Is the 2018 Ford ESCAPE reliable?

The 2018 Ford ESCAPE has 2070 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Ford ESCAPE?

Top problems: ENGINE (1399 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (260 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (106 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Ford ESCAPE?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Ford ESCAPE?

The 2018 Ford ESCAPE gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Ford ESCAPE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Ford ESCAPE is approximately $1,652/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Ford ESCAPE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford ESCAPE has 2070 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 1283. The most common issue is engine problems (68% of all complaints), specifically: my 2018 ford escape engine light came on. i took it to the dealership to have it checked. they put a machine on it and said you need a new engine. i went to see my salesman and he was not in. i called the next day and told him about my escape. i told him i would not feel safe in it now. he said ther. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 25 crash reports 31 injuries

2070

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

1399 complaints

68%

• MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY PUT A MACHINE ON IT AND SAID YOU NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WENT TO SEE MY SALESMAN AND HE WAS NOT IN. I CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD HIM ABOUT MY ESCAPE. I TOLD HIM I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT NOW. HE SAID THER
• PURCHASED NOV 2017- ON MAY 23RD, 2018 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTACTED SERVICES AT THE FORD DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING. I WAS AT THE DEALER FIRST THING TUESDAY MORNING DUE TO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, WHERE THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE E
• NEW VEHICLE AND ENGINE OVERHEATING AT 25K

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY PUT A MACHINE ON IT AND SAID YOU NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WENT TO SEE MY SALESMAN AND HE WAS NOT IN. I CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD HIM ABOUT MY ESCAPE. I TOLD HIM I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT NOW. HE SAID THER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Ford ESCAPE

Based on 790 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 80K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

135

30-60K

118

60-100K

307

100-150K

219

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Earlier than typicalmedian 25K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 26K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 28K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 28K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 30K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 22K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW18/12/2017

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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Ford ESCAPE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Ford ESCAPE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,652

Full coverage / month

$138

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1652

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford ESCAPE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2018 ESCAPE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 2070 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY PUT A MACHINE ON IT AND SAID YOU NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WENT TO SEE MY SALESMAN AND HE WAS NOT IN. I CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD HIM ABOUT MY ESCAPE. I TOLD HIM I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT NOW. HE SAID THER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I DROVE MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHICH IS ON A SLIGHT HILL. I OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING TO CHECK OUT SOMETHING IN OUR YARD. I WALKED ACROSS MY SMALL YARD AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. I TURNED AROUND AND THE CAR WAS NO WHERE IN SIGHT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: AFTER HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE REMOTE START NOT WORKING, I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE FROM THE FORD PASS APP WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN AN UNCOVERED LOT, WHICH DID NOT START. I STARTED REMOTELY FROM THE KEY FOB AND LOADED MY INFANTS CAR SEAT INTO THE CAR, PUT MY BAG IN THE CAR, AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: BACK ELECTRIC TAILGATE DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. THIS IS INDICATED BY THE HORN DOUBLE HONKING WHEN LOCKING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO INDICATOR ON THE DASH WHEN THE CAR IS ON THAT THIS IS NOT FULLY LATCHED. I BELIEVE THIS COULD LEAD TO EXHAUST IN THE CABIN, ESPECIALLY IF IDLING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)