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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant in engine block; replacement engine required and not covered by warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Our 2018 Ford Escape has a 1.5L Eco Boost engine that currently has coolant intrusion in all 4 cylinders per a diagnosis by a Ford dealership in Orlando, FL. All indications point to it being the result of the same known design flaw for which Ford has previously issued a recall. However, our car - built at the same plant and time period as those who were sent recall notices - did not receive a recall notice. This was confirmed by a Ford customer service representative. The faulty part is the engine block that was built at the same plant and time frame as those that were issued a recall notice for this exact reason. For whatever reason, Ford either inadvertently or intentionally failed to include this vehicle with others built at the same place and time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | I have 2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5L engine, approx. 81,500 miles. Date into service 05/26/2018. Diagnosed on 04/18/2026 at Ford dealer (see attached) with Coolant Intrusion into engine. Ford dealer states that Ford will not assist with repair/replacement of engine because vehicle has been in service more than 7 years. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant intrusion into the cylinders | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | This vehicle has 110000 miles. Has coolant intrusion in cylinder 2. Has had an issue since 45000 miles with drivability. Coils and spark plugs were replaced even though coolant intrusion was a known issue at the time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 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. I unbuckled my seatbelt, opened the door, got out of my vehicle, walked fully past the door. At that point, I noticed the vehicle rolling backward on the flat driveway. I ran after my car to try to get my foot on brake because I was in a neighborhood with children. I nearly got my foot on it when I was knocked down and the driver-side front wheel ran over me, crushing my pelvis and sacrum and causing other injuries to my abdomen and legs. -I believe my car was in False Park.That is why it didn’t move as soon as I took my foot off the brake and was able to clear the open door. Both my husband and I have been able to get the car back to that false park position where it might stick for 5 seconds or several minutes. I have several videos I can share. - Automatic Electronic Park Brake would have prevented this accident. - Inadequate Warnings 1.The chime for Door Open when in Park is almost identical to the Door is Open not in Park. 2.The warning on the dash is in white and Orange for Door Open In Park and All WHITE for the more dangerous Door Open Not in Park. 3. A warning in the magnitude and attention-grabbing of the Seatbelt off or Collision warning would be more appropriate. 4.Ford did not warn customers until July of 2022 that there was a transmission issue recall. However, Ford sent a technical Bulletin to their Dealer Repair shops that there was a transmission issue in March 2021. I always used my Parking brake on hills but not on flat ground. Had Ford sent me a warning in March 2021, I most certainly would have used it that day and every day. -Quick Reference Guide should include Parking Brake Information and warning not just in the long owners manual. They don't even show its location. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Car began making noises and overheating. Had to pay $2200 for water pump coolant thermostat timing belt etc. with the uncertainty if the engine was “blown”. Drove two days began overheating again. Has been determined that head gaskets are blown due to coolant leaking into the engine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Hello, I would like to file a safety complaint regarding my Ford Escape. Vehicle Information: VIN: [XXX] Make/Model: Ford Escape Year: 2018 Issue Description: While driving, my vehicle suddenly overheated. The temperature gauge moved from normal to hot within seconds, and a warning appeared to stop the vehicle immediately. This created a serious safety concern, as the failure was sudden and without warning. After inspection by a certified technician, I was informed that the engine is consuming coolant internally, and the coolant is being burned through the exhaust system. There is no visible external leak. The engine is now running rough and requires full engine replacement. I have learned that this is a known issue with Ford Escape engines, often referred to as “coolant intrusion.” Despite this being a widely reported defect, Ford has declined to provide any financial assistance. I have contacted Ford and opened a case (Case Number: XXX), but they confirmed this is not a recall and will not cover repairs. This issue creates a significant safety risk due to sudden engine overheating and potential engine failure while driving. I am requesting that this issue be investigated, as it appears to be a widespread defect affecting many Ford Escape vehicles. Thank you for your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | My 2018 Ford Escape has diagnostic codes P0302 and P0316 cylinder 2 misfire and no compression on cylinder 2 due to coolant intrusion into the engine block. This is a known defect documented in Ford TSB 22-2322 and Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. My VIN was excluded from this program despite having the identical failure and identical fault codes as covered vehicles. This engine failure occurred at highway speed creating a dangerous safety hazard. Ford has refused goodwill assistance despite this being a known manufacturing defect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | I am writing to formally report regarding a serious issue with my Ford Escape 2018. The engine failed at the mileage of 37,833 miles, which is far earlier than any reasonable expectation for a vehicle of this age and mileage. This type of major mechanical breakdown is not consistent with normal wear and tear and raises concerns about the durability of the engine. Ford dealership did the formal evaluation of my Ford ESCAPE 2018 | 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 or while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a coolant leak coming from the engine. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 73,000 |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Overhearting light flashed on and immediately went off 3 hours into a 4 hour road trip. Car ran rough at the end of a 4 hour road trip. Next time car was started overheating light came on immediately, engine temp when immediately to hot, and would not drive over 5 miles an hour. Through an independent service center determined that the head gasket blew from coolant leaking. Only been inspected by this independent service center. After overheating started the overheating light continued to come on whenever started. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the engine was overheating while white exhaust smoke was coming out of the exhaust pipes. Additionally, the vehicle decelerated and was sluggish while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle did not qualify for the extended warranty coverage related to the engine failure. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 31,500. | Crash: No Fire: No | 31,500 |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Cylinder 2 coolant intrusion | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Check engine light on. code = P0303. Safety issue for overheating with potential engine fire. Local dealership service has diagnosed as coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 and coolant loss. vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representative or other. Vehicle was serviced on January 29th of 2020 for customer satisfaction program 19B37. Vehicle has failed at 88000 miles due same design issue addressed by Ford Motor Company under customer satisfaction program 21N12. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Keep getting an error code for P0303 cylinder 3 misfire. I have replaced everything to correct this problem but keep getting the same error. Started noticing that coolant is leaving reservoir and only returns when I remove the cap. When I turn the car off I hear water rushing behind the dashboard. There are no leaks seen. I've started having very quick and sudden overheating that cools quickly after stopping the car. I get a dash message "engine fault service now" message that goes away after I remove the cap from the coolant, thus allowing the reservoir to refill. I've been dealing with the P0303 code off and on for a year now, but the coolant issue started a couple of months ago. Yesterday was the first overheating of the engine and the only place I could pull over was very dangerous and I was not able to fully get out of the road. I saw there is a recall on 2018 Ford Escapes for coolant intrusion. Why is this one not included?! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant intrusion on the third cylinder causing over heating and engine failure. Known design flaw by Ford and they only offered a customer service program and not a full recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant Leaking into Cylinders: 1.5L EcoBoost engines are known for head gasket failures that allow coolant to enter the engine cylinders, which can cause white smoke from the exhaust, "low coolant" warnings, and cylinder misfires. Engine Overheating: A lack of coolant, often with no visible external leaks, causes the car to overheat suddenly, sometimes leading to engine failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Spark plug cylinder 1 gets stuck trying to replace which causes vehicle to misfire | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | coolant intrusion requiring short block engine replacement MIL came on approximately 3 weeks ago and Ford no longer covers this repair for a known defect | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | My 2018 Ford Escape equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine experienced complete engine failure due to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders on 3/29/26. This is a known design and manufacturing defect in the engine block, documented by Ford in Technical Service Bulletins 19-2375, 19-2346, 22-2322, and 22-2134, and addressed under Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 (GTDI Engine – Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). Ford performed a preventive software update under CSP 19B37 on this vehicle, confirming that Ford identified this VIN as having the at-risk engine. Despite this measure, the engine failed from the exact defect 19B37 was designed to prevent. The engine block’s thin-walled cooling passages between cylinders cracked, allowing coolant to enter the combustion chambers, causing misfires, overheating, and catastrophic engine failure. This engine failure occurred without adequate warning while the vehicle was in motion. Sudden loss of engine power on public roads poses a serious safety risk to the motorists and pedestrians. Ford’s own TSBs describe this as a progressive failure, but coolant loss is internal and may not trigger warning lights until the engine is already critically damaged. Ford has addressed this defect through multiple TSBs and a Customer Satisfaction Program for some VINs, but has not issued a formal recall covering all affected vehicles. Thousands of 2013–2019 Escapes, Fusions, Edges, and Lincoln MKC/MKZ vehicles with 1.5L, 1.6L, and 2.0L EcoBoost engines remain on the road with this defect. A class action lawsuit has been filed regarding this issue. I urge NHTSA to investigate and require a formal recall. This vehicle was purchased used from an authorized Ford dealership at 54,677 miles ( 7/2/2022). The dealer had full access to Ford’s OASIS system and did not perform the CSP 21N12 short block replacement or disclose the known coolant intrusion defect. As the owner, I was never notified by Ford or the dealer about 21N12. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Ford Escape has experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known issue affecting this model year. The vehicle began misfiring and consuming coolant without external leaks. The dealership confirmed a Technical Service Bulletin applies to my VIN. This defect can cause engine failure while driving, creating a serious safety risk. The engine shudders so bad I cannot drive the car. I have also had to replace the transmission a few years back. It became a safety hazard. I was driving it and it wouldn't get up to speed and it was stalling on the road with traffic. This vehicle has several know issues, the cost to upkeep and constantly replace things to maintain safety is unaffordable for anyone. Children and people ride in these cars. These cars are unsafe to be on the road for those in them and around them. I still owe money on mine and can't even drive it due to its safety hazards with the engine and the coolant intrusion. I do not have a repair invoice as I decided to not drop anymore money into this car. Its unfortunate I am still paying on the loan for it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant leak/known engine issue is now effecting my car. 3/31/26 my mechanic said to take it to an engine place as it will need a new engine due to this known fault. I am too late for their extended warranty which I was never notified of, including when I purchased the car in 2021 when the issue was already well-known. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ENGINE | Starting in Oct or Nov 2025 I noticed that my car was not starting right away when i put the key in the ignition, then a couple of weeks later my car began to shake when i started to drive and then would stop. My dad who is a retired mechanic stated that i was low on coolant, so he filled it and the car stopped shaking and drove fine, then the very next day the car would not start right away and it began to shake, my dad checked and the coolant was low again. We filled the tank back up to the correct level and the car stopped shaking. A couple of days later the car began to shake again and the coolant was low this went on from 2025 to March 2026, i took the car to the ford dealership and they stated that i have a coolant intrusion in cylinder 2. I can not drive my car due to the shaking and car not starting correctly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ENGINE | Car had a weird sound and was misfiring so was taken to a shop who diagnosed with coolant intrusion issues. This has been so much headache this car has so many issues with coolant intrusion and it’s a safety issue since it is coolant IN THE ENGINE which can cause so many issues. this needs to be fixed | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |