Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,286 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2018 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 24 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #182

Apr 072023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission was found to have a leak by my personal mechanic. The suv does not have a dipstick to check if fluid is low so a few weeks ago it start making noise and running weird. It would hesitate while driving, slow acceleration, even sputtering to the point of possible shutting off. Sometimes I am not able to reverse out of the way of traffic. It is dangerous especially if my children are in the car. My mechanic said that at first he just thought it was low on fluid and then he seen a puddle on the pan that collects underneath but he assumed it was oil but that wouldn't be because I just got an oil change from the dealership. Come to find out the transmission has had a slow leak that I would have never even noticed because there is a collection panel underneath. I've tried to contact the dealership multiple times. No help, we've only had the car for 15 months.

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

problem #181

Apr 082023

Escape

  • miles
While driving vehicle on highway at highway speeds of 65 MPH. Vehicle check engine light started flashing. Vehicles slowed to 20 MPH. We almost got hit by 6 different vehicles and caused a pile up. Large cloud of black smoke left from tailpipes. Was stranded on side of highway. Was told by Ford that vehicle needed a new short block. This is the 3 engine for this vehicle with only 37000 miles.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #180

Mar 222023

Escape

  • miles
I had my adaptive cruise control on while driving on a highway and suddenly lost power/acceleration. I was able to limp the car back home and the check engine light came on. I took it in to get the error code read, which prompted that there was an issue with the high pressure fuel pump. I got that replaced by our normal service provider and picked up my vehicle. While driving the vehicle again (with adaptive cruise on), I lost acceleration/power. Since I wasn't in the area, I had the vehicle towed back to the service provider where the replaced fuel pump had "collapsed onto itself and broke", which luckily didn't cause serious injury. In this state, the service provider told me it was unsafe to drive. With the newest fuel pump, everything seemed fine for a few days in my daily travels. We were on our way to a vacation stay (highway speeds, adaptive cruise, driving for 2+ hours, etc.) when the issue presented itself again. This time when we returned to the service center, they stated that the engine had sludge which was causing the damage to the fuel pump and we would need to replace the engine. Since owning this vehicle, I have had it serviced as stated in the Ford service schedule (90,000 mile service, oil changes, etc.) and have always kept an eye on the temperature gauge. The fact that I have maintained this vehicle well and the engine now needs replacing doesn't seem to add up. I feel like there is a serious flaw with these engines and luckily, they didn't cause any accidents or harm in this instance.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #179

Mar 232023

Escape

  • 58,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle made a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, whenever the A/C was activated, there was a squealing sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 58,200.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #178

Nov 012022

Escape

  • miles
Every morning after starting, a thick cloud of white smoke emits from the exhausts. It clears up after a minute or so but it happens in both hot and cold weather. Took the car to the mechanic and it was determined there is a head gasket leak. Vehicle runs fine and does not overheat. Upon further research, i noticed it is a common occurrence with Ford Escape owners and the manufacturer isn't doing anything about it.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #177

Mar 202023

Escape

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle the contact heard an unknown sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle started to shake, followed by the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- San Jose , CA, USA

problem #176

Mar 242023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine over heated. Had diagnostics ran on it and it came back with 9 error codes. Then had a block diagnostics done on it and it came back with 4 dealer codes. My 2018 Ford Escape is at the ford dealership as of 3/26/2023. Engine light is on.

- Walls, MS, USA

problem #175

Mar 162023

Escape

  • miles
The warning light came on. Car over heated, no steam, but antifreeze leaked by the wheel. There were no leaks to be found, so change the reservoir. Took the car out to test. After 30 minutes of driving car over heated again. I then took the car to the shop. I was told several need a new engine. Several codes showed up on diagnostic test.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #174

Mar 142023

Escape

  • miles
The vehicle started running rough - thought I had gotten bad gas. Took it and had it scanned and it read #2 ignition coil was bad. Had it replaced and it got worse so mechanic took it off. They found the coolant was low and then discovered blown head gasket. Coolant was running inside of motor and not outside onto the ground. I have found numerous reports on this same failure of the Ecoboost 1.5L engines. Messages came up and I took it to my mechanic.

- Bay Minette, AL, USA

problem #173

Mar 082023

Escape

  • miles
I was driving around 50 mph. A notice popped up that said service engine now. It then started to run hot. I pulled over on the side of the road and the car wouldn-??t start. The car had no coolant in it at all when my help arrived. It was empty. I now have a message on my Ford app that says power train malfunction. I haven-??t had this car two years. My safety was at risk because my daughter was in the car and it started to run hot. I thought my car was going to catch fire. I can-??t afford to fix this when thousands of other people have had this same issue.

- West Helena, AR, USA

problem #172

Dec 012022

Escape

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact's fiancé owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was intruding into the engine. There was a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the coil pack and spark plugs. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Leroy, MI, USA

problem #171

Nov 172018

Escape

  • miles
Another driver ran stop sign and hit middle of car, mostly the left door behind drivers seat. The back and passager airbags released but the driver side airbag didn't fully release. I didn't know at the time that this was weird and was actually relieved it didn't. Since then, my son's dad drove my suv and told me that the front windshield may not have been bonded correctly, he has to put additional force on the breaks and the engine makes random noises whenever it does, it looses power and he has to put the pedal to the metal. He says since my suv only has 18,000 miles, it shouldn't be doing these things. It also burns through coolant. I don't know if any other fords have issues likes this too.

- Wasilla, AK, USA

problem #170

Mar 022023

Escape

  • miles
Continuous low coolant level. Every 3 weeks have to replenish coolant. Have seen others having same issue.

- Delphi, IN, USA

problem #169

Feb 032023

Escape

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started overheating and the coolant level warning light illuminated. The contact checked the coolant level and noticed that there was no coolant in the vehicle. The contact added coolant, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 122,000.

- Collinsville, IL, USA

problem #168

Feb 102023

Escape

  • 63,500 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an unknown speed, a temperature warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was first towed to an independent mechanic and later to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant had leaked into cylinder #2. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN regarding the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure and remained in the possession of the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.

- Windham, OH, USA

problem #167

Feb 112023

Escape

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle overheated. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 21N12 (Coolant Intrusion). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #166

Jan 272023

Escape

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the coils needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #165

Jan 032023

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The engine misfire warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown, and that antifreeze was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #164

Feb 052023

Escape

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with the coolant leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #163

Jan 212023

Escape

  • miles
The fly wheel broke at the factory welds, and it is not covered by the warranty, but the same flywheel is used in the 2020 Ford Fusion and is being recalled for defects and covered under warranty.

- Franklin, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?