Ford 2018 Escape: Brake Fluid Leak Risk Increases Crash Risk
Ford is recalling 2018 Escape vehicles with potentially faulty brake hoses that could leak brake fluid, increasing stopping distance and crash risk. Owners should contact Ford for free brake hose replacement.
Use caution until it’s fixed
A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
What happened, in plain English
Ford is recalling certain 2:018 Escape vehicles that may have brake hoses prone to leaking brake fluid, which could increase stopping distance and crash risk. Affected owners should have their brake hoses inspected and replaced at no cost. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1224809-ford-2018-escape-brake-fluid-leak-risk-increases-crash-risk.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1224809-ford-2018-escape-brake-fluid-leak-risk-increases-crash-risk · Updated October 5, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #18V104000
Cite this page
“Ford 2018 Escape: Brake Fluid Leak Risk Increases Crash Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 5, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1224809-ford-2018-escape-brake-fluid-leak-risk-increases-crash-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #18V104000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V104000).
Why it’s dangerous
Incorrect front brake hoses may chafe against other components, causing brake fluid leaks. This leak can lengthen the stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2018 Ford Escape vehicles are affected. Drivers using these vehicles with potentially faulty brake hoses face increased risk of brake fluid leaks.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2018 Ford Escape has incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe. The recall covers vehicles sold between specific dates.
- Brand
Ford- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact Ford
Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule brake hose inspection and replacement.
Get Brake Hoses Inspected
Dealers will inspect and replace any incorrect front brake hoses at no cost.
What NHTSA says to do
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
- Recall expected to begin (expected, per the notice)
- NHTSA received the defect report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Keep exploring
Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #18V104000 (December 2, 2018)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 5, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.