Model year
2018 Ford Escape
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 1,821 complaints for the 2018 Ford Escape (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (1,168), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (338), POWER TRAIN (265). NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$2,900, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 996 complaints
- 2002 1,027 complaints
- 2003 558 complaints
- 2004 499 complaints
- 2005 1,394 complaints
- 2006 464 complaints
- 2007 254 complaints
- 2008 1,974 complaints
- 2009 1,693 complaints
- 2010 2,070 complaints
- 2011 1,318 complaints
- 2012 604 complaints
- 2013 2,753 complaints
- 2014 2,089 complaints
- 2015 1,130 complaints
- 2016 1,166 complaints
- 2017 2,701 complaints
- 2018 1,821 complaints
- 2019 596 complaints
- 2020 1,612 complaints
- 2021 350 complaints
- 2022 236 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 76 complaints
- 2025 26 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
26V011000 · Jan 15, 2026
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
22V413000 · Jun 10, 2022
POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
18V104000 · Feb 12, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
17V803000 · Dec 18, 2017
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Complaints
1,821 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 26, fire flag on 6, injury field 30, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.185 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.191 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD · 1.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Escape FWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Escape FWD FFV · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Escape FWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Escape AWD · 1.5L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Escape AWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2018 Ford Escape at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.