YearToAvoid

2018 Ford Edge Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

71/100

#5 most-complained of 15 Edge years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Ford Edge has 824 complaints, 7 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 71, ranking 5th worst among 15 model years. NHTSA data give it a "Caution" verdict, with Engine problems making up 71% of complaints at a median 74,000 miles.

Complaints
824
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
17 / 3
Injuries / deaths
24 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2018 Ford Edge problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine585 (71%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain81 (10%)
  3. Electrical System49 (6%)
  4. Other41 (5%)
  5. Brakes33 (4%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras28 (3%)
  7. Structure & Body25 (3%)
  8. Fuel System24 (3%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers17 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts14 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report engines leaking coolant that led to engine fracture, smoking, and stalling.
  • Some describe ball joint separation while driving at low speeds, causing sudden loss of steering control.
  • Electrical failures include repeated dead batteries and smoke coming from under the hood.
  • Brake pedal issues are reported, including pedals that failed to fully depress during braking, leading to rear-end crashes.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal impacts, resulting in facial injuries.
  • Vehicles have rolled away unexpectedly, tied to a shifter cable bushing issue covered by a transmission recall.
2018 Ford Edge complaints: complaints filed per quarter902018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32021 Q42023 Q12024 Q22025 Q3
938 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q3 (90).

2018 Ford Edge recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 25V544000Aug 22, 2025Brakes499,129 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.

  3. NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles

    Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod

    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.

    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.

See all 7 recalls for the 2018 Ford Edge →

2018 Ford Edge fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Edge years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution64912722
2017Avoid861,357821.5
2018Caution71824721.5
2019Caution57766323
2020Good36316423

All Ford Edge years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ford Edge reliable?
Compared with other Edge model years, 2018 ranks 5th worst out of 15 with a Complaint Index of 71 and a "Caution" verdict. It has 824 NHTSA complaints, with Engine problems accounting for 71% of them.
What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Ford Edge?
Engine complaints dominate, making up 71% of all reports (585 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 74,000 miles.
Does the 2018 Ford Edge have a transmission recall?
Yes. Recall 18V390000 covers torque converter weld studs on 2017-2018 Edge vehicles with 2.0L engines and six-speed automatics, and recall 22V413000 covers a shifter cable bushing that could let the vehicle roll away.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Edge have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 Ford Edge, covering areas including Brakes, Transmission & Powertrain, Electrical System, Structure & Body, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras.
Should I avoid the 2018 Ford Edge?
It carries a "Caution" verdict relative to other Edge years, better than 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2017 which are rated "Avoid," but worse than 2021-2024 which rank "Best."

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.