Power Train Problems of Ford Escape - part 1

My 2018 Ford Escape has diagnostic codes p0302 and p0316 cylinder 2 misfire and no compression on cylinder 2 due to coolant intrusion into the engine block. This is a known defect documented in Ford TSB 22-2322 and customer satisfaction program 21n12. My VIN was excluded from this program despite having the identical failure and identical fault codes as covered vehicles. This engine failure occurred at highway speed creating a dangerous safety hazard. Ford has refused goodwill assistance despite this being a known manufacturing defect.

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The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the powertrain malfunction warning light and the abs warning light were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over, the battery was disconnected and reconnected, and the contact was able to continue driving. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard when the abs light was illuminated. While reversing, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the repairs would be at the owner's expense. Another local dealer, bob davidson Ford Lincoln, located at 1845 e joppa rd, baltimore, MD 21234, was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

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Keep getting an error code for p0303 cylinder 3 misfire. I have replaced everything to correct this problem but keep getting the same error. Started noticing that coolant is leaving reservoir and only returns when I remove the cap. When I turn the car off I hear water rushing behind the dashboard. There are no leaks seen. I've started having very quick and sudden overheating that cools quickly after stopping the car. I get a dash message "engine fault service now" message that goes away after I remove the cap from the coolant, thus allowing the reservoir to refill. I've been dealing with the p0303 code off and on for a year now, but the coolant issue started a couple of months ago. Yesterday was the first overheating of the engine and the only place I could pull over was very dangerous and I was not able to fully get out of the road. I saw there is a recall on 2018 Ford Escapes for coolant intrusion. Why is this one not included?!.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph on a local roadway, the vehicle went into limp mode and failed to accelerate. The engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic retrieved dtc: p1299, p0300, p0303; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, and dtc: p0303 was confirmed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

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My transmission blew had to be towed home.

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The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission slipped out of gear while attempting to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

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Check engine light on. Code = p0303. Safety issue for overheating with potential engine fire. Local dealership service has diagnosed as coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 and coolant loss. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representative or other. Vehicle was serviced on January 29th of 2020 for customer satisfaction program 19b37. Vehicle has failed at 88000 miles due same design issue addressed by Ford motor company under customer satisfaction program 21n12.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed or while the vehicle was parked, there was a loud ticking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the flex plate had failed and needed to be replaced, and that additional transmission parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,823.

Took care & kept up with car maintenance quite regularly, including oil and transmission fluid drain & fills. No signs of any issues. Going uphill and suddenly transmission starts slipping and pump is suddenly whirring loud. No urgent lights or dash messages. Drove it a little further (I was already super close to my destination) and within a minute the car is violently jerking. Loud metal bangs and clank sounds and lost power. Rpms up but can’t get into gear. It will jerk & move by itself at idle because can’t stay in park either. Still no warning message. Got it towed—dealership found no transmission codes, but found one code, p0219, engine over speed; most likely from the rpms spiking due to the slippage. The trans fluid level was ok but it was black and burnt, despite being serviced months ago. They confirmed it will need a total replacement transmission.

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My car moves when pushed or pulled and the vehicle is off and in park. Additionally, my car does not accelerate over 5 miles per hour and makes a whining noise when trying to drive.

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the flex plate had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 79,545.

Powertrain malfunction/ reduced power hill start assist warning pre- collision assist not available.

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My 2018 Ford Escape, which has experienced catastrophic engine failure due to the well-documented coolant intrusion defect in the 1. 5l ecoboost engine. In early March 2026, without any prewarning or engine light, my vehicle displayed an “engine fault service now” warning and stored diagnostic trouble code p2601 (coolant pump a control circuit performance/range). I immediately took the vehicle to bidwell automotive in [xxx] , where on March 10–11, 2026, technician gannon performed a thorough inspection. The findings were as follows: the coolant level was critically low; the water pump showed signs of leaking; the top of the piston in the affected cylinder appeared washed clean (a hallmark of coolant entering the combustion chamber); and the technician detected an odor consistent with combustion gases in the cooling system. The diagnosis was a suspected failed head gasket consistent with internal coolant intrusion. I then brought the vehicle to future Ford Lincoln of roseville, your authorized dealership, on March 12, 2026 (ro #xxx, service consultant [xxx] , certified technician [xxx] ). Future Ford verified the coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 by removing the spark plugs and performing a borescope inspection. The dealership’s own technician referenced TSB 22-2322 and recommended either a short block replacement ($9,396. 45) or a long block replacement ($13,331. 01). The dealership confirmed that my vehicle has no remaining warranty coverage and offered no assistance beyond the paid repair estimate. Ford’s documented knowledge of this defect Ford motor company has long been aware that the 1. 5l ecoboost engine in 2017–2019 Escape vehicles suffers from a structural design defect in the engine block’s cooling passages that causes coolant to intrude into the cylinders. Ford’s own actions confirm this knowledge. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that after shifting to reverse(r), the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,000.

