⌘K
Home›Ford›Escape›2018
Ford · Compact SUV

2018 Ford Escape

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
61 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA1,785
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Ford Escape is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Escape FWD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 1785 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Escape FWDGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo233026$2,400
Escape AWDGasAWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo222824$2,600
Escape FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212824$2,600
Escape FWDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl212924$2,600
Escape FWD FFVGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl212924$2,600
Escape AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39463, 39469, 39464, 39466, 39465, 39470.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Ford Escape is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Equipment

26S01
116,672 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskAn electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.FixOwners 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. For
NHTSA campaign 26V011000reported Jan 15, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Power Train

22S43
2,925,968 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA 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.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V413000reported Jun 10, 2022Ford Motor Company
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

18S04
88 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V104000reported Feb 12, 2018Ford Motor Company
▲high

Air Bags

17S44
11,113 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskIf the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.FixFord 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V803000reported Dec 18, 2017Ford Motor Company

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
1785complaints filed

25 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 30 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 25 · 2019: 42 · 2020: 43 · 2021: 55 · 2022: 150 · 2023: 256 · 2024: 466 · 2025: 490 · 2026: 258

Most-cited components

Engine1139
Engine And Engine Cooling343
Power Train272
Unspecified103
Electrical System54
Fuel/Propulsion System42

What owners describe

“A set of four (4) tires were purchased on 09/07/2021. The cars mileage was 30,389 at time of purchase. On 11/09/2021, I discovered two dollar size bulges on the sidewall outside of the front passenger tire. These bulges were protruding about 3/4 of an inch. I reported the defect to Firestone and on 11/15/21, the tire w…”Nov 15, 2021 · Tires · NHTSA owner report
“Lug nuts swelled and were replaced at my expense by a Ford dealership. There were no warning messages. Problem found at routine tire rotation.”Nov 11, 2021 · Wheels · NHTSA owner report
“There is coolant going into our spark plug coils. We filled up the coolant, because the engine light came on and the temperature went directly to Hot after a 7 minute drive. Checked the coolant, it was very low. Filled it up to the max mark - had a mechanic look at it today and now as soon as you start it, you can hear…”Nov 1, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆19%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2018 Escape with

2018 Chevrolet Equinox →2018 Nissan Rogue →

Other Escape model years

D

2026 Ford Escape

3 recalls · 4 complaints

F

2025 Ford Escape

10 recalls · 27 complaints

F

2024 Ford Escape

10 recalls · 86 complaints

F

2023 Ford Escape

13 recalls · 129 complaints

F

2022 Ford Escape

21 recalls · 373 complaints

F

2021 Ford Escape

21 recalls · 482 complaints

F

2020 Ford Escape

25 recalls · 1,881 complaints

D

2019 Ford Escape

3 recalls · 581 complaints

D

2017 Ford Escape

4 recalls · 2,672 complaints

D

2016 Ford Escape

4 recalls · 1,107 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API