2018 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Escape. Between them they involve equipment, power train, brakes and air bags. The most recent was received on January 15, 2026.

January 15, 2026Equipment

Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire

NHTSA campaign 26V-011 · 116,672 vehicles potentially affected · Equipment

The defect: 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.

The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

The 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…
June 10, 2022Power train

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

NHTSA campaign 22V-413 · 2,925,968 vehicles potentially affected · Power train

The defect: 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.

The 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.

The 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.
February 12, 2018Brakes

Incorrect Brake Hoses may Chafe

NHTSA campaign 18V-104 · 88 vehicles potentially affected · Service brakes, hydraulic

The defect: 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.

The risk: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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.
December 18, 2017Air bags

Inflator Component may Detach During Deployment

NHTSA campaign 17V-803 · 11,113 vehicles potentially affected · Air bags

The defect: 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.

The 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.

The 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.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Escape built in 2018. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

What 2018 Ford Escape owners should do

Check your VIN on NHTSA’s lookup to see which of these campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether any are still open.
Call a Ford dealer and book the repair, quoting the campaign numbers (26V-011, 22V-413, 18V-104, 17V-803).
If you have bought the vehicle used, the recall still applies: the repair is free whoever owns the vehicle now.
Make sure your current address is on file with the manufacturer so the owner letters reach you.

Other Ford Escape model years

Common questions

Does the 2018 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 campaigns for the 2018 Ford Escape: 26V-011 (Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire); 22V-413 (Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable); 18V-104 (Incorrect Brake Hoses may Chafe); 17V-803 (Inflator Component may Detach During Deployment).

How do I know if my 2018 Ford Escape has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Will the dealer charge to fix the 2018 Ford Escape?

No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by Ford dealers. Quote the NHTSA campaign number when you book.