Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon start up, the vehicle started to shake, and the contact noticed a cloud of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that ignition coil and spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon start up, the vehicle started to shake, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then noticed that a cloud of white smoke came from the exhaust. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket leaked oil and coolant had leaked into the engine cylinder and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Coolant Intrusion Cylinder #2. Codes for misfire cylinder 2 as well as coolant loss for OVER 2 YEARS. At the time of both of my warranty work (as well as other extended warranty work) they did the associated computer flash to add the low coolant light, but told me that on the 1.5 eco boost motor that coolant consumption is a "normal occurrence". Which is true but that is because ITS LEAKING INTO THE MOTOR. Ford has intentionally covered up this issue and knowingly sold this motor with this defect. We qualified for the 21N12 Customer satisfaction program but the letter was sent to the old owner of the vehicle ( we purchased this from ford and registered in VT and the letter was sent to a person in Tennessee.) We are currently working with ford customer care but they have said there is little they are willing to do. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving on the highway the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The vehicle then decelerated to 35 MPH independently and was sluggish. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that she continued driving with the hazard lights activated because the vehicle failed to exceed 37 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the vehicle started losing power, and she was able to drive uphill to her residence at 10 MPH. The Hill Assist warning light was illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was experiencing hard shifts and the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was related to the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown transmission part had failed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist, where the transmission fluid was flushed, and the failure ceased. The contact stated that the check engine warning light later illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission fluid was abnormally dark. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The message "Engine Overheating" was displayed and there was smoke coming from underneath the passenger's side of the hood. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle was sputtering. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that she replaced the coolant reservoir herself, and added coolant to the vehicle; however, the coolant evaporated. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a coolant leak had caused damage to the timing belt, the pin, and the head gasket. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred six months later. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and noticed that there was no coolant in the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was overheating. A message advising to pull to the side of the road was displayed. The contact's wife was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the nearest independent mechanic, where the water pump, the serpentine belt, the water pump gasket, the cylinder head temperature sensor and the coolant temperature sensor were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, the message "Service Now" was displayed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. …
While driving the vehicle a light indicating overheating came on. I slowly and safely made it home and parked the vehicle outside as I was scared it could catch on fire. I contacted a local repair shop, who stated to have it towed to them. The owner of the shop indicated there is coolant leaking/intruding into the cylinder. He stated this is a known issue with Ford's with this particular engine. He stated it is not safe to drive. I contacted two Ford dealerships who stated this is a known issue but there is no coverage to repair it. I contacted Ford Customer Care who advised the customer satisfaction program, 21N12, for this mechanical issue expired in November 2022 which is prior to when I purchased the car. I have been advised by Ford to take it to a Ford dealership for a diagnostic check. I informed them the vehicle is not safe to drive and would need to be towed. …
Engine complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2018 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 1,447 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2018 Ford Escape, 80% of the model year's 1,820 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Escape engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2018 Ford Escape, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Escape engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 4 fires and 7 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.