Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated that recently the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was stalling more frequently. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local Auto Parts Store and was diagnosed and DTC: P0456 (Evap. System); P0451 (Evap. System Switch) and P1450 Bleed out Fuel Vacuum) were retrieved. The contact stated that a friend recently had a recall of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) for the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) completed and related the failure to the recall. The contact had spoken to the manufacturer and a dealer and was advised that the vehicle was included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering and shaking abnormally. The check engine waning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the EVAP purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred two days later. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after twenty-five minutes of turning off and restarting the vehicle several times, the vehicle operated as intended. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and transferred the contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that after refueling and starting the vehicle, the warning light illuminated, and the vehicle failed to restart immediately. The vehicle restarted after three attempts. The failure reoccurred on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a stuck cannister purge valve, and the fuel sensor system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,500.
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered. The vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to the fuel pump and fuel lines. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 116,147.
The fuel injector system needs to be replaced. Last year my vehicle had the short block replaced with the "Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12" Some of the parts that should have been inspected included the fuel injector O ring kit and tubes. A year later after my engine had been overheating and was replaced. Now, the fuel injector system needs to be replaced. There are 1 reasons why the system would need to be replaced. 1 due to contamination and 2 due to over heating of the engine. Due to Fords faulty coolant system my engine was overheating for who knows how long until the coolant was completely depleted and running into the cylinders. Now my fuel injector system is leaking due to the overheated engine and ford will not repair.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. A certified mechanic was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with evaporative emission system purge flow performance failure. Additionally, the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The contact stated that on December 24 of 2025, the vehicle was repaired by the dealer due to a failure associated with the issue, and the evaporative canister purge control valve was replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,131.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started leaking fluid. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel line was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to a cracked fuel line. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fuel injector failure and coolant intrusion into the engine. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to immediately start. The vehicle was taken to the local O'Reilly Auto Parts store which diagnosed that the EVAP high purge flow was faulty. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Fuel System complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2018 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2018 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 1,820 complaints. The component named most often is storage › evaporative emissions › canister (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Escape fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 4 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.