2018 Ford Escape Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Transmission failed at 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the transmission fluid warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH to the dealer the following day, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond upon shifting to drive(D) or reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer ordered the part for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 93,385.
The vehicle flywheel is currently damaged at around 66000 miles. There are currently no warning lights for it at this time. There is a loud knocking sound that is known to get louder when turning the AC on.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH in the rainy weather, the vehicle lost motive power. The "Transmission Failure" message was displayed. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that transmission fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission shifter cable bushing listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) for which the VIN was included, had failed along with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission shifter cable bushing had not caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the transmission hesitated, and the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
With 125,000 miles the engine has coolant leaking into it with a possible blown head gasket.
I have the 6F35 transmission in my 2018 Ford Escape. On 11/12/24, while driving, the transmission had a catastrophic failure. The vehicle started jerking, it would not move when giving it gas, and the transmission was whining loudly. After taking my vehicle to a Ford dealer, I learned that the pump inside of the transmission flew apart, causing the transmission to fail and to get metal shavings throughout the transmission and oil cooler system. There was no warning. The vehicle drove normal until it didn't. I never got a warning light, even after the transmission completely failed. I believe this to be a catastrophic failure because I had the transmission fluid changed at a Ford dealership about a month ago and I was not told there were any metal shavings in the fluid and the vehicle drove normal after this service. For a new transmission and oil cooler, Ford is quoting me ~$7,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (POWER TRAIN) however the contact stated that the remedy completed was not correctly addressed which had a lead coolant leak into the vehicle transmission. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was advised that they would have to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine misfired. Additionally, the contact noticed a burning odor on the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was related to TSB Number: 22-2134. The contact was then informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under TSB Number: 22-2134, because the TSB had expired, and the vehicle had a Salvage Title. Additionally, the contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact was informed by the dealer that the recall repair would not be completed due to the Salvaged Title. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
2018 Ford Escape engine coolant leaking into engine oil. 88,000 miles. Car well taken care of. White smoke coming from exhaust. Ford knows of this defect. I am a poor student and owe 8k on this vehicle. This defect should be a required recall.
2018 Ford Escape started jerking when first accelerating. Had it looked at by a service shop and they said they found metal filings in the transmission fluid and it should be replaced. Instead of replacing I decided to try to change the fluid to extend the life. But about 1 week later it completely went out at a stop light and it would not move. It was a very dangerous situation since the car would not move at a busy intersection.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle functioned normally. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was hesitating while shifting to the next gear, and occasionally slipped out of the intended gear while driving at various speeds. The contact stated there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the vehicle whenever the transmission slipped out of gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coil packs and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer however, the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond, shuddered, and made an abnormal grinding sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and exceeding 30 MPH. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The recall repair was previously performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with the cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,800.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal clicking sound detected. The transmission default warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall coverage for the vehicle. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated and lost motive power before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 56,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway at 10 - 15 MPH, at approximately 100 meters down the street, the transmission fault message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact immediately turned around and parked in the driveway. The contact learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) and believed that the failure the vehicle had experienced was related to the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall nor was the warranty coverage available. The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
Coolant began leaking into the cylinders causing my car to overheat while driving making this dangerous
A coolant intrusion into the engine from the 3rd valve occurred, requiring a full engine replacement.
Coolant intrusion problem.
The contact's sister owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked forward while depressing the accelerator pedal after coming to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated there was an abnormal winding noise coming from the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a damaged bushing. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact linked the failure to the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clicking noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the clutch plate and flex plate needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
Transmission started stuttering around 40 to 50mph. The transmission had to be rebuild because of issue.
This was a company leased vehicle that I bought in 2023. It was never in an accident, and I had it in for the regular maintenance every 7,000 miles as directed by my company. Car crossed over to 100,000 miles and started making a loud rattling noise near the engine. Took it to a local Goodyear who believed it was a cracked or damaged Flywheel. They have dealt with several problems with this make and model for the flywheel issue. They suggested I bring it to the dealer and have the dealer diagnose. Dealer confirmed the flywheel was cracked. During this time, I was able to confirm a November 2022 recall was conducted for the same year for the Ford Edge and again for the Ford Fusion and MKZ models, for the flywheel issue. Customer Satisfaction Program number 22N12. I believe the Ford Escape Flywheel issue should be connected to this recall.
Ford Dealership replaced the transmission under warranty and forgot to tighten the transfer case bolts when reassembling the vehicle. Transfer case bolts worked loose over 8,000 miles and the transfer case separated from the transmission while driving.
This car has a flood of complaints and FORD even put out a bulletin about fixing the car BEFORE IT WAS SOLD in June of 2022. We purchased the car on 3/23/23 and FORD corporate stated the car never underwent the proper changes. The dealer did not take the appropriate steps to fixing two FORD bulletins, 19-2375 & 21N12, EVEN THOUGH THEIR WAS DIRECT KNOWLEDGE BY FORD TO THE DEALER to fix it before the selling it (be see the documentation provided). The car leaked oil and fluid into the spark plugs causing complete and total engine failure.The car will need a new engine. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service provider and will be soon at a FORD dealer "so they can look through it". The car has not been inspected by the manufacturer just yet but I'm covering my bases because many dealers are refusing to do the work. Warning light stated it was a misfire related code but it was not in fact, then it said it was a Engine Fault. I want this documented.
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Quick Summary
The 2018 Ford Escape has 126 Power Train complaints on file. 3 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.