2018 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 1179owner reports
- 83,344median miles
- $9,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1431 of the 1,802 complaints on this car are about the engine. 1179 of those describe overheating, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Escape.
Narrower sheets: Head gasket fails or coolant leaks into the engine (117 reports)
Tick what matches of 1179 reports
Overheating 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: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Most owners in this group notice the coolant before they notice the heat: a reservoir that keeps dropping, a sweet smell, or a bright puddle under the front of the car. Across the vehicles on this site, about four in five of these complaints mention coolant, a leak or a puddle, and roughly two in five mention the temperature gauge or overheating.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head gasket (114 reports), the coolant hose or reservoir (81 reports), the water pump (18 reports) and the thermostat (7 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
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
179 of the 1179 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,400 to $11,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 55,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 609 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 13 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 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or runs rough condition with or without an ...
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).
Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Programming - Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit collant intrusion into the cylinder bores.
Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming. Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores.
9 more on the 2018 Ford Escape page.
What owners wrote
“Engine died. Took it to a licensed mechanic and was told coolant leak caused total engine failure. Needs a new engine. Only 80000 miles.”
Filed Sep 25, 2023 · 80,000 miles
“I was having issues where my car was getting a code that there was an engine misfire occurring (PO302 code). I took it to multiple shops and nobody could figure out the problem. After extensive testing they finally figured out that there is coolant leaking onto my engine. I now have to repair basically half my engine and I have only had the car for 52,000 miles (5 years).”
Filed Sep 12, 2023 · 52,000 miles
“Vehicle has 45655 miles on it. Vehicle idled rough at start on 9-5-23. Upon driving at highway speeds check engine light illuminated. Vehicle was taken to repair shop the next day and was found to have coolant in the engine block and no coolant in the reservoir. No other engine lights are on no indicator for temp and temp was in the normal range.”
Filed Sep 8, 2023 · 45,655 miles
“Last week, I noticed that my vehicle was not driving the same. It was like jerking a little. I called and made an appointment with Ford service department. They did a diagnostic and said coolant was leaking into the engine. The car has a little over 72,000 miles on it. I looked at saw other Escapes had the same problem. I am writing to add to other complaints concerning the engine. Thank you.”
Filed Sep 8, 2023 · 72,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 1179 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports