Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Ford Escape - part 1

Car caught fire in engine, near transmission.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Escape 🔎.

Got recalls notice but the local dealership in st george SC (family Ford) told me they wont do the brake or fuel injector recall until I have issues so I guess until my car catches on fire with my kids in it then they will do something.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Escape 🔎.

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

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Escape 🔎.

This recall has been in effect for over a year now with no remedy available. I have issues with my engine starting, engine staying running, acceleration during turning, etc. Due to this recall. It is extremely unsafe and no remedy being available after a year is very disappointing and puts me in harm everyday.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Escape 🔎.

The water pump went back and had to be replaced, because it was leaking coolant into the engine. Also there is coolant infusion into the cylinders. This is a known problem that Ford knew about. My car has 131000 miles and is out of warranty. The car car needs to have the engine replaced.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Escape 🔎.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failure in cylinder #3. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,200.

Coolant leak into the cylinder causing engine failure and need to replace the engine, it is not possible to fix this, must replace engine.

See all problems of the 2014 Ford Escape 🔎.

Coolant leaking into cylinder confirmed by independent mechanic. Unable to clear code p0303. This is a documented problem with this make model with eco-boost engines but Ford claims my car is not included in recall although I do have the eco-boost and make model and year. Need complete engine replace. This is a major engine design problem.

Complaint to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) I am filing this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall on my vehicle. This recall has remained open for more than one year, yet no remedy has been made available. Despite the manufacturer acknowledging the safety defect, I continue to operate a vehicle that presents significant safety concerns because the defect has not been corrected. The recall has caused my vehicle to experience severe drivability issues, including engine failure, excessive rough idling, and violent shaking while the vehicle is operating. These conditions create an increased risk of the vehicle stalling unexpectedly, reducing my ability to safely operate the vehicle and placing myself, my passengers, and other motorists at risk. Additionally, because of the unresolved recall condition, my vehicle is unable to pass the required state safety inspection. This has left me with a vehicle that I cannot fully utilize or register while I continue waiting for the manufacturer to provide a repair. It is unreasonable for consumers to wait more than a year for a safety recall remedy while continuing to experience hazardous operating conditions. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate the manufacturer’s failure to provide a timely remedy, determine whether it is complying with its obligations under federal motor vehicle safety laws, and take appropriate action to ensure affected owners receive a prompt repair or other appropriate relief. I have retained documentation regarding the recall, the symptoms affecting my vehicle, and the impact this unresolved defect has had on my ability to safely operate and maintain the vehicle. I am prepared to provide this information upon request.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Escape 🔎.

Was driving and a loud pop happened when pulling onto the hwy and lost power. Immediately pulled into parking lot and tried to restart but would not start. My son came over that evening and towed back to my house and the discovered the oil pan was cracked along with block and piston shattered. There are parts inside the oil pan. This has not been inspected by a dealer or service center. No warning or check engine lights came on indicating a problem. My build date is June of 2019 and the TSB is for may of 2019, indicating that this engine still had a coolant problem as there was no coolant left and had all came out in the pan with the oil. I am asking for assistance in getting this covered . Please let me know what steps can be taken. Thanks.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Escape 🔎.

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed, and the vehicle drove under reduced power. The contact exited the highway, pulled into a gas station, and waited for the engine to cool down. The contact resumed driving, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer later informed the contact that the warning light was no longer illuminated, and the failure could not be duplicated while test-driving the vehicle for an hour. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Escape 🔎.

Intermittent misfire of cylinder 1, service engine light is on, coolant level goes low very fast and needs to be added often. White smoke from exhaust.

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.

The battery keeps dying even though it's been tested and is good. Lights keep shorting out I've had to replace the brake light and wires twice. The coolant is disappearing causing the vehicle to overheat even after driving ahort diatances but no puddle is left to show a cracked tank or something similar.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Escape 🔎.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20–25 mph, the vehicle started shuddering and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that there was no compression in cylinder #2. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

2017 Ford Escape se. 77,000 miles. Blown head gasket due to coolant leak that Ford was aware of in letter tsv19-2139 but no recall. Cylinder 2 misfire code even after tune up. Today catastrophic overheating with no warning and car went into limp mode at the intersection of hull street and southshore dr. Midlothian va 23112. I reached out to local Ford dealer and to Ford consumer affairs but they are unwilling to repair though there was a a courtesy notice posted that the repair would be free if less than 7 years or under 84,000 miles which my vehicle is. I have joined a class action law suit regarding Fords knowledge of the problem in 2019 and their lack of a preventive recall.

