This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vehicle: 2018 Ford Escape SE, 1.5L EcoBoost, 130,000 miles Problem: Coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 has caused engine misfires, rough starting, check engine light, and the engine now requires replacement. Circumstances: The failure occurred suddenly. The vehicle was properly maintained and regularly serviced. Safety concern: Coolant intrusion can lead to sudden engine stall and loss of power, creating a risk while driving. Additional info: Diagnosed by an independent mechanic; engine replacement recommended. This appears consistent with a known defect in this engine type.
A check engine light came on the vehicle and I decided to get it tested with my device and it said that the was a problem with the crankshaft position sensor and there was a misfire on cylinder 2 and 3. When I did my research it said that it could be many things and I should replace my spark plugs and crankshaft position sensor. I did that and immediately after replacing the spark plugs and the sensor, white smoke started to emerge from the exhaust and a message came on screen that said engine fault service now. I decided to have my car towed to the service shop that I usually take my car to when I-??m not doing minor replacements and they said that it was a problem with the engine due to a manufacturer design fault. The said that as a result of the design flaw coolant was getting into the engine. They said that it was coolant intrusion. I did my research and found out that my car falls under this known fault. I have a 2018 Ford Escape. I was not made aware of this problem when I purchased my vehicle in November of 2022. At that time there was a voluntary program that said that owners with this make could have a one time replacement of the engine. I am now out of a car as a result of this known problem. I called the company based on advice from my mechanic and they denied me a goodwill assistance repair. They open a case report and the case number is [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Check engine light came on last week. Took it into the repair shop and they let me know that there is coolant in the first cylinder. There is not a recall for this but it is a known issue with Ford escapes designs and that Ford has redesigned the engine block and gasket, and in some cases, they are replacing the entire long block.
My 2018 Ford Escape has experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known issue affecting this model year. The vehicle began misfiring and consuming coolant without external leaks. The dealership confirmed the diagnostic, a Technical Service Bulletin applies to my VIN. This defect can cause engine failure while driving, creating a serious safety risk. I am experiencing coolant loss, smoke and excessive shaking. Just paid my car off and got title last week. Only 130,000 miles. Ford will not help pay for repairs. Ford needs to be responsible for this and pay for this fix! It is a know defect!!!.Safety Risks -?? Loss of power while driving -?? Risk of engine stall -?? Overheating risk -?? Highway safety concern
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the check engine, transmission, battery and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact and her husband shifted into neutral(N) and pushed the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased, and a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed by the mechanic that a timing chain failure had destroyed the engine block resulting in complete engine failure. The contact was provided an estimate for a new engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and that there were no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
- Perrinton, MI, USA
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While driving on a highway the RPMS in my 2018 Ford Escape with 88,600 miles went up high without me touching the gas because I was coasting downhill & then once I pushed the gas pedal to resume normal speed it shifted real hard into gear but would not move, it just kept coasting as cars were speeding up behind me going at least 55 MPH! I was finally able to pull over and once I put the car into park & tried to move it into a parking lot the car would not go into gear at all. The car was towed is currently at the Ford Dealer & they confirmed that the transmission needs to be replaced. The only time the warning sign/light came up on the dashboard was AFTER I tried for the last time to move the car into a safe parking area. Per the Ford service this apparently is a known issue with ford & the 6F35 transmissions & they are on back order for 4-6 weeks and Ford will not give me a loaner car.
The CEL light came on and when it was checked by a Ford Dealership, they said there was coolant intrusion and the engine block or entire engine needs to be replaced. Evidently this is a well known problem at Ford but they never let me know, never issued a recall, and now I have to replace an entire engine instead of just some part. The cost of replacement is as much as the car is worth.
2018 Ford Escape EcoBoost 1.5L experienced a coolant intrusion issue at 95000 miles. This issue was known back in 2018 when I bought the vehicle new at the Frederick Motor Company in Frederick, Maryland. No communication about this issue was communicated to me but Ford did fix the problem on later manufactured Escapes. A proper diagnosis was done at Sullivan-??s in Newport, RI on 2/27/2026. Ford was not able to schedule a proper diagnosis until mid March. Coolant loss followed by a flashing check engine light was the first indication of the issue. Car is inoperable and dangerous to start up and drive. I-??m asking Ford for a goodwill repair because I-??m a loyal Ford customer who has properly maintained the vehicle via extended warranty maintenance warranties purchased with the vehicle back in 2018.
