Ford · Known Issues
2018 Ford Escape Problems: 11 Known Issues
2018 model year · 2,070+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2018 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2018 model year · 2,070+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2018 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 2,070+ owner reports, the 2018 Ford Escape has 11 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders - Engine Block Porosity ($0-$6,500 repair), 2.0L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion - Open-Deck Block Design Failure ($0-$9,500 repair), Electric Power Steering Rack Failure ($100-$1,700 repair), AWD Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Overheating, Fluid Leak, and Failure ($300-$1,800 repair) and P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Failure in the 6F35 Automatic ($600-$2,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders - Engine Block Porosity with 1,240 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $9,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with a key-start ignition system. The Body Control Module (BCM) intermittently may not pick up the signal from the rear Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors or the Remote Key Fob. In the event of a low tire pressure condition, the TPMS system may not provide an adequate warning.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
+ 29 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 2,070+ owner reports, the 2018 Ford Escape has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders - Engine Block Porosity, 2.0L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion - Open-Deck Block Design Failure, Electric Power Steering Rack Failure. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2018 Ford Escape has 11 known issues documented across 2,070+ owner reports. 5 issues are rated critical: 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders - Engine Block Porosity and 2.0L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion - Open-Deck Block Design Failure and Electric Power Steering Rack Failure and AWD Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Overheating, Fluid Leak, and Failure and P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Failure in the 6F35 Automatic. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Escape issues range from $0 to $9,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders - Engine Block Porosity, typically costs $0-$6,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The 1.5L EcoBoost engine in 2017-2022 Ford Escapes suffers from a critical design defect where coolant leaks internally into the combustion cylinders. Ford engineers determined the engine block is made of porous material with an insufficient sealing surface between cylinders. The… Repairs typically run $0-$6,500. Severity: high.
The 2.0L EcoBoost in 2015-2019 Ford Escape suffers from the same fundamental open-deck block design defect as the 1.5L variant. Coolant leaks internally through the cylinder head/block interface into the combustion chambers. Ford issued TSB 19-2208 in 2019 (later updated to TSB 2… Repairs typically run $0-$9,500. Severity: high.
The 2013-2022 Escape uses an electric power steering (EPS) rack that can fail, causing heavy steering, intermittent loss of power assist, or a steering warning light. The EPS motor or torque sensor within the rack assembly can malfunction due to heat and electrical issues. When t… Repairs typically run $100-$1,700. Severity: high.
On 3rd-generation AWD Escapes (primarily 2.0L EcoBoost AWD), the Power Transfer Unit (the right-angle gearbox that sends torque to the rear axle) holds only about one quart of fluid that Ford labels 'lifetime,' yet it runs continuously and runs hot. The fluid degrades and the uni… Repairs typically run $300-$1,800. Severity: high.
P0741 means the PCM commanded torque-converter-clutch lockup but the clutch isn't engaging (stuck off) or is slipping. The 2013-2020 Escape with the 6F35 6-speed automatic has a well-documented pattern of internal torque converter failure — worn lockup clutch lining, failed inter… Repairs typically run $600-$2,500. Severity: high.
Escapes equipped with the panoramic sunroof experience water leaks into the headliner and cabin, particularly during heavy rain or car washes. The issue stems from clogged sunroof drain tubes that run through the A and C pillars. When blocked with debris, water backs up and overf… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
The 2013-2019 Escape power liftgate latch assembly frequently fails, causing the rear hatch to either not open, not close properly, or pop open while driving. The latch mechanism corrodes internally and the micro-switch fails, particularly in humid or salt belt environments. Ford… Repairs typically run $40-$350. Severity: medium.
P0420 sets when the downstream (post-cat) oxygen sensor mirrors the upstream sensor too closely, telling the PCM the Bank 1 catalytic converter is no longer storing/releasing oxygen efficiently. On the Escape this most often means a genuinely worn-out or contaminated main catalyt… Repairs typically run $250-$2,200. Severity: medium.
P0011 sets when the Bank 1 intake camshaft is more advanced than the PCM commands. On the Escape the dominant cause is a sticking intake VCT (variable cam timing) solenoid, almost always from low or dirty engine oil letting debris jam the solenoid spool — Ford has multiple TSBs a… Repairs typically run $100-$450. Severity: medium.
P0442 flags a small evaporative-emissions leak on the Escape. The number-one cause is a loose, cracked, or worn-O-ring gas cap on cap-equipped model years; on capless cars a degraded filler-neck seal does the same thing. The second most common source is a failing canister purge v… Repairs typically run $20-$200. Severity: low.
P0455 is a large (gross) EVAP leak. On late-model Escapes the leading cause is the capless fuel filler inlet — debris or a worn internal flap prevents the neck from sealing, and a 'Check Fuel Fill Inlet' dash message is a dead giveaway the leak is at the filler rather than under… Repairs typically run $80-$350. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.