While at a 4 way intersection and red light my car went into extreme temperature overheat and shut down. I was the first car in the line at the red light. When the light turned green I started the vehicle, put on my emergency flashes and had to Dodge other vehicles in limp mode ( 5 mile per hour) across 3 lanes of incoming to make it to a parking lot. This was all caused by the well known and documented coolant intrusion engine defect that Ford has been aware of since 2018 accordingly to their own technical service bulletins. This is an extreme safety hazard and happened to me unexpectedly and without warning. I’m thankful I was not involved in a crash or that I did not cause injury to another driver. This vehicle needs to be recalled immediately before more consumers suffer injuries or death.

Our 2019 Ford Escape began shaking upon starting the vehicle. We took it in for diagnostics to the Ford dealership. This car has less than 40k miles on it after 7 years of ownership. We were told we would need to completely replace the engine due to a coolant leak. Upon further research, a recall for our exact make and model was identified that described the exact same issue that was identified by Ford. For some reason, our VIN was not eligible for the oasis program that was offered to other Ford owners with the exact same problem. The dealership has not been helpful at all in putting me in contact with a Ford representative that can tell me why my particular vehicle did not qualify for the assistance program. After contacting Ford corporate (or tried several times to get someone on the phone instead of a automatic prompt system) I was told that they would send my complaint to the auto safety office but they could not guarantee I would receive a call back. Now, the Ford dealership is saying that we have been denied assistance and that our case is with the auto safety office and they will not be able to provide an update about our complaint. During this time, the dealership provided us with a loaner vehicle while trying to address the issue. They are now demanding that we return the loaner vehicle. This is also the dealership that services the 2019 Ford Escape in question. It was recalled previously for improper bushings which we complied with the recall and had it repaired accordingly. For an american made vehicle with less than 40k miles this is incredibly disappointing that Ford is unwilling to assist in the complete and total engine replacement that is being offered to others with the exact same issues that Ford identified. I have purchased 3 Ford vehicles from 2017-2019 and this will be the last. Customer service has been piss poor even when I was able to get someone on the phone. I do not feel safe driving the car after the issue was identified.

Ford has known of a coolant intrusion problem and even issued an extended 7 yr/84k mile warranty for this issue. The car has no issues during that time. I now have to replace the engine on a 9 year old car with only 80k miles on it. Cars engines should last more than 9 years. Ford told me that an engine replacement at 9 years could happen to anyone. There are hundred of complaints online about this known issue. If the engine were to go out on a busy road, it could easily cause an accident.

Defect in engine block causing coolant intrusion.

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.

Transmission needs to be replaced at 70k miles. In reading other user's stories online and hearing from mechanic, I was told to make a report here in reference to Ford's internal memo (ssm 54939). It would be nice for NHTSA to urge Ford to replace/fix transmissions on the 1. 5l dragon engines on the Escape 2020, etc. Too many widespread safety concerns/issues with a defective engine that they know about yet failed to act.

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

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.

Coolant is leaking and overheats all the time. It has the 1. 6l engine and is being grouped with the 2. 0 engine.

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.

The engine overheated and went into limp mode while on the busy interstate, we nearly were hit trying to get off the road because we could not keep speed. The car is available for inspection. It has the typical symptoms of the coolant intrusion as acknowledged by Ford in technical service bulletins 19-2139 and 22-2322. These include startup misfires, rapid loss of coolant into the combustion chambers without external leaks, and severe overheating causing the vehicle to enter limp mode. The misfire's are throwing engine codes p0302 (cylinder 2 misfire detected) and p0303 (cylinder 3 misfire detected) this just happened on July 8, 2026 and the car has 105,203 miles.

I am reporting a serious engine failure involving a 2017 Ford Escape se awd 2. 0l ecoboost, VIN [xxx]. The vehicle was purchased in October 2024 as a Ford blue advantage certified vehicle from lithia Ford of boise with approximately 32,000 miles. The vehicle currently has approximately 45,000 miles. In June 2026, the vehicle developed a check engine warning light while being driven in [xxx]. Prior to this event, the vehicle had shown no unusual symptoms, warning signs, or performance issues. The vehicle was inspected by an independent automotive repair facility, meridian automotive in [xxx], and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion requiring replacement of the long block engine assembly. The estimated repair cost is approximately $9,000–$10,000. This is a major engine failure occurring at only 45,000 miles and after approximately 13,000 miles of ownership since purchase. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Flywheel cracked. There is a service bulletin on how to fix when there is an issue which to me indicates a known issue.