2018 Ford Escape Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 276about this part
- Share
- 15%of 1,824 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 276 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Ford Escape, 15% of the 1,824 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission is going bad. The transmission started making noise and stuttering. It was stationary when it was first noticed. As soon as I turned the car on and switched gears the transmission started with a whirring noise. Took it to a garage and they told me it is the transmission pump. Which is a known issue with these vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11404763, filed 2021-03, 99,000 miles“My 2018 Ford Escape lost the transmission on 24/27 albemarle road. I was taking my son for doctors checkup. I was lucky there was so much traffic on my way. Someone could have hit our vehicle from the rear. I managed to pull off to the road. This would have costed our life's has someone hit us from the ream.”
NHTSA complaint #11402853, filed 2021-03, 83,000 miles“Our 2018 started jerking upon deceleration and at about 40 MPH. I took it to the Ford dealer from which it was purchased, as it is still under warranty. There was a transmission problem. Ford authorized only a repair. We also own a 2014 Ford Escape whose transmission quit while our 2018 was in the garage for service. It is more than coincidence that they both have the exact same transmission! They are faulty and need recalled!”
NHTSA complaint #11328237, filed 2020-06, 22,317 miles“I had noticed coolant depleting finally got recall. Dealer reprograms now engine is just revving and looses all power to powertrain in multiple situation-3 from stop, 4 while going highway speed with constant speed prior each time the engine rev's up while giving no power. Then will spontaneously resolve within about 50ft then seems fine. I have video of the car doing this while I was attempting to get on the highway. We looked at oil and there is milk looking residue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11307471, filed 2020-02, 62,000 miles“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. I never got a warning light, even after the transmission completely failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11625753, filed 2024-11, 141,069 milesRelated recalls
- 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Ford 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…Covers: Ford Escape 2013–2019, Transit Connect 2013–2021, C-MAX 2013–2018 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 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…
- 10210730Apr 26, 2022Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due…
- 10201614Sep 9, 2021Some 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…
- 10201019Aug 17, 2021Some 2017-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicle customers may receive a message in their FordPass or Lincoln Way App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot…
- 10194428May 24, 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10194434May 18, 2021Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due…
- 10189767Mar 10, 2021Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due…
- 10181931Oct 29, 2020Some 2018-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit inoperative remote features via the Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization, no modem electronic…
- 10176943Jun 15, 2020Some 2017-2019 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L engine may exhibit fuse F34 open with an illuminated MIL and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0034, P023A, P0245…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 31 | 13% |
| 2021 | 46 | 13% |
| 2020 | 243 | 15% |
| 2019 | 128 | 21% |
| 2018 | 276 | 15% |
| 2017 | 391 | 14% |
| 2016 | 321 | 27% |
| 2015 | 287 | 25% |
| 2014 | 481 | 23% |
| 2013 | 401 | 15% |
| 2012 | 66 | 11% |
| 2011 | 268 | 20% |
| 2010 | 508 | 25% |
| 2009 | 301 | 18% |
| 2008 | 329 | 17% |
| 2007 | 44 | 17% |
| 2006 | 80 | 17% |
| 2005 | 117 | 8% |
| 2004 | 27 | 5% |
| 2003 | 55 | 10% |
| 2002 | 105 | 10% |
| 2001 | 128 | 13% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Escape
1,170 complaintsEngine cooling
345 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 29, 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