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2019 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

227 reports with mileage · 358 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 307 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports3 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine complaints

307 reports
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110,000 miles · Feb 20, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the contact stated that a big white puff of smoke was came from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. …

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the contact stated that a big white puff of smoke was came from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic 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 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11572988

59,512 miles · Jan 29, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with several warning lights illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was discovered that an electrical spike had burned out several electrical sensors. The d…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with several warning lights illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was discovered that an electrical spike had burned out several electrical sensors. The dealer replaced the alternator to correct the failure; however, the failure returned nearly a week after the repair. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where a short in the electrical wiring harness was found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was 59,512.

NHTSA ODI #11568595

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

Coolant intrusion into the engine Ford says known issue with 2019 escape but they are not going to do anything about it till they are made to

NHTSA ODI #11568017

61,194 miles · Dec 27, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate. The RPM then rose to an elevated level. There was an abnormal knocking and rattling sound detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that …

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate. The RPM then rose to an elevated level. There was an abnormal knocking and rattling sound detected. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the connecting rod bearings were worn and recommended that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 61,194.

NHTSA ODI #11562000

101,250 miles · Dec 21, 2023
Engine

The contact's son owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine and determined that the engine needed to be …

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The contact's son owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 101,250.

NHTSA ODI #11561318

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2023
Engine

The vehicle went from normal operating temperature to max temperature on the gauge in a matter of seconds and triggered a vehicle overheat warning message. The vehicle was consuming coolant and has the issue described in TSB 20-2100. Coolant was leaking into the cylinders and hot exhaust gas was leaking into the coolant, which…

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The vehicle went from normal operating temperature to max temperature on the gauge in a matter of seconds and triggered a vehicle overheat warning message. The vehicle was consuming coolant and has the issue described in TSB 20-2100. Coolant was leaking into the cylinders and hot exhaust gas was leaking into the coolant, which quickly caused the engine to rapidly overheat to an extreme temperature. The extreme engine temperature could have caused a fire.

NHTSA ODI #11556483

75,000 miles · Nov 22, 2023
EngineVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the tailpipe. While driving, the vehicle was slow to respond. Additionally, the contact’s son, who is a mechanic, informed her that there was water entering the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the l…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the tailpipe. While driving, the vehicle was slow to respond. Additionally, the contact’s son, who is a mechanic, informed her that there was water entering the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the vehicle was built with the wrong engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the engine was a long-block engine and should be a short-block engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11556418

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2023
Engine

Cylinder 1 misfire due to coolant seeping down cylinder wall. Found a TSB 19-2346 pertaining to this condition. To resolve issue engine replacement is recommended. Ford service center issued assessment and recommended service: Replace engine long block assembly, has coolant in #1 cylinder causing misfire and check engine light …

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Cylinder 1 misfire due to coolant seeping down cylinder wall. Found a TSB 19-2346 pertaining to this condition. To resolve issue engine replacement is recommended. Ford service center issued assessment and recommended service: Replace engine long block assembly, has coolant in #1 cylinder causing misfire and check engine light as described in TSB22-2229. Cost for service $7,207.23 plus tax & labor. Opened case with Ford customer care; advisor has stated on 10/18/2023 that there are no financial assistance programs available to assist with repair. Ford customer care advisor is still trying to find assistance, case has remained open.

NHTSA ODI #11551020

84,000 miles · Oct 19, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the engine was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the oil was changed. The contact's…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the engine was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the oil was changed. The contact's son noticed that there was white smoke coming from the exhaust and noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant to the reservoir. The contact's neighbor informed her that there was white smoke coming from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side CV joint was leaking, and the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving the “Transmission Service Now” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the torque converter valve needed to be replaced or the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated there was an unknown substance in the line. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #11550783

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2023
EnginePower Train

The check engine light would come on at high RPMs and the car would begin to shake violently. I would generally pull over and turn off the engine in order to stop if from misfiring. This occurred after an engine replacement in the vehicle. The engine now has a crack in it and the short block needs replacing. This is the second t…

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The check engine light would come on at high RPMs and the car would begin to shake violently. I would generally pull over and turn off the engine in order to stop if from misfiring. This occurred after an engine replacement in the vehicle. The engine now has a crack in it and the short block needs replacing. This is the second time I am in need of an engine replacement in 90k miles on the vehicle. The cylinders continue to intermitently misfire and the engine leaks oil. The first time is needed replacing the engine overheated and told me to pull over when I was driving. The next day the engine would not start.

NHTSA ODI #11549018

Official recalls

3

26V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

Jan 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.

22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod

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.

21V155000 · Tires

Mar 10, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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