What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?

Engine complaints lead the list with 1,447 reports. Power train follows with 275. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Has the 2018 Ford Escape been recalled?

Yes. The by-year data shows 4 recalls for 2018. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2018 Ford Escape reliable?

Owners filed 1,820 complaints with NHTSA, and 1,447 name the engine group. These reports are not adjusted for sales. Check the crash ratings and the by-year comparison sections on this page for more context.

How many miles do 2018 Escape engine problems show up at?

For engine complaints that report mileage, the median at failure is 85,970.

Is 2018 a good year for the Ford Escape?

The by-year comparison section on this page puts 2018 next to the other years, so you can see how it compares.

2018 Ford Escape Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 1,820 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Escape^[1]. The engine group is named in 1,447 of them^[2].

1,820owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

23–26MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first. One complaint can name more than one group.

Engine. 1,447 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights, sudden loss of power, overheating and coolant trouble. Some say a dealer told them the engine needed to be replaced. The median mileage at failure is 85,970^[2].
Power Train. 275 complaints^[6]. Owners describe slow or rough shifting, a delay when they press the pedal, and moments when the engine revs but the car gets no power. The median mileage at failure is 79,667^[6].
Unknown Or Other. 106 complaints^[7]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
Electrical System. 57 complaints^[8]. Owners describe dash warnings that flash on and off, gauges that dim, a tailgate that does not latch fully, and a burning smell in the cabin.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 45 complaints^[9]. Owners describe stalling, jerking when they accelerate, and a car that cuts back power on the highway.
Steering. 32 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 27 complaints^[11].
Speed Control. 23 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Escape is necessarily included.

Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater (26V011), January 2026. About 116,672 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod (22V413), June 2022. About 2,925,968 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (18V104), February 2018. About 88 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Side/Window (17V803), December 2017. About 11,113 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Escape FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	23 / 30 / 26	$2,600
Escape FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	21 / 28 / 24	$2,800
Escape FWD FFV, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	21 / 29 / 24	$2,800
Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	21 / 29 / 24	$2,800
Escape AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	22 / 28 / 24	$2,800
Escape AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[21]	20 / 27 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	18.5%
SUV FWD^[22]	5	5	5	4	19.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 Ford Escape with 1.5L 4-cylinder^[23]	180 hp
2018 Ford Escape with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[24]	245 hp
2018 Ford Escape with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[25]	168 hp

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Escape model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	996	13
2002	1,027	8
2003	558	7
2004	499	6
2005	1,584	4
2006	720	4
2007	393	2
2008	2,417	3
2009	1,846	1
2010	2,129	3
2011	1,355	2
2012	619	1
2013	2,756	18
2014	2,089	16
2015	1,125	9
2016	1,162	4
2017	2,700	4
2018	1,820	4
2019	596	3
2020	1,902	25
2021	496	21
2022	385	21
2023	138	13
2024	88	10
2025	31	10
2026	4	3

NHTSA's counts for the Escape show 1,820 complaints and 4 recalls for 2018^[3]. Among the 26 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 7 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (4) and the most are for 2013 (2,756)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2018 Escape?

The complaint record for the 2018 Escape is large, at 1,820 reports^[1]. It is also lopsided, because 1,447 of them name the engine group^[2]. Power train reports come next at 275^[6], and the other groups are much smaller. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a signal to check, not a verdict. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records and look closely at engine and power train history.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?: Engine complaints lead the list with 1,447 reports^[2]. Power train follows with 275^[6]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Has the 2018 Ford Escape been recalled?: Yes. The by-year data shows 4 recalls for 2018^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
Is the 2018 Ford Escape reliable?: Owners filed 1,820 complaints with NHTSA^[1], and 1,447 name the engine group^[2]. These reports are not adjusted for sales. Check the crash ratings and the by-year comparison sections on this page for more context.
How many miles do 2018 Escape engine problems show up at?: For engine complaints that report mileage, the median at failure is 85,970^[2].
Is 2018 a good year for the Ford Escape?: The by-year comparison section on this page puts 2018 next to the other years, so you can see how it compares.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Escape

2011 1,355 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 619 complaints, 1 recall
2013 2,756 complaints, 18 recalls
2014 2,089 complaints, 16 recalls
2015 1,125 complaints, 9 recalls
2016 1,162 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 2,700 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 this page
2019 596 complaints, 3 recalls
2020 1,902 complaints, 25 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Escape

Other Ford models from 2018

2018 Ford Edge 846 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Ford Explorer 737 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Ford Focus 837 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 Ford Mustang 196 complaints, 3 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2018: small suvs

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander 93 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 Nissan Pathfinder 78 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 Nissan Rogue 669 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Subaru Forester 498 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 Toyota Highlander 274 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Toyota RAV4 348 complaints, 3 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,820 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Ford Escape (26 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 30 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
1,447 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 4 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,970). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Escape model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Escape FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
275 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,667). NHTSA vehicle records
106 complaints name the unknown or other component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,350). NHTSA vehicle records
57 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,174). NHTSA vehicle records
45 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,682). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V011, filed January 15, 2026: Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V413, filed June 10, 2022: Power Train › Shift Linkage / Cable / Rod. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V104, filed February 12, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V803, filed December 18, 2017: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Escape FWD FFV, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Escape FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Escape AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Escape AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Escape with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 180 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Escape with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 245 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Ford Escape with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 168 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2018 Ford Escape: problems, recalls and fuel economy