2018 Ford Escape Transmission Problems

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 59,000.

NHTSA ID

11734536

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Mileage

59,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the power train malfunction warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact became aware of fluids leaking underneath the vehicle and accumulating on the rear glass. The contact drove the vehicle to a nearby parking space and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a fractured flex plate, a failed torque converter, a failed front pump, a failed crank shaft and engine failure. The contact was informed that the suggestive repairs would be to replace the flex plate, torque converter and the front pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,500.

NHTSA ID

11669282

Incident

Jun 22, 2025

Mileage

56,500 mi

The contact's mother owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 (Powertrain Control Module Reprograming); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11656080

Incident

Apr 21, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine block was replaced twice, the transmission was replaced twice, and the front axle was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer it was purchased from, Steven's Jersey City Ford (740 NJ-440, Jersey City, NJ 07304), and the engine block was replaced a third time; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while one of the dealers was in the process of replacing the engine, the dealer informed the contact that there were metal shavings inside the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ID

11653498

Incident

Apr 8, 2022

Mileage

15,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with an engine misfire and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 (GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprograming). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

NHTSA ID

11631080

Incident

Dec 16, 2024

Mileage

128,000 mi

Transmission started stuttering around 40 to 50mph. The transmission had to be rebuild because of issue.

NHTSA ID

11589205

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

I am experiencing transmission issues in my 2018 Ford Escape SUV, the vehicle is barely 5 yrs old with less than 75k on the odometer. I started noticing that when I go over 60mph it starts to sputter, I took it to the ford dealership and was told I need to replace the torque converter and transmission at a cost of over 6K. I am in a delima as this is my only vehicle and or not to repair the vehicle or get rid of it. This is a very frustrating situation to be in.

NHTSA ID

11579600

Incident

Mar 25, 2024

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11576523

Incident

Jan 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 PCM (Power Train Control Module) reprogramming. After the reprogramming was performed, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated there was white smoke coming from the engine. The contact was almost in a crash due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the PCM needed to be replaced before an additional diagnostic test was performed to determine if coolant had intruded into the engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer initially stated that the cost of the repair would be fully covered; however, the contact was later informed that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,176.

NHTSA ID

11561451

Incident

Nov 19, 2023

Mileage

35,176 mi

2018 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HNTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-413. THE CONSUMER STATED AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO SERVICE A RECALL BUT INFORMED AFTER ARRIVING THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALLS AND LONGER WAIT TIMES. ALSO, FORDS INABILITY TO ADEQUATELY SERVICE RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

NHTSA ID

11499876

Incident

Jan 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle made abnormal sounds while shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle independently shifted to neutral and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,966.

NHTSA ID

11469660

Incident

May 31, 2022

Mileage

72,966 mi

I DROVE MY 2018 FORD ESCAPE INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHICH IS ON A SLIGHT HILL. I OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING TO CHECK OUT SOMETHING IN OUR YARD. I WALKED ACROSS MY SMALL YARD AND THEN HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. I TURNED AROUND AND THE CAR WAS NO WHERE IN SIGHT. I THEN REALIZED IT HAD DRIVEN ITSELF INTO THE GARAGE. IT RAN INTO MY BICYCLE, A CAR RACK AND SOME PLASTIC CABINETS. LUCKILY THERE IS ONLY A SMALL DENT AND SCRATCH ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND NO ONE WAS HIT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN AND DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

NHTSA ID

11141528

Incident

Oct 17, 2018

Mileage

4,785 mi