2018 Ford Escape reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2018 Ford Escape — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,065
- 1,894 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ENGINE
- 1,059 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 4
- see below
- Reported harm
- 38 reported crashes · 51 injuries · 7 fires
What owners report fails — 2018 Ford Escape
- ENGINE 1,059
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 330
- POWER TRAIN 247
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 99
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 49
4 recalls on record for the 2018 Ford Escape
- NHTSA 26V011000 · 2026 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- NHTSA 22V413000 · 2022 · POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move
- NHTSA 17V803000 · 2018 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehic
- NHTSA 18V104000 · 2018 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COM A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2018 Ford Escape
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2018 Ford Escape units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Ford Escape reliable?
NHTSA has 2,065 consumer complaints on record for the 2018 Ford Escape and 4 recalls. The most-reported problem area is engine (1,059 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2018 Ford Escape units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Escape?
Owners most often report problems with: engine (1,059), engine and engine cooling (330), power train (247), unknown or other (99). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2018 Ford Escape?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.