2018 Ford Escape: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
1,778 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The third-generation Escape (2013–2019) launched with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, and that engine is the reason the 2013 and 2014 model years carry the highest complaint counts of any compact crossover in the dataset: coolant leaks into the cylinders, overheating and engine fires, addressed by a string of recalls that continued for years. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost in the same body is a better engine, but the transmission and electrical complaints of the early years apply to both. Read the full note on the model page. 2018 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 1,778 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Ford Escape: why 2013 and 2014 are the years to walk past, including 2018 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 1,778 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 222.25
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Coolant is going into the cylinder. Car was starting rough and exhaust smelled strange. No warning lights came on. Service center reproduced issue. It’s an issue Ford has been aware of but hasn’t issued a recall. Now I need a new engine on my vehicle that only has 41,000 miles on it. Estimate is $10,000.00
Ford has known about a flaw with this engine and coolant intrusion. I have owned the vehicle for 5 months and they are refusing to cover the cost of a new engine. I know there is a lawsuit going on right now with Ford (21N12) This was my daughters first purchase that she financed and now she is on the hook financially for a vehicle that is not running.
Engine light and cylinder four misfire code happened on Easter Sunday 4/5/26 while warming up in the driveway shuddered and stalled. I did not drive had vehicle towed to my mechanic the following day. Had vehicle towed 8/27 to the dealership where it was purchased (brand new 4/5/2019) at the recommendation of our mechanic due to the coolant intrusion and known defect. Was informed by the dealer today that i will need…
Recalls: 4 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 22V413000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 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. |
| 18V104000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 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. |
| 26V011000 | Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater | 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. |
| 17V803000 | Air Bags:Side/Window | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 24 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,550
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine1,135 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Engine And Engine Cooling342 complaints · typical job: Water pump, thermostat and coolant service (3.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,040
- Power Train269 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other102 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System53 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Fuel/Propulsion System42 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Ford Escape years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Ford Escape?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (1135 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2018 Ford Escape a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 36/100, computed from 1,778 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2018 Ford Escape's most common problem?
1,135 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 Ford Escape sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2018 Ford Escape cost to run per year?
About $8,562 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $42,812 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2018 Ford Escape have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Ford Escape, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 10/06/2022. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2018 Ford Escape really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 1,778 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 1778 NHTSA complaints on record (222.2/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (92.9/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems