Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2018 Ford Escape
NHTSA data on file today
The 2018 Ford Escape has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,823 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V011000 Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V413000 Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V104000 Incorrect Brake Hoses may Chafe NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V803000 Inflator Component may Detach During Deployment NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 1,171 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 345 complaints
- Power Train 276 complaints
- Unknown or Other 107 complaints
- Electrical System 57 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 45 complaints
Of the 1,823 complaints on file, 26 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 1,823 complaints, owners report 30 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2018 Ford Escape shows an average reliability outlook with 1,813 complaints and four recalls. The engine and powertrain are the most common issues. Limited evidence in other systems suggests typical concerns for this vehicle class.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$5,000 | common |
| powertrain | 60,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | occasional |
| electrical system | Unknown | $200–$1,500 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and service
- Tire rotations
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant replacement
- Air filter replacement
- Battery service
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating or coolant leaks
- Transmission shifting issues
- Electrical malfunctions
- Unusual engine noises
- Brake fluid leaks
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2018 Ford Escape at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.