10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,939 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1226

Jun 022025

Escape

  • miles
No visble coolant leaks, have to refill antifreeze resevoir weekly, missfiring #2 cylinder as result, ignition coil for that cylinder and plug work fine

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #1225

Jul 222025

Escape

  • miles
This vehicle has had multiple issues with starting. But now there-??s a -??Steering Assist Fault-?? that clearly ford is aware of but has decided that manufacturing this vehicle anyway was the way to go. The vehicle won-??t start again now because of this issue. What happens is the vehicle loses its assisted steering and sometimes while driving which is extremely dangerous.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1224

Jul 012025

Escape

  • miles
Coolant intrusion at only 56,000 miles due to defective engine design. Engine replacement is the only remedy. This has been happening to cars with as little as 20,000 miles. Ford knows about it, there is a TSB that says the repair is "replace engine." At a cost of ~$10,000. Ford can't be allowed to sell cars with defective engines that fail at low mileage saddling consumers with astronomical repair fees. These vehicles can catch fire or leave someone stranded in the middle of nowhere, as well. It's absolutely outrageous that there has not been a recall with how many vehicles have been affected. The government needs to step in and help people. I have tried to upload files, but the site won't let me.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #1223

Jun 202025

Escape

  • miles
In 2024 the vehicle was brought in for a P0012 code, rough idling, loss of power, and hesitation when accelerating. The cam phasers were the culprit which were replaced along side multiple gaskets, and the timing belt. The tensioner was not replaced at that time. One year the vehicle is performing the same way, threw a P0012 code, rough idle, and loss of power. This time the dealership found suspended metals in the oil, and discovered scoring in the chambers. They refuse to look at the cam phasers or belt to see if there is wear or damage.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #1222

May 222025

Escape

  • miles
Engine is being less powerful and losing coolant like crazy, looked up what issue is and these engines are known to leak coolant into the engine, in the long run ruining the engine, mine is misfiring and running awful at this point, tried to have ford do something and they acknowledged it-??s an issue but won-??t do anything without me paying thousands of dollars

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #1221

Jun 212021

Escape

  • miles
The problem with my 2017 Ford Escape began in June 2021 (mileage 65652) when the engine warning light came on and there was white exhaust smoke. Our local mechanic tried various actions to determine why the engine light was on, such as performing a GDI treatment for carbon buildup, but over the summer months none of his actions were successful but each action was an incurred expense. By August 30, 2021, a new warning appeared -??High Engine Temp. Stop Safely-??. At this point our mechanic found a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the 2017 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost engine coolant in cylinders and my car was towed to our local Ford dealership in Prince Frederick, MD. The Ford dealership verified our concern as follows: -??Tech Notes: Verified Concern, Check Engine Light Missfire Code Cylinder #3. Remove Plug, Coolant Fouled. Coolant Intrusion. Ford Assisting Customer on Repair. CAS-33032232-M8C9Z8. Remove and Replace Long Block Assembly. Test Drive After Repair. Concern Corrected. Approval Code MSPA102662-?? Answers to Your Questions: (1) It's a engine failure (2) Potential of sudden stops with engine failure (3) Ford Dealer inspected my engine and verified the problem and Ford corporate issued Technical Bulletins on problems with Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost engine (4) Yes, engine warning light and High engine temp light with instruction to stop safely06/23/2021.

- North Beach, MD, USA

problem #1220

Jul 192025

Escape

  • miles
Coolant intrusion into engine causing the car to over heat and break down multiple times. On going issue unable to be repaired by multiple mechanics for a year and a half. Coolant leak confirmed during diagnostic using a scope.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #1219

Jun 152025

Escape

  • 69,900 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle remotely, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started manually, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #4. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred three days later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,900.

- Redmond, OR, USA

problem #1218

Jul 102025

Escape

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart but was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to Firestone but was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a cracked fuel injector had leaked fuel into cylinder #3, creating a hole in the cylinder and the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Strongsville, OH, USA

problem #1217

Jul 172025

Escape

  • miles
Known issue with coolant intrusion into EcoBoost engines

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #1216

Jul 012024

Escape

  • miles
The engine block of this vehicle is suspected of having a coolant loss/coolant intrusion fault per my independent, certified mechanic. Issues began about a year ago, before 70,000 miles. Several trips to the Ford dealer did not yield any helpful information. This issue started with an occasional misfire or rough idle on startup. A MIL engine scanner revealed code P0302, cylinder 2 misfire. The code was reset and the issue went away for a short period of time. However, it has been returning more frequently, and I've been stranded more than once out of fear of the engine overheating. Coolant consumption is higher than usual, and it is being replaced with approved Ford coolant only. An independent mechanic performed a few tests, the most basic being inspection of the plugs and cylinder, and noted possibility of coolant in cylinder 2 and 3. A midstream sample of the oil during an oil change was bottled and sent to a specialty laboratory for testing. The oil test confirms presence of small amounts of coolant in the used engine oil. My own research into the issue reveals there was a Ford TSB 19-2346, "Coolant in cylinders, white exhaust smoke and/or illuminated MIL, " of which I was never informed by Ford as the original owner since new purchase of the vehicle in 2017.

- Princeton, NC, USA

problem #1215

May 012024

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling at several different gas stations, the engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact added fuel cleaner to the fuel tank. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V187000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #1214

May 012025

Escape

  • miles
I have been noticing radiator fluid loss the past few months along with a recent engine light coming on so I took my Ford Escape to Vanderhyde Ford Dealership in Cedar Springs Michigan and they were going to do a leak check on the cylinders to see if antifreeze was leaking but they were only able to get 3 of the 4 spark plug out of engine block. They said they didn't want to break the spark plug off inside the block. I asked what would cause the spark plug to corrode and they said it's possible my #1 cylinder is leaking antifreeze and corroding the aluminum intake manifold and the steel spark plugs. So, I took car back home and let engine cool and I was able to get spark plug out. I now have appointment 7/23/2025 to have cylinders checked for leaks. Updates coming if leak in cylinders is confirmed.

- Sand Lake, MI, USA

problem #1213

Jan 292025

Escape

  • 23,114 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Engine Fault Service Immediately" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,114.

- Jasper, IN, USA

problem #1212

Mar 282025

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. 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 120,000.

- Shillington, PA, USA

problem #1211

Jun 202025

Escape

  • miles
At 51,000 engine needs replaced due to defect that causes coolant to leak into engine. Vehicle has a very slow start when stepping on the accelerator due to no compression from the coolant leak into the piston. White smoke would come from exhaust when accelerating. When pulling out into traffic car will almost stall out. Check engine light had been on repeatedly for the issue and Ford service. They claimed they did not see any issues. I had taken it to other places for service and they stated it should be under warranty with Ford. Ford does have a TSB on the issue but no recall

- Maineville, OH, USA

problem #1210

Jul 062025

Escape

  • miles
Check engine light illuminated. Produced codes 012, 014, 1299. Took to have it check out. Coolant level was low. Codes were cleared and a day or two afterward, check engine light came back on with same codes.

- Danville, PA, USA

problem #1209

Jul 092025

Escape

  • miles
Component/System Involved: Engine -?" Coolant Intrusion into Cylinder #4 Vehicle: 2017 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L EcoBoost; mileage 47k. My 2017 Ford Escape Titanium with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine experienced engine misfires and sudden coolant loss. Upon inspection, it was confirmed by a Ford-authorized dealership (Koons Falls Church Ford, VA) that this is due to coolant intrusion into cylinder #4-?"a known defect with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine in many Ford models from similar years. This issue appeared on July 9, 2025. The issue began with a misfire warning and engine vibration around 47,000 miles. The Ford dealer diagnosed coolant entering the combustion chamber as the root cause, requiring engine replacement. The engine is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a clear safety hazard, as coolant entering the cylinder can lead to engine stalling or complete failure while driving. The loss of power and unexpected misfire episodes posed a risk to me, my spouse, and our two children while driving. Ford Motor Company denied goodwill financial assistance, citing the vehicle-??s age (>7 years), despite its low mileage (47k), excellent service history, and the well-documented design flaw. The defect is known to occur between 60K-?"100K miles across various Ford vehicles with the same engine type, yet no recall or consumer repair program has been issued. I am reporting this for safety and accountability reasons and urge NHTSA to investigate this issue further. No check engine light appeared until the misfire occurred, and there were no prior warnings of coolant loss.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #1208

Jun 102025

Escape

  • miles
The coolant leaks into the the cylinders. I bought this car June 7th 2025 and was told it was being sold as is due to hail damage. I have no issue with cosmetic problems but I come to find out that there is major defect with ford escapes. My vehicle started to overheat with my children in the car so I checked the coolant and it was empty. I have been keeping my eye on it and filling when needed but when I went to turn it on a couple days ago it will not start at all. I put 4,000 down on this car and got into payments because I trusted the dealership to put me in a car that was not known for these issues. I had no idea because I am not in the car business and I scrambled to get a car because mine was wrecked. The check engine light even came as the salesman was pumping gas to give me the car after I bought it and told me they would check into. I was told a couple days later it was a loose ignition coil and that they topped off the coolant for me. It was within the same week that I started having these issues because I am sure this issue was preexisting but they did not want to tell me.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #1207

Jul 102025

Escape

  • miles
Check engine light came on and engine began to run rough. After inspection by Ford Dealer, it turns out this was because of a known issue with 2017 Ford Escapes. Continuing to drive could cause catastrophic engine failure or engine fire. This issue was diagnosed by Crossroads Ford of Apex, NC, where it was determined that coolant entered the combustion chamber and spark plug #1 has seized. This is a well-documented design flaw in the 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines and is identical to cases addressed under Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and TSB 22-2133. When the dealership requested assistance from Ford Representative the request was denied. Now the estimate to fix car that we bought new in preparation for retirement and diligently paid off is $10708. We have also requested an escalation of this issue with Ford Customer Relations at of July 15, 2025. As of this time, dealer says car could die while driving at any time, leading to fire or accident.

- Cary, NC, USA

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