NHTSA lists 1,807 complaints for the 2018 Ford Escape, 26 of them mention a crash and 5 mention a fire. 23 complaints mention an injury, with 30 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD ESCAPE.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 744 | 41.2% | 0.76 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 531 | 29.4% | 0.75 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 236 | 13.1% | 0.78 |
|---|
| loss of control | 140 | 7.7% | 0.73 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 55 | 3.0% | 0.80 |
|---|
| unclear | 33 | 1.8% | 0.90 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 20 | 1.1% | 0.76 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 18 | 1.0% | 0.95 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 16 | 0.9% | 0.90 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 14 | 0.8% | 0.79 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 945 | 52.3% | 0.76 |
|---|
| low | 806 | 44.6% | 0.70 |
|---|
| high | 43 | 2.4% | 0.88 |
|---|
| none | 12 | 0.7% | 0.80 |
|---|
| critical | 1 | 0.1% | 0.97 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 1,807 tagged complaints of 1,807 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2026-01-15. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)
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 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2022-06-10. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
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 1-866-436-73 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2018-02-12. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2017-12-18. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
173 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 70 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 49 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 36 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 29 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 8 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 6 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 5 |
|---|
| SEATS | 5 |
|---|
11029052
Date: 2026-02-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
11025837
Date: 2025-11-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone co
11025611
Date: 2025-11-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
Some 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, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of th
11008948
Date: 2024-10-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
11001174
Date: 2024-05-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019 Escape/MKC/Flex/MKT/Taurus/Transit/Expedition/F-Super Duty
10254138
Date: 2024-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
10251952
Date: 2024-03-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may coll
10241627
Date: 2023-08-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass or LincolnWay app through the TCU Embedded Modem. If this message appears, the ve
10240743
Date: 2023-06-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information.
10235153
Date: 2023-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affe