2018 Ford Escape: Common Problems, Recalls and Vehicle Data

What the public data shows

Complaints for the 2018 Ford Escape are not spread evenly across categories -- one area clearly dominates the public record. Engine-related complaints account for the large majority of the 1,771 filed (1,273 of them), far outpacing drivetrain complaints, the next largest group at 259. Every other category, including electrical, steering, and brakes, trails well behind those two. Recall activity for this model year is spread across four separate systems rather than clustered in one: air bags, service brakes (a brake fluid leak), the power train (a bushing issue affecting shifting and park function), and equipment (an electrical short circuit risk). With four campaigns spread across four distinct systems, the recall record reads as broad rather than concentrated on a single point of failure. No investigation is currently open for this model year, and none of the recalls listed involve a prior repair being reissued. Service bulletins, which are separate from recalls and represent guidance sent to dealers rather than confirmed defects, show a heavier concentration in the electrical system (46 of 170 bulletins) and engine and engine cooling (28). This indicates where dealers were given repair guidance for reported symptoms, not necessarily where problems were most common among owners. Given the volume of engine complaints, readers may want to see CarTold's separate examination of this pattern in "2017–2019 Ford Escape: Coolant Loss and Rough-Running Complaints." As with any complaint data, these figures reflect how many reports were filed, not how many vehicles were actually affected.

1783 complaints on file with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, grouped into CarTold's broad component categories.

Most frequently reported, by the specific component NHTSA logged each complaint under (not CarTold's category groupings above):

• ENGINE — 883 complaints (50%)
• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — 261 complaints (15%)
• POWER TRAIN — 135 complaints (8%)
• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — 78 complaints (4%)
• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE — 48 complaints (3%)
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 37 complaints (2%)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NHTSA crash-tests each body-style/drivetrain configuration separately, so ratings can differ by variant — shown as tested, not averaged. See how the 5-star ratings work, including why an overall score isn't the average of the three category scores.