2018 Ford Escape electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 3, 2026PACrashTowedElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   On September 4, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape SE (1.5L EcoBoost) and executing a left-hand turn across an intersection. Mid-turn, the vehicle suddenly lost all power, an "Engine Fault" warning message illuminated on the dashboard, and the engine completely stalled out. Because the vehicle died directly in the path of oncoming traffic, I was forced to steer the coasting vehicle out of harm's way to avoid an imminent side-impact collision.…

   NHTSA complaint #11768713 · source
2. Filed Sep 29, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My vehicle has experienced a recurring cylinder 1 misfire (code P0301) over approximately two years. Ignition coils and spark plugs on cylinder 1 were replaced multiple times by different repair shops, but the misfire repeatedly returned, sometimes within months, sometimes within about a year. Wiring and injector testing was also performed and ruled out as the cause. A mechanic ultimately performed a leak-down/compression test and borescope inspection and found a compression…

   NHTSA complaint #11767894 · source
3. Filed Sep 22, 2026OHBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   As I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5 liter EcoBoost on the interstate at the posted 70 mph limit, my dash warning center display said Cross Traffic Fault, Hill Start Assist Not Available, Front Camera Fault, Collision Warning Not Available, Blindspot Left Sensor Fault, AWD Temporarily Unavailable, and Speed Control (radar?) not available. It then felt as if my AWD was switching on and off while making weird clicking noises. My engine then began missing and running…

   NHTSA complaint #11766176 · source
4. Filed Jul 9, 2026FLElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Multiple instances of low power to ignition coils (all of have been replaced with new coils and plugs). Transmission immediately stopped transmitting power to the wheels and would not re-engage. Transmission would sometimes go into gear, but slam into gear, lurch, or only shift into 1 or 2.

   NHTSA complaint #11749236 · source
5. Filed May 21, 2026TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical 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 stuck paying on a car I don’t feel safe in. They sold it to me knowing there was an active prior recall for this. I’m worried I’ll be driving one day and the gears shift automatically and kill me.

   NHTSA complaint #11739302 · source
6. Filed Feb 26, 2026IAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My 2018 Ford Escape has experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known issue affecting this model year. The vehicle began misfiring and consuming coolant without external leaks. This is an engine defect Ford has known about since 2010, yet they continued to put this engine into their cars. I had bought this car less then a year ago, it had been in the shop more then I have had it. It is constantly overheating. The most recent time I was driving my son to…

   NHTSA complaint #11720593 · source
7. Filed Feb 4, 2026FLElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Battery light came on, its a new battery with warning of 12v battery failure. The back camera has been giving blank screen and camera unavailable message.

   NHTSA complaint #11715445 · source
8. Filed Jan 26, 202680,851 miORElectrical System

   Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ford Escape. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 80,851and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 69,851.

   NHTSA complaint #11713491 · source
9. Filed Jan 24, 2026ILElectrical SystemLighting

   No dummy lights show. Drivers low beam wiring connector melts and burns out headlight bulb. I have had it replaced by Ford dealer RT 2, Dixon Il on 12/20/24 but again the same thing occurred again 01/03/26. I believe bad wiring or module. When asked dealer what caused the melting was told "We fixed it, it's good now". The bulb burnt out while driving on a rain dark night. My visibility was extremely low.

   NHTSA complaint #11713103 · source
10. Filed Dec 26, 2025VABrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    Multiple failures occurred while driving with my kids in the car from what we can tell an electrical system failure of the parking brake motor as well as a transmission failure it is unknown at this time whether the parking brake motor failed causing stress on the transmission or the transmission fault led to the end Electric motor failure of the parking brake

    NHTSA complaint #11707100 · source
11. Filed Dec 4, 2025ILElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    My vehicle stooped running. I scheduled maintenance at Metro Ford. According to the diagnostic test completed at Metro Ford, there were powertrain issues. This diagnosis also appears on my Ford Motor Pass app. According to the service department at Metro Ford, coolant was leaking into the engine and that a new water pump and battery needs to be installed to get the car back running. We complied with the cost ($2,400 this included new water pump and battery) and 30 days later…

    NHTSA complaint #11703090 · source
12. Filed Nov 11, 2025WVElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Our family has been on the middle of the highway when the Escape has just shut off. We here in Charleston, WV are not the only ones with this issue. We have contacted FORD multiple times on this. The engine failure about 6-7 years ago was the start. Coolant leaking into the cylinder, which is a service bulletin not a recall, prompted the engine to be extensively repaired or replace. Then after this nothing was ever the same. Todd Judy Ford which has been through a rebrand…

    NHTSA complaint #11698729 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology