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What 1,734 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Escape Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,734)Crash / fire / injury (38)Engine (1,100)Engine & cooling (338)Transmission & drivetrain (262)Electrical system (53)Fuel system (51)Steering (29)Brakes (26)Wheels (22)Speed control (21)Body & structure (19)

38 of 1,734 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 2 of 2

Nov 25, 2021Crash

I was stopped for an accident on I70 E in St Louis County. While stopped a 2015 Mazda hit me in the rear. He hit me so hard that the the seat broke and I went all the way back to the back seat. He then pushed me into the stopped Tahoe in front of me. I went forward and hit the steering wheel. None of the airbags deployed. Component malfunction would be air bag system and seat. I feel that if I had one of my grand kids in the back they may have been crushed. As far as I know the problem has not been confirmed by anyone. The car was checked by insurance company and totaled. There were no warnings or warning lamps. I have pictures that can be emailed or texted, I can't get them in here.

NHTSA ODI 11441686

Nov 23, 2020AirbagsCrash2 injuries

HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEFLATE.

NHTSA ODI 11375960

Aug 20, 2020Crash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE PARKED THE VEHICLE INTO A UPHILL DRIVEWAY, WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THE WIFE DID NOT HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ACTIVATED AND THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE ACROSS THE STREET WHILE HIS GRANDCHILD WAS STILL SEATED ON A CAR SEAT AT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE HAD SUSTAINED INJURIES ON BOTH KNEES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE COSMETIC REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11350489

Dec 29, 2019EngineFuel systemCrashFire4 injuries

ON DECEMBER 26, 2019, ANOTHER OTHER VEHICLE HIT THIS 2018 FORD ESCAPE, SPINNING IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES (ALL FORDS) WERE IN MOTION TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS ESCAPE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 122 NEAR BURNT CHIMNEY, VA. THE OTHER TWO FORDS WERE TRAVELING SOUTH ON THIS TWO LANE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11291920

Nov 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrainCrash

STARTED THE VEHICLE ON LEVEL GROUND, VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ON, FORGOT SOMETHING IN HOME, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE & PROCEED TOWARDS HOME BUT BEFORE I GOT THERE BACKED UP & HIT HOME, ENGINE THEN STALLED, RESTARTED ENGINE & MOVED VEHICLE BACK TO ORIGINAL POSITION, I THEN TRIED TO REPLICATE EVENTS, VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, VEHICLE REMAINED STATIONARY, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE & VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO MOVE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE VEHICLE & REPORTED THAT VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE UNTIL I WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF VEHICLE & PROCEEDING TO HOME WITH MY BACK TURNED.

NHTSA ODI 11279548

Feb 18, 2019EngineCrash1 injury

WHILE TRAVELING IN A ROTARY OUR CAR WAS STRUCK VIOLENTLY BY A VEHICLE ON THE LEFT TRYING TO MAKE AN INCORRECT EXIT. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP OPERATING RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING LAND BRAKING. BECAUSE OF NO POWER, THE STEERING DID NOT RESPOND NOR DID THE BRAKES. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS PRIMARILY COSMETIC AND LITTLE MECHANICAL DAMAGE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND IF THE CAR HAD REMAINED IN CONTROL IT COULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED BEFORE IT PROCEEDED INTO THE ONCOMING LAND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE AND THE ONE THAT WAS HIT. IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DEVICE TO TURN AN ENGINE OFF WHEN HIT WITH ALL OF OUR POWER STEERING AND BRAKES THIS IS A PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11180975

Dec 10, 2018SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash

I WAS DRIVING HOME 11-28-18 5:40PM PST WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SWERVED HARD TO THE RIGHT; I HAD NO CONTROL, & IT CAUSED ME TO HIT A PARKED UNOCCUPIED CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I HAD NOT HIT ANY OBJECT NOR POTHOLE. VEHICLE IS 6 MONTHS OLD. SUSPENSION GAVE WAY. PARTS OF SUSPENSION WERE LAYING ON THE STREET. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE DUE TO SUSPENSION FAILING. MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I WAS DRIVING 15 MPH. I HAVE PHOTOS; 2 ARE ATTACHED TO THIS FORM. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY BUT I AM UNABLE TO ATTACH THAT DOCUMENT. NO POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ODI 11160538

