Model year 2018 · Ford

2018 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Escape. The most recent was reported on January 15, 2026. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: ESCAPE.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Escape, newest first
NHTSA number	Reported	Component
26V011000	January 15, 2026	Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater
22V413000	June 10, 2022	Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
18V104000	February 12, 2018	Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
17V803000	December 18, 2017	Air Bags › Side/Window

Systems involved: Air Bags (1) · Equipment (1) · Power Train (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 26V011000Manufacturer no. 26S01

Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater

Report received by NHTSA: January 15, 2026
Owner notification: Not yet in the record
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 116,672 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: ESCAPE

Defect 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.

Safety 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.

Source: NHTSA recall 26V011000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 22V413000Manufacturer no. 22S43

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Report received by NHTSA: June 10, 2022
Owner notification: October 27, 2022
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 2,925,968 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: ESCAPE

Components: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl); Power Train › Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod

Defect 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.

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 22V413000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 18V104000Manufacturer no. 18S04

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Report received by NHTSA: February 12, 2018
Owner notification: March 14, 2018
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 88 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2018 Ford Escape: October 29, 2017 – October 30, 2017
Model names in the NHTSA record: ESCAPE

Defect 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.

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 18V104000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 17V803000Manufacturer no. 17S44

Air Bags › Side/Window

Report received by NHTSA: December 18, 2017
Owner notification: February 2, 2018
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 11,113 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2018 Ford Escape: November 13, 2017 – January 12, 2018
Model names in the NHTSA record: ESCAPE

Defect 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.

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 17V803000, filed by Ford Motor Company. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: January 15, 2026.