AI Damage2018 Ford Escape: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape filed 1,817 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine and cooling. The maker issued 79 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1,817
- involving a crash
- 26
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 79
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 64% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 19% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 3% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 2% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 2% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 1% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 1% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,166 complaints (64% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine and cooling: 345 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Powertrain: 275 complaints (15% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Electrical system: 57 complaints (3% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 30.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 45 complaints (2% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 117 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 31 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,817 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,166 | 5 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 345 | 0 | 20 |
| Powertrain | 275 | 4 | 17 |
| Electrical system | 57 | 3 | 30 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 30 | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 27 | 4 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 20 | 2 | 4 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Mid-turn, the vehicle suddenly lost all power, an "Engine Fault" warning message illuminated on the dashboard, and the engine completely stalled out. Because the vehicle died directly in the path of oncoming traffic, I was forced to steer the coasting vehicle out of harm's way to avoid an imminent side-impact…
Driver rear-ended another car, the airbags did not deploy. The cars passenger front was damaged, the front end frame was bent, and the car is deemed totaled. Driver hit steering wheel.
In addition, the rear of the vehicle crashed in and the rear window fractured. The contact stated that the rear of the vehicle was severely damaged. The contact mentioned that the other vehicle did have the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard.
My husband were driving and per him and per my Son brake failed to work he stepped the break multiple times wouldn't work that RESULTED TO A CAR CRASH. I have a dashcam I reviewed the video the car had a weird noise then accelerated from 64-78 then that's it it crashed,, break didn't engaged The car is currently in…
Given speed and impact of collision very surprised that the air bags did not deploy.
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.
Seatbelt on the passenger side did not stop me from hitting the dash board and the air bags did not deploy. Was rearend while waiting to get off an of ramp.
If I was not wearing my seat belt I could have been ejected from the vehicle. There were no warning lights of any kind shown. It was raining and wet out during the day.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Escape has 780 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 1,817, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford…
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or…
In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass…
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be…
The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses…
Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses a 50-tooth variable camshaft timing (VCT) intake and exhaust unit from the assembly plant or if a service long…
- Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied
When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00. The brake rotors should only be machined if directed by the WSM because one or…
NHTSA lists 79 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 1,817. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (45%), overheating, coolant loss (28%), engine failure or replacement (16%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Ford Escape?
NHTSA lists 79 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Ford Escape from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.