING AN ODOR. ALSO LIFTED THE HOOD TO CHECK ENGINE FOR ANY MELTING HOSES ETC AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THAT MORNING, THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHNICIAN DID A CHECK AND DID NOT NOTICE A SMELL AND TOLD ME THAT THE SMELL WAS THE LEATHER SEAT COVERS THAT I INSTALLED... I INSTALLED THE FAKE LEATHER SEAT COVERS OVER TWO MONTHS AGO. I DO KNOW WHAT BURNT RUBBER VS PLEATHER SMELL LIKE. SERVICE PERSON KEPT ASKING IF I HAD LEFT A PHONE PLUGGED INTO THE VEHICLE, AFTER HE ASKED ME THAT I ASKED HIM HAD THERE BEEN OVERHEATING CONCERNS. I WAS TOLD NO, JUST SEEMS STRANGE THING TO ASK IF PHONE JACKS WERE NOT A ISSUE. SO, I AM MAKING A NOTE OF THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND HOPE THAT THIS WILL NOT TURN INTO A PROBLEM.
THE WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON IN APRIL 2018. MOSTLY CHECK ENGINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. TOOK TO AUTO ZONE GOT A READ OUT FOR SENSOR. BUT AAA REPAIR SHOP WOULDN'T USE THEIR REPORT AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM, LIGHT WASN'T ON. SO THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT IT. WAS GONE OUT OF TOWN 6 MONTHS. LIGHT OFF AND ON. RANDOMLY. OCT 2018, H…
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THE WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON IN APRIL 2018. MOSTLY CHECK ENGINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. TOOK TO AUTO ZONE GOT A READ OUT FOR SENSOR. BUT AAA REPAIR SHOP WOULDN'T USE THEIR REPORT AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM, LIGHT WASN'T ON. SO THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT IT. WAS GONE OUT OF TOWN 6 MONTHS. LIGHT OFF AND ON. RANDOMLY. OCT 2018, HEADING CROSS COUNTRY BACK HOME TO AZ. LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON MORE OFTEN. MORE LIGHTS, ABS, SKID, SEAT BELT, WITHIN THE WEEK, VERY RANDOM OFF AND ON. THEN MORE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. AUTO ZONE AGAIN GAVE ME A SENSOR REPORT, O2 AND FUEL. WHILE WAITING IN BANK LINE,, WHOLE PANEL OF LIGHTS CAME ON. ACTED STALED, BUT WAS RUNNING, COULD PUSH GAS AND RUN, BUT COULDN'T STEER, BABIED TO A PARKING SPOT, EVEN THE MILEAGE ODOMETER WENT TO SLASH MARKS AND NO NUMBERS. I TOOK A PHOTO. TURNED CAR OFF AND WAITED TO TRY TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. BUT AFTER FEW MINUTES, WORKED FINE. THAT NEXT WEEK, I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING, WHOLE PANEL CAME ON, DASHES FOR NUMBERS AND NO STEERING> SCARED TO DEATH. STILL COULD PUSH GAS AND BRAKED, FEW SECONDS FELT LIKE MINUTES. LIGHTS WENT OUT AND CAR DROVE FINE. LEFT AT A MECHANIC AND HE CHANGED OXYGEN SENSOR, DIAGNOSED THE STALLING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON AND OTHER CODES. R/R OXYGEN SENSOR, AIR/FUEL SYSTEM SERVICE FLUSH, AND COMPUTER / PROGRAMMING UPDATE. RAN ME $568.70. LIGHTS STILL RANDOMLY COME ON, BRAKE ABS, SKID, AND THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. I PARKED THE CAR AND BOUGHT A NEW ONE. WHERE CAN I TAKE IT. I NEED TO SELL IT TO HELP PAY FOR OTHER CAR, BUT DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO GET HURT WHILE DRIVING THIS ONE. I LOOKED UP KBB AND SAW 3 RECALLS ON ONE WAS PCSM SENSOR AND WHEN I CALLED FORD DEALER, HE SAID NO RECALLS FOR IT. PLEASE HELP. I'M DESPERATE.
Official recalls
426V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
18V104000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
17V803000 · Air Bags:side/window
Dec 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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