2018 Ford Escape problems and recalls

64% of owner complaints on the 2018 Ford Escape related to the Engine (1,135 of 1,778).

1,778
Complaints
4
Recalls
25
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
30
Injuries
22.9
Severity index

Severity index 22.9 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 22.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 120 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 2% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 1,135 complaints (63.8%)1,135 64%Engine And Engine Cooli…Engine And Engine Cooling: 342 complaints (19.2%)342 19%Power TrainPower Train: 269 complaints (15.1%)269 15%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 102 complaints (5.7%)102 6%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 53 complaints (3.0%)53 3%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 42 complaints (2.4%)42 2%SteeringSteering: 30 complaints (1.7%)30 2%Service BrakesService Brakes: 26 complaints (1.5%)26 1%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE1,13563.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34219.2%
POWER TRAIN26915.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1025.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM533.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM422.4%
STEERING301.7%
SERVICE BRAKES261.5%

Complaints filed per year

02454902018: 252019: 422020: 432021: 552022: 1502023: 2562024: 4622025: 4902026: 255 (partial year)181920212223242549026
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201825
201942
202043
202155
2022150
2023256
2024462
2025490
2026 (year to date)255
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 4.9x those in 2020 to 2022 (1,208 against 248).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V80300018/12/2017AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWFord 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.
18V10400012/02/2018SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSFord 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.
22V41300010/06/2022POWER 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.
26V01100015/01/2026EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATERFord 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.

Other Ford Escape model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.