NHTSA has received 1,778 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Escape, or 205.0 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 4.87, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #69 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 277% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 230% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-01-11 and 2026-09-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 12 days.
1,778Complaints
205.0Complaints per year on the road
4.87Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
1.6%Share involving a crash or fire
369Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 75.6 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 67 complaints, 25% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (79.4% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (8.5%) and Interior & equipment (2.1%). Engine complaints are 3.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “coolant”, “intrusion”, “engine”, “cylinder” and “block”. 29 reports (1.6%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 30 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 79 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (80% of incidents). In the last 12 months 369 new complaints were filed, versus 543 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 90% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles4.87
vs. other Ford models3.77
vs. other 2018 models4.17
vs. other Compact SUVs3.3
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (67)0.75
While driving to pick up my daughter my hudband was driving on the interstate and the side airbags deployed for no reason. The front air bags did not deploy.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-06-05 · ODI 11742241
On Sept.17, 2021 my 2018 Ford Escape rolled away. When I was leaving a driveway, I got in car, buckled my seatbelt, started the engine and put the vehicle in Reverse. I immediately realized I had not paid for the item and shifted into Park.
Brakes · 2026-04-17 · ODI 11731964
Coolant is going into the cylinder. Car was starting rough and exhaust smelled strange. No warning lights came on. Service center reproduced issue. It’s an issue Ford has been aware of but hasn’t issued a recall.
Engine · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761551
Ford has known about a flaw with this engine and coolant intrusion. I have owned the vehicle for 5 months and they are refusing to cover the cost of a new engine.
Engine · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761582
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated.
Fuel system · 2026-08-26 · ODI 11759694
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) Campaign 22V413000 · 2022-06-10
Summary: 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.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Campaign 18V104000 · 2018-02-12
Summary: 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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Campaign 17V803000 · 2017-12-18
Summary: 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.
Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Ford Escape?
1,778 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Escape, or about 205.0 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Ford Escape?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 79.4% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Ford Escape have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Ford Escape still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 369 new complaints were filed, versus 543 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
How does the 2018 Ford Escape compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 1,778 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Escape, or 205.0 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 4.87, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #69 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 277% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 230% higher.