2018 Ford Escape Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 345about this part
- Share
- 19%of 1,822 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,600miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 345 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2018 Ford Escape, 19% of the 1,822 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,600 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The dealer has determined that engine coolant is leaking into the motor. This is a 2018 model with 24,500 miles. I understand that a number of Ford vehicles with the same engine design have been recalled because this is a safety issue, and I am afraid to drive the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11434514, filed 2021-09“The engine of my 2018 Ford Escape failed while driving, indicating it was overheating and to pull over and turn off the vehicle immediately. I could feel a loss of response of the engine while I was driving accompanied by shuddering and an odd noise. This happened within 3 minutes of leaving my house on a cold day, traveling about 1/4 mile. Fortunately, I was on a back road with a low speed limit and could pull over to the shoulder safely. …”
NHTSA complaint #11459180, filed 2022-03“About 20 months ago and at 120,000 miles my transmission blew and I filed a report with you. This time about 2 months ago my engine started shaking when being started, and according to my local Ford dealership, my engine block is either cracked or has a warped cylinder head. Either way the entire engine needs to be replaced. It now has 140,000 miles on it. In addition to this, I have had several other things go wrong with my vehicle over the same time frame. …”
NHTSA complaint #11554693, filed 2023-11“I bought a used 2018 Ford escape eco-boost SUV from Elder Ford. I recently have been experiencing coolant problems where the coolant is dissipating from the engine. The car has run hot two or three times and now there appears to be coolant and oil mixed together that's over the engine and it appears that there is a cracked head gasket. I have researched on the computer to find this is a known problem from Ford back to 2010 and there are multiple customers that have experience the same thing. Now I believe the engine has to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11577869, filed 2024-03“Came home from work on a Friday afternoon in May. No issues or lights. It stayed parked all night and into Saturday and night. Went to start it on Sunday, temp gauge shot to H, got two messages on the display, 1 - high engine temp, stop safely and 2 - engine fault service now. It only had 102,000 miles so 2000 out of warranty and took to dealership that has been servicing it since purchase and they said it needed a new long block engine. My warrant expired at 100,000 miles. Dealership made me pay for this out of pocket! I was without a car for over 2 months. …”
NHTSA complaint #11475474, filed 2022-07Related service bulletins
- 10251952Mar 6, 2024For 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…
- 10233681Mar 2, 2023Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses a 50-tooth variable camshaft timing (VCT) intake and exhaust unit from…
- 10218621Aug 15, 2022Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low…
- 10214126Jun 10, 2022Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough…
- 10214128Jun 9, 2022Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Programming - Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit…
- 10213732Jun 9, 2022Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine â Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion. In some of the affected vehicles…
- 10213728Jun 9, 2022Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming. Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit…
- 10210392Apr 15, 2022Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low…
- 10210391Apr 15, 2022Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough…
- 10207136Jan 28, 2022Some 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ and 2017-2019 Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may require replacement of the long block engine assembly. New service kits have…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 12 | 1% |
| 2019 | 94 | 16% |
| 2018 | 345 | 19% |
| 2017 | 509 | 19% |
| 2016 | 57 | 5% |
| 2015 | 44 | 4% |
| 2014 | 187 | 9% |
| 2013 | 175 | 6% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 17 | 1% |
| 2010 | 35 | 2% |
| 2009 | 37 | 2% |
| 2008 | 38 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 90 | 6% |
| 2004 | 18 | 4% |
| 2003 | 47 | 8% |
| 2002 | 294 | 29% |
| 2001 | 282 | 28% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Escape
1,169 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
275 complaintsOther or unknown
109 complaintsElectrical system
57 complaintsFuel system
57 complaintsSteering
32 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsWheels
22 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology