VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford Escape transmission problems

The 2018 Ford Escape has 261 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

261

Transmission complaints

12%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

22V413000TransmissionJune 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

STARTED THE VEHICLE ON LEVEL GROUND, VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ON, FORGOT SOMETHING IN HOME, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE & PROCEED TOWARDS HOME BUT BEFORE I GOT THERE BACKED UP & HIT HOME, ENGINE THEN STALLED, RESTARTED ENGINE & MOVED VEHICLE BACK TO ORIGINAL POSITION, I THEN TRIED TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 6, 2019 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2018 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA has 261 complaints about the 2018 Ford Escape transmission — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Ford Escape transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 22V413000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.