Ford · Escape · 2018
2018 Ford Escape
4
Recalls
1,627
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Ford Escape has 4 recalls and 1,627 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (776 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 29, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 Ford Escape page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 776 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2018 Ford Escape reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Ford Escape currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 1,627 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (776), engine and engine cooling (250), power train (128).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Ford Escape
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 1627
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
19.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 26V011000January 15, 2026
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 22V413000June 10, 2022
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V104000February 12, 2018
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 17V803000December 18, 2017
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
1627 totalENGINE
Apr 22, 2026
While entering the highway my vehicle started to buck.i took my foot off the gas and then it accelerated really fast in on coming traffic the check engine light came on it immediately over heated and shut of on the highway in traffic
ENGINE
Apr 21, 2026
coolant intrusion in engine, dangerous, can cause fires
ENGINE
Apr 18, 2026
I have 2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5L engine, approx. 81,500 miles. Date into service 05/26/2018. Diagnosed on 04/18/2026 at Ford dealer (see attached) with Coolant Intrusion into engine. Ford dealer states that Ford will not assist with repair/replacement of engine because vehicle has...
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ENGINE
Apr 17, 2026
Coolant in engine block; replacement engine required and not covered by warranty.
ENGINE
Apr 16, 2026
This vehicle has 110000 miles. Has coolant intrusion in cylinder 2. Has had an issue since 45000 miles with drivability. Coils and spark plugs were replaced even though coolant intrusion was a known issue at the time.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 15, 2026
Hello, I would like to file a safety complaint regarding my Ford Escape. Vehicle Information: VIN: [XXX] Make/Model: Ford Escape Year: 2018 Issue Description: While driving, my vehicle suddenly overheated. The temperature gauge moved from normal to hot within seconds, and a w...
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ENGINE
Apr 15, 2026
Coolant intrusion into the cylinders
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Apr 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed or while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a coolant leak coming from the engine. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Apr 14, 2026
My 2018 Ford Escape has diagnostic codes P0302 and P0316 cylinder 2 misfire and no compression on cylinder 2 due to coolant intrusion into the engine block. This is a known defect documented in Ford TSB 22-2322 and Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. My VIN was excluded from thi...
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ENGINE
Apr 10, 2026
I am writing to formally report regarding a serious issue with my Ford Escape 2018. The engine failed at the mileage of 37,833 miles, which is far earlier than any reasonable expectation for a vehicle of this age and mileage. This type of major mechanical breakdown is not consist...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 1,627 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Ford Escape Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?
The 2018 Ford Escape has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has received 1,627 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Ford Escape.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Ford Escape?
The 2018 Ford Escape received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Ford Escape are engine (776 reports), engine and engine cooling (250 reports), power train (128 reports).
Does the 2018 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2018 Ford Escape. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.