2018 Ford Escape Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 1,737 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Ford Escape overview page.
What owners report
“DEC.20,2020, MY CAR PARK IN MY DRIVE WAY, START UP AND THE ENGINE RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND DISPLAY HAS A CODE FLASHING ( ENGINE )…”NHTSA complaint 11384976 — filed 12/26/2020
“WHILE IN MOTIION (TAKING OFF AND DURING DRIVE) THE CAR 'CUTS BACK' AND DOESN'T PICK UP SPEED CAUSING DRIVER OF VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY PRESS THE…”NHTSA complaint 11384658 — filed 12/23/2020
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON AN INCLINE OR A DECLINE, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM…”NHTSA complaint 11363427 — filed 10/08/2020
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Ford Escape have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Ford Escape: 252 of 1,737 complaints on file (14.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2018 Ford Escape have in total?
1,737 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 25 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 30 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
