general problems of the 2015 Ford Escape - part 1

Vehicle has 126,000 miles on it and has a coolant intrusion into the engine. This has also caused my heater to go out with a weird smell and making the engine shake when driving.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle due to a potential fire risk. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v695000 (back over prevention) and 26v011000 (equipment). An appointment was scheduled with the local dealer who confirmed that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the local dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Service engine warning light came on. When checked, coolant was found to be leaking into cylinder 3 due to the engine block being porous. Service center said they see this a lot in this particular engine.

Mil activated, reported misfire in cylinder 2. Attempted to replace spark plugs but they had seized. Took to dealership: was told coolant leaked into cylinder and entire engine needed to be replaced. Technician said this was common with ecoboost engines for this model year, but not enough to merit a recall. Cost to replace engine more than the vehicle is worth.

- the car loses coolant while the engine is running. This coolant loss is nearly imperceptible, except that the car's heat stopped working reliably. If the car is left idling with the heat on, it does not become warm. It only begins to become warm at higher speeds, then loses heat after slowing down. There are no easily visible coolant leaks. - if I had not caught it in time, the car could have overheated, causing a breakdown and emergency stop. - I have reproduced the problem, but it has not been brought to a dealer. - it has not yet been inspected. -there were no warning lights, I only noticed the coolant loss because I observed the radiator not working and checked under the hood. - the car is still available to be inspected, and is safe to drive short distances if the coolant is topped off.

Unknown coolant leak. Coolant is being lost somewhere in the engine no visible leaks. Added coolant several times.

Cabin lost heat November 2025. Brought it in to the local Ford dealership right away and they said replacing replacing the oil cooler hose will probably fix it. Car worked fine for a couple of weeks but the cabin heat tapered off again. Made another appointment with the Ford dealership, but the first available appointment wasn’t until 2/23/26. I tried to drive anywhere as little as possible after this because I live in fairbanks, ak and it’s commonly -30 this time of the year. Tried to leave work on [xxx] and a warning came up as I started driving away that the engine was overheating and power was reduced to minimize damage. I put my car back in my work parking spot and plugged it in until I could get an appointment at a local mechanic shop. Had the car towed to a local shop 1/6/26 and they inspected it 1/7/26. The report came back saying there was an internal coolant leak and found hydrocarbons in the cooling system. The recommended fix was to replace the entire engine with a quote for $12,000. That is more than I paid for the vehicle and way over the kelly blue book worth. I did some research and found that there is a common coolant leak issue damaging engines of a certain range of Ford vehicles that has not become an official recall yet. I looked at other Ford Escape owner complaints and it looks like my 2015 Escape 1. 6l has the same engine defect. I’m afraid if I pay for the engine replacement, this will just happen again. If I don’t pay, I still owe for my lease and will only get pennies to sell it as is for parts. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and after several attempts, the vehicle restarted but continued to stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign: 25v695000 (back over prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that occasionally, while shifted in reverse, the rearview camera failed to display as intended and was possibly impacted by severe weather conditions. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that during colder weather, the heater failed to operate as intended while activated. After further inspection, the coolant reservoir was abnormally low. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was determined that the coolant level was extremely low. The coolant reservoir was refilled; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Vehicle information: 2015 Ford Escape – approximately 165,000 miles incident description: during normal operation while backing out of a parking space, the vehicle unexpectedly slipped out of the drive gear immediately after I shifted from reverse to drive. There were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms indicating a potential issue. After restarting the vehicle, it briefly engaged drive but was only able to travel approximately ten feet before abruptly shifting through multiple gears without any driver input. During each occurrence, the engine surged to unusually high rpms despite no acceleration being applied. Safety concerns: the unintended gear changes were accompanied by loud whining noises, and the vehicle was unable to remain in any gear long enough to be operated safely. This failure left the vehicle immobilized on a main roadway, causing a traffic backup and creating a hazardous situation for myself, my children, and surrounding motorists. Current vehicle condition: after the vehicle was towed home, I attempted several restarts. At no time did any warning indicators or a check?engine light illuminate. Each attempt resulted in the transmission immediately disengaging from gear when shifted into either drive or reverse, accompanied by continued loud whining noises and repeated engine surging to high rpms without throttle input. The vehicle is currently inoperable. Additional details: I plan to take the vehicle to keith hawthorne Ford for diagnostic evaluation. I am concerned that this failure may be related to a previously repaired transmission recall, as the recall documentation states that the defect may recur and could require additional corrective action. The dealership is currently requiring a diagnostic fee of $199. 95 to inspect the vehicle.

