Most common 2018 Ford Escape problems
Share of the 1,820 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Escape complaints by model year
Best Escape years: 2025, 2012, 2023. Years to avoid: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018, 2014. Compare all years →
2018 Ford Escape recalls (4)
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: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
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: 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.
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: 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
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: 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.
What 2018 Ford Escape owners say
Engine & cooling all 1,447 →
The contact owned a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed flames coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked, and the contact and the passenger exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the contact's mother was an additional occupant in the vehicle and was seated in the rear seat. The contact and the contact's mother exited the vehicle. The contact stated that within seconds, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. In addition, the contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been inspected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN had no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and attempting to merge onto a highway, the vehicle would not accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the RPM's would rise as he depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway and placed the vehicle in park(P). The contact turned the vehicle off and on and was able to shift the vehicle into drive(D) however, the vehicle would not accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer, and it was diagnosed that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the engine was replaced; however, the failure was not due to the turbo charger. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 275 →
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while parking into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated at high speed. The contact was not sure if a warning light was displayed or illuminated. The vehicle drove over the curb striking several shopping carts and coming to a complete stop, causing front-end damages to the vehicle. The contact suffered a bruise to the chest due to the seat belt but did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle would overheat and shutoff inadvertently. A message indicating that the vehicle was overheating was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and opened the hood until the vehicle had cooled down. The contact then restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown filter was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while driving, with the message "Powertrain Malfunction - Reduced Power" displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times. The dealer diagnosed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Friendly Ford, Inc. …
Electrical system all 57 →
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, she became aware of a failure with the software on the radio. The contact stated that while trying to connect the phone to the radio, the calls kept dropping, or she could not hear the other person over the radio, as intended. The contact stated the failure was dangerous since she had to maneuver the radio and the connection while driving, which w distracting to her while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was repaired over a year ago; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, and it was diagnosed that the EPAM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while researching online, she became aware of an unknown recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, she observed the blind spot detection system had started flashing on both sides off and on. Additionally, the radio was inoperable. The contact stated that the radio functionality returned with the sound blaring. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,661.
2018 Ford Escape engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Ford Escape a good car?
Based on 1,820 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Escape rates avoid: 2.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Escape at the same age. It is one of the Escape years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Escape?
The engine & cooling — 1,447 complaints, 80% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (275) and electrical system (57).
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2018 Ford Escape, the most recent from January 15, 2026 (engine block heater). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Escape?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2012 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2020, 2013, 2018 and 2014. See the full Ford Escape years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Escape problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.