10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 33,175 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Check engine light came on, car was taken to mechanic. Coolant system cylinder 1, 2 were showing as codes and coolant was 1/2 gallon low. Coolant was found to be leaking into engine and engine replacement was the only fix. Mechanic also indicated there is a TSB for this issue, meaning it is a known problem that ford will not help with correcting.
- Mount Laurel, NJ, USA
Check engine light is on at 63,000 miles. Ford dealer confirmed coolant in cylinder and immanent total engine failure, so vehicle is not safe to drive as it may stop at any time and loss of coolant. Only indication is the check engine light. Dealer quoted repairs for engine, turbo, and cat converter replacement at over $18,000. Research on the internet reveals that this is a common failure. Since the warranty is out of the time and 3k over the covered range they will do absolutely nothing to remedy the issue. The sticker price on the Escape Titanium is over $37,000.
- Manchester, MO, USA
While driving home going about 40 mph my Ford Escape lost acceleration and then completely shut off IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! I was able to "limp" it to the side of the street where it would not start at all. I then placed it in reverse (as I was on a hill) to roll it backwards into a neighborhood to get it out of the way of on coming traffic. It was 10 PM at night! I waited for a few minutes and was able to get it to start but not change gears. I was able to get it to my neighborhood with hazards on going barely 10mph. It literally rolled into my driveway where it has been since (November 2023).
- Columbia, SC, USA
engine coolant leaking into cylinders 1&2, causing check engine light to come on, misfires (over a period of 6 months)and block to crack. Had to replace. Bought escape in April 2023, Have car loan plus personal loan to pay for repairs. This was caused by defective design. Caused finical hardship for us. Could have caused engine overheating and fire. I will download one document for engine replacement, I have to many to download.
- Erie, PA, USA
On November 14th, 2023, a red alert appeared on the dash that indicated an engine temperature warning indicating that there was a high temperature warning and that I should find a safe place to pull over and immediately stop the vehicle. The temperature indicator on the dash showed the needle move instantly into the red/high area and then drop down. This happened twice, back-to-back. I checked the coolant and it was below the minimum level indicator as shown on the reservoir. A day later, the service engine light illuminated. I took the vehicle to Advanced Auto and asked to pull the service code and was told there were two, P0303 and P0304 which indicated a cylinder three misfire and cylinder four misfire. I noted that the coolant was also low once again despite seeing no fluid on the ground after allowing the vehicle to run. Bill Collins Ford inspected the misfires and coolant and found the issue to be related to a flaw in the engine design which allows coolant to leak into the cylinders. I was told this could have allowed the vehicle to overheat and catch on fire as well as causing the engine to lock up while in operation. Bill Collins Ford provided an estimate of $13,000 to repair the vehicle stating it required a new engine. I purchased this vehicle used from CarMax on August 2, 2023 and have put less than 3,000 miles on it before experiencing this issue.
- Louisville, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the transmission inadvertently downshifted to a lower gear. The contact stated that the gear shifter became inoperable. The check engine and electronic throttle control system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor mounts and transmission bushing cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
- Fayetteville, TN, USA
The escape has a defective EcoBoost engine that cause coolant to leak into the cylinders, increasing the risk of engine failure or car fires. The 2016 escape had coolant leak into the cylinder of the engine that caused the engine to fail needing a new engine due to this. The problem of the coolant leaking into the engine has been documented by a Ford dealership and some models of the escape have been recalled due to this except the year of 2016. There was no warning lights or messages showing that this issue has happened. I was driving this vehicle when the issue was occurring and mine and my child-??s safety was put at risk.
- Binghamton, NY, USA
While driving the car shuddered and then shut off. The transmission light came on with a warning about 5 minutes after it shut off. So there was never a warning and we were unable to get it to go back into any gear.
- Columbia, SC, USA
The Coolant is leaking out of the engine somewhere. The dealership said it was fixed with a new coolant bypass valve Yet when got home the coolant bottle was empty and there was overheating warning again.
- St. Thomas, VI, USA
Stalling in the middle of highway twice
- Apple Valley , MN, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature sensor illuminated, and the vehicle overheated. The contact stated he was able to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as having coolant intrusion and a warped engine block. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
- Vassalboro, ME, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started overheating. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and waited until the vehicle cool down and added coolant to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NTHSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
- Belle Plaine, IA, USA
Vehicle check engine light goes on usually during hot weather. Vehicle stalls and hesitates on acceleration causing unsafe conditions with traffic, intersections, etc.
- Melrose Park, PA, USA
Vehicle over heated and had to pull over to cool it down. Got vehicle home safe and check engine light was on. 116867 T1.0 for diag verified customer's concern. Quick test P1299, P0217, P0219 for over temp condition. removed spark plugs and found coolant intrusion into all the cylinders, WSM direction is to replace the long black. This same issue is happening with other Escapes and are on the recall list. I am requesting my VIN/car be added to the recall for the same issue.
- Clarkston, MI, USA
The engine does not always turn off when you press the start engine button. Although my vehicle is a 2016 Ford Escape it was most likely manufactured in 2015 and was manufactured in Lexington KY Ford has been unable to diagnose the problem although a recall already exists for the very same problem RECALL# 15V436000. Tallahassee FL Ford dealership is charging me for diagnostics (again) I have taken car to dealership before for this problem in June 2022 and they were unable to fix it. This is as serious safety issue for myself and my 2 toddlers both under the age of 3.
- Crawfordville , FL, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming out the exhaust pipe and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.
- West Warwick, RI, USA
I have a 2016 Ford Escape. Left the grocery store and the service engine soon light came on. The car went into safe mode and would only go 10 miles a hour. I was able to get it to the dealership and they told me it was the engine. They are waiting on the part. I was reading all these statements and ford needs to do better. 2 years ago the transmission went. The dealership that put the transmission in did not put all the bolts on when I took it to the dealership they told me the transmission was about to fall out! I wish I could get rid of this vehicle!
- New London, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH and accelerating to highway speeds, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact stated that the high engine temperature warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that coolant was added, and the vehicle was able to be driven to the intended destination. The vehicle was turned off and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Lynn, MA, USA
Engine control computer malfunction is causing the engine, SYNC, bluetooth, brake lights, and rearview camera to malfunction.
- Burlington, NJ, USA
- Las Vegas, NV, USA