My 2018 Ford Escape has experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known issue affecting this model year. The vehicle began misfiring and consuming coolant without external leaks. This is an engine defect Ford has known about since 2010, yet they continued to put this engine into their cars. I had bought this car less then a year ago, it had been in the shop more then I have had it. It is constantly overheating. The most recent time I was driving my son to school my exhaust was smoking really bad and everything seemed to be ruining smoothly the day before when I drove it the auto shop I have been taking it to they had spent 2 weeks researching what was wrong with it they told me I needed my whole engine replaced. Im a single mom amd I need answers.. I look up my Vin in the recalls and its stating 0 results but that cant be possible if I have had been same issue as others my eco start and stop dont work and my passager in the front cant roll window down
The contact owned a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed flames coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked, and the contact and the passenger exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the contact's mother was an additional occupant in the vehicle and was seated in the rear seat. The contact and the contact's mother exited the vehicle. The contact stated that within seconds, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. In addition, the contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been inspected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN had no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
After realizing that my issue is not isolated; I decided to report it. I have a 2018 Ford Escape SE with a 1.5L ecoboost engine. From day one, the car had a "ticking" sound - which we were told was normal. Originally, it was leased. Due to Pandemic, there was a shortage of cars. Lease was extended 4 months x 2. Repair facilities not open during most of Pandemic/ we were not working/ so the car was driven about 5 miles/ week. Maintenance has always been kept up/ oil checked. Normal use pattern/ at/ less than 10 - 15 miles per day. Repeated problems with the engine light on. Immediate service. Each time, blame placed on a sensor or valve (more than once)/ hundreds of dollars in repairs. 8/2025 in for another engine light. Mileage 34,976. Code PO496 showed second failure/ purge valve and replaced again. 11/2025, same engine light issue. Mileage 41121 miles. FIRST TIME, the oil was found to be a bit low. VVT Selenoid tests/ negative. Codes indicated problem with the engine's variable valve timing, which can be caused by a faulty VVT solenoid or actuator, worn timing chain/ belt or a bad camshaft position sensor. The OBD-II code P0012 indicated that the intake camshaft position was 'overretarded' for bank 1. Alternator drive belt was replaced/ notes showing that this included R&I of engine mount, replacement Serpentine and V-belt/ belts. On 2/16/26 noticed the "ticking" sound had become louder. The engine light NOT on. Self oil check showed no loss/confirmed. Mileage 41851. Mechanic unable to diagnose noise source. 2/19, mechanic decided valve cover should be removed/interior examined. 2/20/26, Found "worn out cam bearing cap and worn out cam metal on metal grinding due to oil starvation. Recommend replacing engine." Told that the engine had been faulty all along. Ford Motor company will not discuss repair/ engine replacement. (estimate:10K+) After reading that this is a widespread problem for consumers; I felt that a report should be filed.
I wife was driving the the car it went into limp mode, lights on dashboard says pull over asp. The car would not restart now mechanic is saying it needs a new motor.
While driving 1,100 miles from Topeka, Kansas to Maryland to spend time with our first grandchild, our trip was interrupted by coolant intrusion in the cylinders of our 2018 Ford Escape SE (ecoboost), which had 78,600 miles on it. Both an independent garage and the Ford dealership in Maryland said the car needed a new engine. The garage put the cost at $16,000; the Ford dealer, $12,200. I quickly discovered online that the problem of coolant intrusion in Ford Escapes from that year was widespread and caused by a design flaw. After purchasing the vehicle used in 2020, I was never informed of any recalls or service announcements about this problem and after the problem was diagnosed, I was told by Ford that recalls had all expired by now. Instead of spending $12,200 for a new engine from an out-of-state dealership I had no knowledge of or past service history with, I decided to use the money I would have spent in repairs and instead use it toward purchasing a used car that hopefully had a better designed engine. I donated the Ford Escape to a charity to sell for parts. Both my wife and I are retired and essentially live on our Social Security, so purchasing a vehicle and losing the re-sale value of the Ford Escape is going to wipe out a lot of our savings. I believe Ford should compensate me for the private party re-sale value of the vehicle, roughly $9,000, plus the $2,000 I had to spend to rent a car while on our month-long visit in Maryland. Businesses should compensate customers for their business mistakes. I bought that car in 2020 and kept it serviced, and at no time did anyone from Ford or the dealership inform me of potential problems with the car that have since been reported. I have contacted Ford and they have told me there is nothing they can do about it. I hope the NHTSA can do something to make Ford stand by its product. Thank you.
