Complaint volume
1663 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Ford Escape Complaints
1663 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Ford Escape, grouped by component category.
1663 Total complaints
25 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
22 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, engine and engine cooling, power train. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 25 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 22 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 658 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 76,243 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, engine and engine cooling, power train?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Ford Escape?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Ford Escape
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Ford Escape complaints?
25 Crash
5 Fire
22 Injury
0 Fatality
152 Towed
19 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Ford Escape complaint categories?
ENGINE 795
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 254
POWER TRAIN 132
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 73
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE 48
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 32
STEERING 19
WHEELS 18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16
1,663 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | ENGINE | After driving about 300 miles the car started showing red engine light and lost power. When I took for diagnosis at Ford Dealer in [XXX] I was told there is known defect where coolant is getting leaked into the engine causing engine to fail and need engine replacement. there was no support provided from ford for this issue till date and recall is long due INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when turning her steering wheel to either the left or right, an abnormal thumping noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the rear differential was defective and needed to be repaired. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer who informed the contact that the failure may likely be the rear differential based off the symptoms the contact described. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V102000 (Power Train); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 47,000 |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Engine coolant intrusion. I was told by the service department at my Ford dealership this is a common and known issue solely due to how it was made and the parts used. This should 100% be recalled and fixed. It literally makes the car unsafe and unusable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | SUSPENSION | The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the ball joint detached from the vehicle without any prior signs or issues. This caused an issue with the break line, with brake fluid leaking, the vehicle tilting and messed up the front of the vehicle had caved in on one side. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a ball joint failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 50,000 |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | My 2018 Ford Escape with 1.5L EcoBoost engine had repeated overheating and coolant loss over time. The vehicle was repaired multiple times for cooling system issues (hoses, coolant, water pump), but the problem persisted. It has now been diagnosed with internal coolant intrusion requiring engine replacement. This matches known issues reported with this engine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant intrusion kill the engine at start up. Warning light temp high and prevent start. Ford dealer report as coolant intrusion and cannot provide simple repair i.e change gasket. So changed used engined to repair with mechanical shop | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | I had to take my 2018 Ford Escape in the be checked out after it started losing coolant. Come to find out there is some type of defect in the eco boost engine that causes Coolant Intrusion. Basically I’ve been told it requires an entire engine swap to fix the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Issue with the coolant system leaking into the engine causing the head to either crack or warp and needing an entire engine replacement. Had taken it in a few times for a check engine light and they had replaced coolant systems didn't think the problem still had the issue with the engine | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | A metallic clinking/rattling noise developed from the engine/transmission area while the vehicle was running. The issue was diagnosed as a failed flexplate. The flexplate is a critical component that connects the engine to the transmission. Continued operation with a failed flexplate can lead to further mechanical failure and could result in loss of propulsion or inability to move the vehicle, creating a potential safety risk, particularly in traffic or when acceleration is needed. The problem was confirmed by a dealership service center. The vehicle was still operable at the time, but the noise was persistent and indicated a failure condition. No warning lights or messages were observed prior to the issue. The noise appeared suddenly. The component was replaced during repair. It is unknown if the failed part is available for inspection. There are reports of similar flexplate failures in comparable vehicles, raising concern this may not be an isolated issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | There is a coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 that needs to be fixed my car started shaking and starting off very slow since November 2025,I have not driven my car in 3 months because my car was not starting and when it did it was shaking violently. I can not afford a new engine PLEASE PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I was driving and all of a sudden a message popped up and said high engine temperature stop safely in the car just shut off immediately. The car would not drive anymore it shut off in traffic with no warning, which could have caused a terrible accident, because something about a heat sensor the car never ran hot the car has never overheated. I've never had any issues The car has always been serviced with no problems. I took the car to a mechanic certified mechanic that said there's a problem with the coolant leaking into the engine the same thing that I see other complaints about on this site there has to be something done about this. I've only had this car for a year this month April 2026 make it one year. I bought the car from Allan Turner Hyundai Pensacola Florida if Ford keeps getting complaints about the same issue why isn't it recalled in the engines being taken care of, now I am sitting here with the vehicle still trying to pay for it and the vehicle is messed up. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant is leaking into the piston heads because of a commonly understood design flaw with the cooling systems between the piston heads. Ford knows about this flaw but refused to replace it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | My engine needs to be replaced at 55,000 miles due to a known coolant leak issue that I had no knowledge of when I purchased the vehicle. The issue has been confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle shakes when turning on. