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2018 Ford Escape body problems

20 complaints (1% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 26,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
26,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Body
    12
  • Interior panels: dashboard
    2
  • Body: door
    2
  • Body: tailgate
    1
  • Body: hatchback/liftgate
    1
  • Body: door: hinge and attachments
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Escape body problems in other years

200120052010201520202025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2018 Ford Escape owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Body, Transmission · IN

Transmission spudder when accelerates only at 75K miles

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Body · PA

Purchased a 2018 Ford escape in Oct 2024. By January 2025 the white paint around the windshield is chipping and cracking and peeling. The Ford dealership said that this was happening to all WHITE escapes and other Ford models in the white color. I was told that they are aware of the problem with the white paint but refuse to do anything about it. I was told the the surface was not cleaned properly causing the white paint not to be applied properly. The 2018 Ford escapes has engine problems too ( 2 engine replacement in 7 years also due to another known Ford problem and again they will not do anything about it.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Body · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while entering and existing the driver’s door, the hinges made a loud popping sound like the door would detach. The contact stated that the hinge on the door need to be reinforced. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the driver’s door hinge needed to be reinforced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Body, Engine · 103,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving or reversing from a complete stop, the vehicle was shuddering and there was an abnormal waterflow sound coming from the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to Advance Auto, where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change and spark plug replacement, the contact was informed that the spark plugs were frozen, and the failure could cause the vehicle to stall while driving. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2025 · Airbags, Body · NC · crash · 2 injuries

Vehicle involved in collision on major highway with two other vehicles. Given speed and impact of collision very surprised that the air bags did not deploy.

Filed Nov 7, 2024 · Body · FL

After Hurricane Milton my car had 2 in of water in it. I contacted my insurance company they looked at the car said it needed to be dried out and I needed to take it to the dealership where I purchased it. Took my vehicle to Kisselback Ford and the diagnosis States looks like the seam sealer under the roof moldings is falling off the body causing water to come into the body panels from the roof has to go to Body Shop we can't do these repairs. Took the vehicle to two collision centers they stated this was a factory defect and they will not touch my car. Contacted Ford corporate I was told to take the vehicle to Greenway Ford upon taking my vehicle to Greenway Ford they are in agreement with the other dealership and stated the roof panel needs to be repaired the headliner needs to be replaced the right and left roof molding needs to be replaced the seam sealer in the roof is damaged causing leakage into the panels. All interior parts have corrosion need a teardown to see how far the water damage is. Ford corporate will not do anything to repair, or replace my vehicle. Stated because I am out of the 3-year lemon law there was nothing they could do. This is not something that happened overnight this is something that has been going on for years and apparently finally separated causing water to intrude into my vehicle every time it rains. This is affecting my backup camera my radio which is telling me the wiring is wet. I only have 54,000 miles on my car Ford has already replaced the engine due to factory defect replaced by headlights again due to factory defect which my headlights are still losing their clear coat. I'm still paying for this car it smells of mildew and the mildew is starting to show up on the interior. On antibiotics for the past 3 months. When I hit the brakes on my car it sounds like a wave of water is rushing forward. It's not right that Ford sold me a defective car that I'm still paying for. No warning, 2 firefighters have said car could catch fire.

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Body · IL

the belly shield has falling off numerous times, speaking with another customer in a dealership today, his has also fallen off. This has to be a known issue as the clips are not stable to hold.

Filed Apr 18, 2024 · Body · 35,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of the spare tire well, he observed that the well was full of excess water. Later, he observed that water was entering from the rear passenger’s side quarter panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2023 · Body · 36,000 miles · TN · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver's side door failed to shut completely. While exiting the vehicle, the door continuously poked her lower leg. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon exiting the driver's side door, the contact was poked on her leg. The contact sustained injuries to the calf muscle and was cut. The contact was taken to the emergency room, where her leg was stitched up. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2023 · Airbags, Body · OH · crash · 1 injury

I was in a head on collision where my vehicle went off the road and hit a guard rail head on. My vehicle was totaled but not a single air bag deployed. If I was not wearing my seat belt I could have been ejected from the vehicle. There were no warning lights of any kind shown. It was raining and wet out during the day.

Questions about the 2018 Ford Escape body

Does the 2018 Ford Escape have body problems?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the body of the 2018 Ford Escape, 1% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Ford Escape body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 26,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Escape body?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Escape have the most body problems?

The Ford Escape model years with the most body complaints are 2020 (671 complaints), 2005 (434 complaints) and 2004 (138 complaints).

Other 2018 Ford Escape problems

Engine 1,458Transmission 278Fuel system 58Electrical 57Steering 32Brakes 27Acceleration 23Wheels 22Driver assistance 20Visibility 13Lights 12Suspension 11Airbags 9Seat belts 9Locks 5Tires 2Seats 1

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