Transmission issues, Hard Shifting & Slipping
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
585 reports2019 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, an…
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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)
Coolant intrusion on the cylinders due to a manufacturing issue with the Ford Ecoboost 1.5L engine manufactured between 2017-2019. This issue warrants a total engine replacement and the vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership. This can cause total engine failure while driving or even vehicle fires. This issue was acknowledged …
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Coolant intrusion on the cylinders due to a manufacturing issue with the Ford Ecoboost 1.5L engine manufactured between 2017-2019. This issue warrants a total engine replacement and the vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership. This can cause total engine failure while driving or even vehicle fires. This issue was acknowledged by Ford in TSB 19-2139 which was published in November of 2019. The symptoms we experienced were hard shuddering, white smoke from exhaust, check engine light, a "service engine now" message on the dashboard.
Ford dealership in Ferndale,MI told me I needed a new engine February 2025 which was covered under warranty. they told me they had to replace my engine. I serviced car at same dealership for numerous oils changes engine light was in but they told me that it was codes for something else that they reported on my papers. My Vehicl…
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Ford dealership in Ferndale,MI told me I needed a new engine February 2025 which was covered under warranty. they told me they had to replace my engine. I serviced car at same dealership for numerous oils changes engine light was in but they told me that it was codes for something else that they reported on my papers. My Vehicle started running hard in January 2026 asked them about why it was running hard when driving was not able to get any answers according to them they were unsure of the reason then February 2026 my engine went out while driving again and they told me I needed another new engine recent search says there is a class action suit with Capstone Law APC, along with co-counsel, is litigating a consolidated class action lawsuit The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Ford Motor Company: failed to disclose that these vehicles have a defect that causes coolant to leak into the engine’s cylinders, which can cause corrosion, oil dilution and contamination, and engine failure; and failed to disclose these defects create a safety risk, because the lack of coolant created by the leaks causes overheating and can result in the cylinder head cracking, total engine failure, and/or engine fires. My engine is completely out and now they are telling me that I have to pay out of pocket for a new engine when this was a safety issue while driving on the road with a engine that was said to have been replaced
1. The sensor on the backup camera doesn't often detect someone behind the vehicle. This has occured for the last couple of years. 2. The hatch has also started to short out, popping open when the car is off, refusing to unlock etc. I heard my hatch make the latch sound and then got down the road a bit and it was open about a f…
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1. The sensor on the backup camera doesn't often detect someone behind the vehicle. This has occured for the last couple of years. 2. The hatch has also started to short out, popping open when the car is off, refusing to unlock etc. I heard my hatch make the latch sound and then got down the road a bit and it was open about a foot. I could have hurt someone. I can't get into my trunk about 50%og the time now. I have to do a series of locking and unlocking before I press the hatch button. I'm concerned it's not truly latching and then unlatching when I turn off my vehicle. There is the potential that items could fall out of the back causing injury to others. It is very concerning and I know this has been reported in other models of the Ford Escape. I've been dealing with this for about a month now. It should be covered by a recall.
Coolant leaking into go engine. Causing erosion. Only 40,000 miles and been without car for 3 months now. Upon research this is a known issue. Confused why it wasn’t recalled with the number of people who appear to have been impacted.
2019 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX] , built July 2019, 59,300 miles. Experiencing coolant intrusion into cylinder bores — identical defect addressed by Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and TSBs 22-2134 and 22-2322. Symptoms: white exhaust smoke at startup, low coolant level with no external leak, no check engine li…
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2019 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX] , built July 2019, 59,300 miles. Experiencing coolant intrusion into cylinder bores — identical defect addressed by Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and TSBs 22-2134 and 22-2322. Symptoms: white exhaust smoke at startup, low coolant level with no external leak, no check engine light. Two independent mechanics (Tune Craft Auto Center and Thomas Bros Auto Care, San Diego CA) independently diagnosed coolant intrusion into cylinders and recommend long block replacement per CSP 21N12 procedure. Vehicle build date of July 2019 falls three months after Ford's CSP 21N12 cutoff of April 8, 2019. Ford redesigned this engine block in late 2019 due to the same defect, confirming the defective architecture was still in production through at least July 2019. Ford has denied goodwill coverage citing the build date cutoff. This is the same known manufacturing defect Ford has accepted responsibility for in thousands of other vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My 1.5L EcoBoost engine in my 2019 Ford Escape exhibits a low coolant levels, white exhaust smoke, and runs rough condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator light with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0302 and P0316. Ford admits to having this issue as described in a Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 but is not…
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My 1.5L EcoBoost engine in my 2019 Ford Escape exhibits a low coolant levels, white exhaust smoke, and runs rough condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator light with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0302 and P0316. Ford admits to having this issue as described in a Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 but is not agreeing to service my vehicle as they state it does not have this issue despite exhibiting all of this symptoms listed in the Satisfaction Program.
Misfire in 4th cylinder. Replaced spark plugs and emission coils. Recurrent misfire. Diagnostics demonstrated coolant intrusion. Only option for repair is to replace entire engine block and this did not make sense for 7 year old ford escape with 65K miles.
The engine needs to be replaced due to engine leaking coolant into the cylinder. This falls under Fords TSB 22-2229. This is a known issue and manufacturing defect. While driving the check engine light started flashing and the car started overheating.
Official recalls
326V011000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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