2018 Ford Escape Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 0%of 1,822 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2018 Ford Escape, 0% of the 1,822 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,800 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH the front driver side door erroneously came open and would not remain shut and secured. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11737750, filed 2026-05, 130,000 miles“The contact 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated after the vehicle was serviced at a local dealer, the front driver’s side door failed to latch securely. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the door latch motor to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11496718, filed 2022-12, 85,000 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after arriving to her destination and attempting to open the liftgate, the contact was unable to open the tailgate. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the Auto START/STOP feature did not have a fail-safe feature which prevented the tailgate from operating as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,830.”
NHTSA complaint #11457164, filed 2022-03, 12,830 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the lift gate latch did not function as intended. The contact stated that the lift gate failed to unlock and open. In addition, the contact stated that due to the failure, it took about 20 minutes or more to get the lift gate latch to unlock and open. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with any recalls. …”
NHTSA complaint #11619812, filed 2024-10, 44,600 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the hatchback failed to open while pressing the power emergency release button and while using the key fob. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11608485, filed 2024-08Related service bulletins
- 10144219Jul 26, 2018If a trailer hitch receiver is installed on a 2013-2018 Escape or 2015-2019 MKC vehicle equipped with a hands-free liftgate, the hands-free liftgate function will become…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 54 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 5 | 0% |
| 2017 | 8 | 0% |
| 2015 | 29 | 3% |
| 2014 | 65 | 3% |
| 2013 | 65 | 2% |
| 2012 | 8 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 0% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% |
| 2002 | 20 | 2% |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Escape
1,169 complaintsEngine cooling
345 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 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