2018 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 27owner reports
- 32,000median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
27 of the 1,802 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Brake wear on other Escape years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pads and rotors (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
All 4 recalls on the 2018 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Escape
Engine compartment fire. Closed feb 29, 2012, led to recall 12V-005.
Engine compartment fire. Closed jan 15, 2010.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 15, 2009.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 17, 2007, led to recall 07V-156.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 19,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Ford Escape that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
What owners wrote
“May or may not be related but three different warnings came up within a 30 minute period while driving: Hill Start Assist Fault, Anti-lock Brake Fault and Parking Aid Sensor Fault. Note, I have been driving for months with proximity sensor out. Cause is currently unknown, I hope to get it into a garage this week.”
Filed Jun 16, 2024
“Car with 32000 miles has brakes and rotors worn out and need replacing the same week that long block needs replacing. Is this low quality materials? Confirmed by dealer.”
Filed Jun 15, 2022 · 32,000 miles
“3 different times when I put on the brakes, they just went all the way to the floor without stopping. This happened in a parking lot, exiting my driveway and going down a hill. All 3 times I had just started the car & was only going 5 miles per hour. These incidents occurred randomly, not on the same week.”
Filed Dec 29, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 27 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 1179 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 949 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 492 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 231 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 46 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 37 reports