Recall homework
There are 4 official recalls listed for this model year. Before buying, use the VIN to confirm which campaigns are still open and ask for dealer repair records on completed work.
Vehicle report
2018 Ford Escape
Recalls, consumer complaints, safety ratings, fuel cost estimate, and next steps from official public data sources.
4 Total recalls
Jan 15, 2026 Latest recall date
1663 Complaint reports
$2,218 Estimated fuel cost
Buyer interpretation
What this record means before you buy
The useful question is not just whether this page has records. It is what those records should make you verify before money changes hands.
Owner complaint pattern
1663 consumer complaints are listed. Read several recent complaint summaries before treating the total count as good or bad by itself.
Service bulletin signal
173 manufacturer communications are listed. These are not recalls, but they can reveal repair instructions, warranty extensions, software notices, or known service patterns.
Ownership-cost check
The fuel-cost estimate is based on a representative EPA match, not every trim. Confirm the actual engine, drivetrain, and tire setup before comparing this listing with another year or model.
Questions to ask the seller
- Can you show the current VIN recall status for this 2018 Ford Escape?
- Do you have dealer invoices or campaign paperwork for the listed recall repairs?
- Are there recurring warning lights, leaks, noises, or electrical problems?
- Can I review recent maintenance records before the test drive?
Used-car checklist
Thinking of buying this vehicle?
Use our buyer checklist to know what to inspect, ask, and verify before the test drive.
2018 Ford Escape Regular Gasoline
Create checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
Safety ratings
Official safety ratings were found for 2 tested variants of the 2018 Ford Escape.
Safety ratings can vary by tested body style, trim, drivetrain,
or variant. Do not assume every trim has the same rating unless
the official record says so.
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Escape SUV FWD Default | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
| 2018 Ford Escape SUV AWD | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?
Verify with official VIN lookup4 official recalls on record for the 2018 Ford Escape. 20 matched quarterly completion reports are available.
Latest recall: January 15, 2026
Recall data is based on official records. This page is not an official VIN
recall check. Always confirm open recalls with an official VIN lookup, the
manufacturer, or an authorized dealer.
Completion reports are campaign-level, delayed, and not VIN-specific.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Consequence | Remedy | Date | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V011000 | 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. | An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. | 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. | Jan 2026 | |
| 22V413000 | 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. | 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. | 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. | Jun 2022 | 2024-3 |
| 18V104000 | 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. | A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. | 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. | Feb 2018 | 2019-2 |
| 17V803000 | 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. | 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. | 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. | Dec 2017 | 2019-2 |
Are there manufacturer notices for the 2018 Ford Escape?
Official records show 173 manufacturer communications on record for the 2018 Ford Escape.
0 warranty 0 service campaigns 0 software/OTA
Manufacturer communications are not recalls. They can include
service bulletins, repair instructions, warranty extensions,
software updates, service campaigns, and other notices.
| Date | Type | Component | Summary | ID / document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k | 11029052 |
| Nov 2025 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software. The SYNC 3 universal thumb drive will be able to update the APIM software without the use of a scan tool and does not require the process to be monitored. Ford will be monitoring APIM replacements to confirm TSB directed software updates have been performed. | 11025837 |
| Nov 2025 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern. | 11025611 |
| Oct 2024 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. | 11008948 |
| May 2024 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019 Escape/MKC/Flex/MKT/Taurus/Transit/Expedition/F-Super Duty, and 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience various SYNC performance related concerns. related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic Slow system response This may be due to the SYNC software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software. NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software. | 11001174 |
| Apr 2024 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | EQUIPMENT | All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad. | 10254138 |
| Mar 2024 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed. | 10251952 |
| Aug 2023 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass or LincolnWay app through the TCU Embedded Modem. If this message appears, the vehicle may be equipped with a fleet telematics module. Replacement of the TCU or TCU related repairs will not prevent this message from appearing. Refer the customer to in app FordPass Guides or LincolnWay Concierge Teams to aid with fleet telematics removal. Open app, select Account > Help > CHAT or CALL option. | 10241627 |
| Jun 2023 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information. | 10240743 |
| Apr 2023 | Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions | STRUCTURE | For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN. | 10235153 |
How much does the 2018 Ford Escape cost in fuel?
Estimated annual cost $2,218 $185/month at 12,000 miles/year
Effective efficiency 24.3 MPG
Energy used 493 gal/yr
Price assumption $4.50 $/gal
Assumptions: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG · Regular Gasoline · efficiency ratings from official public data when available · fuel price default: official public data (U.S. average, Jun 3, 2026)
370 g/mi CO2Fuel score 5/10Smog 3/10