2018 Ford Escape

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.

My sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving. It made a very loud noise, at first I thought a tire blew, but the tire light didn't come on. I could hear like a whistling coming from the top of the car and thought it must be the sunroof. It only cracked at that point, but lots of cracks. We were able to finish driving to our destination, but then when going to drive back home, it began to break and pieces fell onto the cover and some blew away also. There were no signs of issues before this happened.

Check engine light would come on vehicle was not running well, seemed to stall. When I turned off the car I could hear liquid moving around from inside the vehicle. I am a Mom so I am driving with my 2 small children constantly and worried about their safety. The problem was confirmed by the dealership as well as an independent service center.

2018 Ford Escape. I have had the car since 12/2024. Less then 22000 miles in it. In this time I have had 4 alignment done. First one was 2 day after getting car. I pulls to the left. Second was 2 weeks after the first one. Then drove my car with a trailer on it to [XXX]. I made it [XXX] and dropped my load in a storage because I could not control the car. I was so scared. What should have taken maybe 2 days took a week. That was a nightmare trip. Ok so now in [XXX] took it to car max and explained what happened. Alignment always out. Always pulls to left. Carmax had my car 3 days called me and said I need a Alignment and 4 new tires. I was like what I just drove from [XXX]. Gentlemen told me I shouldn't have drove that car with it like that. I said carmax in [XXX] a load me to. Car repair places just think we can drop of our car and say here. I don't have another car to us will that one in the shop. Now the forth was when I got back into [XXX] which was maybe 2 months later. So my car did a lot of sitting in the driveway when I was in nc. With this car u have to have your hands both on the wheel because if u hit a pot hole the car goes crazy. I have been drive for about 40 yrs and I'm from [XXX] where u can drive not legally but able to drive with your knee,eat with the left hand will putting on makeup with the right. I can't do that. I can't even take my eyes off the road because the car will go to the left and I'm not even steering that way. So anyone out there please help. This is my first Ford and it's been a nightmare. Plus less then 40000 I have had a new battery alternator and start put in. My window wipes don't work. Came on it never rains in [XXX] so what the. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

In 2025 I bought this vehicle used at a dealership with 84,000 miles on it. A year later, it’s at 118,000 miles and needs a new engine. Due to coolant leaking into my cylinders and into my engine and mixing with oil and water in my oil pan. The issue it is having is directly caused my ford and the way it has designed this engine. Coolant has leaked into my cylinders causing a check engine light coming on labeled cylinder 3 misfire. I called ford about this to see if they would help, but they told me because my car is over 84,000 miles, they cannot cover the cost of repairs. I am still paying on my car loan, and in addition now, I have to pay even more to buy an engine for 5,000 dollars. This is not okay. Other have this issue as well. It is well documented online. Ford should recall this issue.

Safety issue involving a 2018 Ford Escape, Shortly after purchase, after approximately 80 miles of use, the vehicle displayed a “Service Transmission Now” warning, entered limp mode, and lost normal power/speed while on the interstate. This created a hazardous situation for me and my passenger because the vehicle could not operate normally in interstate traffic. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed transmission failure requiring replacement and reported that the transmission fluid was black/burnt. The vehicle was later taken to the dealership’s shop after the selling dealer instructed me to bring it there. I understand that the transmission issue was also confirmed there. I am reporting this because the transmission failure and limp-mode event occurred almost immediately after purchase and created a roadway safety hazard. I am requesting that NHTSA log this complaint for defect/safety tracking and review.

I have a paid in full 2018 Ford Escape 1.5L Eco Boost. I am just over the 150k mile mark and out of the blue I was left stranded on the side of a completely dark highway at 4:30AM after working a shift. The car alerted me out of no where with no indication of an issue arising that the engine was overheating and to pull over immediately. The coolant was completley empty even tho I had an oil change and check up the week prior, while getting this done there was no indication of low coolant. I was able to refill the coolant with the help of a friend and make it home that night. 2 days later on the way to work on the same highway it happened again out of the blue with no warning or indication yet again. I was able to get my boss to bring me coolant so I could refill it and get to work and off the highway, the coolant somehow was dry to the bone again. After this second occurrence I took my car to 2 different trustworthy mechanics close to my house to be diagnosed. Both mechanics were able to diagnose that the issue is coming from coolant is leaking into the engine and causing the car to overheat and engine failure. The only option to fix the car is to get a new engine. Currently my car is not drivable and I have no transportation. Ford is aware of the issues with the engine and I have had many phone calls and case numbers with them to try and get my car fixed by them. However I am out of luck because my VIN is not included in the current recall 26S01 EVEN THOUGH they are fully aware this recall affects many makes and models. I've been given no news or time frame on if or when the 1.5L engine will be added to this recall. Again Ford is fully aware of the issue and that it is affecting many makes and models but claim until my VIN is attached to the recall they can't do a thing. I have been without a car since March 23, 2026.

A metallic clinking/rattling noise developed from the engine/transmission area while the vehicle was running. The issue was diagnosed as a failed flexplate. The flexplate is a critical component that connects the engine to the transmission. Continued operation with a failed flexplate can lead to further mechanical failure and could result in loss of propulsion or inability to move the vehicle, creating a potential safety risk, particularly in traffic or when acceleration is needed. The problem was confirmed by a dealership service center. The vehicle was still operable at the time, but the noise was persistent and indicated a failure condition. No warning lights or messages were observed prior to the issue. The noise appeared suddenly. The component was replaced during repair. It is unknown if the failed part is available for inspection. There are reports of similar flexplate failures in comparable vehicles, raising concern this may not be an isolated issue.