We had to replace the engine about 4 years ago and we’re still getting gas smell into the cabin. About 3 years ago, we broke down on the road because the transmission quit. All our repairs have been done through Ford service department. We are now broke down again because of the transmission. Something has to be done with the Ford Escape!.

The 6f35 transmission in my vehicle is shuddering and it seems like it’s going to possibly mess up my engine or anything else soon. It also jerks a bit forward from 0-25 along with gears slipping. This has almost caused an accident for me.

Vehicle is leaking coolant.

I am having a issue that is not new to Ford, my Ford Escape is having the coolant leak issue, I already have spend more than 2k on it, still engine is over heating, Ford Escape reps and almost all the mechanic know the issue is very known, I hope this issue is addressed.

While driving, the car hesitates changing gears. Sometimes the car will not go in gear or go into park. Had a recall in 2022 for some bushings and cable shifter. The car is too dangerous to drive and mechanics have stated a new transmission is needed.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle failed to move. The contact placed the vehicle into sport mode and was able to drive as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact replaced the vacuum, and the engine light went off. The contact had an independent mechanic arrive at the residence, and the mechanic determined that the vehicle was about to throw a rod. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

My 2015 Ford Escape, VIN [xxx], equipped with the 2. 0l ecoboost engine, has experienced a repeat engine failure due to what appears to be the known “coolant intrusion” defect currently under active litigation (miller v. Ford). The original engine failed due to loss of coolant into the cylinders, causing rough idle, misfires, abnormal engine noise, and loss of performance. Ford replaced the entire engine under warranty approximately 24. 5 months ago. The replacement engine is now exhibiting the same symptoms, including: rough/unstable idle, especially on startup abnormally loud engine noise suspected internal coolant loss with no visible external leaks reduced performance and hesitation this is the second major engine failure in a short time, creating a serious safety concern due to potential sudden loss of power while driving. The ecoboost coolant intrusion defect is widely reported in Ford Escapes from this model year and is the subject of a class action lawsuit. Ford has not issued a recall for all affected vehicles, leaving owners at risk of repeated engine failures. I am submitting this complaint to document the repeat failure, as it poses a risk to safe operation and may affect other vehicles on the road. I can provide repair records, photos, and video evidence upon request. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Transmission sticks and only will tend to shift once it hits 3 rpm! and jerks.

On 7/25/25 at about 1pm my son was driving the Ford Escape 2. 0 engine (2015) and it started jerking, stalling while driving. The ac shut off suddenly and the car was overheating. He almost got in a car accident when it suddenly stopped! turns out it was coolant oil intrusion issue and now requires a new engine 12k.

Purchased my 2015 Escape in Aug. Of 2023 used knowing that the head gaskets needed to be replaced. Took it to a certified mechanic and had everything fixed on it. Fast forward to October of 2024 - transmission went out had to purchase a brand new transmission had it installed at the certified mechanic. Then in July of 2025 all of the sudden it overheated. Took it back to the same mechanic and once again the head gaskets are blown. They stated that coolant had leaked into the motor and now it all needs replaced. How is this not a recall yet with everything that I have been reading. A recall has been issued for a back up camera but not this. We have been driving without back up cameras forever but we cannot drive a vehicle when every few months we need to dump thousands of dollars in it.

Engine began giving white smoke from exhaust at start up. 2 mechanics have checked it and said it’s a well known coolant intrusion issue with these Ford eco boost engines. High risk of overheating and engine failure (while driving, which is a major safety risk for my family).

My vehicle overheated on a drive home from work on an expressway doing approximately 72mph. Without any warning, my car flashed a notification that the engine temperature was too hot and I needed to stop safely. The car would not accelerate, in fact, it decelerated the next 4 miles before I could find a gas station to stop. The coolant reservoir was empty (which was full when I started my car) so I refilled it again. I did end up replacing the coolant reservoir but this issue kept recurring. Fast forward 2 weeks and my car decided it didn’t want to accelerate on my drive home from work. I took it to a local mechanic who said there was oil soaking up the spark plug in the 4th cylinder. Said mechanic replaced all 4 plugs, coil packs and valve cover gasket. I live in michigan and the heat has been extensive the last couple of weeks. I noticed an oil leak under my car during the hot weather. However yesterday ([xxx]) the temperature here was in the 70’s and the leak wasn’t as bad. I decided to google “2015 Ford Escape 1. 6l oil leak during hot weather” and discovered that this is a known issue and that there could potentially be a recall. I went on the NHTSA website, plugged in my VIN and found there is currently no recall. Ford needs to realize that their consumers purchase cars because they need them to get to work, dr appointments, church and common errands for everyday people. With the economy being the way it is, we can’t afford to continue dropping $1,000’s of our hard earned money on a regular basis. I’ve kept up the routine maintenance on my vehicle, and constantly defend Ford products because this is the first major engine incident I’ve experienced with my vehicle. Please contact Ford and implore them to make things right for the countless people that are experiencing the same issue as I currently am. I’m on a very fixed income and can’t afford a new engine let alone a new car. Thank you for taking the time to read this information. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.

