2018 Ford Escape electrical system problems
53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2018 Ford Escape — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Multiple instances of low power to ignition coils (all of have been replaced with new coils and plugs). Transmission immediately stopped transmitting power to the wheels and would not re-engage. Transmission would sometimes go into gear, but slam into gear, lurch, or only shift into 1 or 2.”
filed Jul 9, 2026
“My car shifts into gears when in drive and I am breaking, it has locked in park, or drive, my car without emergency break has rolled down my driveway while off and in park. My local dealership claims they don’t have parts for it and I’m stuck paying on a car I don’t feel safe in. They sold it to me…”
filed May 21, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 24, 2026This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display…
TSB 25-2570 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 26, 2025Some 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…
SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 12, 2025In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass…
SSM 51838 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 2, 2023
Electrical System problems in other Escape years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 6 | 29% |
| 2024 Escape | 27 | 36% |
| 2023 Escape | 38 | 40% |
| 2022 Escape | 19 | 8% |
| 2021 Escape | 31 | 9% |
| 2020 Escape | 152 | 10% |
| 2019 Escape | 37 | 6% |
| 2017 Escape | 154 | 6% |
| 2016 Escape | 88 | 8% |
| 2015 Escape | 130 | 12% |
| 2014 Escape | 211 | 10% |
| 2013 Escape | 339 | 12% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Ford Escape
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.