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2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,468 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

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2018 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 5 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #74

Nov 212023

Escape

  • miles

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

At roughly 54600 miles the engine began to shudder badly when starting the vehicle and driving for the first minute or so. The vehicle produced a check engine light that would come on and then would go off within the same day after it was parked multiple times over several weeks, finally staying on for 2 days. Shuddering from the engine became significantly worse in that time and the check engine light began to flash while driving along with experiencing sudden loss of engine power. Took the vehicle to Ford who found the cause was a known defect causing coolant intrusion into the engine, requiring short block replacement new spark plugs, gaskets, etc. The vehicle was retained by Ford for over 3 weeks for this repair.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #73

Dec 112023

Escape

  • 60,100 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated. Additionally, coolant needed to be added to the vehicle more frequently than normal. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop sign, there was a large amount of white smoke coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle to allow the smoke to dissipate. The contact was able to push the vehicle back to the residence nearby. The contact stated that a mobile independent mechanic arrived and inspected the vehicle, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The failure was related to NHTSA ID Number: 10214126 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 60,100.

- Sparks, NV, USA

problem #72

Oct 312023

Escape 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles
The contact's husband owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the engine was running rough, and the vehicle was shuddering while driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle a week later, the vehicle stalled and was undrivable. The vehicle remained in the driveway. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

- Marysville, MI, USA

problem #71

Nov 302023

Escape

  • 119,388 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 45 MPH, the message "High Temperature - Stop Engine" was displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle temporarily. The contact stated that she restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,388.

- Wilson, NC, USA

problem #70

Nov 192023

Escape

  • 100,131 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering and nearly stalled. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle hesitated before driving forward. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had intruded into the cylinders and referred the contact to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulleting: 19-2139 Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was 100,131.

- Auburn, GA, USA

problem #69

Oct 012023

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a coolant odor coming into the cabin while the vehicle idling or running. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into cylinders #1 and #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #68

Oct 272023

Escape

  • 97,342 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 60 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat, and the steering wheel became firm. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle eventually became inoperable. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and noticed a fluid leak and smoke coming from the muffler. The triangle master warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure an advised the contact to have a diagnostic test performed. The failure mileage was approximately 97,342.

- Covington, TN, USA

problem #67

Nov 162023

Escape

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to indicate that the engine was overheating, displaying a message reading "Stop Vehicle Immediately". The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to let the vehicle cool down. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was abnormally low. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #66

Oct 142023

Escape

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle vibrated and idled very roughly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the rough idling with the check engine warning light had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who determined there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19-2139 Coolant Intrusion in the Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Brook Park, OH, USA

problem #65

Nov 032023

Escape

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact opened the hood and became aware that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact's brother opened the coolant cap and topped off the coolant. The contact thought there might have been an air in the unit. While her father was driving the vehicle, the engine overheated. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the coolant reservoir was empty and topped off the coolant. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine fault service message was displayed. The contact had a friend check the vehicle and had retrieved unknown codes. The contact called the local dealer and was informed there was coolant intrusion and that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- Wilburton, PA, USA

problem #64

Oct 182023

Escape

  • miles

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

About 20 months ago and at 120,000 miles my transmission blew and I filed a report with you. This time about 2 months ago my engine started shaking when being started, and according to my local Ford dealership, my engine block is either cracked or has a warped cylinder head. Either way the entire engine needs to be replaced. It now has 140,000 miles on it. In addition to this, I have had several other things go wrong with my vehicle over the same time frame. I cannot afford spend $8,0000 for a new engine right now, and my experience also tells me that this will not be the end of the major repairs either. Right now I have a $35,000 (original price) boat anchor. Repair information to be provided upon request.

- Metamora, MI, USA

problem #63

Nov 012023

Escape

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and would not properly accelerate. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that there was coolant present inside the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

problem #62

Oct 302023

Escape

  • 102,648 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and reversing, the vehicle suddenly overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine cylinders. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and declined to repair the vehicle under the Third-Party Extended Warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 102,648.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #61

Oct 022023

Escape

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving on the highway the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The vehicle then decelerated to 35 MPH independently and was sluggish. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that she continued driving with the hazard lights activated because the vehicle failed to exceed 37 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the vehicle started losing power, and she was able to drive uphill to her residence at 10 MPH. The Hill Assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, and that the engine and the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the engine replacement would be covered under Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

- Syracuse, IN, USA

problem #60

Aug 152023

Escape

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. The message "Engine Overheated" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and allowed the engine to cool down. The contact then added coolant to the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket had fractured between cylinder #1 and #2, which caused coolant to leak into the pistons. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there would be no assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

- River Falls, WI, USA

problem #59

Oct 152023

Escape

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to overheat, prompting him to pull the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was empty. Upon refilling the coolant reservoir, the vehicle briefly returned to normal functionality but the failure later reoccurred. The overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined coolant intrusion had damaged the engine requiring an engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- Holt, MI, USA

problem #58

Oct 092023

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine, requiring an engine replacement. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #57

Sep 152023

Escape

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 50 MPH, the overheating warning light was illuminated. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was extremely low and boiling. Upon refilling the reservoir, the vehicle briefly returned to normal functionality, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle required a coolant flush. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Vass, NC, USA

problem #56

Sep 012023

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing coolant but was unable to locate the source of the leak. Additionally, he had to add additional anti-freeze approximately every two to three weeks. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, where an appointment was scheduled, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Highland Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #55

Sep 222023

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated when the vehicle was started. The contact checked the engine compartment and became aware that the coolant level was low. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated, and the contact had been filling the coolant reservoir on a recurring basis. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had intruded into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19-2139 Coolant Intrusion into the Engine Block (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

- Chicago Heights, IL, USA

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