2018 Ford Escape Recalls & Safety Report
The following open safety recalls are on record with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Escape. Recalls apply to specific VINs and build ranges. Check your VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Critical safety
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
NHTSA campaign # 26V011000 · Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company · Reported: 2026-01-15 · Electrical
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) Critical safety
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
NHTSA campaign # 22V413000 · Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company · Reported: 2022-06-10 · Powertrain
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Critical safety
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
NHTSA campaign # 18V104000 · Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company · Reported: 2018-02-12 · Brakes
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Critical safety
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
NHTSA campaign # 17V803000 · Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company · Reported: 2017-12-18 · Airbag
Recall summary
This 2018 Ford Escape has 4 open recalls on record with the U.S. NHTSA.
By affected component
- EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — 1 recall
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) — 1 recall
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS — 1 recall
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW — 1 recall
By severity
- Critical safety — 4
Most recent recall reported: 2026-01-15.
Recall data is sourced from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Ford Escape have open recalls?
Yes — there are 4 open NHTSA safety recalls on record for the 2018 Ford Escape. Recalls apply to specific VIN and build ranges, so check your exact VIN to confirm which affect your vehicle.
How do I check if a recall applies to my exact VIN?
This page lists recalls at the model level. Enter your 17-character VIN on our free VIN lookup to see which recalls apply to your specific car and to monitor it for new ones.
Who pays for a recall repair?
Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer for the affected make — the manufacturer covers the cost. Start by confirming your VIN is affected, then contact a dealer.
About this report
SaveVIN surfaces open recalls published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A model-level page lists every recall reported for the model; your specific VIN determines which apply to your car. Enter your VIN above for a VIN-precise report and to monitor it for new recalls.
Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.