10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 9
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 24,326 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
I went in for the recall notice I had received and wanted the dealership to check on a concern I had towards my Escape that came afloat the day prior. I had scheduled to bring my car in for the recall/car concerns, except, I ended up bringing it in early. Now, the car was shimmying and the ck engine light came on. After the inspection, I was read the tech's notes. I was then told the cost of its repairs was nearly $7200! My car is only 6/7yrs old with 56,000 miles. I have not had any engine issues. After seeing the NHTSA report concerning my vehicle, I feel the needed repair cost should not be from my wallet. Here is my Escape's VIN [XXX] as well as the notes from my dealer's tech. "Verified the concern, engine has a misfire, CEL on some white smoke when started and also low on coolant. Hook up the IDS and found codes P0304, P0316 and P051B. Performed a cylinder balance test and found cylinder 4 misfiring. Performed a relative compression test and relative compression is ok. Reviewed mode 6 data and found cylinder 4 has been misfiring. During my visual inspection I found the coolant reservoir was empty/ low on coolant. Removed the cylinder 4 spark plug and the porcelain was cracked. Looked into the cylinder with my bore scope and the piston was clean aluminum indicating it has been steamed with coolant. Pressure test the cooling system ond found cylinder 4 is seeping coolant into the cylinder. The short block will have to be replaced to fix the concern." If you can get back to me ASAP. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Waco, TX, USA
The engine block cracked and coolant is leaking into the cylinders at 55k. Car is at the dealers and Ford says it knows this is a defect but won't recall or make it right. The repair is a total engine replacement for over $8k!! This set off a check engine light off which is how I found out. This could've caused the engine to stop running at any speed and cause an accident. I want Ford to pay for the known defect but they refuse.
- Cowiche, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was running extremely rough, with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the coolant reservoir was being refilled every three to four days. The contact stated that there were no visible coolant leaks. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant leak and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or warranty. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
- Houston, TX, USA
At random times, the engine would lose power without warning, sometimes very significantly. I was fortunate that this never occurred during a time when it could have resulted in an accident. This is a known issue with this engine (ref: Ford TSB 22-2229), yet Ford refuses to offer any corrective measures other than to replace the entire engine at the owner's expense. In my opinion, this is clearly a potential safety issue and the Ford Motor Company should be held responsible for correcting the problem with all owners of the vehicles affected.
- Jefferson, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust system. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the engine and that the short block needed to be replaced. Upon further investigation, the contact was informed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
- Elyria, OH, USA
Coolant is leaking I to the engine compartment.
- Redmond, OR, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact became aware of an abnormal coolant odor. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak into the engine and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Munith, MI, USA
Noticed 2017 Ford Escape Titanium, 73,000 miles with 2.0L ecoboost was starting to use coolant. We kept topping off. One day trying to start, engine ran roughly. When looking under hood noticed there was almost zero coolant in reserve tank and engine light came on (first time it ever came on). Have had all services done at dealer, last one in Jan, 2024. Took to dealer, diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. Was told it would require new long block. Car out of warranty and total cost to replace over $8500. I have since researched this issue and Ford Motor Co is aware of it and doing nothing. I called their help line and was told basically, you are out of warranty and out of luck.
- Mount Vernon, WA, USA
My engine light went on Tuesday, [XXX], while driving on [XXX] in Los Angeles. The vehicle wouldn-??t accelerate and the engine started to shake. Reducing my speed I was able to make it to my destination INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Toluca Lake, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
- Taylorville, IL, USA
Timing belt and/or tensioner failed and destroyed the engine. Mechanic said it may be impossible to know the cause but something that should not happen. No warning lights or symptoms until catastrophic failure. Belt broke, made a noise as it was hitting other parts in the engine and the car stopped. We were lucky we were pulling into the garage and not on the interstate. The car only had 46,000 miles well kept and maintained. Ford does not even recommend inspecting the timing belt until 150,000 miles. Other 2017 ford escapes with eco boost are known to have coolant leakage that destroys the engines as well as other issues. Ford made some of those right and even extended warranties but mine was not included and past warranty. Ford refused to escalate my complaint. We only owned the car for 5 years putting only 15k miles on it rarely leaving town. The dealer estimate was a whooping $10889.23. We hadn-??t even finished making payments
- Titusville , FL, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
- Hudson, WI, USA
Head gasket failure while under 100k miles. Replacement costing more than the value of the 6 year old vehicle.
- Snohomish, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed up an incline, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power; however, the contact was able to arrive to the destination. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
- Kegley, WV, USA
Check engine light illuminated followed by service immediately light Ford garage pressure tested and overnight the coolant psi dropped 5 psi overnight Ford garage indicated that they removed spark plugs and found coolant in the cylinder Ford garage indicated "leak intrusion, these engines had issues for this" suggesting it is a common engine problem not an isolated incident Ford garage mentioned that they have created a revised block to address the failure of the jacket by eliminating the coolant jacket that fails and causes the leak Recommendation from Ford garage was engine replacement, a long block replacement Cost of recommended repair estimated at $11,223
- Petrolia, PA, USA
Component malfunctioning is the engine cylinder 2. EcoBoost engines can break or catch on fire causing an accident. Yes, apparently a known issue. There is a current class action lawsuit in the state of California about this exact situation. Yes. Cylinder 2 started to miss fire on March 2024, took it to the shop thinking it needed new coils or spark plugs replacement. That did not solve the issue. Took it back because engine light turned on September 2024 and that's when i was told about the coolant leaking into the cylinder and how it was a known issue with the EcoBoost engines that my vehicle had.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
I was driving from work on 9/12/2024 and the check engine light began flashing, car shaking, and began to have difficulties to accelerate. I got home, set up a tow, and the following day was told my engine failed due to no compression on cylinder 2. It was towed today on 9/16 to ford and they basically told me they likely won-??t do anything after diagnosing it. A 7 year old car with 94,000 miles taken care of amazingly has complete engine failure. Why is there no help for people in these situations?! Please help
- Candler, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions when started, the vehicle ran rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where a handheld diagnostic machine determined a failure in cylinder #3. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed; however, the spark plugs were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,700.
- Two Rivers, WI, USA
have a 2017 ford escape titanium that has only 96000 something on it that needs a engine replace....now my car sit in my yard as a ornament...loved that car but can't afford to put the engine in plus pay to put the engine in....engine light came on and say miss fire...cause by a # piston....i wish something coud be done anot that....
- Boscobel, WI, USA
- Phoenix, AZ, USA