2018 Ford Escape Reliability Report

This mixed category repeats patterns found elsewhere. The car surges forward while stopped with the brake pressed, or rolls and reverses after being put in park, causing crashes and injuries. Several reports describe coolant getting into the engine and head gasket failure that ends in engine replacement, some after repeated spark plug changes. Smaller complaints cover a stuck cylinder 1 spark plug, poor fuel economy, stop/start faults, and a soaked cabin air filter growing mold. A few owners say their car was sold with open recall work they were never told about.

The SYNC module (APIM) fails and takes out the touch screen, radio, navigation, Bluetooth, USB charging, and rear camera. Reports put this at around 55,000 to 65,000 miles. Other complaints describe the engine shutting off in traffic, dash lights and gauges going dark, a string of warning messages at once, and repeated battery replacements. Stalling after refueling is also reported, in one case fixed by replacing the purge valve. A low-beam headlight connector that melts and burns out the bulb also comes up.

Power steering assist cuts out without warning, often with a "Steering Assist Fault" or "Power Steering Loss" message, and the wheel becomes very heavy. It can happen at startup or while driving. Shops usually find a failed electric steering rack. One dealer repair cost $3,171.45, and some owners waited on back-ordered parts. Failures mostly fall between about 15,108 and 69,470 miles. Other reports describe the wheel pulling right on its own. The category has 3 crash-related reports, including a rollover after the steering went stiff.

Lug nuts swell and deform, so the factory lug wrench no longer fits and shops will not rotate the tires until the nuts are replaced. Most owners find out during a routine oil change or tire rotation, at about 34,250 to 95,000 miles. A flat tire can turn into a tow because the nuts will not come off. Replacing a set of 17 can cost several hundred dollars. One report describes a rear rim failing at highway speed.

The brake pedal sinks to the floor and the car does not stop. This happens at low speed right after startup and also in traffic. In one case it was traced to a faulty master cylinder at about 23,000 miles. Two reports involve crashes. Rear pads and rotors also wear out early, with uneven wear and deep scoring reported at 13,967 and 32,000 miles. Higher-mileage cars show parking brake faults, including one that engaged by itself at 20 mph.

Water leaks into the cabin and spare tire well through failed roof seam sealer, a rear quarter panel, or the area near the rearview mirror. White paint around the windshield and pillars bubbles, cracks, and peels. Other complaints cover doors that will not latch, a driver's door hinge that pops loudly, a dashboard lifting near the glove box, a belly shield that falls off, and a liftgate that opened while driving and then closed on a person's head. Two reports involve injuries.

In serious crashes, the bags fail to deploy. Reports include head-on collisions, a guardrail impact, and rear-end crashes at highway speed that left cars totaled. Seven of the 8 complaints are crash-related, and together they report 7 injuries. Some drivers say they hit the steering wheel or dashboard. The one remaining complaint concerns a recall notice where the dealer did not have the parts to do the repair.