2018 Ford Escape · recalls
2018 Ford Escape recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recalls that include the 2018 Ford Escape. The newest, 26V-011, was filed Jan 15, 2026 for the equipment.
- 4recalls
- 4systems
- 1,792owner complaints
Newest recall or investigation Jan 15, 2026 · checked Sep 22, 2026
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Every recall, newest first
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
3 of the 1,792 owner complaints on this car cite the equipment. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine overheats or leaks coolant (1172) · Check engine light or misfire (946) · Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (486) · Engine misfire (355).
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.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
269 of the 1,792 owner complaints on this car cite the transmission and drivetrain, 6 of them the same part of it (Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)). Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (229) · Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (46) · Transmission fails or needs replacement (37).
What owners wrote about gear position indication (prndl)
“Transmission started stuttering around 40 to 50mph. The transmission had to be rebuild because of issue.”
Filed May 16, 2024
A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.
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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
2 of the 1,792 owner complaints on this car cite the service brakes, hydraulic. Symptom sheets that include this system: Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (26).
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.
Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
9 of the 1,792 owner complaints on this car cite the airbags.
Complaints with no recall behind them
The systems owners of the 2018 Ford Escape complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.
- Engine: 1,146 complaints, no recalloverheating · misfire
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 342 complaints, no recalloverheating · misfire
- Electrical: 53 complaints, no recallmisfire · stalling
- Fuel and propulsion: 42 complaints, no recallmisfire · stalling
- Steering: 32 complaints, no recall
More on the 2018 Ford Escape
Problems by mileage on the 2018 Ford Escape · Ford Escape years to avoid