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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.

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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.

25 crash reports5 fire reports23 injury reports

Engine complaints

1,145 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2026
Engine

My 2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5L EcoBoost has recently experienced catastrophic engine failure with no prior warning by any of the vehicles sensors nor a notice from the manufacturer that this is a potential/known issue. I have come to understand that this is a widely known issue that has been wholly uncommunicated by the Manufacture…

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My 2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5L EcoBoost has recently experienced catastrophic engine failure with no prior warning by any of the vehicles sensors nor a notice from the manufacturer that this is a potential/known issue. I have come to understand that this is a widely known issue that has been wholly uncommunicated by the Manufacturer. My vehicle, as confirmed by an independent service center, has experienced a coolant incursion in the engine block specifically in cylinder 3. The symptoms of this failure first occurred on the highway while traveling at speed, with the engine experiencing severe vibration and shaking the entire vehicle. This put myself and those around me at serious risk due to the vibration interfering with the operation of the vehicle. Several seconds after the physical symptoms began, the engine light flashed on momentarily (~10 seconds) without a message, and then turned itself off. Note, the engine temperature gauge did not display elevated engine temperature as would be expected from a vehicle losing coolant. Fortunately the vehicle was able to make it to its destination without injury or accident. The symptoms did not return on 2 subsequent test trips of the vehicle, again without any warning lights, messages, or elevated gauge readings. Then on a 3rd trip, after the cause was determined to be 'unknown', the symptoms returned. The engine vibration was so substantial that the vehicle was undrivable, the engine light only illuminated approximately 10 seconds after the physical symptoms and without any message. Again, the engine temperature reading or other warnings did not indicate there was any loss of coolant.

NHTSA ODI #11751700

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2026
Engine

My Ford Escape recently had the check engine light on. I took it to a Ford service center, and they confirmed it was coolant intrusion that damaged the engine and requires a replacement. It was confirmed with multiple people at Ford that this is a known issue, but no recalls have been made. I use this car to drive my 2 year old …

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My Ford Escape recently had the check engine light on. I took it to a Ford service center, and they confirmed it was coolant intrusion that damaged the engine and requires a replacement. It was confirmed with multiple people at Ford that this is a known issue, but no recalls have been made. I use this car to drive my 2 year old son to and from daycare, and my family's safety has been put at risk by the car seizing while driving it and having to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle is now undrivable due to the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11751521

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2026
Engine

the coolant is leaking in the cylinder and white smoke coming from exaust

NHTSA ODI #11751376

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2026
Engine

I have a coolant intrusion into my engine. It is a well known issue among the 2017-2019 ford escape 1.5L ecoboost engines. ford is refusing to assist me with financial assistance because it has fallen outside of their customer satisfaction program 21N12. they are punishing me for their faulty engine because i took care of my veh…

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I have a coolant intrusion into my engine. It is a well known issue among the 2017-2019 ford escape 1.5L ecoboost engines. ford is refusing to assist me with financial assistance because it has fallen outside of their customer satisfaction program 21N12. they are punishing me for their faulty engine because i took care of my vehicle and it lasted longer than their program terms. i took it into a ford dealership who confirmed it is the exact issue explained in their TSB 22-2134, yet i am going to have to pay $8787 for a short block replacement, when had this happened a few years ago, they would have covered it for free. this NEEDS to be a recall. there have been enough people report this exact issue for cause to become a recall.

NHTSA ODI #11750928

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2026
Engine

Car overheated and losing coolant. I just purchased this car on 6/22/2026 and having issues already. The check engine light is on and giving a p0301 code. I’m having to add coolant everyday to keep the car from running hot.

NHTSA ODI #11750357

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2026
Engine

My 2018 Ford Escape SE temp gauge went to the red with warning lights to pull over and get engine serviced immediately. I refilled the coolant revisor and with in a few days the same instance occurred paired with misfiring while this situation happened. I immediately stopped driving the car and it is going to get dropped off at …

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My 2018 Ford Escape SE temp gauge went to the red with warning lights to pull over and get engine serviced immediately. I refilled the coolant revisor and with in a few days the same instance occurred paired with misfiring while this situation happened. I immediately stopped driving the car and it is going to get dropped off at the dealership we purchased from on thursday 7/16/26. I believe this motor is faulty due to coolant intrusion. Zero leaks of coolant only issue is stated above. i believe the coolant is leaking into the cylinders.

NHTSA ODI #11750331

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2026
Engine

Started overheating, spark plug code and coolant code. Now they believe coolant is leaking into cylinder in motor because of design flaw.

NHTSA ODI #11750325

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2026
Engine

Vehicle showed "Engine Fault/Service Now". Drove to dealer. Told needed new engine as coolant had leaked into the third engine cyclinder. The cost would be $16,000. Research showed that Ford had had a program in place to fix this issue, but it had expired. Further research showed this was a known fault, even at the time of purch…

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Vehicle showed "Engine Fault/Service Now". Drove to dealer. Told needed new engine as coolant had leaked into the third engine cyclinder. The cost would be $16,000. Research showed that Ford had had a program in place to fix this issue, but it had expired. Further research showed this was a known fault, even at the time of purchasing the car new, but that no recalls had been issued, and that there is a class action lawsuit against Ford for this problem. Have been advised to report to NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI #11750316

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2026
Engine

Noticeable engine shudder upon startup for 2018 Ford Escape. Engine light turned on for cylinder misfire. Took to Ford dealer, and a certified technician investigated the issue as: "REPLACE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK AND TRANSFER PARTS (ENGINE LOW ON COOLANT, LEAKING INTO CYLINDER 3". This is a known manufacturing defect at this point…

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Noticeable engine shudder upon startup for 2018 Ford Escape. Engine light turned on for cylinder misfire. Took to Ford dealer, and a certified technician investigated the issue as: "REPLACE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK AND TRANSFER PARTS (ENGINE LOW ON COOLANT, LEAKING INTO CYLINDER 3". This is a known manufacturing defect at this point. Ford knows these engines are defective due to a design flaw, and there's even ongoing class action lawsuits related to this exact issue for the same make/model. The NHTSA needs to step in and force a mandatory safety recall from Ford due to the increasing reports and before this causes severe accidents.

NHTSA ODI #11750149

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2026
Engine

I am writing to report a severe and dangerous manufacturing defect regarding engine coolant intrusion on my 2018 Ford Escape. Engine coolant has leaked into the engine cylinders, causing immediate engine misfires, white smoke from the exhaust, a rapid loss of coolant, and severe engine overheating.This is a well-documented manuf…

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I am writing to report a severe and dangerous manufacturing defect regarding engine coolant intrusion on my 2018 Ford Escape. Engine coolant has leaked into the engine cylinders, causing immediate engine misfires, white smoke from the exhaust, a rapid loss of coolant, and severe engine overheating.This is a well-documented manufacturing flaw in Ford's EcoBoost engine blocks (specifically involving the cylinder block design). This defect creates a critical safety hazard: the engine can stall suddenly, lose power while driving at highway speeds, or suffer complete catastrophic failure, greatly increasing the risk of an accident or an engine fire.Ford previously issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-2346 and Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 for this exact issue, acknowledging the design flaw. However, my vehicle is now experiencing this catastrophic failure, and the dealer is demanding thousands of dollars for a complete engine block replacement. I am requesting that the NHTSA fully investigate this persistent safety defect to force a safety recall so affected consumers are not left driving hazardous vehicles or forced to pay for Ford's engineering failure.

NHTSA ODI #11750105

Official recalls

4

26V011000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems