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2018 Ford Escape
The 2018 Ford Escape appears in 4 NHTSA recall campaigns (equipment, power train and service brakes, hydraulic) and in 34 consumer complaints filed with the agency.
The component named most often is engine: 195.7 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 133 per 1,000 across all 2018 model-year vehicles and against 127.2 per 1,000 for the Ford Escape line as a whole.
That is fewer than the average of 498.1 complaints per model year across the 27 Ford Escape model years on this register; 6 complaints reported a crash and 0 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2018 (25); the most recent in the file is dated 14 May 2019.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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 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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 26S01).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 22S43); components: power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl).
- 18V104000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSReported 12 Feb 2018 · 88 units
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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 Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 18S04).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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 may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 17S44).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2018 Ford Escape (black) against all 2018 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2018 | Escape line | All 2018 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 195.7 | 127.2 | 133 |
| Unknown or Other | 130.4 | 32.6 | 123.9 |
| Electrical System | 108.7 | 76.3 | 106.9 |
| Structure | 87 | 65.1 | 48.9 |
| Steering | 87 | 122.9 | 109 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 65.2 | 110.8 | 47.6 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 195.7 | 127.2 | 133 |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 130.4 | 32.6 | 123.9 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 108.7 | 76.3 | 106.9 |
| Structure | 4 | 87 | 65.1 | 48.9 |
| Steering | 4 | 87 | 122.9 | 109 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 65.2 | 110.8 | 47.6 |
| Power Train | 3 | 65.2 | 122.2 | 77.8 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 43.5 | 25.9 | 27.2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 2 | 43.5 | 9.4 | 25.7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | 43.5 | 6.9 | 28.6 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 21.7 | 20.7 | 70.2 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 21.7 | 8.1 | 14.4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | 21.7 | 64 | 54.3 |
| Suspension | 1 | 21.7 | 49.6 | 37.1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 21.7 | 13.7 | 25.4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 21.7 | 3.8 | 24.8 |
34 unique complaints, 46 component mentions; 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other Ford Escape model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 NHTSA | 0 | 5 | — |
| 2001 | 13 | 986 | 2,346,736 |
| 2002 | 8 | 1,005 | 2,623,977 |
| 2003 | 7 | 518 | 2,379,447 |
| 2004 | 6 | 482 | 2,057,544 |
| 2005 | 4 | 1,320 | 466,744 |
| 2006 | 3 | 415 | 270,208 |
| 2007 | 2 | 209 | 70,266 |
| 2008 | 3 | 1,640 | 811,144 |
| 2009 | 1 | 1,214 | 740,878 |
| 2010 | 3 | 1,745 | 1,070,162 |
| 2011 | 2 | 955 | 1,070,143 |
| 2012 | 1 | 415 | 329,265 |
| 2013 | 18 | 1,270 | 10,108,284 |
| 2014 | 16 | 714 | 10,384,836 |
| 2015 | 9 | 204 | 9,434,835 |
| 2016 | 4 | 169 | 4,491,298 |
| 2017 | 4 | 145 | 3,078,749 |
| 2018 | 4 | 34 | 3,053,841 |
| 2019 | 3 | 5 | 3,058,409 |
| 2020 | 23 | 0 | 5,016,688 |
| 2021 | 19 | 0 | 3,871,269 |
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | 3,900,354 |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 | 1,819,290 |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 | 1,131,733 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 169,567 |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 988 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Ford Escape model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 26V011000, was reported to NHTSA on 15 Jan 2026 and concerns equipment:electrical:engine block heater. Across all model years the Ford Escape line has 95 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2018 Ford Escape?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2018 Ford Escape complain about most?
Engine: 9 of 46 component mentions (195.7 per 1,000). Next is unknown or other with 6. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.