Complaint volume
1667 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Ford Escape Complaints
1667 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Ford Escape, grouped by component category.
1667 Total complaints
25 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
22 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, engine and engine cooling, power train. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 25 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 22 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 658 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 76,243 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, engine and engine cooling, power train?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Ford Escape?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Ford Escape
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Ford Escape complaints?
25 Crash
5 Fire
22 Injury
0 Fatality
152 Towed
19 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Ford Escape complaint categories?
ENGINE 798
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 255
POWER TRAIN 132
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 73
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE 48
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 32
STEERING 19
WHEELS 18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16
1,667 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE | 2018 Ford Escape 105K miles. Check engine light came on, car ran rough, white smoke coming out of tail pipe. I took it to a third party mechanic, they ruled out coolant intrusion (or so they said) replaced a coil and spark plug and cleared check engine light. One week later after I had driven maybe 100 miles it had a very rough start in the morning and the check engine light came on again. I noticed white smoke coming out of the tail pipe. I had it towed back to the mechanic that first worked on it. They found coolant intrusion. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can misfire, overheat, lose power, enter limp mode, or stall while driving, including at highway speeds or in traffic. A sudden loss of engine power could prevent me from accelerating, merging, clearing an intersection, or safely pulling off the roadway. Ford has acknowledged coolant intrusion on certain 2017–2019 Escape 1.5L engines through Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12, which provided short-block repair coverage for coolant intrusion, but my vehicle is now outside coverage and requires an engine replacement. Up to this point Ford has refused to provide any assistance. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coolant had leaked into cylinder two and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure, and they offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant intrusion in the engine which needs replacement. Car was misfiring and white smoke coming out took the auto shop for service. Its about 9400 to fix the car which is now more than the car is worth. Dealership never warned me that this was a potential issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2026 | ENGINE | I purchased this vehicle used in 2024, and since I bought it have had a variety of issues. I have already invested over 5k in repairs. I have replaced the head gasket and now the water pump twice. This vehicle will not stop overheating. Ford has a known issue with these engines and should correct these issues. They are making working families go broke and we still owed 8k on the car loan. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Got vechile 3 months ago. On going issues with coolant,overheating, pull over light coming on. Vechile has been in the shop 4 times for the same reason. Thermostat changed twice. Mechanic said common problem with fors escape. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Check engine light came on and took to shop and determined that coolant intrusion in cylinder #2 this was a recall on other 2018 Ford Escape but not this VIN number. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Componet System that Failed: Engine and engine cooling Complaint Description:The vehicle experienced a sudden internal engine failure due to a manufacturer design defect causing coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. A professional mechanic diagnosed the issue with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0303, confirming a Cylinder 3 misfire caused by coolant leaking into the block. The vehicle requires a total engine replacement at just 48,406 miles. This internal coolant leak poses a severe safety hazard, including sudden engine stalling, loss of motive power while driving, and potential thermal runaway/engine fire risks. The vehicle is currently rendered unsafe to drive and is parked at my residence. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Safety issue involving a 2018 Ford Escape, Shortly after purchase, after approximately 80 miles of use, the vehicle displayed a “Service Transmission Now” warning, entered limp mode, and lost normal power/speed while on the interstate. This created a hazardous situation for me and my passenger because the vehicle could not operate normally in interstate traffic. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed transmission failure requiring replacement and reported that the transmission fluid was black/burnt. The vehicle was later taken to the dealership’s shop after the selling dealer instructed me to bring it there. I understand that the transmission issue was also confirmed there. I am reporting this because the transmission failure and limp-mode event occurred almost immediately after purchase and created a roadway safety hazard. I am requesting that NHTSA log this complaint for defect/safety tracking and review. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Engine displayed overheating, after diagnostic test by Corwin ford in nampa, Idaho, they said it needs gaskets and short block replacement and that there was a technical service bulletin issued by ford for my vehicle. The cost is astronomical and I feel it should be a recall issue since it is a known problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I have not even had this car for a year spent 10,000 on it it had less than 100,000 miles sounded great no noises or engine lights first it was the canister purge valve issue even tho I got the oil changed and everything wen I first got this car I have a work car so I literally bearly drive this car then the transmission went out less than a year into owning it it needs rotors In the front n mind u I paid cash so I can’t even complain to them can’t believe there are no recalls on this model im literally starting a facebook group about this car just to see how many ppl had this problem so far every person that had problems with this model transmission went out or both had my 2010 Kia for 12 years this car is a 2018 this is ridiculous | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle misfiring, white some, hesitation. The engine light illuminated. antifreeze leaking into the cylinder. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnostic code P0300 was read and an antifreeze leak into the cylinder and a design flaw in the Eco boost. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate mileage was unavailable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact's wife owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, water would intrude into the engine compartment and the vehicle would independently shift into Limp Mode. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced at the consumer's expense; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with water intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 75,000 |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Engine coolant intrusion. Known issue with these cars apparently that Ford needs to step up and fix/replace their design flaw. The fact car dealerships sell these ticking time bombs to unknowing customers is ridiculous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Bought the vehicle used and two months later engine and transmission needed replacement after several transmission faults and check engine light stayed on due to coolant intrusion in the cylinders and the known transmission defects in this model. