2018 Ford Escape Problems

What owners report

Complaints from owners of this model year concentrate heavily on the engine, and a large share describe coolant loss leading to misfires, overheating and, in many cases, engine replacement. Transmission complaints are the second recurring theme, typically jerking, slipping or a loss of acceleration. Reports in the sample are spread across a wide mileage range, from under 15,000 miles to beyond 150,000, with many appearing in the 60,000-110,000 mile band.

1. 1
   Engine

   Coolant intrusion into cylinders / engine failure

   • 1,279 complaints (70%)
   • median 86,882 mi at 6.8 yrs old (428 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $9,400 (median of 153 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the coolant reservoir dropping with no visible leak, white smoke or a sweet smell from the exhaust, rough running or misfires on a specific cylinder, and an illuminated check engine light. Many say the dealer diagnosed coolant intrusion into a cylinder or a cracked block or head gasket and recommended replacing the engine or long block. Several complaints reference Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and dealer attempts at prior repairs, with owners reporting the same symptoms returning. Reported from roughly 11,000 miles up to about 190,000, with many complaints between 65,000 and 110,000 miles.

   10 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level cold and look for white residue or a sweet odor at the exhaust, and ask whether a coolant-intrusion repair or short block replacement was done. Look for a service record of any coolant-related reprogramming or engine work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Check engine light was on. Took recalled vehicle into company to get a new engine replaced. There was a recall for coolant leaking into the engine. After 2weeks I got the vehicle back and I kept smelling a strong burning odor smell coming through the vents. I immediately called the company to return the vehicle for inspection. As of right now, they still have my vehicle as I'm driving a rental car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11315897, filed 2020-03, 25,064 miles

   “We purchased our Escape (new) from the dealer in march 2018. In march of 2019, our check engine light kicked on (engine had just over 12,000 miles on it). Code reader indicated a misfire. We took it to the dealer and they told us that coolant was found in the #2 cylinder and that the engine needed to be replaced. Engine was replaced under warranty at no cost to us. In july 2020, our Escape started exhibiting the same problems (rough starts, low coolant in overflow reservoir). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11343798, filed 2020-08, 12,792 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant loss without visible leak

   • 364 complaints (20%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (140 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $8,700 (median of 40 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report high-temperature warnings, sometimes with a message to stop the vehicle, an empty or low coolant reservoir, and no visible puddle under the car. Dealers and independent shops in these complaints often traced the problem to the cooling system, head gasket, water pump or coolant pump, and some owners say the repair did not resolve the symptoms. Seen from around 40,000 miles upward, most often between 60,000 and 115,000 miles.

   Recall 26V0110004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and its condition, look for dried coolant residue or staining around the engine bay, and ask whether the block heater recall applies to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to indicate that the engine was overheating, displaying a message reading Stop Vehicle Immediately . The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to let the vehicle cool down. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11556329, filed 2023-11, 112,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started overheating with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and became aware that there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. The contact added coolant and waited until the engine had cooled down. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started operating normally. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11532076, filed 2023-07, 94,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission jerking, slipping or sudden loss of power

   • 420 complaints (23%)
   • median 80,094 mi at 6.4 yrs old (210 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $8,000 (median of 28 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe jerking or shuddering while driving, RPMs rising without the vehicle accelerating, grinding or whining noises, and transmission or power train warning messages. Owners report being told the transmission, flex plate or flywheel had failed and needed replacement, and some describe the shifter sticking in park or refusing to engage. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 145,000 miles.

   Recall 22V4130002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at low and highway speeds and listen for whining or grinding; confirm the shifter cable bushing recall work was completed. Ask whether any transmission service or replacement has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have the 6F35 transmission in my 2018 Ford Escape. On 11/12/24, while driving, the transmission had a catastrophic failure. The vehicle started jerking, it would not move when giving it gas, and the transmission was whining loudly. After taking my vehicle to a Ford dealer, I learned that the pump inside of the transmission flew apart, causing the transmission to fail and to get metal shavings throughout the transmission and oil cooler system. There was no warning. The vehicle drove normal until it didn't. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11625753, filed 2024-11, 141,069 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting the accelerate, the RPM increased quickly but the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact then heard an abnormal grinding noise coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle started to lose motive power, with the transmission slipping. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11646957, filed 2025-03, 80,000 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic check for coolant loss and look for a history of coolant-intrusion, engine or transmission repairs before buying. Asking for service records and confirming recall work was completed on this model year will show how well the vehicle has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.