10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 10
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 23,244 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
1. On [XXX] the coolant leaked into the engine cylinders causing complete engine failure. Yes, it is available for inspection. 2. On [XXX] my [XXX] son was driving with my [XXX] son and the engine overheated, nearly burning them both when they tried to release the pressurized coolant reservoir. 3. Yes, an autobody shop confirmed this upon inspection this morning (July 7th, 2025). 4. The only warning came while my son was driving on [XXX] and the engine warning appeared. He pulled over to pop the hood and inspect. On June 12th, 2025 my son had an oil change and inspection done where it was reported that the coolant reservoir was filled to a "safe level". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Tega Cay, SC, USA
I own a 2017 Ford Escape with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The engine began exhibiting symptoms of coolant intrusion into the combustion chamber. A certified Ford dealership confirmed the diagnosis after inspection and advised that the engine needs to be replaced or rebuilt due to this issue. This defect is known and widespread in this engine type and can lead to engine failure while driving, posing a serious safety risk. Although Ford issued a Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP 21N12) for this exact problem, my vehicle was just outside the expiration period, and Ford has denied financial assistance, despite this being a documented and recurring defect. There were no warning lights before the engine began running rough and misfiring. The coolant loss was gradual and internal. This issue has been confirmed and documented by a Ford dealership, and I have a case open with Ford corporate. I am filing this complaint because of the safety risks involved with coolant intrusion, the costly repair burden passed to consumers, and Ford-??s refusal to support a known defect that could lead to sudden engine failure while driving.
- Canton, NC, USA
Coolant leak
- Minneapolis , MN, USA
I am reaching out regarding a serious issue with my 2017 Ford Escape SE AWD (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle has developed a coolant leak that appears to be internal, which has led to concerns about engine performance and potential long-term damage. After researching this issue, I discovered that coolant intrusion into the cylinders is a known and widespread problem affecting this model and engine type. Many owners have reported similar failures, and I understand that this defect has led to class action lawsuits and service bulletins in the past. Given the safety and reliability concerns involved-?"especially the risk of engine overheating and failure-?"I respectfully request that this issue be addressed under any applicable recall, customer satisfaction program, or warranty extension related to engine coolant leaks. Please advise on the next steps for inspection and repair authorization. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Saint Michael, MN, USA
Consistent coolant leakage and milky build-up under engine oil cap. On start-up, intermittent rough idling, as well as check engine light indicating a misfire with cylinder 2. Vehicle is available for inspection. My safety has been put at risk previous as I was driving and received a notification to stop engine now due to high temperatures, and inspected to find the coolant reservoir was nearly empty. Today while getting an oil change, the mechanic noted lots of engine sludge build-up, as well as a swollen gasket due to the sludge build-up.
- Madison, WI, USA
Powertrain suddenly failed with no prior issues displaying red Powertrain failure light- car will not move or shift, has high RPMS and has loud revving/screeching sound
- Taylor, MI, USA
1.5 engine failure due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder.
- Cabot, PA, USA
My vehicles check engine light came on. Capital Ford of Raleigh NC picked up the vehicle to check the status. I received a phone call later that day from Capital Ford informing me I need a new engine. Capital Ford admits it is a Ford issue. The coolant is leaking into the engine. I have been told this is a Ford design defect. One day I had a perfectly good vehicle and now I don't. I am now forced to purchase another vehicle which will potentially cost me thousands. Ford is aware of the issue but did not disclose. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Clayton, NC, USA
coolant intrusion... the car is not unsafe and the Ford Dealership said that I need an engine. The care has 130,000 miles. I can't believe it. I have all of my maintenance up to date. They are telling me my car has a manufactory defect. I no longer have transportation. How unfair is this.
- Norfolk, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #1, and crack inside the cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact there were no recalls associated with the VIN for the failure, and that the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 49,582.
- Honey Brook, PA, USA
Check engine light came on. Took car to dealer. Coolant leak inside of the cylinders / chambers of the engine.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Cool ain-??t leak causing rust in engine. Ford admitted to me that this has been an issue with this year model and make.
- Alba, TX, USA
The car currently has a coolant infiltration. It is an active recalls on the same model manufactured just 5 months earlier. The car currently has white smoke coming out of the exhaust and the engine has been running roughly. The check engine light came on with a code reporting misfire cylinder 3, which came on about a month ago. The car can be inspected at any time. Safety is at risk because the engine could stop working at anytime according to research related to the similar recall. The problem has been looked at by a mechanic and confirmed. It has not yet been looked at by the manufacturer for the model is this manufacturing time, but just 5 months prior there was a recall on the same model in the same year. There was no warning lamps or messages prior to the issue presenting itself. The issues presents itself when initially starting the car and not driving, but when beginning driving, it does not run well and the car shakes.
- Apple Valley, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to start vehicle, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into three cylinders and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (GTDI Engine -?" Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 51,000.
- Huntersville, NC, USA
My car has been popping up engine fault service now. I went to my local mechanics and my car is exhibiting low coolant level but no signs of leak. They think it is internally leaking and causing spark plug number 4 to have blue corrosion and constant being replace.
- Franklin, KY, USA
Coolant is leaking into the cylinders and has seizes up spark plug #4. because of this issue my car can catch fire while driving it, I only have 77,000 miles on this vehicle and the Ford service manager told me I need a new engine at the price at the price $11,000.
- Delton, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and jolted temporarily, and the message "Change Transmission Fluid" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Columbia, MS, USA
Engine coolant mixing into engine and oil and coolant mixing and leaking internally. Ford service has determined the only fix is too replace the entire engine. Diagnosis codes: P0303 and P0316 with a repair estimate of $9,620. The reason I brought the SUV in for service is the Check Engine Light came on. My 2017 vehicle has the Ecoboost engine
- Clifton, NJ, USA
Coolant intrusion. Ruined the engine. No help from Ford. Engine started overheating with my kids in the car. Could have started on fire. Ford obviously knows the issues with this vehicle, but since it's over the miles, due to my job I travel, they will not fix. Engine barely runs. Engine fault comes across the screen. No check engine light. Also.Engine overheating pull over safely comes across the screen. This vehicle needs to be recalled. Not the only one dealing with this. It's got 126,000 miles on it. Shouldn't have to replace Engine this soon.
- South Sioux City, NE, USA
- Linwood, NJ, USA