IllustrationDealer recommended lug nuts to be replaced. Called dealer to ask why lugs need to be replaced. Service advisor said lugs swell due to inferior materials. This vehicle only has 50,000 miles. This is not expensive to replace, makes you wonder if they cheap out on lug nuts what else is made cheap.
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
870–25K
7825–50K
12350–75K
18675–100K
184100–150K
10150K+
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
Wheels complaints
22 reportsswollen and deformed lug nuts told to me by ford dealer. They need to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for tire rotation, the mechanic informed her that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was …
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for tire rotation, the mechanic informed her that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was unknown.
Lugnuts are aluminum and expand in the heat of Florida. It is impossible without pounding a lug nut wrench on the lugnut to get said lugnut off of the wheel.
Had vehicle at the dealership for standard oil change and tire rotation. Service member included a note that says "Replace 12 swollen lug nuts next visit." This seems like a dangerous situation to me and Ford Motor dealer should have automatically replaced them.
Lug nuts swelled and were replaced at my expense by a Ford dealership. There were no warning messages. Problem found at routine tire rotation.
Got a flat tire. The lug wrench that came with the vehicle was too small. I tried a lug wrench that had four sizes. Three were too small and one was too big. I had to call a tow. The driver had a lot of tools and tried to change the tire. He wasn't able to, so I had to get it to a tire shop. When I called in advance, they…
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Got a flat tire. The lug wrench that came with the vehicle was too small. I tried a lug wrench that had four sizes. Three were too small and one was too big. I had to call a tow. The driver had a lot of tools and tried to change the tire. He wasn't able to, so I had to get it to a tire shop. When I called in advance, they asked if it was a Ford. They informed me that there was a defect with their lug nuts that causes moisture and dirt to get in between two layers and the result is swelling. I had them replace all twenty lug nuts. A simple 5 minute tire change turned into a 4 hour ordeal and added expense.
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A GAS STATION, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HER WORK AREA. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN EXITING SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SAW THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD A PIECE OF ME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A GAS STATION, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HER WORK AREA. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN EXITING SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SAW THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD A PIECE OF METAL INSERTED. THE DRIVER CALLED AAA AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE DUE TO THE LUG NUTS. THE CONTACT STATED AAA HAD TO CALL A THIRD PARTY TO ASSIST WITH CHANGING THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER MULLINAX FORD OF CENTRAL FLORIDA LOCATED AT 1551 E SEMORAN BLVD, APOPKA, FL 32703, (407) 890-0557, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING LUG NUTS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,002.
WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LUG NUT WRENCH WOULD NOT FIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, AND LATER THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, CONFIRMED THAT FORD HAS AN ISSUE WITH LUG NUTS "SWELLING' WHICH RENDERS YOUR FACTORY ISSUED WRENCH UNUSABLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD YET THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABO…
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WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LUG NUT WRENCH WOULD NOT FIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, AND LATER THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, CONFIRMED THAT FORD HAS AN ISSUE WITH LUG NUTS "SWELLING' WHICH RENDERS YOUR FACTORY ISSUED WRENCH UNUSABLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD YET THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.
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.