NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
342 reportsClear category filter65,000 miles · Feb 15, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced cold start issues, requiring numerous attempts while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle idled roughly once started. The contact stated that once the vehicle reached approximately 30 MPH there would be a white smoke cloud c…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced cold start issues, requiring numerous attempts while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle idled roughly once started. The contact stated that once the vehicle reached approximately 30 MPH there would be a white smoke cloud coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had leaked into the engine block and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #11507420
113,000 miles · Feb 13, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
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 an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the coils needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was repai…
Read full complaint
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 an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the coils needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #11507078
90,000 miles · Feb 13, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The engine misfire warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown, and that antifreeze was leaking into the engine. T…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The engine misfire warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown, and that antifreeze was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11506916
140,000 miles · Feb 9, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle nearly to stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The driver pulled over and the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle nearly to stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The driver pulled over and the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife noticed the "Service Engine Soon" light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle was leaking coolant into the engine block. The contact had been advised by the mechanic that the engine failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA ODI #11506434
81,647 miles · Jan 27, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact called on behalf of a friend who owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his friend was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle emitted an abnormal sound. Additionally, there was significant amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle wa…
Read full complaint
The contact called on behalf of a friend who owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his friend was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle emitted an abnormal sound. Additionally, there was significant amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown. The dealer informed the contact's friend that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 81,647.
NHTSA ODI #11503985
43,780 miles · Jan 12, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle and started accelerating, the vehicle was jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the oil level was low and that cylinder #4 was misfiring. Th…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle and started accelerating, the vehicle was jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the oil level was low and that cylinder #4 was misfiring. The contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic confirmed a misfire in cylinder #4 due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 43,780.
NHTSA ODI #11501495
112,000 miles · Dec 19, 2022
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2. The contact was also informed that the …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2. The contact was also informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The contact called the manufacturer who referred her to a dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #11498105
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2022
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
TOOK FORD ESCAPE TO DEALER BECAUSE OF SERVICE ENGINE ALERT. WAS TOLD IT PROBALLY NEEDED A TUNE UP OR A COMPRESSION PROBLEM. I THEN GOT A CALL BACK TO SAY COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD THE BLOCK. SEEMS THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE SINCE THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR THE FORD ESCAPE SIN…
Read full complaint
TOOK FORD ESCAPE TO DEALER BECAUSE OF SERVICE ENGINE ALERT. WAS TOLD IT PROBALLY NEEDED A TUNE UP OR A COMPRESSION PROBLEM. I THEN GOT A CALL BACK TO SAY COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD THE BLOCK. SEEMS THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE SINCE THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR THE FORD ESCAPE SINCE 2013. TECH DID STATE THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEMS AND THEY GET SERVICE ALERTS ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11493422
42,000 miles · Oct 26, 2022
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was a message that cylinder #2 had misfired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant leaking into cylinder #2. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was a message that cylinder #2 had misfired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant leaking into cylinder #2. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #11491017
102,000 miles · Sep 20, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The coolant temperature and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was cracked and pro…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The coolant temperature and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine was cracked and produced code: P0302. The contact stated that the mechanic was able to reset the computer. The contact referenced TSB: 22-2229. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #11485499
Official recalls
4Jan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Jun 10, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Feb 12, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
Dec 18, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