The engine continues to have a burning smell or rotten egg smell at high speeds, the car continues to hesitate when taking off from a red light like it is going to shut off and then jumps forward, and the engine continues to lag as does the battery or power when turning on the vehicle most mornings. I have brought the car in several times to the dealership and due to there being no codes showing, they will not diagnose it further and as soon as I get the vehicle back, the same issues and problems happen over and over again. I have had 4 service appointments now with no resolutions. I feel as though this car is a lemon and worry that it will continue to become more unsafe from ongoing engine, powertrain, and mechanical issues that cannot be fixed or diagnosed.

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The component that is failing in my vehicle is the engine, specifically the 1. 5l ecoboost engine short block, which is experiencing coolant intrusion into the cylinders. This defect causes misfires, rough running, loss of coolant without visible leaks, and can lead to catastrophic engine failure. The car and all its components are available for inspection upon request. My safety, my child's safety, as well as the safety of others on the road, has been put at risk because this engine defect can cause sudden misfires, loss of power, or complete engine failure while driving. I rely on this vehicle to transport my special needs toddler to and from essential care appointments and therapies. I have experienced sudden intermittent powertrain loss that has resulted in the vehicle randomly stopping on highway. A local auto shop diagnosed the issue free of charge. It was explained to me that this is a known defect that Ford has documented, and other owners have reported to the national highway traffic safety administration, demonstrating that it is reproducible in vehicles with this engine type. My vehicle has not been inspected by Ford for repair coverage, nor have police or insurance representatives been involved. Ford has reviewed my VIN internally but refused coverage based on a narrow eligibility range, leaving me responsible for repair costs that are financially burdensome and urgently needed for the safety and care of my child. As of now I experience random misfires, rough running, white thick smoke expelling from the exhaust, random powertrain loss, and unexplained loss of coolant. These symptoms appeared gradually but are consistent with the documented defect in other vehicles with the same engine type, model, and assembly plant, making it clear that my vehicle is affected by the same issue.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while in a drive-through and attempting to shift into drive to move forward, the transmission remained in neutral, causing the vehicle to jerk. The contact was able to roll into a nearby parking space, and the vehicle came to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that if the transmission was repaired, it would have a lifespan of 3 years. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer opened a case for the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

The rear speed sensor on my 2021 Ford Escape hybrid is fused to the differential due to corrosion. The failure disables safety systems (abs/traction control), and the design requires a $800+ partial teardown of the drivetrain to fix a basic sensor. This is a design defect that prevents safety-critical repairs.

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Transmission stopped working. It completely disengaged and I was unable to move the vehicle in the middle of an intersection. This created a potentially fatal breakdown.

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Transmission failure in traffic. Just stopped engaging the gears. Transmission has failed and needs to be replaced.

Transmission suddenly stopped working. Vehicle would not move. Now it’s making a terrible squealing sound and will barely move.

When driving, the car has stopped 4 times in the last 3 years. Last week the car came to a red light and the inside lights started flashing. There was a warning that read "transmission not in park. " the car's power steering and brakes went out and the car went through the red light. Three other times the car was on the expressway and it died with the same warning. Fortunately, the car was in the slow lane and was able to pull onto the shoulder. Once the car is put in park and turned off, it is able to be restarted and everything is working.

System failures with lights and warnings include: hill start assist, all wheel drive fault, precollision assist, advanctrac. Rear differential and awd module had to be replaced. Car has 57,000 miles on it and is a 2020. Safety is put at risk with a failing rear differential. There were minor vibrations that could've turned into wheel lock. All of the different drive modes were unavailable, and with heavy snow and ice in the area where I live, it made driving more difficult. The car was diagnosed and 2 dealers and one independent service center and the work was ultimately done at a dealer because the all wheel drive module has to be programmed.

I own a 2019 Ford Escape with a 1. 5l ecoboost engine. The vehicle began experiencing engine misfires and a powertrain malfunction warning. Diagnostic code p0302 appeared for cylinder 2 misfire. The coolant reservoir level began dropping without any visible external leaks. A mechanic performed a pressure test and confirmed there were no external coolant leaks, indicating coolant intrusion into the engine cylinder. This is a known defect affecting 2017 - 2019 Ford Escape 1. 5l ecoboost engines. The issue can cause engine misfires, reduced power, and potential engine failure while driving. This problem poses a safety concern because engine power can be reduced unexpectedly while driving.