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 59,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 59,000 |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine was idling rough, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it ws determined that there was coolant inside the engine cylinders and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 53,200. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | This Ford 2018 Escape has an Intrusion that is a Major defect on this motor . It is in the shop to be fixed now costing me a total of $6875.27 . As soon as the check engine light came on we stopped the car as we were home. We had the car towed to a mechanic for diagnosis & repair. It is in the shop now. I called Ford and told them and they said it is a known problem but nit a recall at this time and is my responsibility to get it fixed . There is a class action suit filed against Ford now for this but I also wanted to share to you all it is a safety concern . This could have actually caught on fire and I am glad it did not as I shut it down as soon as the check engine light came on and had a mis fire you could feel it in the engine where the intrusion caused the coolant to go into the cracked block into the cylinders. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | EQUIPMENT,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the failure was not duplicated. The dealer cleared the check engine warning light. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V011000 (EQUIPMENT); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The check engine warning light returned, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer acknowledged the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available, and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test, but the contact declined. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. An independent mechanic was contacted and confirmed that there was a coolant leak and that coolant might have leaked into the engine. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 105,000 |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | On 3/15/2026 I was on my way home from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, and about 35 minutes into my drive I got an alert stating "High Engine Temperature Stop Safely", so I pulled over immediately and turned the car off. After allowing the engine to cool down, I opened the hood and started the car to see if I could identify any issues, the "Engine Fault Service Now" alert came up. This was the first time this ever happened, this put me, my two dogs who were in the car with me, and possibly others on the road at risk, had the conditions escalated. (i.e. under hood fire). The vehicle was towed to an Authorized Ford Dealership, Mathieu Ford Sales, Inc. who diagnosed the issue on 3/17/2026. The dealership removed the spark plugs to inspect cylinders and found coolant intrusion into cylinders significantly on cylinder 2. Dealership referenced TSB 22-2322, is recommending short block assembly and related parts to remedy concern. Dealership advised it was safe and okay to drive the vehicle slowly to a nearby residence (to store the vehicle/retain possession), noting to pull over if an alert pops up and to have it towed if I received another message like before. The dealership advised it was not safe to drive the vehicle back to Pennsylvania. There weren't any issues driving the vehicle back on 3/17/2026 following the dealership's guidance; the car hasn't been driven since. The car needed to be jumped to start the vehicle on 4/17/2026 for a tow truck to load the vehicle onto its bed. The vehicle is currently back in possession of the dealership who diagnosed the issue. Upon doing research, this appears to be a widespread manufacturing design defect that Ford has failed to properly address/recall. My vehicle met the criteria under their Customer Satisfaction Program in 2022 - the vehicle is an Escape, 2017-2019, assembled in Louisville, that was Built before April 8, 2019, and which exhibited a covered condition, having low coolant. Ford Motor Co is failing to remedy-cure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | A check engine light came on then got over heated and the vehicle shut off on highway with no prior warning almost causing an accident and almost hit a guard rail.i was told that my vehicle is known for this ford is aware of the problem but refuses to fix it.the mechanic said it is called coolant intrusion.there is a known defect documented in ford TSB 22-2322. As well as a class action lawsuit | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Engine Coolant Intrusion on Cylinder 2. Hydrolocks on start up. Yes available for inspection. Unknown. Yes dealership inspected and confirmed the issue. Recommendation was engine replacement. No inspection by manufacturer,police, or insurance. Check engine turned on for random misfire. After further investigation, coolant levels kept dropping and noticed misfires on start up. 2018 ford escape awd with approximately 125k miles. Diagnoses was a very common coolant intrusion in Cylinder 2. Over $12000 in repairs needed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | While entering the highway my vehicle started to buck.i took my foot off the gas and then it accelerated really fast in on coming traffic the check engine light came on it immediately over heated and shut of on the highway in traffic | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | coolant intrusion in engine, dangerous, can cause fires | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the warning light for the engine overheating was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 90,000 |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Ford Escape. While the owner was driving at various speeds, the engine overheated and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode on several occasions. The driver pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed after each failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the coolant sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred two days later. The vehicle was difficult to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a scanner to scan the vehicle and retrieved a diagnostic trouble code for a cylinder #2 misfire. The contact cleared the code; however, the check engine warning light became consistently illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was black due to coolant and oil mixture. An independent mechanic was contacted and informed the contact that the coolant intrusion in the combustion chamber was a common failure, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 76,200. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 76,200 |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Blown Head gasket due to known faulty Engine. Coolant leaking into cylinders. Known design defect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |