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2018 Ford Escape Lighting problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2018 Ford Escape's lights with NHTSA - 1% of all its complaints, most recently on October 21, 2026. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Lighting complaints

LightsEngine & coolingFire

There have been several issues that cause safety concerns with my 2018 Ford Escape 1.5L Ecoboost. The two most concerning are the headlights and engine failure. Since I drove this vehicle off the lot in 2023 I have had to replace the headlights every 4 to 6 months. I recently learned it is do to an electrical issue and the most recent occurrence caused a small fire under the hood of my vehicle. Sometimes both lights would go out at once without warning. This issue has been reported by numerous consumers and Ford...

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has done nothing. Regarding the engine failure, a coolant leak was reported by two mechanics but the source of the leak couldn't be identified. It was only discovered it was internal when my vehicle just stopped while pulling forward in a drive through. Luckily it wasn't on the highway but if it had been it could've caused an accident, at 70 mph, that likely would've resulted in minor injuries for not only me but other drivers. Ford has been made aware of this issue by owners of 2013-2019 Ford Escape Ecoboost vehicles but still hasn't issued a recall. Ford refuses to do anything about this and has instructed its customer support team to tell consumers they "can't" (won't) do anything outside of warranty. This issue often occurs outside of warranty. Ford still hasn't issued a recall despite numerous lawsuits for this exact problem. All customers can do is file a complaint. There are thousands of these vehicles on the road and if Ford continues to do nothing this could eventually lead to fatalities due to vehicle collisions. Someone needs to do something if Ford won't. Engine failure 10/20/26; electrical fire September 2026; lighting failure 2023-2026. The fact someone was fine selling this vehicle, despite consumer reports, is appalling.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11772621
Electrical systemLights

No dummy lights show. Drivers low beam wiring connector melts and burns out headlight bulb. I have had it replaced by Ford dealer RT 2, Dixon Il on 12/20/24 but again the same thing occurred again 01/03/26. I believe bad wiring or module. When asked dealer what caused the melting was told "We fixed it, it's good now". The bulb burnt out while driving on a rain dark night. My visibility was extremely low.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11713103
Lights

I have had to replace one or both headlights about every 14 months. The date below represents the latest time this has happened.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11695754
Lights

Headlights continue to go out causing reduced visibility. Google search shows a lot of people having the same issue. Available for inspection. Driving during dark hours puts myself and others at risk when the light randomly goes out. I have consulted local shop and they confirm it's a common problem and unsure of a fix besides guessing and replacing parts. No warnings or notifications that the light is out.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11637551
Lights

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to turn on the low beam however, the low beam was inoperative. No warning light was illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pigtail connectors and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the headlights...

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needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11633683
Electrical systemLights

I have had to replace multiple headlight bulbs every few months. The bulbs and fuses are working fine. Sometimes one side will work and the other side will turn off without warning. I have been stranded on the side of the road multiple times. It is unsafe to drive this way. Finally today both lights just stop working without any warning. This is why I came to this page to see if I was the only one having this issue and it looks like I'm not. I have made an appointing to take it in to the dealer hopefully they can find the problem.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11622614
Lights

My headlights will not turn on, and will not stay on. No I have not taken it to dealer as of yet. I do not feel safe driving at night. Roads are too dark, not enough illumination coming from the car. There was no warning. Member of my family pointed out headlight not working.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11620924
Lights

I have had to replace multiple headlight bulbs every few months, but recently both headlights just stopped working. The bulbs and fuses are fine. If this had happened at night, I would not have been safe driving this car.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11606163
Lights

Low beam headlights keep burning out, no repair information on Alldata and no recall for this safety problem.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11604928
Transmission & drivetrainLightsEngine & cooling

What component or system failed or malfunctioned. Flexplate cracked at 62037 It is available for inspection upon request. I have the dealer's invoice. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? There was a knocking noise in the motor while i was on the highway with my kids. no Warning lights. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, The dealer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or...

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others? Yes, the Wayne Ford service center. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No there was no warning lights. No symptoms.

Filed Incident Power train · Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11541496
Lights

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH at night, the low-beam headlights turned off inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The vehicle remained on the side of the road while the contact returned to his residence with the assistance of his fiancée. The contact returned to the vehicle during daytime and drove to his residence. The contact replaced the headlight bulbs with H9 headlight...

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bulbs himself; however, the low-beam headlight bulbs remained inoperable. The high-beam headlights operated as needed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,850.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11497102
Lights

There is no illumination on the gear shifter (prndl) when the lights are on or off. Every vehicle I have had, has had the illuminated gear shifter. I have read reports that said ford did not include this feature in certain trim levels, and the illumination is in the instrument cluster now. I feel this is a safety concern especially for people who drive at night or leave early in the morning. I am a ford owner and former ford certified master technician and I cannot get a straight answer from anyone at this point. I do not have documentation at this time of this concern except the vehicle has been in the dealership for this concern. If needed I can take pictures and download them. Thank you.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11184200

Ford Escape lighting complaints by year

Escape lighting problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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