KnownCarProblems2018 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,819 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Escape, most often about the engine (80% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2018 Ford Escape problems
Engine
1,446 complaints · 80%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
Throttle actuator stuck issue. Vehicle started shaking while in motion and stalled, the vehicle shut down and would not start. Check engine light came on.
Approx may 1st my check engine light came on. I proceeded to the nearest auto store and checked the code. At that time I purchased air filters as well and went home and installed the air filters and checked all the fluids. Light went off. May 15th light comes on. I am an hour away from the dealership so I make an appt…
Transmission
275 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated for a short period of time. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination at a…
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…
Other or unspecified
106 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles.
The back window on the hatch is shattering. The window first had done size crack in it. It then was crackling and after hours the whole window is small pieces. It was just sitting in my driveway. It blew the side panel off.
Brake and accelerator did not work after a sudden stop on the signal light (on a slop, entrance of a highway). After the stop , my car started rollling backward, neither brake or accelerator could stop the backward rolling. I have to use the emergency brake to stop the car to avoid crash with the car behind me. This…
Electrical
57 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 17,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, adas, instrument panel.
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…
Went to stop on wet road traction control kicked in wheels locked up causing me not be able to guide myself off the road from hitting car it front slide the whole car shut down doors locked causing me to not be able to get out had to kick the door open and my phone was hooked up to the bluetooth and no cops were…
Fuel system
57 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 108,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that after refueling and starting the vehicle, the warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to restart immediately. The vehicle…
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…
Steering
32 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
On sunday, july 14, 2019, our 2018 Ford Escape lost power steering while traveling 60 MPH on interstate 5 near seattle. We were able to pull off the interstate and turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was still under original warranty. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering failure light turned off and power…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 60-65 MPH in a straight forward lane, the steering wheel would independently steer to the right with resistance. There was no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was resistance while attempting to readjust the steering…
Brakes
27 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
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…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the pedal went to the floorboard. The coasted to the side of the road while pumping the brake pedal until the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was then driven to the local dealer and…
Wheels and tires
24 complaints · 1%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, sidewall, tread/belt.
2018 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to defective tires on vehicles. The consumer stated that the tires failed and it did not appear to be by fault of the tire manufacturer, but the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer stated that the tires were not covered under warranty. The consumer stated that…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Ford Escape recalls
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 b
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: shift linkage/cable/rod
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Ford Escape
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (1,446 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); transmission (275 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); other or unspecified (106 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
- It is 6th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints, with 1,819 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.