Owners have reported 25 crashes, 5 fires and 28 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Escape. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints789
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Ford Escape often experiences engine issues primarily related to coolant intrusion, which leads to engine misfires, overheating, and in many cases, catastrophic engine failure. Typical symptoms include the check engine light illuminating, the engine stalling or shaking, and visible smoke, with some owners noting a sweet smell indicative of coolant leaks. Complaints frequently mention these problems occurring around 75,000 to 147,000 miles, with some instances at lower mileages. Safety concerns are evident, with reports of the engine stalling unexpectedly, leading to near-crashes and two reported injuries, as well as three incidents involving fires. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially since many repairs are costly and may not be covered under expired customer satisfaction programs.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 3 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints307
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape frequently report issues related to coolant intrusion into the engine, often leading to engine misfires, overheating, and illumination of the check engine light. Complaints commonly describe symptoms such as rough idling, stalling, and a loss of power, with some vehicles entering limp mode or displaying high engine temperature warnings. These issues typically arise around 50,000 to 150,000 miles, with many owners indicating the need for engine replacement due to damage. While no crashes or fires are reported, the stalling and overheating incidents could pose safety risks. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring engine problems, especially in vehicles with higher mileage.
Owner complaints233
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the power train of the 2018 Ford Escape, particularly involving transmission failures and engine problems related to coolant intrusion. Symptoms commonly described include sudden loss of power, engine misfires, and overheating warnings, often leading to catastrophic engine failure. Transmission issues are noted around 100,000 to 145,000 miles, with some owners experiencing abrupt failures while driving, which in a few cases, led to crashes and injuries. The coolant intrusion problem is prevalent in vehicles with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine, often requiring engine replacement. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, especially regarding safety implications like loss of control at highway speeds.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports
Owner complaints71
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape frequently report issues related to engine coolant intrusion, leading to overheating and potential engine damage. Symptoms commonly described include the check engine light activating, white smoke from the tailpipe, and vehicles entering "limp mode," often at mileage ranges around 26,000 to 58,000 miles. Multiple complaints highlight safety concerns, including six crashes and one fire, with some incidents involving sudden unintended acceleration or engine stalling. Additionally, several reports indicate the presence of black mold due to inadequate AC condenser drainage, posing a health risk. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially considering the potential for engine failure and associated repair costs.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 1 fire, 7 injury reports
Owner complaints40
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly related to the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module), which affects the GPS, radio, rear camera, and other electronic functions. Complaints often mention failures of the infotainment system, including blank screens and inoperable rear cameras, typically appearing around 65,000 to 96,000 miles. Additionally, several owners describe recurring headlight failures, with bulbs burning out prematurely or intermittently, and some report wiring issues that cause connectors to melt. Safety implications are noted in cases where the vehicle shuts off unexpectedly in traffic or when visibility is compromised due to headlight failures. These patterns suggest prospective buyers should be aware of potential electrical system malfunctions and their impact on vehicle safety and functionality.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints28
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly related to power steering loss and steering lock-up. Symptoms described include the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn, independent steering direction changes, and the appearance of warning messages such as "Steering Assist Fault" or "Power Steering Loss". These problems often occur at mileage ranges from approximately 15,000 to over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with reports of crashes and injuries due to loss of vehicle control. Prospective buyers should be aware of these steering system issues when considering this model year.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints16
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape frequently report issues with the service brakes, including brake pedal failure where the pedal goes to the floor without stopping the vehicle. This is often described at low speeds or when starting the car. Complaints also highlight premature wear of brake rotors and pads, sometimes noted as deeply scored or unevenly worn, often around 19,000 to 32,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with two crashes reported, one involving an injury. Additionally, some owners mention the parking brake engaging unexpectedly, and others describe the pre-collision assist system engaging brakes without apparent cause. These patterns suggest potential safety risks for buyers considering a used model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape frequently report issues with unintended acceleration and loss of power, often occurring without warning lights. Several complaints describe the vehicle accelerating on its own or failing to accelerate when expected, causing potential safety risks, especially on highways. The problems are noted to occur at varying mileages, with some vehicles experiencing issues as early as 4,000 miles and others around 90,000 miles. Safety implications include difficulty maintaining control and near-miss incidents in traffic due to unexpected changes in speed. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, as they may indicate potential reliability and safety concerns.
Owner complaints9
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners report several issues with the fuel system in the 2018 Ford Escape, with common problems including the failure of the canister purge valve and high-pressure fuel pump. Symptoms frequently mentioned include the check engine light illuminating, difficulties starting the vehicle, stalling, and hesitation during acceleration. These issues are often reported at mileages ranging from approximately 67,000 to 149,000 miles. Some complaints note a loss of power, which could affect driving safety, particularly at highway speeds. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and inspect the fuel system components when considering this model.
Owner complaints8
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape frequently report issues with the air bags not deploying during crashes, with seven out of eight complaints involving such incidents. Complaints often describe significant front-end damage and vehicles being declared total losses, yet the air bags fail to activate. Injuries reported include concussions, whiplash, and other physical traumas, suggesting potential safety implications. The mileage at which these failures occur varies, with at least one report at approximately 118,365 miles. Additionally, one owner mentions a recall for air bags, but parts for the repair were unavailable, indicating a potential delay in addressing known issues.
Severity signals: 7 crash, 0 fire, 7 injury reports