Defective turbo charger.

I'm having transmission problems. . And it stopped in the middle of traffic. . And the shop my car is in said they've repairing transmissions in a lot 2015 Ford Escape vehicles. . And the engine leaks these are serious defects that (Ford) needs to fix for the owners of this (year) it's costing $5,000 to replace for the transmission. . I'm so so so so disappointed in this vehicle and the company. . Your doing recalls for all these others vehicles but the 2015 Escape .

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle with a vehicle scanner, the contact retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating an engine misfire. The contact replaced the ignition coils; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while replacing the spark plugs, the spark plug tread of cylinder #4 remained stuck in the cylinder head. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the spark plug tread might be stuck because the cylinder head had melted around the spark plug tread. The mechanic determined that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and recommended the cylinder head replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an undisclosed recall. The contact was referred the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the rpm increased; however, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. Additionally, there was a whining sound coming from the engine compartment while attempting to accelerate and the vehicle was jerking and vibrating abnormally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 110,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while idling and while driving at various speeds, there was a significant amount of smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a1 auto 3 brothers car repair, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to piston rings failure, and the turbo charger also failed. The dealer determined that the engine and the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The warranty company informed the contact that only the turbo charger was covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Unknown, but appears like other version of Ford Escape the 2015 suffers from the same fuel pump issues. On at least 10 moments the car stalls and dies during driving. When brought to Fords attention, they have on 2 times indicated that no error codes or way of duplicating problem. I had independent car repair place as well look into the issue with the same response. We now only drive the car if we have to and only in short areas where we are not driving on the freeway and if we can walk home. Please add this to the recalls.

Driving home from work vehicle would not move forward. Had towed to Ford dealership. Told transmission was over heating, requiring a new transmission at a cost $7,400. Purchased the vehicle one year ago from an auto dealership. Was told by the Ford dealership that they see a lot of this happening to this vehicle type.

While driving to las vegas, I noticed the engine felt unstable and coolant levels were low. After topping off coolant, the car drove normally for the remainder of the trip, but the air conditioning intermittently blew hot air. A mechanic performed diagnostic and pressure tests, but no codes appeared. The issue recurred with repeated coolant loss and stalling sensations. The following day, the vehicle overheated on the freeway and stalled. A mechanic diagnosed a blown head gasket and cracked cylinder head, which cost me $4,500 to repair. Less than a month later, the same issue happened again. This defect creates ongoing safety concerns due to the risk of sudden stalling, overheating, and potential engine fire. I have learned that this issue is widespread in Ford Escape ecoboost engines, and Ford has not issued a recall or permanent fix. 06.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the vapor canister purge valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to customer satisfaction program: 24n07. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Vehicle threw code for ignition coil 1 malfunction, replaced all 4 ignition coils & spark plugs but the car later threw codes for ignition coil 1 and 2 malfunction. I observed antifreeze was leaking from the car only while in operation. Lines were replaced and the car was thoroughly checked for leaks. Antifreeze was kept topped off routinely while troubleshooting. Went to start car and it wouldn't start. Had it towed for repairs and received diagnosis that engine overheated due to an internal coolant / antifreeze leak that allows coolant to enter into the cylinders of the engine. This is a known manufacturer's defect that has caused total engine failure and requires replacement of the engine block. Quote to repair the vehicle exceeds the vehicle's value.

Engine overheated. Coolant bypass valve needs replacement, which is known issue in this model for various years and only one year (2014) was identified for recall, although it has been a common problem for many Ford Escapes model years after 2010. Thermostat assembly, check engine light, and overheating are issues that arose due to the faulty coolant bypass valve. A possible outcome is engine fire, as indicated by information from the manufacturer.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while at a red light, the vehicle shut off unintendedly. The contact shifted to neutral to keep the vehicle running. While in reverse, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission was hot and was welded to an unstated object, and there was a leak coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Overheated due to an internal coolant / antifreeze leak that allows coolant to enter into the cylinders of the engine. This is a known manufacturer's defect that has caused total engine failure and required replacement of the engine block. Mechanic quoted $13,000, more than the value of the car.