FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2018 Ford Escape AWD
The 2018 Ford Escape AWD has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 1,720 owner complaints, and gets about 24 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2018 Ford Escape AWD at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.5L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.5 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 12, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
4 openAir Bags
18/12/2017
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.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
12/02/2018
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.
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.
Power Train
10/06/2022
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.
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.
Equipment
15/01/2026
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.
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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 12, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
1,720 filed- 870
ENGINE
defective engine block coolant intrusion into the cylinders engine shuts off during highway use. check engine light comes on before. i have taken it to ford dealership, it is a know defect, and they will not help with cost
- 319
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver-side vent failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer,
- 250
POWER TRAIN
Request for NHTSA Investigation – 2018 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion Engine Defect Vehicle Information Year/Make/Model: 2018 Ford Escape Engine: 1.5L EcoBoost VIN: [XXX] I am submitting this complaint regarding a well-doc
- 76
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nothing happened I just noticed I have a blind spot in both of my rearview mirrors and I am aware of this.
- 41
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car shifts into gears when in drive and I am breaking, it has locked in park, or drive, my car without emergency break has rolled down my driveway while off and in park. My local dealership claims they don’t have parts for it and I’m stu
- 29
STEERING
2018 Ford Escape. I have had the car since 12/2024. Less then 22000 miles in it. In this time I have had 4 alignment done. First one was 2 day after getting car. I pulls to the left. Second was 2 weeks after the first one. Then drove my car
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 12, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Frontal
- ★★★★★
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 12, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 24 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 22 / 28
- Est. fuel / yr
- $2,600
- CO₂ / mi
- 370 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 12, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the air bags). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 Ford Escape AWD? +
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Escape AWD, including the air bags. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Escape AWD get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Escape AWD at 24 mpg combined (22 city / 28 highway), about $2,600 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 Ford Escape AWD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Ford Escape AWD 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 Ford Escape AWD? +
Owners have filed 1,720 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Escape AWD, including 25 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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