Oct 20, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash

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. I THEN REALIZED IT HAD DRIVEN ITSELF INTO THE GARAGE. IT RAN INTO MY BICYCLE, A CAR RACK AND SOME PLASTIC CABINETS. LUCKILY THERE IS ONLY A SMALL DENT AND SCRATCH ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND NO ONE WAS HIT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN AND DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11141528

Sep 9, 2018SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash2 injuries

WENT TO STOP ON WET ROAD TRACTION CONTROL KICKED IN WHEELS LOCKED UP CAUSING ME NOT BE ABLE TO GUIDE MYSELF OFF THE ROAD FROM HITTING CAR IT FRONT SLIDE THE WHOLE CAR SHUT DOWN DOORS LOCKED CAUSING ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT HAD TO KICK THE DOOR OPEN AND MY PHONE WAS HOOKED UP TO THE BLUETOOTH AND NO COPS WERE CONTACTED LIKE I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE! IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS A ROBOT AND SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN AND I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AFTER HITTING MY BRAKES IT WAS LIKE HAVING NO TIRES FROM THAT POINT ON AND MY CAR ONLY HAD 9,000 MILES ON IT!

NHTSA ODI 11128379

Sep 7, 2018EngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A COLLISION WITH A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUGOFF FORD (LOCATED AT 979 US-1, LUGOFF, SC), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO OPERATE A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS REPAIRED 12/03/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11128106

Aug 14, 20181 injury

I BELIEVE MY WIFE AND I EXPERIENCED WHAT IS KNOW AS PARK TO REVERSE. OUR CAR WAS IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND MY WIFE PUT IT INTO PARK, LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND GOT OUT AS I WAS GONG TO PUT IT IN THE GARAGE; (I WAS IN THE PASSANGER SEAT AT THE TIME) A DELAY OF SEVERAL SECONDS OCCURRED AND THEN THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE IN REVERSE HITTING MY WIFE AND KNOCKING HER DOWN DRAGGING HER ON THE DRIVEWAY; NEXT THE CAR WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR STREET WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT STILL MOVING SIDEWAY AND BACKWARDS SLAMMING INTO OUR NEIGHBORS FENCE ACROSS THE STREET. FORD MOTOR CO HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER STATING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEY HAVE DENIED MY CLAIM FOR THE INJURIES AND MEDICAL BILLS MY WIFE HAS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL AT FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME WITH A COPY OF THE ENGINEERS REPORT WHO INSPECTED THE CAR. THEY STATE; "THERE IS NO WRITTEN REPORT"! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? BECAUSE WE HAVE NO ATTORNEY THEY ARE TREATING US WITH THE MIDDLE DIDGET. PLEASE HELP AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL SAFEY ISSUE WITH THE 2018 FORD ESCAPE WITH THE 6SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSIMISSION

NHTSA ODI 11119904

Jul 25, 2018Body & structure1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR LIFTGATE OPENED AND A SUITCASE FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WENT TO RETRIEVE THE SUITCASE FROM THE ROAD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE SUITCASE BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE'S REAR AREA, THE HATCH STARTED TO CLOSE ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS TO HOLD THE HATCH OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO TO THE URGENT CARE FACILITY AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DAVIDSON FORD OF CLAY, 3690 NY-31, LIVERPOOL, NEW YORK, (315) 860-009), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S FOOT MUST HAVE BEEN TO CLOSE TO THE REAR FOOT SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED THE HATCH TO CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,709.

NHTSA ODI 11113565

May 16, 2018AirbagsBrakesCrash

BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ON THE 24TH OF APRIL 2018. HAD A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 60 MILES AN HOUR. I REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE AFTER THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I DID NOT STOP. THE AIRBAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED IN DUE TO THE COLLISION. IT WAS JUST CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS AND NOW I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ODI 11096357

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Working with the data? Download all 1,734 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Ford Escape Gas verdict →