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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

342 reports
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137,000 miles · Apr 29, 2025
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine which caused the #4 spark plug to be rusted, and a fai…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine which caused the #4 spark plug to be rusted, and a failure with the long block. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA ODI #11657462

61,000 miles · Apr 28, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that when the engine had warmed up, the rough idling stopped; however, when the vehicle slowed down for a traffic signal or traffic sign, the vehicle started idling roughly. The contact stated tha…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that when the engine had warmed up, the rough idling stopped; however, when the vehicle slowed down for a traffic signal or traffic sign, the vehicle started idling roughly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer's Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 Coolant Intrusion into the Engine (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #11657243

103,000 miles · Apr 25, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that th…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #11656867

119,000 miles · Apr 25, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine had ex…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine had experienced coolant intrusion, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #11656782

11,080 miles · Apr 24, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle later had white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change, and the contact was informed that there was…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle later had white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change, and the contact was informed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,080.

NHTSA ODI #11656481

35,835 miles · Apr 23, 2025
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle needed to be jumpstarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a failure with the head gasket, which caused a misfire in…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the vehicle needed to be jumpstarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a failure with the head gasket, which caused a misfire in cylinder #2, and stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic had taken a video of the failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,835.

NHTSA ODI #11656355

80,000 miles · Apr 22, 2025
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

The contact's mother owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

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The contact's mother owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 (Powertrain Control Module Reprograming); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11656080

68,351 miles · Apr 21, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the head gasket. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repai…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the head gasket. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 68,351.

NHTSA ODI #11655922

143,000 miles · Apr 16, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, he observed liquid moving and the message "Engine overheating" was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, turned off, and the hood was opened, and the engine was inspect…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, he observed liquid moving and the message "Engine overheating" was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, turned off, and the hood was opened, and the engine was inspected. The contact stated there was no visible failure with the vehicle, and the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA ODI #11655042

59,900 miles · Apr 16, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, with the message "Service Vehicle Now" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and the en…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, with the message "Service Vehicle Now" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 59,900.

NHTSA ODI #11654934

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.

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