YearToAvoid

2018 Ford Escape Fuel System Problems

Fuel System complaints account for 54 of 1,797 total complaints (3%) on the 2018 Ford Escape, a lower share than most other model years in this range. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this issue, and median mileage at failure is 108,500 miles.

Fuel System complaints
54
3% of 1,797
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
108,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of acceleration or power while driving, sometimes with a dashboard warning for 'Engine Fault Service Now' or reduced power mode limiting speed to 15-20 mph.
  • Some describe an evap purge valve or evap system leak that owners say is a known issue across other Ford models, though no recall covers the 2018 Escape.
  • Failed or faulty fuel injectors are reported, sometimes requiring full replacement and occurring after prior engine work such as a short block swap.
  • A cracked fuel line causing fluid leakage while driving at highway speed is described, with the check engine light illuminating alongside it.
  • Vehicles reportedly hesitate or fail to start after parking, with the check engine light on and the problem worsening over time until the vehicle would not start at all.
  • Poor fuel mileage and stop/start system malfunction were reported shortly after purchase in at least one case.

When 2018 Ford Escape fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 2, 2018, latest Aug 26, 2026.

2018 Ford Escape fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2018Jan 2023Mar 2024Jan 2025Jun 2025Nov 2025Jun 2026
54 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2018 to Aug 2026; peak Nov 2023 (3).

Fuel System recalls for the 2018 Ford Escape

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Escape model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010507 (25%)
  2. 2011284 (22%)
  3. 2012160 (27%)
  4. 2013286 (10%)
  5. 2014137 (7%)
  6. 201557 (5%)
  7. 201670 (6%)
  8. 201795 (4%)
  9. 201854 (3%)
  10. 201924 (4%)
  11. 2020194 (12%)
  12. 202173 (21%)
  13. 202284 (36%)
  14. 20237 (7%)
  15. 20245 (7%)
  16. 20252 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the fuel system a common problem on the 2018 Ford Escape?
Fuel System complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2018 Escape, with 54 complaints out of 1,797 total. That share is lower than years like 2010-2013, which saw 10% to 27% of complaints tied to this area.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Ford Escape fuel system?
No. NHTSA's related recalls list for this issue on the 2018 Escape is empty.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 108,500 miles at the time of failure for these complaints.
Have fuel system issues on the 2018 Escape caused crashes or fires?
NHTSA data for this complaint area on the 2018 Escape logs 1 crash, 1 fire, and 4 injuries.

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.