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Car exhibited white smoke, overheated and engine stopped. Left me stranded in middle of extremely busy road, 90° temps and I’m [XXX] with no one to help me. I had car towed to Autonation (Ford Dealership, Jacksonville, Fl, where car was purchased in 2022 and Dealership was aware of defect but failed to divulge at time of sale. Autonation has confirmed Coolant Intrusion EcoBoost engine defect, they deny any responsibility quoting a cost of $11,000 to have Ford correct their defect; I do not have this kind of money. No early warning INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | I was driving doing errands when suddenly a warning popped up that my engine needed to shut down for cooling. I pulled over and shut down. After about 30 minutes, I started up again and the engine ran very rough and after a short distance, warned again. I took the vehicle to the shop and was told there was an engine defect known to ford causing coolant intrusion into the cylinders. Because my vehicle was out of warranty, I had to pay the entire repair out of pocket ($7500), plus be without my vehicle for about 2 weeks. After, doing some research, I learned that had the incident happened 6 months sooner, the repair would have been covered in full by a CSR. I would like to know if there is anything that can be done to reimburse my expenses regarding this repair. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My car shifts into gears when in drive and I am breaking, it has locked in park, or drive, my car without emergency break has rolled down my driveway while off and in park. My local dealership claims they don’t have parts for it and I’m stuck paying on a car I don’t feel safe in. They sold it to me knowing there was an active prior recall for this. I’m worried I’ll be driving one day and the gears shift automatically and kill me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after driving her vehicle, she notices that her coolant levels drain very quickly, causing her to fill up after every trip, and stated her vehicle was overheating at times. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed to have coolant leaking into cylinder two, needing a new engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 119,000 |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | 3rd cylinder coolant intrusion and blown head gasket diagnosis. Car needs new engine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape with my wife and two toddlers in the vehicle when the car suddenly stopped moving in the middle of the road. The vehicle had to be towed and I was later charged over $4,800 for a transmission replacement. After the repair, I received Recall 22S43 from Ford regarding the transmission shifter cable bushing, which describes symptoms including the vehicle not moving or not engaging gears properly. The symptoms in the recall match exactly what happened to my vehicle. I am concerned this defect may have caused or contributed to a dangerous situation for my family and may have resulted in a costly misdiagnosis. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed for safety concerns and potential consumer impact. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | I own a 2018 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. My vehicle experienced a known coolant intrusion defect in which coolant leaks internally into the engine cylinders. This issue appears consistent with problems reported by many other owners of similar Ford vehicles and engine configurations. The vehicle experienced symptoms including coolant loss without an external leak, engine misfires, rough operation, and diagnostic trouble codes including P0316. The condition progressed to a determination that the engine requires replacement due to coolant entering the combustion chamber. This defect creates a significant safety concern because the engine can suddenly misfire, lose power, hesitate, run roughly, or potentially stall while driving. Sudden loss of power during traffic, highway travel, merging, or intersections creates a risk of collision. Ford has issued service bulletins and customer programs involving coolant intrusion and engine replacement on similar 1.5L EcoBoost vehicles, yet my VIN was reportedly excluded despite suffering the same failure pattern. This appears to be a design-related defect rather than ordinary wear and tear, which ford subsequently completely altered as they recognize the design failure. An internal engine defect causing coolant intrusion and catastrophic engine failure presents a potential safety issue affecting numerous consumers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH the front driver side door erroneously came open and would not remain shut and secured. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 130,000 |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | My engine has coolant intrusion causing the 3rd cylinder to misfire. Ford will not speak to me on the issue other than to say it is not covered under warranty, even though this is a known and reported issue. I see there was a recall on the 2013-2019 Escape (2.0L Engines) - #26S01 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | The vehicle has coolant intrusion, and engine has been reported knock. Before the incident, I called the Bloomfield office to book an appointment, I was put on call waiting but no response, I booked the appointment online, no confirmation. I then booked another appointment and went to Springfield, Vauxhall Ford plant when I received the Recall paper. The agent that responded to me told me that the parts are not available and I have to wait for the part. I told them that the engine light is coming up and that maybe it is due to recall issue. They told me that I will pay $275 for diagnosis, and if any part or repair is needed, it will be additional charge. I told them to provide me with the temporary solution suggested by Ford on the paper. The agent told me that if they provide that, I will not get the intended part when it is available . I went to a local shop where they help me to change one of the misfired plug, change the oil, and add to the coolant because the level was low, and asked me to come back few days later to do the proper checking/smoke test. I packed the car, and on the appointment date, I tried to start the car, the car did not work again. I call my local mechanic to check for me, find out that the coolant has went down again! He said that the car has coolant intrusion and has affected the engine. I need to replace the engine now! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Hello, My vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) is not operational due to coolant intrusion/corrosion. I was informed this issue is not covered by the Customer Satisfaction Program, but this failure matches a known problem affecting this model/year and should be reconsidered. Two months ago I took the car to Bob Allen Ford in Overland Park for a check-engine light. They replaced a coolant-related part, but the coolant intrusion was not discovered. Approximately 2,000 miles after that service the vehicle became undrivable. At the time of that visit I requested a bumper-to-bumper inspection and was told no. I am highly upset that a likely systemic issue was not identified or addressed, and that coverage has been denied despite the circumstances. Please have a supervisor or specialist call me to explain why coverage was refused, review the service and inspection history, and discuss options for goodwill, escalation, or repair assistance. I expect a clear explanation, next steps, and a timeline. Contact phone: [XXX] [XXX] Email: [XXX] Thank you, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |