2018 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Engine misfire
- 357owner reports
- 86,000median miles
- $9,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
357 of the 949 reports of misfire on the 2018 Escape describe misfire.
Part of Check engine light or misfire (949 reports)
Tick what matches of 357 reports
Misfire 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: 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the spark plugs (98 reports), the ignition coils (58 reports), the sensor (8 reports) and the injectors (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
All 4 recalls on the 2018 Ford Escape, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Escape
Underhood fires caused by fuel leak. Closed oct 30, 2025, led to recall 25V-467.
Healey brothers ford / open recall sale. Open.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 27, 2024.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 21, 2013.
Engine stalling. Closed aug 31, 2004.
Engine stalling. Closed apr 15, 2004, led to recall 04V-165.
Engine stalling. Closed sep 10, 2002.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
60 of the 357 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,500 to $11,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 58,000 and 100,347 miles, from the 183 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 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 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores. Customer symptoms include coolant loss, excessive tailpipe smoke, or illuminated malfunction indicator lights (MIL) due to engine misfire.
Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2015-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
Some 2015-2018 Fusion/MKZ/MKC/Escape/Edge vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a runs rough condition with DTCs P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316. This may be due to coolant intrusion due to corrosion on the engine block.
What owners wrote
“Check engine light came on at 103k miles with a P0302 error code. Replaced spark plugs and check engine light went away. 2 weeks later high engine temperature warning came on. Had it towed to a mechanic. Diagnosis was a cracked engine block with coolant leaking into cylinder number 3. Complete engine and turbo replacement is needed quoted at $11k.”
Filed May 6, 2025 · 103,000 miles
“Engine diagnosed with coolant intrusion related to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. A serious misfire happened without warning after coming to a stop on the road and car perceived to be undrivable. Mechanic advised coolant in cylinders and engine needs to be replaced. Ford will not replace the engine after 84k miles but mine is at 85k.”
Filed Mar 18, 2025 · 84,000 miles
“Check Engine Light came on with Error Code Engine Misfire Cylider 1. Mechanic diagnosed it with a Burnt Valve from Coolant Intrusion. Car only has 85,000 miles on it. Contacted Ford and they said it's a known issue but they refuse to pay to fix the vehicle since my vehicle is 1,000 miles over the 84,000 mile mark.”
Filed Jan 6, 2025 · 85,000 miles
“Head gasket blown at 97,000 miles. My car died in the middle of the road. My car was deemed not drivable by the dealership. The problem started with a P0303 code which was a cylinder three misfire. I had a shop look it and they were going to replace the spark plug and coil pack. Three days later my car overheated on my way to get the repair and they said my head gasket was blown. This was in August of 2024”
Filed Nov 15, 2024 · 97,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 357 reports involved a crash. 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 1179 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports