2018 Ford Escape

Engine must be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder head. I was not told about any ongoing issue from the car dealer when I purchased in July 2022. I bought and financed car in good condition with 91k miles for $15,500 (which was fair market value) . I found out approx a year ago about ongoing issue, when I noticed excessive coolant loss. I was told engine replacement was the absolute only fix. I have added coolant weekly to keep from overheating. Approx 6 weeks ago; wouldn’t crank in my driveway, so I had towed to a mechanic to find out it now needs the new engine. Two cylinders have compression under 30-35. I initially had no options other than to trade or sell a lemon or replace the engine. I still owe over $7500 on a vehicle that doesn’t run. This is obviously a widespread issue and shameful that Ford will not assist in repair costs and isn’t held accountable for lack of info or assistance in repairing a defective automobile. A Ford dealership I consulted, confirmed no assistance offered.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 26,998. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered. The vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to the fuel pump and fuel lines. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 116,147.

Engine overheating due to coolant loss into cylinder through internal leak. Engine and vehicle are available for inspection. Engine overheating due to coolant loss into cylinders can be a risk for vehicle fire. Overheating affected my engine longevity and function and caused my vehicle to stop in an unsafe location (i.e. the highway). This is a serious safety concern for my family since we also live in Arizona where we are highly susceptible to extreme heat. I took the Ford vehicle to a Ford dealer to inspect and they verified that the engine block was warped due to an internal leak of coolant into the engine cylinders through a known recall issue Ford Vehicle has been inspected by the Ford dealership by certified Ford mechanics. Overheating had no warning since internal coolant leaks are not detectable through external means. When car overheated, I took the vehicle to Ford for inspection.

There was a coolant intrusion into engine and mixing with oil causing check engine light to come on. There is a memo from Ford that if this happens the only repair would be to replace the engine motor assembly with all hardware (for the cost of $9, 467.88). The safety of myself and others was put at risk because the engine experienced sudden performance issues due to coolant mixing with the oil. These symptoms could have led to a complete engine failure, especially at highway speeds or in heavy traffic, which creates a serious risk of accidents. Additionally, the potential for internal engine damage raises the risk of a fire, as documented in similar cases involving EcoBoost engines. I was driving a vehicle that could unpredictably stall or become inoperable, putting both me and other drivers in dangerous situations. The Willowbrook Ford Dealer diagnosed the problem on 6/13/25 after running diagnostics. The engine light came on on 6/11/25.

At approximately 53000, our 2018 Ford Escape began experiencing engine misfires, rough idling, and visible white smoke from the exhaust. After inspection, the dealer confirmed that coolant was leaking into the combustion chamber due to a known design flaw in the 1.5L EcoBoost engine — a condition widely reported by other Escape and Fusion owners. This issue was previously covered under Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP 21N12), which extended short block replacement for this exact problem. However, Ford has denied coverage, citing that the vehicle is now just outside the 7-year eligibility window, despite the low mileage and the fact that this is a documented manufacturing defect, not normal wear and tear. Coolant intrusion into the engine is a critical safety risk, as it can cause sudden engine failure, stalling, and loss of power — all of which create dangerous driving conditions, especially at highway speeds. Thousands of owners are reporting identical issues online, and many have suffered catastrophic engine failure well before 100,000 miles. Request: I’m submitting this complaint to formally document the safety concern and urge the NHTSA to investigate this widespread issue and consider a recall. The current extended warranty program is inadequate, as it leaves many consumers — like myself — with no recourse for a known, dangerous defect.

the check-engine light started coming on just over mile 100k, codes came back as a cylinder misfire. Due to faulty coolant supply systems, the coolant would be used up very quickly, which could cause the engine to overheat and become dead in the water, effectively endangering anyone driving it. The vehicle has had several repairs to the engine, all for the light to come on several times more.

Check engine light first appeared early May 2025 days after the car started running very roughly, then bucking upon startup; local mechanic said may need engine but should go to dealer; dealer towed a couple of days later as engine light had begun to blink and said it couldn't be driven; a few days later dealer reported coolant leaking into combustion chamber and would need a new engine at $12,860. Apparently a known failure as reported in Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229, date 6/9/2022 for vehicles including my 2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0 L Ecoboost with only 44k miles, final assembly Louisville KY. Reported danger of engine failure while driving, possible fire.