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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 Ford Escape recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 1,813
Latest campaign: Jan 15, 2026

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Equipment	1	Jan 15, 2026	26V011000
Power train	1	Jun 10, 2022	22V413000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Feb 12, 2018	18V104000
Air bags	1	Dec 18, 2017	17V803000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jan 15, 2026Latest campaign


Jan 15, 202626V011000	Equipment: electrical engine block heater An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 26V011000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 26V011000 · Jan 15, 2026
Jun 10, 202222V413000	Power train: automatic transmission gear position indication (prndl) 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V413000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 22V413000 · Jun 10, 2022
Feb 12, 201818V104000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components hoses, lines/piping, and fittings A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V104000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V104000 · Feb 12, 2018
Dec 18, 201717V803000	Air bags: side/window 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V803000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V803000 · Dec 18, 2017

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component1,813

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,813Complaints filed

26Involving a crash

5Involving a fire

30Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	1,163	64	5	4	7
Engine and engine cooling	344	19	0	0	0
Power train	275	15	4	0	6
Unknown or other	106	6	6	1	7
Electrical system	57	3	3	0	2
Fuel/propulsion system	45	2	1	1	4
Steering	30	2	3	0	3
Service brakes	27	1	4	0	2
Vehicle speed control	23	1	2	0	2
Wheels	22	1	1	0	0
Structure	20	1	2	0	5
Fuel system	12	1	0	0	0
Gasoline	12	1	0	0	0
Suspension	11	1	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	11	1	0	0	0

16 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Engine
“I have a 2018 Escape that died on July 10, 2026, 39312 miles. Paid $300 for a diagnosis at a Ford dealer. A new engine was recommended. The dealer quote is $13,500 for replacement.”
Filed 10/15/2026 · ODI 11771394
Power train
“My daughter was driving our 2018 Ford Escape at highway speed when it suddenly began shaking and shuddering violently, with no advance warning. The check engine light came on for the first time as the shaking began.”
Filed 10/13/2026 · ODI 11770962
Electrical system
“On approximately September 28, 2026, the vehicle began sputtering when first turned on. It then progressed to running extremely rough. On September 30, 2026 the Engine Icon lit up first.”
Filed 10/12/2026 · ODI 11770490

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2018 Ford Escape recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Escape. The most recent, 26V011000 (reported January 15, 2026), concerns equipment. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Ford Escape?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 1,163 complaints out of 1,813 filed with NHTSA (64%). Across all complaints, owners reported 26 crashs and 5 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 Ford Escape?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

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