general problems of the 2018 Ford Escape - part 2

The vehicle experienced a severe engine failure caused by coolant intrusion into cylinder #3, which requires a complete engine short block replacement. The vehicle became entirely unsafe to drive, presenting a sudden mechanical failure that put the safety of the occupants and other drivers at risk on the road. Prior to this catastrophic failure, the timing belt and water pump were replaced. The failed components and the vehicle are currently preserved and available for inspection upon request.

Check engine light came on 3 weeks ago. Misfire codes on start up and cylinder 3. Mechanic replaced spark plugs, cleaned injectors. One week after repairs, check engine light came back on. Took vehicle back to the shop and after more tests, my engine showed it had suffered coolant intrusion and I was told a total replacement of the engine was needed.

My 2018 Ford Escape sel has experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known issue affecting this model year. The vehicle began misfiring and consuming coolant without external leaks.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine overheated while driving, causing the contact to be four minutes late for work. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust while starting the vehicle. There was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was concerned about having to purchase another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion in the engine block. The contact stated that the purge valve assembly was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Vehicle developed a pattern of misfires (cylinders 1, 2, and random/multiple) beginning within the last month. On 8/7/2026, a dealer inspection confirmed coolant intrusion into cylinders 1 and 2 via overnight pressure test, with block deformation. This is the identical defect addressed by Ford customer satisfaction program 21n12. Prerequisite service 19b37 (pcm reprogram) was completed 2/8/2020. Misfires and coolant intrusion of this type present a risk of sudden power loss or stalling while driving.

The vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure due to an inherent manufacturing defect involving internal engine coolant intrusion into the cylinders. Prior to the failure, the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, accompanied by engine misfires and rough idling. A certified service technician inspected the vehicle and confirmed that coolant is actively leaking into the engine cylinders, causing complete engine failure and rendering the vehicle entirely un-drivable. The failed engine components remain intact and are fully available for inspection upon request. This defect poses a severe safety hazard. Coolant leaking into the engine cylinders can cause sudden engine stalling, complete loss of motive power while driving at highway speeds, and potential engine fires, creating a high risk of a collision. Crucially, an authorized Ford dealership previously attempted to mitigate this exact coolant defect under warranty in 2020 by applying customer satisfaction program (csp) 19b37. This software-based patch failed to fix the underlying physical hardware defect, ultimately leading to this total engine failure. Ford has since issued csp 21n12 for this exact issue, but the vehicle is now left broken down and unsafe to operate.

2018 Ford Escape equipped with ecoboost engine suffering catastrophic engine failure due to the manufacturing defect known as open-deck coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders (per Ford TSB 22-2322). The vehicle has only 25,233 miles. This defect causes loss of power while operating the vehicle, creating an immediate traffic hazard and risk of a collision. The manufacturing flaw allows coolant to breach the cylinders, creating a stalling safety risk. Engine light is on. Ford dealer assessed and a new engine is recommended.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fuel injector failure and coolant intrusion into the engine. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Components failed & availability:engine and transmission failed concurrently at 45,893 miles. Engine suffered internal coolant intrusion per Ford TSB 19-2139 . Transmission failed mechanically. Components are available for inspection. Safety risk:defects create severe roadway hazards. Transmission causes dangerous lack of acceleration on inclines and highway merging, risking rear-end collisions. Coolant intrusion causes severe shaking, rough running, and sudden stalling. Sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds heavily increases crash risks. Confirmation & inspection:an independent service center confirmed failures on August 4, 2026. Technician documented a cylinder misfire, active coolant leak, shaking on startup, and inability to accelerate uphill. Ford corporate customer service rejected all assistance and declined to physically inspect the car. Warning lamps & prior symptoms:symptoms began with an illuminated check engine warning lamp, followed immediately by severe vehicle shaking and a violent shudder during engine startup just prior to the physical diagnosis.

The check engine light started flashing and my car lost acceleration as I traveling uphill on a busy freeway. I had it towed to my mechanic who found evidence of coolant leaking related to cylinder 2 in my engine. I did not feel safe going so slow on a busy freeway. My car did not have any problems prior and only has 31000 miles on it. It was diagnosed with a coolant intrusion leak (a known problem with this engine) and requires an engine replacement.

My vehicle a 2018 Ford Escape has a 1. 5 liter eco-boost engine is has been diagnosed with a coolant into cylinder leak and is in jeopardy of seizing and causing a catastrophic accident. No one should be driving these Ford vehicles due to a good possibility of serious enjury or death.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately but started after several attempts. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where diagnostic tests were performed, but no failure was found. While driving 10–15 minutes later at approximately 30–35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the independent mechanic, where a it was diagnosed that the canister purge valve had failed. The canister purge valve was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the under-hood canister purge valve and the evap canister were replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed that the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,618.

As I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape se 1. 5 liter ecoboost on the interstate at the posted 70 mph limit, my dash warning center display said cross traffic fault, hill start assist not available, front camera fault, collision warning not available, blindspot left sensor fault, awd temporarily unavailable, and speed control (radar?) not available. It then felt as if my awd was switching on and off while making weird clicking noises. My engine then began missing and running very rough. After a very short period of time, it completely shut down and would not start and I wasn’t able to get the all the way to the right because of impatient drivers passing me on the right as my vehicle slowed. I’m [xxx] and had trouble pushing the car with the driver door open while steering it. The road was slightly uphill. Fortunately, two men stopped and helped me push it off the road. After several hours of waiting on the side of the road I was able to get it towed on a flatbed tow truck. I had it towed to brondes Ford in maumee, ohio and they diagnosed that it has the coolant intrusion issue. They said it needed a new motor and the estimate was about $11,000. I contacted Ford customer support for help with the cost and was told there was no customer satisfaction program to help me. She said I would need to pay the entire amount myself. I asked for her to have a supervisor call me and the supervisor said there was nothing she could do as Ford had made no accommodations for owners of these 1. 5-liter ecoboost vehicles (“open deck” cooling grooves block design defect) which have a known extremely high percentage of engine failure. My Escape is still sitting unrepaired in the Ford dealer’s lot as I’m hoping that a class action suit will prevail to help those customers, including myself, that Ford chose to turn their back on. This known by Ford engine failure probability was extremity dangerous for me and could easily have cost me my life. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(.

Coolent intrusion into engine.

Coolant intrusion in the engine block. The engine only has 45,000 miles on it.

My 2018 Ford Escape sel with the 1. 5l ecoboost engine has only 12,770 miles. The vehicle experienced a misfire and coolant-related issue resulting in loss of engine power and a dashboard warning stating, “high engine temperature – stop safely. ” fortunately, this occurred as I was driving out of my driveway rather than at highway speed. The vehicle would not drive and had to be towed to my independent mechanic, where it remains. On may 22, 2026, the check engine light appeared. I brought the vehicle to my mechanic, but no problem was identified. When the light reappeared, I returned on July 9, 2026. The ignition coil and spark plugs were replaced. On July 27, 2026, the “high engine temperature – stop safely” warning appeared and the vehicle lost power. My mechanic subsequently identified a misfire and coolant-related issue. Importantly, on February 5, 2020, at only 4,259 miles, levittown Ford performed Ford customer satisfaction program 19b37 on this vehicle. (see attached) csp 19b37 addressed the potential for coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores of certain vehicles equipped with the 1. 5l ecoboost engine. I recently learned that Ford subsequently established csp 21n12, “short block replacement after coolant intrusion,” for certain vehicles that previously received 19b37 and later experienced coolant intrusion. This expired in 2022. I am concerned that my vehicle, despite having only 12,770 miles and previously receiving csp 19b37, is now experiencing a misfire, coolant-related problem, overheating warning, and loss of engine power. Had this occurred at highway speed rather than while leaving my driveway, it could have created a serious safety hazard.

I have a 2018 Escape that died on July 10, 2026, 39312 miles. Paid $300 for a diagnosis at a Ford dealer. A new engine was recommended. The dealer quote is $13,500 for replacement. Called Ford directly and was told, " too bad you're not covered".

Engine has been replaced three times already. Now, the engine has a constant cylinder 2 misfire with coolant level significantly decreasing. Car is shuddering real bad now. This is not the first time it happened. Before the third engine replacement, the car was moving on its own even with foot on the brakes. Very dangerous vehicle and unsafe.

The vehicle has a 1. 5l ecoboost system which has a design flaw allowing coolant to leak into the engine. I was driving and the temperature went eradically high for no known reason and then instantly dropped. It began repeating this over and over. My mechanic told me it was a cracked head gasket and the coolant was below minimum levels because it was leaking into the engine. He told me it is a known mechanical design flaw with 2012-2019 Ford Escapes. Some were recalled some were not. Ford dealerships told me it is a known problem also. Ford will not stand behind their product and since my vehicle was not randomly picked for a recall, even though it is a known design flaw, they offer no assistance. I went online and read so very many others who have had this happen and that the reason all were not recalled was that there weren't enough complaints. So I wanted to speak out for those who didn't know how to as well as myself. I feel Ford should be held accountable for their actions. I thank god I was not stranded on a highway somewhere due to this issue or worse yet in an accicent.

Cracked engine block due to coolant intrusion, which seems to be a known problem as engine blocks were redesigned for 2019 models. Could lead to overheating, engine damage, and even fires from my understanding. In Ford dealer service center at the moment, they confirmed diagnosis. White smoke from exhaust, rough idle and sensor lights also.

2018 Ford Escape ecoboost coolant leak and engine overheating. If not repaired, will destroy the entire engine.

Coolant intrusion into the cylinders causing engine failure. This is a repeat of the known 1. 5l ecoboost defect. The engine was previously replaced in 2021 under TSB 21-2269. The repair order shows Ford installed the original defective open-deck short block (part number ds7z-6009-g) instead of the updated closed-deck design. The same failure has now returned. This defect can cause sudden loss of power and overheating while driving, creating a safety risk.

I have a coolant intrusion into my engine. It is a well known issue among the 2017-2019 Ford Escape 1. 5l ecoboost engines. Ford is refusing to assist me with financial assistance because it has fallen outside of their customer satisfaction program 21n12. They are punishing me for their faulty engine because I took care of my vehicle and it lasted longer than their program terms. I took it into a Ford dealership who confirmed it is the exact issue explained in their TSB 22-2134, yet I am going to have to pay $8787 for a short block replacement, when had this happened a few years ago, they would have covered it for free. This needs to be a recall. There have been enough people report this exact issue for cause to become a recall.

Started overheating, spark plug code and coolant code. Now they believe coolant is leaking into cylinder in motor because of design flaw.

The coolant leaked into the engine specifically regarding cylinder 3. Not available due to being at the Ford dealership. I was driving and my engine started giving out. My car was shaking while driving and when pressing the gas peddle it was giving not. It then refused to move and I had to pull over. It was confirmed by my local Ford dealership and inspected at the dealership. The check engine light came on after these issues had occurred and I had to pull over. There were no warning signs for this prior to the incident. This occurred in July of 2026. I was not able to pay the almost $9,000 repair cost that Ford refused to cover, so my local dealership still has the car.

Car gave an engine overheat warning to pull over and turn off. Towed to Ford dealership where their diagnostics pointed to coolant intrusion - a known issue with 2018 Ford Escapes with similar specs to mine. I was then told that I would need to replace the engine due to the issue and Ford would not be willing to assist or cover the cost. I was told that my specific VIN was not covered by recall but that it is a very common issue and to report the issue to NHTSA.

Car overheated and losing coolant. I just purchased this car on 6/22/2026 and having issues already. The check engine light is on and giving a p0301 code. I’m having to add coolant everyday to keep the car from running hot.

My Ford Escape recently had the check engine light on. I took it to a Ford service center, and they confirmed it was coolant intrusion that damaged the engine and requires a replacement. It was confirmed with multiple people at Ford that this is a known issue, but no recalls have been made. I use this car to drive my 2 year old son to and from daycare, and my family's safety has been put at risk by the car seizing while driving it and having to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle is now undrivable due to the issue.

Car has 105k can get specific if need be. But has had an intermittent misfire along with consuming coolant since about 95k miles. It now has had coolant intrusion and needs a complete engine overhaul or replacement.

My 2018 Ford Escape se temp gauge went to the red with warning lights to pull over and get engine serviced immediately. I refilled the coolant revisor and with in a few days the same instance occurred paired with misfiring while this situation happened. I immediately stopped driving the car and it is going to get dropped off at the dealership we purchased from on Thursday 7/16/26. I believe this motor is faulty due to coolant intrusion. Zero leaks of coolant only issue is stated above. I believe the coolant is leaking into the cylinders.

My 2018 Ford Escape se 1. 5l ecoboost has recently experienced catastrophic engine failure with no prior warning by any of the vehicles sensors nor a notice from the manufacturer that this is a potential/known issue. I have come to understand that this is a widely known issue that has been wholly uncommunicated by the manufacturer. My vehicle, as confirmed by an independent service center, has experienced a coolant incursion in the engine block specifically in cylinder 3. The symptoms of this failure first occurred on the highway while traveling at speed, with the engine experiencing severe vibration and shaking the entire vehicle. This put myself and those around me at serious risk due to the vibration interfering with the operation of the vehicle. Several seconds after the physical symptoms began, the engine light flashed on momentarily (~10 seconds) without a message, and then turned itself off. Note, the engine temperature gauge did not display elevated engine temperature as would be expected from a vehicle losing coolant. Fortunately the vehicle was able to make it to its destination without injury or accident. The symptoms did not return on 2 subsequent test trips of the vehicle, again without any warning lights, messages, or elevated gauge readings. Then on a 3rd trip, after the cause was determined to be 'unknown', the symptoms returned. The engine vibration was so substantial that the vehicle was undrivable, the engine light only illuminated approximately 10 seconds after the physical symptoms and without any message. Again, the engine temperature reading or other warnings did not indicate there was any loss of coolant.

The engine failed because of coolant intrusion and the cylinders are messed up because of it. The engine could have died or locked up while driving,the car could have overheated and caught fire. Yes a Ford dealer diagnosed the vehicle. Yes I had a check engine light come on for a misfire in cylinder 2 I also had low coolant and white smoke in my exhaust and rough idling. Ford is refusing to help replace the engine but this is an ongoing issue with the 1. 5l ecoboost engines.

Coolant intrusion I now need a new engine known problem by Ford who refuses to fix it I now owe on a car that I cannot drive.

Contaminated coolant system.

The vehicle is experiencing severe engine malfunction due to a documented manufacturing defect: coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders (per Ford technical service bulletin TSB 22-2134). An authorized Ford dealership service department at shehy Ford, midlothian, va, has officially inspected the vehicle and confirmed this specific failure. This defect presents a severe and immediate safety hazard. While driving, the vehicle runs exceptionally rough, hesitates, and suffers from engine misfires. This causes a sudden loss of acceleration and vehicle power in active traffic, creating an imminent risk of a rear-end collision on high-speed roadways. Furthermore, the constant loss of engine coolant creates a severe risk of sudden engine overheating, cylinder head cracking, and catastrophic engine fire while the vehicle is in motion. The manufacturer is aware of this design defect via the certified class-action lawsuit miller v. Ford motor CO. , but the dealership refused to offer goodwill assistance, quoting an exorbitant $17,000 for repair, forcing the vehicle to remain on the road in an unsafe, hazardous condition.