Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Ford Escape powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape have filed 253 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 78,500 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
253
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Escape | 468 |
| 2015 Escape | 272 |
| 2016 Escape | 314 |
| 2017 Escape | 369 |
| 2018 Escape (this page) | 253 |
| 2019 Escape | 113 |
| 2020 Escape | 219 |
| 2021 Escape | 35 |
| 2022 Escape | 27 |
4crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 253 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Ford Escape, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 253 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and on certain vehicles install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and on certain vehicles install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the bushing and install the protective cap over the selector at the transmission end of the selector lever cable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2017-2019 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive (AWD) may exhibit a bump or clunk from the rear drive unit (RDU) when turning at low speeds and parking lot maneuvers. This may be due to the software in the powertrain control module (PCM). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Ford Escape powertrain exhibits two major, recurring failure patterns documented across 239 complaints.
Coolant intrusion in 1.5L EcoBoost engines is the first. Coolant leaks from a defect in the engine block and enters cylinders, causing P0302/P0303 misfire codes, white smoke, burnt-coolant smell, rough running, loss of coolant without external leaks, and sometimes sudden loss of power. Many owners discover it after the check-engine light comes on or the engine overheats; some find it only after coolant level drops dramatically. Dealers and independent shops consistently recommend short-block or full-engine replacement at $9,000–$13,000+. Ford issued Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 covering this defect, but the program expired November 30, 2022, and many owners' VINs fall outside the eligibility window or mileage cap (84,000 miles). Owners report not being told about the program at sale or service, and Ford denies coverage once deadlines pass.
Transmission failure is the second pattern. Transmissions abruptly refuse to engage, lose power mid-drive, or fail completely with no warning light in many cases. Owners report metal shavings in fluid, burnt or dark fluid, hard shifts, and sudden stops on roadways. Remanufactured transmission replacement costs $6,200–$9,500. Some owners had transmissions replaced or repaired multiple times without resolution. Recall 22V413 exists for certain transmission shift issues, but many VINs are excluded, and the recall does not cover all failure modes. Warranty expires at 60,000 miles for many owners; failures occur at or just beyond this point, leaving owners responsible for full repair costs despite obvious manufacturing defect.
Both failures create genuine safety risk: sudden loss of power on highways, uncontrolled deceleration, and inability to avoid hazards.
Same Ford Escape powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5L EcoBoost engine)
Coolant leaks from a design defect in the engine block's cooling passages and intrudes into cylinders, causing misfires, white smoke, loss of coolant without visible external leaks, and potentially catastrophic engine failure. Affects 2017–2019 Escape models with 1.5L EcoBoost engines assembled in Louisville, Kentucky.
When: Typically between 35,000–92,800 miles; can occur without warning. Often discovered during routine maintenance or after check-engine light and overheating alerts.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (P0302, P0303, P0301 cylinder misfire codes); White smoke from exhaust on startup; Burnt coolant smell; Rough idle or running; Engine shaking or shuddering; Coolant level drops rapidly with no visible leak; Water rushing sound behind dashboard; Loss of power or limp mode; "Engine Fault Service Now" or "High Engine Temperature Stop Safely" alerts; Spark plugs wet or coated with coolant; Blown head gasket; Oil and coolant mixing
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0303, P0301, P2601
Repairs/costs cited: Short block replacement ($9,396–$9,600), long block replacement ($13,331–$13,900 or up to $10,000), or full engine replacement. Water pump and battery replacement may be interim/incomplete repair. Costs typically $6,000–$13,331+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 (PCM reprogramming) and 21N12 (short block replacement after coolant intrusion) offered coverage until November 30, 2022, with eligibility tied to mileage (84,000 miles) and build date (before April 8, 2019). TSB 19-2346, 19-2375, and 22-2322 issued. Many owners report CSP and TSB information was not proactively disclosed at sale or during service; coverage expired for out-of-window vehicles. Warranty claims often denied or owners directed to CSP programs no longer active.
Transmission failure—loss of power/no engagement
Transmission abruptly fails to engage gears, refuses to shift, or ceases to move the vehicle entirely. Complete loss of motive power with no prior warning lights in many cases. Occurs across a wide mileage range and affects multiple model years.
When: Reported at 34,000 miles to 130,000 miles; some failures occur within days or weeks of transmission fluid service or after recall work. One case involved failure immediately after warranty expired at 60,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not shift into gear or engage gears; Loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle comes to complete stop in middle of road; "Transmission Failure" or "Transmission Fault Service Now" alert; RPM gauge swinging left to right; Vehicle jerking or hesitating; Vehicle rolling backward when in forward gear; Rattling noise from transmission area; Burnt smell or loud whining; Metal shavings in transmission fluid; Transmission fluid discolored or dark
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement (remanufactured or new) costs $6,200–$9,500+. Torque converter replacement cited in some cases. One case involved cracked plate between transmission and engine requiring additional parts. Multiple repairs sometimes necessary; one owner had transmission replaced twice and transmission repaired multiple times without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V413 (NHTSA 22S43) exists for transmission shift issues but does not cover all transmission failures or all VINs in the model year. Many owners' VINs excluded from recall. Ford warranty covers some cases within coverage window; one owner had $100 out-of-pocket under warranty after rebuild, but soon experienced failure again. Many owners denied coverage. Warranty approval processes involve delays of weeks; parts often backordered, extending repair timelines.
