2019 Ford Escape

This updates a prior complaint (NHTSA tracking XXX). The 2019 Escape 1.5L EcoBoost has the known coolant-intrusion engine defect (white exhaust smoke, overheating, misfires; codes P0300/P0301-P0304). Ford replaced the engine short block under program 21N12 on 3/6/2024 at 62,201 miles. The defect has recurred and the engine has now completely failed a second time. The dealer (Tuttle-Click Ford) confirmed excessive exhaust smoke and a loud rod knock; the vehicle is undrivable and likely needs another engine. While driving on the highway the engine began shutting down. The vehicle was shaking and making loud knocking noises, and we had to exit immediately at the next off-ramp; my children (ages [XXX] and [XXX]) were in the car. The vehicle is unsafe. Ford denied repurchase twice (cases XXX and XXX). I am reporting this safety defect for the record. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2019 Ford Escape with a documented history of powertrain failures. White smoke on cold start and engine stalling began around 48,000 miles; the dealer noted this engine is known for coolant intrusion. At about 62,000 miles the engine short block was replaced under Ford Field Service Action 21N12 / TSB 22-2322. Smoke, shaking, and stalling continued, and the engine intermittently cuts out when shifting into reverse and must be restarted. At about 87,000 miles the transmission failed and the full transmission assembly was replaced (work order Jan 2026, vehicle returned end of March 2026). The owner repeatedly told the Ford dealer the vehicle felt unsafe. On [XXX] the owner reported renewed exhaust smoke, an illuminated engine light, and a clicking sound at startup and asked to bring it in; instead of inspecting it, the dealer advised taking the vehicle straight to CarMax. About 9 days later, on [XXX], while driving in Los Angeles about 60 miles from home with young children aboard, the transmission would not stay in gear and the engine warning lights began blinking. The owner called the Ford dealership for guidance but no one could advise and the service desk would not answer. After consulting a mechanic, the family agreed it was unsafe to keep driving given the noises and pulled over in Anaheim, about 30 miles from home, at a mechanic shop to read the codes. A paid tow (~$600) was required. Loss of gear engagement and stalling in traffic with children aboard is a serious crash and stranding hazard. The scan returned codes P0012 and P0014 (camshaft timing, stored as permanent), P0300 (random/multiple misfire), and P0301, P0302, P0304 (cylinder misfires); the dash showed "Auto Start/Stop not ready - Stall Alert - Restart Engine." The defect has been reproduced and confirmed repeatedly by the Ford dealer, which performed the engine and transmission replacements. A repurchase request was denied. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2019 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX] , ~51,000 miles, built March 2019. Sioux Falls Ford performed full TSB 19-2346 / 22-2229 diagnostic on April 23, 2026 and confirmed coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 with visible damage on borescope. Check engine light has occurred four times. Ford Customer Care (case ##CXH-XXX-XXX) denied goodwill. Known design flaw. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Cylinder 4 misfire code caused a check engine light. Brought to mechanic who replaced all spark plugs and the cylinder 4 coil pack. The code came back later that day. I started noticing a low coolant level and one instance of white smoke on startup. I brought the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine block. This is a well reported and well known issue for this and other similar vehicles and Ford has not addressed this with a recall. It is a design flaw associated with multiple model years. The cost to repair the issue is more than the cost of the vehicle itself. If the problem persists, it could result in a crack in the engine, which could become a major safety hazard depending on the circumstances. Ford should provide coverage for these repairs affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

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.

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.

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.

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.