Model year record

2018 Ford Escape

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 3,095 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V011000

Equipment: electrical: engine block heater

Component
Equipment: electrical: engine block heater
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
116,672
Reported to NHTSA
2026-01-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V413000

Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod

Component
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
2,925,968
Reported to NHTSA
2022-06-10
Owners notified
2022-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V104000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
88
Reported to NHTSA
2018-02-12
Owners notified
2018-03-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V803000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
11,113
Reported to NHTSA
2017-12-18
Owners notified
2018-02-02

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine1,67280,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling47488,418 mi
Power train34980,188 mi
Unknown or other14213,400 mi
Fuel/propulsion system66105,000 mi
Electrical system6515,300 mi
Steering3935,000 mi
Service brakes3219,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2326,238 mi
Wheels221,368 mi
Fuel system, gasoline17108,500 mi
Structure: body153,500 mi
Air bags13118,365 mi
Exterior lighting135,000 mi
Seat belts1115,000 mi
Suspension941,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking8
Visibility/wiper86,310 mi
Power train: automatic transmission715,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection6
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs649,002 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system577,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: canister481,131 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)480,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter456,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4
Visibility460,000 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking3
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera396,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)36,500 mi
Equipment3105,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings3
Structure: interior panels: dashboard3103,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel2120,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer280,851 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: crank/camshaft position sensor2146,318 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)2146,318 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights290,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2
Lane departure: assist2
Lane departure: warning2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2130,000 mi
Structure: body: door226,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint250,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer295,845 mi
Back over prevention1
Back over prevention: warnings1
Electrical system: adas: hill start assist: software1120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: seals/gaskets1107,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)144,381 mi
Firerelated180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1149,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages144,600 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: electronic lock/latch actuator185,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch112,830 mi
Parking brake1100,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift14,785 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder123,000 mi
Structure135,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate16,709 mi
Structure: body: tailgate168,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1
Tires110,800 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: tread/belt1
Traction control system1120,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly124,900 mi

The 2017 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2019 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.