Car has 56k miles. Went to dealer for the recall on the bushing and cap. Left dealer and next couple days the car slid twice in my driveway a few feet even with parking brake on. Went back to dealer and they said cant duplicate problem. Drove home and car continues to have shifting issues and going out of gear. . Have to shift to park or neutral and then reengage and to try to get it to work. In the mornings after sitting its now having issues going in gear and then after awhile will work. Called dealer and Ford corporate and they said there is nothing they can do or help with. The car is a safety hazard slipping out of gear while driving in traffic or on a hill and then you are stranded in fear of getting totaled out from behind until it decides to go into gear! this is terribly dangerous and it only has 56, 600 miles on it!! also the engine is not throwing a code. So dealer and another repair shop has charged 1600 for service and its still doing it!!!! me researching seems to prove Ford had transmission issues with this year of Escape titanium and the edge etc. . . . Why is there not a full recall on the transmission that they have to fix with such little mileage!.

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Vehicle transmission failed at 60k miles and again at 146k miles. Had to pay around $4000 each time the transmission broke. This is a nightmare and these vehicles have constant transmission problems that are expensive and cause heartache. I have spent so much money on towing, dealership diagnostics, and drain and fills/flushes for the transmission to keep the fluid clean. The fluid gets dark and dirty so quick and smells burnt so quickly. The manufacturer (Ford) are a bunch of crooks. They tell you the transmission fluid lasts over 100,000 miles but that's a lie! I have 146k miles and have already had two transmission failures with the 6f35! this is terrible. They need to be held accountable or they will keep ruining peoples lives.

The contact owned a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled, and an abnormal sound was coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate and unexpectedly lunged forward while shifting gears. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

There has been a safety recall for this vehicle for the same issue for far too long. Fords temporary remedy has made my vehicle be even more unsafe to drive causing faults with awd, traction control, hill assist, power steering, alternator producing to high voltage, etc. The vehicle was not legal to drive from ‘at to February do to this issues. Fords temporary remedy issued a new recall 25s76 replacing recall 22s73. Supposedly this was going to fix problems with first recall update but the vehicle still experiencing the same faults. And is not legal or safe to drive in NY. When will Ford have to make right in these issues?.

1. Transmission failure, it is available for inspection up until time of repair. 2. The vehicle lost power while driving, had incidents of jerking forward without warning, and shifter would get stuck. 3. Yes, independent service center. 4. Yes, when the incident occurred (transmission fault service now) p0301-00 cylinder 1 misfire detected p0316-00 misfire detected on startup p059f-00 active grille air shutter a performance/stuck off p0729-00 gear 6 incorrect ratio p2702-00 gear 5 incorrect ratio.

I was on my way to work on 2/4/2026 and all of a sudden the rpms went up really high and wouldn’t accelerate and then down shifted really hard so I pulled over. It then showed on the dash “system fault: transmission fault service now” I ended up needing a tow truck. This is not ok! it’s also apparently a common occurrence which means it should be recalled and fixed!.

Vehicle is shuddering at low speeds, Ford already has a TSB out for this transmission 8f35, needs to be escalated to a recall, myself and others are being quoted more money to repair than what the vehicle is worth, thus making a problem they are aware of causing cars to total themselves. Needs to be on all models with this transmission.

Shuddering transmission, vehicle struggles to change gears smoothly resulting in loss of acceleration. Rough gear changes from 1-3 gears transmission fluid changed. Same issues. Issues go in hand with the current class action lawsuit of Ford Escape and Ford focus over transmission issues. Failure of transmission and exorbitant repair cost over a safety critical issue should automatically require a NHTSA investigation.

Transmission failed. This is the third transmission in this car, which only has 130,000 miles and has been well-maintained. This transmission failure happened in a busy downtown area with evening traffic (lower visibility, lots of cars, lots of people, lots of angry and impatient drivers as car stopped working in busy area). I am lucky that I was not rear ended during the sudden failure.

Turbo failed due to oil lines clogged. Failed again after repair two weeks later on highway almost causing a collision.

Transmission failure at 79211 miles. Vehicle has been serviced and maintained regularly. Transmission shop stated this is a "very common issue" with this specific transmission, that they see failures frequently. This occurred just a month or two after the recall repair for the shifter cable bushing. Front left wheel speed sensor also went bad around the same time, causing traction control to engage specifically when turning left even on dry roads and at lower speeds. Also occurred when vehicle was in reverse, at low speeds. This also caused the "intelligent 4wd" (hill assist and acceleration assist) to fail/shut down and all indicators on the dashboard went to blank/dashes. This occurred the first time while stopped at a stop sign facing uphill. It occurred as second time days later while driving 35mph.