2018 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1943 complaints
1943
Total Complaints
80,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
38
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
49,548
25th Percentile
80,000
Median Mileage
102,547
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
981
Engine And Engine Cooling
320
Power Train
234
Unknown Or Other
92
Electrical System
48
Fuel/Propulsion System
34
Steering
30
Service Brakes
22
Vehicle Speed Control
18
Wheels
18
Severity Assessment
38
Crashes
7
Fires
48
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V803000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LARRY H. MILLER FORD L..."
"BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2018 FORD ESCAPE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I FOUND THAT ALL THE SPINDLES WERE RUSTED. FORD SAID THIS IS NORMAL. BROUGHT IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC-CARTEC IN TULSA, OK. THEY FOUND RUST NOT ONLY ON THE SPINDLES, BUT THE DRIVESHAFT, AND CV AXLES. THEY PUT THE PICTURES ..."
"BACK ELECTRIC TAILGATE DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. THIS IS INDICATED BY THE HORN DOUBLE HONKING WHEN LOCKING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO INDICATOR ON THE DASH WHEN THE CAR IS ON THAT THIS IS NOT FULLY LATCHED. I BELIEVE THIS COULD LEAD TO EXHAUST IN THE CABIN, ESPECIALLY IF IDLING."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
981 complaints
25th: 43,335 mi
Median: 78,667 mi
75th: 100,000 mi
Engine And Engine Cooling
320 complaints
25th: 70,000 mi
Median: 90,000 mi
75th: 108,000 mi
Power Train
234 complaints
25th: 58,487 mi
Median: 80,594 mi
75th: 105,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
92 complaints
25th: 5,386 mi
Median: 14,350 mi
75th: 43,625 mi
Electrical System
48 complaints
25th: 3,350 mi
Median: 15,300 mi
75th: 79,830 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
MI: 163
TX: 128
OH: 108
FL: 102
CA: 101
PA: 87
NC: 84
NY: 78
IL: 75
WI: 65
Who Files Complaints?
0.3%
Original Owners
99.7%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Side/Window
Campaign 17V803000 | 18/12/2017
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.
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.
Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Campaign 18V104000 | 12/02/2018
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 22V413000 | 10/06/2022
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.
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 notifica
Engine Block Heater
Campaign 26V011000 | 15/01/2026
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 lett
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
Compare Ford Escape
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28