Name: 2018 Ford Escape
Brand: Ford

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"The gear shift jammed & had to be bypassed until it was replaced"

Anonymous A., CA (2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"the car shuts off without the gear in park & sometimes does not start up in one try"

Anonymous A., OR (2018 Ford Escape 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Had to replace coils"

Anonymous, WA (2018 Ford Escape SEL 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Water leaked into the back hatch and the clean-up was expensive"

Anonymous, PA (2018 Ford Escape SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Right front CV joint and wheel bearings damaged; repair was badly done by dealer and required extremely inconvenient and expensive (including car rentals) re-repair"

Anonymous, MA (2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Starter relay and ignition switch went bad and needed to be replaced."

Anonymous, MO (2018 Ford Escape SEL Unsure)

"rear liftgate actuator stopped working."

Anonymous A., CA (2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"water punp failure"

Anonymous, MI (2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

What Owners Say

Engine rebuild or replacement

"Known manufacturing defect. Crack developed in block that would allow antifreeze to seep into cylinder when cool causing the engine to run rough when started. Engine replaced after 6 years under special warranty extension."

Anonymous, FL (2018 Ford Escape SEL 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"The people was discovered when a mechanic drove the car while looking for something else. Covered under extended warranty"

Anonymous A., FL (2018 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"It started when the car was 6-12 months old. Oil continued to leak periodically until the engine was completely replaced - bottom and top portion (per Ford service rep)"

Anonymous, MI (2018 Ford Escape SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"We started having problems in the Fall of '23. Our local Ford dealer was not helpful. Check engine light was constantly on, car was shaking real bad, terrible gas mileage, power was being lost. We had a mechanic look at it and they said antifreeze was leaking into one of the cylinders. They changed plugs and coils 3 times. Finally we felt the car was too dangerous to drive and went directly to a local Ford dealership. After a lot of back and forth, phone calls, them not responding, etc., they told us to leave the car and did not know when they would be able to fix it. It sat there 2 months and we had to get a rental. They ended up having to replace the whole engine. We were thankful to have an extended warranty but it did not cover everything. We would have had to junk the car if we did not have that warranty. We ended paying a few thousand dollars out of pocket. When the job was complete, I spoke to a service manager who worked at another Ford dealership prior to this one. He said Ford was aware of the problem and reluctant to do a recall. It is becoming more and more common and Ford will not acknowledge it. He also told me I should not have had to pay for anything including the deductible. He recommended I call Ford but I am at a loss as to how to even start this process. We have bought Fords for decades, but never will again."

Anonymous, SC (2018 Ford Escape SEL 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Can not remember the details."

Anonymous, (2018 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Antilock braking system (ABS)

"rear wheel sensor failed on a trip. abs, cruise control, front camara would not work. Local Ford dealer replaced the sensor for less than $300 and now everything works."

Anonymous, FL (2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Calipers

"Bleed Valves rusted / broken"

Anonymous, BC (2018 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Rotors

"Started as soon as we got it. Took it back to the dealership and they begrudgingly changed the brakes and routers"

Anonymous, GA (2018 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Squeaking

"Breaks have a very loud squeak while breaks are engaged and even several seconds after the breaks have been released."

Anonymous, AB (2018 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

Body control module

"Electronic opening of rear hatch module working only intermittently"

Anonymous, TX (2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Paint And Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

"Paint peeling on both sides of the car -- Area is the piece that separates the windshield from the front side windows"

Anonymous, DE (2018 Ford Escape SE 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"paint peeling around wind shield"

Anonymous, CA (2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

What Owners Say

Driveshaft or axle

"I heard a noise and had it checked out. The dealer ordered me a new one and had me on my way within the week. This was the second time they fixed the SAME problem."

Anonymous, WI (2018 Ford Escape SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

What Owners Say

Gear selector or linkage

"This vehicle is currently in the shop being assessed by the mechanic."

Anonymous, MS (2018 Ford Escape S 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Slipping transmission

"This vehicle is currently in the shop. The mechanic is assessing the problem now."

Anonymous, MS (2018 Ford Escape S 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

What Owners Say

Antifreeze leaks

"This problem is part of engine failure that I previously explained."

Anonymous, SC (2018 Ford Escape SEL 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

What Owners Say

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"Problem probably twice. Then it would not go, so got it towed in to shop"

Anonymous, (2018 Ford Escape SEL 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Noises And Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Started right after we purchased car. DEALER said they can't find anything causing. I notice it mostly when we are driving around subdivision. But may just tune it out after a while. High pitched bouncing around squeek, chirp... so ANNOYING! Never has been resolved."

Anonymous, KY (2018 Ford Escape Titanium Unsure)

Steering And Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Bushings

"Front left half axle bushing failed. Discharged grease and made rid very noisy and hard"

Anonymous, MA (2018 Ford Escape Titanium)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

What Owners Say

Other engine starting/ignition problem

"There was no other problem"

Anonymous, NY (2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"The voice control for nav is horrible. Cant find anything and to update it just does not seem like a good use of money."

Anonymous, ON (2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

Ford Escape

Reliability

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

Exhaust

What Owners Say

Engine Major

What Owners Say

Brakes

What Owners Say

Electrical Accessories

What Owners Say

Paint And Trim

What Owners Say

Drive System

What Owners Say

Transmission Minor

What Owners Say

Engine Cooling

What Owners Say

Body Hardware

What Owners Say

Transmission Major

What Owners Say

Noises And Leaks

What Owners Say

Steering And Suspension

What Owners Say

Engine Minor

What Owners Say

Engine Electrical

What Owners Say

In-car Electronics

What Owners Say

Climate System

Fuel System/Emissions

2018 SUVs Reliability

Ford vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability