The engine block has coolant leaking into cylinder 1. This is a known defect with the engine that ford acknowledges but refuses to fix. My car has less than 75,000 miles on it.

- Holtsville, NY, USA

Catastrophic engine failure; unless it could happen very quickly, the vehicle likely will not be available for inspection. As background, our family purchased this vehicle used from a MI dealer in July 2023. It was a trade-in by the previous owner, and the dealer did not disclose any known issues. This vehicle belongs to our daughter, who is a graduate student in upstate NY. After driving only ~6,000 miles, her safety was put at risk when she lost acceleration as gray smoke poured out of her tailpipe (had she been on a highway, both she and other drivers would have been at grave risk). She had the vehicle towed to a local service station and was told the engine needed to be replaced. After searching Google for problems with this vehicle's engine, a 1.5L Ecoboost, we discovered that not only is this a known issue (coolant intrusion) for which Ford did not issue a recall (instead, "Program #21N12 one-time repair for vehicles included in 19B37"), but there also is a class action lawsuit being litigated by Capstone Law APC. Given this, we towed the vehicle to the local Ford dealer, who also advised we need to replace the engine, we will receive no financial relief from Ford, and it will cost $12,000 for the replacement (we paid $16,000 for this vehicle less than two years ago). We have spoken to various individuals at the national Ford customer satisfaction organization, and they will not help us. So we now have an inoperable vehicle that my daughter can't afford to repair, and since we are not getting any financial relief from Ford, she is forced to buy a much older, high-mileage vehicle that may also put her safety at risk. The only indication of a problem was when the check engine light came on, but since the vehicle was driving fine, our daughter did not realize she should take it for service right way (this is her first vehicle, and she lives close to campus so drives only infrequently). She is unsure how long the light was on, but likely several weeks.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start as intended; however, the vehicle then functioned as needed after being started. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon further investigation, the vehicle was scanned and diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #4, due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

We own and have owned a 2017 Ford Escape Eco-drive for over 5 years. We have just learned from two different local mechanic shops that coolant is leaking into cylinder #2 and presenting a check engine light error code (P0302). This is caused by some sort of internal engine crack. We have been told that this will roughly cost us $6,000 for a new engine, and that's on the low end. I have also learned that there is a class action lawsuit related to this issue. So, there's obviously a preexisting problem and ongoing resolved issue with his vehicle which needs to be addressed. Please HELP forward and handle this complaint with high attention and resolve.

- Little Mountain, SC, USA

Our engine has quit working due to the much publicized coolant intrusion issue by Ford and the Escape model vehicle. I called Ford customer service and they would do nothing to help with the expensive engine repair left but what is being called on the internet as a faulty design. It appears to be quite well known and quite common and they addressed it somewhat with the 1.5 liter Escapes but ours is a 2.0 engine and it is happening a lot with that engine too.

- Wentworth, SD, USA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" - The engine's coolant is leaking into the second cylinder, causing unsteady performance and leading to engine failure. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - In the short term, unpredictable engine performance creates inconsistencies in the how the vehicle is expected to perform; as coolant contaminates the transmission fluid, erratic shifting will make routine maneuvers like accelerating to merge or pass another vehicle unsafe to the driver and those around. This will also lead to an eventual breakdown moment, likely catching the driver and those near to adapt to a sudden dangerous and unexpected action. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center" - When the vehicle first displayed signs a problem (a rumbling of the engine on start, followed by the check engine light coming on, ) the vehicle was taken to the local make dealership. Their service team diagnosed the issue as coolant leakage present in the second cylinder and prescribed an engine replacement to resolve the issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others" - At this time the vehicle has only been inspected by the service team of the manufacturer dealership. We are no longer driving the vehicle for fears of safety concerns and further damage that could be done. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" - The first indication of a problem occurred when the vehicle was started and there was approximately 20-30 seconds of a shaking rumble coming from the engine that could be felt from the driver's seat. While there was no engine light at that time, on the next start the light was on.

- Richmond, VA, USA

Engine lost near complete power on highway witrhout warning, nearly causing multiple accidents.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

I have a 2017 Ford Escape. Have owned the car for 4 months and it's already experiencing transmission issues i.e. hesitation, slipping etc. Took it the repair shop and found other issues (turbocharger, thermostat, water pump). They claimed they didn't see anything wrong with the transmission. Car ran well for a couple of weeks and then I got transmission fault warning. It wouldn't engage and I couldn't get it in gear. Undrivable. I sat on the side of the road for four hours waiting for a tow. Mechanic says it's either a full transmission problem or the brushing cable.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

My check engine light came on and the mechanic said it was spark plugs. I had it fixed and then it came on a week later and they said they didn-??t know what it was. A week later all my panel was flashing telling me to pull over immediately. I almost got in an accident while trying to pull over in the emergency of the warning. The dealer said it-??s a coolant leak in the engine and a fault of Ford-??s eco boost engine and nothing at all that is my fault. Now they want $7,100 to fix it and Ford knows they caused the issue in their cars. I don-??t know why I should pay for the engine replacement when Ford knows it-??s their fault.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

My warning light went off for misfire in plug 3, then proceeded to set off warning light that temperature was too hot to stop immediately. Took to mechanics, something with the coolant system and it blew my motor. Second motor put in, it was not compressing correctly now waiting on 3rd motor. Also there is no sound coming from my speakers and my radio module will not allow me to change from am to fm. Bluetooth will connect but with no sounds

- Eudora, KS, USA

Check engine light on, running rough on startup. Diagnosed as Coolant Intrusion in Cylinder No. 2 as result of engine warpage.

- Richardson, TX, USA

My engine was replaced 80,000 miles ago for a coolant intrusion. In April, I had a check engine light. Ended up being for a misfire. Using a borescope, we were able to confirm that there was coolant in cylinder 3, confirming another coolant intrusion.

- Wilmington, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Beverly Hills, FL, USA

Check engine light activated and taken to mechanic. Diagnosed as multiple spark plug misfires in engine cylinder caused by engine coolant leaking into cylinder. White smoke from exhaust seen when starting car. Coolant levels dropping quickly; approx 1 gallon per month. With multiple misfires, stability and reliability of car acceleration is decreased, thus increasing the possibility of accidents. With coolant levels dropping, risk of engine overheating is increased. Dependability of vehicle for long trips is compromised. Ford Motor Company is aware of this design flaw in their ECO Boost engines as indicated by their Ford Technical Service Bulletin 19-2208 where the only fix is to replace the engine, however they refuse to take responsibility to repair. A nationwide recall of all Ford vehicles with ECO Boost engines needs to be enacted for inspection of this problem and engines replaced by Ford if coolant leak into engine cylinders is confirmed. The Ford models Escape and Edge have been discontinued, but remaining vehicles on the road need to be made safe.

- Alton, IL, USA

Bad engine design flaw causes the cylinder sleeve to become unattached and it rises up, damages the head gasket and ruins the engine. There have been multiple repairs of this year engine in escapes in our area. A very well known defect.

- Medina, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon driving into the driveway, the vehicle abruptly shut off without warning. The contact called an independent mechanic and was to bring the vehicle for an inspection. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal chugging sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. Upon inspection, the contact was informed that the engine long block was defective, leading to engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there was no warranty on the vehicle and that the vehicle was not covered under Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

- Rock Island, IL, USA

My Ford Escape has had coolant leak into engine block, causing damage to cylinders and cylinder misfires, detailed in this service bulletin: [XXX]. The car has been checked by my mechanic, who confirms the problem. Dealership acknowledges that this problem is real and has had many customers who have had to replace motors because of it but says there has been no recall or extended warranty in respect to this design flaw and declines to resolve the problem at Ford's cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

Escape 2.0 Liter check engine light turned on. Code was cylinder misfire. Diagnosis was no issues with spark plugs. However coolant was low after having been checked and topped off during an oil change 2 weeks prior. Technician performed leak test and identified coolant intrusion in number one cylinder (attached photo is diagnosis). Ford Technical Services Bulletin recommends replacing with new long block engine.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

The Check Engine light was going on and off. I took it into a repair shop and they told me there was a coolant leak in the engine and a full engine repair needs to be done. After looking this up, I came to realize this is a very common issue with the make and model and ford refuses to pay for it.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

Morning of April 25, 2025 heard unusual engine sound on 2017 Ford Escape, Eco Boost Engine. Evening - check engine light came on. Next morning took to dealer. "Diagnostics: retrieved code P0303, cylinder 3 misfire, pressure test cooling system, cylinder #3 has coolant intrusion, recommend engine assembly." Had we not paid attention to the issue immediately, the engine could have simply stopped running at some point while on the road. 10-11K to replace engine on 8 yr old car with 97K miles on it. Just like that no second car in the family, worthless without an engine, great financial loss and stress. Should be driving it for another 90K miles! Vehicle at home and cannot drive it, sell it, trade it. The 2017 Ford Escape has manufacturing defects (to include the paint)!

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA