2018 Ford Escape problems and complaints
Owners have filed 1813 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Escape. The most-reported areas: Engine (1163), Engine And Engine Cooling (344), Power Train (275).
Key takeaways
- 1813 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 26 involve a crash, 5 a fire, 30 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1163 | 64% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 344 | 19% |
| Power Train | 275 | 15% |
| Unknown Or Other | 106 | 6% |
| Electrical System | 57 | 3% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 45 | 2% |
| Steering | 30 | 2% |
| Service Brakes | 27 | 1% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 | 1% |
| Wheels | 22 | 1% |
| Structure | 20 | 1% |
| Fuel System | 12 | 1% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Escape SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2018 Ford Escape SUV FWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-10-15
I have a 2018 Escape that died on July 10, 2026, 39312 miles. Paid $300 for a diagnosis at a Ford dealer. A new engine was recommended. The dealer quote is $13,500 for replacement. Called Ford directly and was told, " Too bad you're not covered".
Power Train,engine - filed 2026-10-13
My daughter was driving our 2018 Ford Escape at highway speed when it suddenly began shaking and shuddering violently, with no advance warning. The check engine light came on for the first time as the shaking began. The vehicle lost propulsion, and the shaking impaired her ability to control it, creating an immediate s...
Electrical System,engine,fuel/Propulsion System - filed 2026-10-12
On approximately September 28, 2026, the vehicle began sputtering when first turned on. It then progressed to running extremely rough. On September 30, 2026 the Engine Icon lit up first. A few days later, I received an Engine Fault Service Now message. I went to the Auto Zone on October 4, 2026 and they ran a diagnos...
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More for the 2018 Ford Escape
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.