Transmission slipping, hard shifts, and hesitation
Transmission exhibits soft or hard shifts, slips out of gear during acceleration, hesitates to shift, or fails to respond to throttle input with normal acceleration. Often accompanied by abnormal fluid color and metal shavings.
When: Reported at 59,000 miles and 75,000+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifts or jerking while shifting; Transmission slipping out of gear; Hesitation when depressing accelerator; Inability to accelerate beyond certain speed (e.g., 15–40 mph limit); Weak acceleration; Abnormal grinding sound; Transmission fluid abnormally dark or burnt; Metal shavings in transmission fluid
Repairs/costs cited: Valve control assembly, solenoid valve blocks, and clutch drum 3-4-5 replaced; transmission fluid flushed and transmission reprogrammed. Costs not always specified by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred customer to dealer for reimbursement eligibility. No widespread recall or program noted.
Engine block failure after transmission repair
Engine short block, crankshaft, long block components (pump, converter), and related parts fail after transmission reconstruction. Metal shavings appear in transmission fluid shortly after rebuild.
When: Within 30–600 miles of transmission rebuild.
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or clanking noise from engine/transmission area; Discolored transmission fluid with metal shavings within 30 days of repair; Inability to accelerate; Loss of power; Sudden stopping; Clicking noise upon AC activation
Repairs/costs cited: Short block, crankshaft, long block components, flex plate, torque converter, and pump replacement required. Estimated $9,000+. One case involved multiple failures requiring third transmission.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty claims denied by third-party warranty provider (Olive Warranty noted). Ford deferred to warranty company.
Power transfer unit (PTU/transfer case) failure—AWD models
Power transfer unit fails, causing sudden aggressive pulling to one side of the road and potential loss of control. Preceded by squealing belt noise, ticking sounds, and other warning signs.
When: 35,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Squealing noise like belt slipping; Loud ticking under floorboard; Aggressive pulling to left during driving; Nearly causing multi-car accident
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified by owner; repair cost unknown. Owner stated Ford noted issue not covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford customer service indicated not covered. Owner stated PTU failures are a known issue with these units.
Flexplate failure
Flexplate, which connects engine to transmission, develops metallic clanking or rattling noise and fails. Critical component failure can lead to loss of propulsion.
When: At least 2 cases reported.
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic clinking or rattling noise from engine/transmission area; Sudden noise without prior warning; Vehicle still operable but failure condition indicated
Repairs/costs cited: Flexplate replaced. One case: flywheel replaced twice (2021 and 2024); Ford initially quoted $2,800, transmission shop performed repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall noted. Dealership confirmed diagnosis and repair.
Transmission pump failure
Internal transmission pump flies apart or fails, causing catastrophic transmission failure and dispersal of metal shavings throughout transmission and oil cooler system.
When: After routine fluid service in one case (within one month of service).
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerking; Will not move when applying throttle; Loud transmission whining; No warning light until after complete failure
Repairs/costs cited: New transmission and oil cooler replacement quoted at ~$7,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None noted in narrative.
Misfire with repeated spark plug and coil replacement
Check engine light and misfire codes (P0302 cylinder 2) persist after spark plug and ignition coil replacement. Fuel consumption increases. Later diagnosed as coolant intrusion, not spark plug issue.
When: Starting around 41,000 miles and recurring over multiple services.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (P0302); Vehicle shaking or rough running; Increased fuel consumption; Repeated misfire of same cylinder
Codes mentioned: P0302
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and ignition coil replaced multiple times (ineffective). Later diagnosed as coolant intrusion requiring short block replacement (~$9,000).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CSP 21N12 mentioned; owner notified dealership but was initially charged $155 diagnostic fee despite campaign coverage. Campaign number 21N12 later confirmed to cover diagnostic without charge. Dealership ordered parts for coolant intrusion repair.
Transmission shaft/plate damage from recalled shifter cable issue
After dealership performs recall work on shifter cable, a plate (likely flexplate or torque converter housing) between transmission and engine cracks, causing transmission failure shortly after.
When: Shortly after recall cable repair completion.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission loss of power; Vehicle unable to accelerate; Cracked plate between transmission and engine
Repairs/costs cited: Rebuilt transmission required (~$5,000). Warranty expired at 60,000 miles; vehicle had 62,706 miles at failure. Ford warranty did not cover post-warranty repair despite potential link to recall work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V413/22S43 (shifter cable) performed, but transmission failure not covered beyond warranty. Owner suspects recall work may have triggered or contributed to transmission failure.
Synthesized from 253 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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…
I Purchased a 2018 Ford Escape SE (VIN# [XXX] ) with 1.5 EcoBoost Engine on 9/24/2023 with 89,726 miles. On 12/10/2023 my 16 year old son was operating vehicle when he experienced a catastrophic engine failure and the vehicle is unserviceable. The vehicle had 90,766 miles on it at the time of the failure. Vehicle was diagnosed on 12/18/2023 and it was determined that there was coolant…
Purge valve stuck open causing check engine light to come on. Same as current recall on Ford Focus 2012-2018 vehicles. Ford Escapes within the same time frame should be included in the recall. Every time I fill gas there is a hard turn on since beginning of December. Then check engine light came on and code P1450.
Multiple failures occurred while driving with my kids in the car from what we can tell an electrical system failure of the parking brake motor as well as a transmission failure it is unknown at this time whether the parking brake motor failed causing stress on the transmission or the transmission fault led to the end Electric motor failure of the parking brake
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 253 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 84 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 52,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 78,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.