Complaints concentrate on the engine: 52% of the 1,822 on file. The top components are engine (940, of which 2 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 2 an injury), engine and engine cooling (326) and power train (264, of which 4 mention a crash and 5 an injury). Across all 1,822 reports, 26 describe a crash, 6 a fire and 23 at least one injury.
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Recent reports
353 complaints (19% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the engine (237).
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Changes from 2017
The best combined rating for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder falls from 25 to 24 mpg; four recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, service brakes and visibility).
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Fuel economy and running cost
Its most efficient version (1.5-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 26 mpg combined, close to the median for the 2018 SUVs we cover (median 25 mpg across 51 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 23 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $2,470 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,790 in the thirstiest.
Body class
SUV
Drive types
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Complaint trends
1,822 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.
Engine1310 (72%)
Drivetrain265 (15%)
Other113 (6%)
Electrical45 (2%)
Steering30 (2%)
Visibility & lighting21 (1%)
Brakes19 (1%)
Fuel system10 (1%)
Airbag9 (0%)
Top components as NHTSA logged them:
Engine — 905 complaints (50%)
Engine and engine cooling — 263 complaints (14%)
Power train — 138 complaints (8%)
Power train,engine — 80 complaints (4%)
Engine and engine cooling,engine — 48 complaints (3%)
Unknown or other — 39 complaints (2%)
What owners told NHTSA
Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.
“I suffered catastrophic engine misfires with a sudden loss of power and white smoke coming from the exhaust. This was due to a design flaw in the Ford ecoboost 1.5l engine which allowed coolant into the #3 cylinder.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine temperature increased, and the vehicle entered Limp mode.”
“Failed Component/System: The engine assembly/engine cooling system. The internal structural failure of the cylinder block (open-deck design defect) allowing engine coolant intrusion into combustion chambers, cylinders 2/3.”
Recalls
4 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)· 22V413000 · 2022-06-10
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. Additiona…
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings· 18V104000 · 2018-02-12
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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: 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.
Air bags:side/window· 17V803000 · 2017-12-18
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.
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: 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.
Investigations
No NHTSA investigations on file for this model year.
Manufacturer communications
Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.
Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides
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