What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2018 Ford Escape

No clear pattern

1.5% of complaints about the 2018 Ford Escape arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2018 vehicle, but with only 2,184 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is engine (1141 complaints), typically at 7.0 yr or about 79,334 miles.

Complaints
2,184
Median age at failure
6.8 yr
Median mileage
80,000 n=796
Crash / fire / tow
9.8% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
1141 reports · 79,334 mi
7.0 yr
5.5%
Engine cooling
343 reports · 89,600 mi
6.9 yr
22.4%
Power train
272 reports · 80,000 mi
6.3 yr
9.9%
Other
104 reports · 15,300 mi
6.6 yr
6.7%
Electrical system
54 reports · 35,000 mi
5.9 yr
3.7%
Fuel / propulsion
41 reports · 105,000 mi
7.3 yr
2.4%
Steering
32 reports · 35,000 mi
5.1 yr
12.5%
Wheels
25 reports · 41,000 mi
5.3 yr
4%
Service brakes
24 reports · 32,000 mi
5.2 yr
20.8%
Speed control
22 reports · 33,126 mi
4.9 yr
9.1%
Structure
20 reports · 26,000 mi
5.8 yr
20%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V011000 2026-01-15
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

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.

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

22V413000 2022-06-10
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.

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.

18V104000 2018-02-12
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

17V803000 2017-12-18
Air bags:side/window

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.

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.

In owners’ own words

Structure 797 mi 6 mo in service
BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2018 FORD ESCAPE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I FOUND THAT ALL THE SPINDLES WERE RUSTED. FORD SAID THIS IS NORMAL. BROUGHT IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC-CARTEC IN TULSA, OK. THEY FOUND RUST NOT ONLY ON THE SPINDLES, BUT THE DRIVESHAFT, AND CV AXLES. THEY PUT THE PICTURES ON A URL HTTP://2UN.ME/2IL56. I AM WORRIED THESE RUSTED PARTS WILL EVENTUALLY RUST ALL THE WAY AND CAUSE THE WHEELS TO COME OFF, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IF LEFT UNTREATED.
Structure 3,500 mi 8 mo in service
BACK ELECTRIC TAILGATE DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. THIS IS INDICATED BY THE HORN DOUBLE HONKING WHEN LOCKING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO INDICATOR ON THE DASH WHEN THE CAR IS ON THAT THIS IS NOT FULLY LATCHED. I BELIEVE THIS COULD LEAD TO EXHAUST IN THE CABIN, ESPECIALLY IF IDLING.
Structure 13,000 mi 1.6 yr in service
WITH 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AND APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER CAUSING COOLANT TO BURN IN THE ENGINE AND OIL TO BE RELEASED INTO THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A BODY RATTLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. REPAIR SHOP IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE.
Electrical system 3,500 mi 8 mo in service
BACK ELECTRIC TAILGATE DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. THIS IS INDICATED BY THE HORN DOUBLE HONKING WHEN LOCKING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO INDICATOR ON THE DASH WHEN THE CAR IS ON THAT THIS IS NOT FULLY LATCHED. I BELIEVE THIS COULD LEAD TO EXHAUST IN THE CABIN, ESPECIALLY IF IDLING.

Other Escape model years

202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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