NHTSA has received 1,812 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Escape, or 206.2 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (complaint index 5.11, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #72 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Ford models its rate is 307% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is 242% 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 2026-10-13. Median delay from incident to filing: 12 days.
1,812Complaints
206.2Complaints per year on the road
5.11Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
1.7%Share involving a crash or fire
357Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 76.4 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 67 complaints, 22% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (79.5% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (8.4%) and Unspecified or other (2.3%). Engine complaints are 3.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 30 reports (1.7%) 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 357 new complaints were filed, versus 519 in the 12 months before — down 31%.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles5.11
vs. other Ford models4.07
vs. other 2018 models4.36
vs. other Compact SUVs3.42
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (67)0.78
On September 4, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape SE (1.5L EcoBoost) and executing a left-hand turn across an intersection.
Engine · 2026-10-03 · ODI 11768713 · Crash
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
My daughter was driving our 2018 Ford Escape at highway speed when it suddenly began shaking and shuddering violently, with no advance warning. The check engine light came on for the first time as the shaking began.
Engine · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770962
At 56000 miles have had dealer replace transmission now dealer wants to replace the fuel pump even though the code reader says po0087 , a sensor this is the 2nd time this vehicle has had to be towed to the dealer.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770243
My liftgate will not open and there’s no emergency left to get it unlocked and this is a safety hazard
Unspecified or other · 2026-10-06 · ODI 11769225
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.