While driving to work on February 16, 2026 my car started making a knocking noise and had a hard time going. At one point I was in the middle of the road and the car wouldn-??t move. I had it towed to a mechanic and they said it needs a new motor. My car is a 2018, just barely 7 years old.
Took car into local repair shop (HARLAN AUTO 650 W Main Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406. phone 330-506-1737.) for normal maintenance. 02/12/26 Odometer 65033. Previous maintenance 10/28/25 odometer 61335. Performed vehicle inspection, oil change and tire rotation. Harlan discovered no antifreeze, coolant in reservoir. I authorized them to perform a pressure test lasting several hours. Test revealed evidence of damage to spark plugs, cylinder walls and cracks in cylinder walls. Revealing major damage to ngine resulting in imminent failure. Harlan says short block replacement is necessary for repair. i authorized them to repair car based on value of the rest of the vehicle which they claimed it to be in very good condition. Totals for repair are as follows: labor $4790.07, parts $2501.78, tax $546.89, non-taxable nonjob supplies $29.49. GRAND TOTAL $ $7868.23. Engine failure could result in fire or being stranded on the road. There were no vehicle warning signs. i would like to be reimbursed for this repair by FORD.
1. Vehicle Information -?? 2018 Ford Escape ECOSYSTEM 1.5 -?? 84,000 -?? VIN [XXX]. Problem Description : My 2018 Ford Escape has experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known issue affecting this model year. The vehicle began misfiring and consuming coolant without external leaks. This is an engine defect Ford has known about since 2010, yet they continued to put this engine into their cars. It is also the subject of at least one class action lawsuit. Common Issue: Many 2017-?"2019 1.5L engines suffer from coolant leaks into the cylinders, necessitating a replacement with a redesigned block.The dealership confirmed a Technical Service Bulletin applies to my VIN. This defect can cause engine failure while driving, creating a serious safety risk. Safety Risk: -?? Loss of power while driving -?? Risk of engine stall -?? Overheating risk -?? Highway safety concern INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I had three incidents in January of 2026 where the coolant was leaking and then the check engine light would come on. I took it to the Ford dealership to have it checked and they said I need a new engine for $12000! But there are no recalls, I have the 1.5L engine. The recalls are on the 2L engine so they say I have no recourse! I have only owned this vehicle for 8 months and there was one previous owner before me.
Engine Failure - available for inspection Safety was at risk when the vehicle died multiple times on the highway and I was told that there was no issue by ford. The dealership understand the problem now that the check engine light is staying on. No inspection other than by ford's mechanics. Possible insurance inspection. Alerts for engine failure whenever the car died. In November 2025 my car died on the highway. I was driving normally and the engine cut out (service code included Engine Failure). I was able to turn the vehicle back on and drive to auto zone. They believed the issue was my battery. I had the battery replaced at belle tire, 20 minutes after the battery replacement the car died again so I took it to a ford dealership and explained the issue. Ford drove the car approximately 40 miles and could not recreate the issue and told me it was fine to continue driving. Over the next month it was driven sparingly but still died a few times. The check engine light never stayed on after it died so mechanics were never able to confirm the Engine Failure (or other code). In mid January the problem became significantly worse one day. It now idles roughly and shakes - even in park. I brought the car back to the same ford dealership and the code is now no relative compression in the engine. After this happened I learned about the known issue with ford vehicles where coolant leaks into the engine. The mechanic at the ford dealership agreed this is likely what happened.
Check engine light came on, took it to the ford dealership in Denison Tx. I was notified that there was coolant in 3 & 4 cylinders. Possible blown head gasket or cracked block. Estimated repairs $11,000. Vehicle was purchased used from Ford dealership in Sherman, Tx. in November of 2025, check engine light came on in Nov/Dec 2025. While diagnosising problem they broke a spark plug off in cylingder head.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Glen Burnie, MD, USA