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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

104 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

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 m…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11544839

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11543979

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

After having the 2018 Ford Escape for three weeks, the entire APIM system went down. I was not able to charge anything, use the radio, or the touchscreen for all of the functions in the dash. It goes in and out constantly, often does not turn on at all, the touchscreen lags, the radio takes up to a minute or longer to change a…

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After having the 2018 Ford Escape for three weeks, the entire APIM system went down. I was not able to charge anything, use the radio, or the touchscreen for all of the functions in the dash. It goes in and out constantly, often does not turn on at all, the touchscreen lags, the radio takes up to a minute or longer to change a channel once a button is pressed. The only thing that is in tact is the rear camera. The 2016-2017 APIMs have been recalled, and this one should as well. Other than the rear camera and now being able to charge a phone, I cannot use the touchscreen at all and do not use the radio because I cannot see what channel it is on.

NHTSA ODI #11538260

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

When I stop at a red light and begin to to go the vehicle jumps and jerks forward before going

NHTSA ODI #11533866

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

What happened was I was Driving down the street at thirty miles per hour and the speed limit changed to thirty five miles per hour so I put my foot on the gas and nothing happened. The engine did not rev and the speed did not go up the speed kept going down. Quit thinking made me push the auto start off button and then I pushed …

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What happened was I was Driving down the street at thirty miles per hour and the speed limit changed to thirty five miles per hour so I put my foot on the gas and nothing happened. The engine did not rev and the speed did not go up the speed kept going down. Quit thinking made me push the auto start off button and then I pushed on the gas again and the Car speed went up as I pushed on the gas pedal. There were no cars in front of me or beside me in the next lane but there was a pickup truck behind me. He was far enough back that he did not have to step on his breaks. This scared me to death and if quick thinking had not been a part of the situation for the auto off button, Then I would have easily caused a wreck with the truck behind me if he would not have been paying attention. This just happened about five minutes ago so I have not been able to tell the dealer yet. I am already scheduled for next tuesday to get my transmission bushing recall fixed next week at the ford dealership in my town.

NHTSA ODI #11526072

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Car begin leaking coolent and then check engine light on. White smoke from tale pipe. This car sold to me Jay Hodge Ford Muskogee Oklahoma with open recall and costumer satisfaction recall that expired approx 1 month after purchase. never notified by anyone and maybe 6 months in car not drivable

NHTSA ODI #11525113

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

The dealership, All American Chevrolet of San Angelo TX, sold me this car 12/14/2022 without fixing the recall that was issued 6/2022. My battery has died 2x within a month, my check engine light came on yesterday but there are only 68k miles on the car. It's against federal law for a dealership to sell a car with an open recall…

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The dealership, All American Chevrolet of San Angelo TX, sold me this car 12/14/2022 without fixing the recall that was issued 6/2022. My battery has died 2x within a month, my check engine light came on yesterday but there are only 68k miles on the car. It's against federal law for a dealership to sell a car with an open recall, isn't it?

NHTSA ODI #11523132

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Drivers side headlight burned out and had to replace. 3 months later passenger side headlight burned out. While at the shop to replace the passenger side, the drivers side burned out again. 4 months later the drivers side is out again. I'm afraid they are both going to go randomly one night while driving in the dark.

NHTSA ODI #11521524

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

Every morning after starting, a thick cloud of white smoke emits from the exhausts. It clears up after a minute or so but it happens in both hot and cold weather. Took the car to the mechanic and it was determined there is a head gasket leak. Vehicle runs fine and does not overheat. Upon further research, i noticed it is a comm…

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Every morning after starting, a thick cloud of white smoke emits from the exhausts. It clears up after a minute or so but it happens in both hot and cold weather. Took the car to the mechanic and it was determined there is a head gasket leak. Vehicle runs fine and does not overheat. Upon further research, i noticed it is a common occurrence with Ford Escape owners and the manufacturer isn't doing anything about it.

NHTSA ODI #11515391

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Within 30,000 miles, my spark plugs failed and had me on the side of the road. By 60k miles, I needed a whole new engine. After the engine was put in, my purge valve went out. And now, at 110k miles, my transmission has blown.

NHTSA ODI #11495636

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