2018 Ford Escape Reliability & Recall Report

Based on 4 NHTSA recalls and 1,817 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.

30/100

Very High Reported Activity — 2018 Ford Escape

The 2018 Ford Escape shows very high recall and complaint activity in NHTSA data. Counts are raw and are higher for popular models, so see how we score this below. Review the issues and recalls carefully, and have the vehicle inspected before buying.

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NHTSA Recalls

4 recalls on record

1,817

Owner Complaints

Filed with NHTSA

Crash Reports

6 fire reports

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NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Ford Escape (4)

All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.

🔧 Air Bags: Side/Window

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.

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…

NHTSA #17V803000

🔧 Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

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

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…

NHTSA #18V104000

🔧 Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (prndl)

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…

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…

NHTSA #22V413000

🔧 Equipment: Electrical: Engine Block Heater

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

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…

NHTSA #26V011000

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Most Common Problems — 2018 Ford Escape

Based on 1,817 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.

Engine

936

Engine And Engine Cooling

326

Power Train

263

Unknown Or Other

Electrical System

Steering

Service Brakes

Wheels

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Ford Escape — Complaints by Year

A spike means more owner complaints were filed for that model year. The 2018 model year is highlighted.

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⚠ Higher-complaint years: 2013, 2017 — These model years have more owner complaints in NHTSA data than the other years compared.

✅ Best model years: 2012, 2019, 2021 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.

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Frequently Asked Questions — 2018 Ford Escape

Is the 2018 Ford Escape reliable?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Ford Escape has 4 recall campaigns and 1,817 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated recall or complaint activity — review the details and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?

The 2018 Ford Escape has 4 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?

The most commonly reported problems for the 2018 Ford Escape are: Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train, Unknown Or Other. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.

Is the 2018 Ford Escape safe to buy?

The 2018 Ford Escape has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 4 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.

What year Ford Escape should I buy?

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the Ford Escape are: 2012, 2019, 2021. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years with higher complaint counts: 2013, 2017.

How we score this: The score starts at 100 and subtracts points for the number of NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints filed for this model year, and for complaints that report crashes or fires. Newer model years get a small bonus because they have had less time to collect reports. These are raw counts and are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so popular models tend to have more recalls and complaints. Complaints are unverified owner reports. This grade is not a prediction about any individual vehicle and is not an inspection: check a specific car’s VIN for open recalls and get an independent pre-purchase inspection.

Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update. For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit NHTSA.gov/recalls.