NHTSA data checked November 4, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated
Summary
NHTSA's public complaint database lists 1,823 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Escape, and its recall database lists 4 safety recall campaigns for it.
Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is engine (1,171 complaints, 64%), followed by engine and engine cooling (345) and power train (276). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
26 complaints say a crash happened and 6 mention a fire; together the complaints report 30 injuries and 0 deaths.
Among Ford Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2018 has the 5th-most complaints (1,823, against a median of 1,434 for the other years).
The newest recall is 26V011000, received January 16, 2026, for equipment.
1,823owner complaints
4recall campaigns
26complaints reporting a crash
6complaints reporting a fire
30injuries reported
0deaths reported
Complaints by component
Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 1,823 complaints that name the group.
Air Bagsair bag deployment, sensors and warning lights (including the Takata inflator recalls)
9
<1%
Seat Beltsbelts, buckles and pretensioners
9
<1%
Forward Collision Avoidanceautomatic emergency braking and collision warnings, including false braking
7
<1%
Visibility/Wiperwipers, windshield and mirrors
7
<1%
Back Over Preventionrear-view camera and rear sensors
6
<1%
Lane Departurelane-keeping assist and lane departure warning
6
<1%
Visibilitywindshield, mirrors, defrosters
6
<1%
Latches/Locks/Linkagesdoor and hood latches, locks
5
<1%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)stability control engaging or failing unexpectedly
3
<1%
Equipmentadd-on equipment
3
<1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulicthe main hydraulic brakes: pedal feel, ABS, brake lines
2
<1%
Tirestires
2
<1%
Firerelated
1
<1%
Parking Brakeparking brake
1
<1%
Seatsseats and seat frames
1
<1%
Traction Control Systemtraction control
1
<1%
Recalls (4)
Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.
NHTSA campaign 26V011000
Received January 16, 2026 · Equipment (electrical: engine block heater)
What's wrong: 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V413000
Received June 10, 2022 · Power Train (automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl))
What's wrong: 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V104000
Received February 12, 2018 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings)
What's wrong: 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V803000
Received December 18, 2017 · Air Bags (side/window)
What's wrong: 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.
When the complaints were filed
By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2018 Ford Escape?
1,823 owner complaints as of November 4, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Ford Escape?
Engine is named in 1,171 of 1,823 complaints (64%); NHTSA's group covers the engine itself: stalling, oil use, knocking, failure.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?
4 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 26V011000 (January 16, 2026). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is 2018 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
By complaint count, 2018 ranks 5th of 11 Escape model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.
How to read these numbers
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA. NHTSA does not confirm each one, and one problem can be reported more than once.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: a model that sold twice as many cars can collect twice the complaints without being worse per car.
Older model years have had more time to collect complaints.
A recall listed here may not cover every car of this model year. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.