10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,244 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1098

Jan 302025

Escape

  • miles
Bought car from DriveTime, October 23, 2023. Problems started happening in June 2024. Have detailed list. Have spent over $5,000 in repairs. There is a warranty that has covered some repairs. The 2 major issues have been a transmission replacement and most recently an engine replacement. The mechanic I am using is still having problems with completing the work.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #1097

Apr 162025

Escape

  • miles
Was driving home from work in the highway when all of a sudden my check engine not only comes on but is blinking meaning immediate issue and pull over. I went from 65MPH to all of sudden misfiring and having minimal acceleration power and having to pull over as safely as possible without hurting anyone. Once pulled over and now on the side of a busy highway during rush hour, my engine continue to vibrate and rumble before turning the car off. Got towed to the nearest mechanic who checked the engine light codes which were P300, P301, and P303, all of which are cylinder warning codes. After diagnosing and taking a deeper look he said my best bet was to find a new engine for replacement. He mentioned that the 1.5 Ecoboost Engine have a known problem of coolant leaking into the engine causing erosion and other problems beyond simple repair. After searching online I am definitely not the only that has had this happen. This has now been known by Ford with no plans of recall or fixing.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #1096

Apr 182025

Escape

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a hard shift in the transmission when accelerating and decelerating. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally while being started. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust system. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and there was a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that there was coolant leaking into the spark plugs, causing the spark plugs to fuse inside the cylinder. The spark plugs were removed, and it was determined that there was coolant inside cylinder #3 and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #1095

Nov 152024

Escape

  • miles
I was driving on I 95 and my check engine light came on, then the transmission light came on followed by No hill assist light.As I was driving home all of a sudden without warning my SUV dropped to 10 miles an hour while driving at at speed of 55 miles per hour.. For safety reasons I pulled over on to the shoulder, shut the SUV off a waited, and then I restarted the engine. The same lights came on and again I couldn't drive over 10 miles an hour. After sitting for over 5 months waiting for a recall because Ford said that's the only way they will fix the problem. I hired someone to look at my SUV, I called the Ford Hotline and asked if there was a recall, Because I remember 2 months before it broke down someone came out to my home to fix the bushings that were also being recalled. I was told no, but was advised to wait to see if there would be a recall. Within the last 2 weeks I asked a mechanic to look at my SUV, I was told the issue is an electrical problem, something about control module/ that caused the computer system to fail. The compute is telling the SUV that it's in park., that's why the SUV went into limp mode and won't go over 10 miles per Hours the problem has been determined by a mechanic.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #1094

Jul 182024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant intrusion verified by Ford dealership (at 90k) which should fall in line with their recall but am being told to pay for repairs out of pocket. symptoms appeared around 36k miles and I took it to dealership to inspect and they told me they could not reproduce and could find no faults.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #1093

Mar 242025

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into cylinder (number one). Multiple spark plug misfires and losing coolant that could overheat engine. Technical bulletin from Ford states the entire engine needs replacing.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #1092

Apr 032025

Escape

  • 131,919 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program; however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,919.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #1091

Apr 142025

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle has a rough idle when started and then runs well. Had check engine light. Took it to Ford dealer for service and they say it has coolant intrusion in the number one cylinder. They want $7,500 for new motor. The vehicle has 84,000 miles out of warranty.

- Kansas City , MO, USA

problem #1090

Apr 152025

Escape

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, stalled, and was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and waited for towing assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire and coolant intrusion in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 (Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming); however, the VIN was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Victoria, MN, USA

problem #1089

Mar 292025

Escape

  • miles
I have owned the car for 2 years. Routine maintenance performed. Around the end of March 2025, beginning of April 2025 the check engine sensor came on. I brought it to a shop, Pep Boys. They called within the hour to tell me the head gasket was shot due to coolant getting in the engine. I have about 80,000 miles on the car.

- Hazlet, NJ, USA

problem #1088

Dec 022024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into the cylinders. This issue is linked to the engine's open deck cooling design, which can cause premature gasket failure or cracks between cylinders. Coolant is leaking into the cylinders and Ford knew about the design defect and did not issue a recall. Request NHTSA issue a recall.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #1087

Apr 132025

Escape

  • miles
Recently I was driving my car and it gave me an overheating warning I got out of the car to check and I noticed coolant disappearing and when I checked the oil it was a milky substance which indicates a blown head gasket due to the way they designed the short engine block. There have been many issues related to this and honestly it's poor design and it cost a lot of money to replace let alone the safety issues. This happened while I was driving with my kids.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

problem #1086

Apr 142025

Escape

  • miles
I-??m reporting a safety concern related to engine failure in my 2017 Ford Escape SE. My vehicle is showing signs of coolant intrusion, including white smoke from the exhaust, a sweet chemical smell, and rapid coolant loss with no external leaks. A diagnostic tool confirmed a possible blown head gasket. This exact model is already known for engine issues, and I confirmed that Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 was completed in 2020 to prevent this-?"but the issue has returned. I drive this vehicle daily with my two young children, including a baby. If the engine were to overheat or fail suddenly while driving, it could put us in serious danger. There are also known risks of engine fires from this defect, which is terrifying for a parent. The dealership says they can-??t help, and Ford cannot offer assistance. I am asking NHTSA to investigate this further, as it is clearly a recurring and unsafe condition affecting many 2017 Ford Escape owners.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

problem #1085

Dec 122024

Escape

  • miles
Blown Head. Is available for inspection. Check engine light came on and private mechanic noted cylinder 2 issue. Shortly thereafter car seized.

- Howell, NJ, USA

problem #1084

Mar 052025

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaks into engine cylinders

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #1083

Mar 302025

Escape

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a?2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 65-70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 40 MPH and shuddered violently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that there was a hole in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and?advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately?76,000.

- Peabody, MA, USA

problem #1082

Apr 102025

Escape

  • miles
A very known issue of coolant intrusion to 2.0L ecoboost engine. Ford even admits they know and have redesigned replacement engines, but has consumers pay over 8K to put redesigned engine in! Absurd! Engine can lock/seize at anytime. Which can ultimately cause death by wreck if car quits unexpectedly on the road! My 2017 Ford Escape 2.0l ecoboost engine was confirmed today to have coolant intrusion. These cars keep being resold and becoming new owners headache while the dealer KNOWS! THIS SHOULD BE RECALLLED!! If Hyundai can stand by a faulty engine and fix their faulty engine, Ford should too!!

- Henderson, TN, USA

problem #1081

Apr 102025

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leak. Originally had my transmission rebuilt in January 2025. My coolant overflow was completely empty, and upon filling it to the max, the next day it was below the minimum line on the overflow. I filled my coolant overflow on 3/23/25, and now it's completely bone dry again.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #1080

Apr 092025

Escape

  • 90,826 miles
The contact called on behalf of the owner of the 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his mother-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the engine overheated. Additionally, the contact stated that the message to -??Pull over and turn off the vehicle-?? was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHSTA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,826.

- Ozark, MO, USA

problem #1079

Apr 092025

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The mechanic contacted a dealer for further assistance. The dealer confirmed that there was a known issue with the engine failure in similar vehicles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Lynn Haven, FL, USA

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