10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,020 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #430

May 072024

Escape

  • miles
The engine has a cylinder misfire and leaks coolant (the engine was destroyed - manufacturer error).

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #429

May 252024

Escape

  • 102,245 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the engine misfired and was running rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,245.

- Gas City, IN, USA

problem #428

Jun 052024

Escape

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the transmission and alternator had been replaced in the past. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coolant level was low, the cylinder temperature was too high, cylinder #2 had misfired, and the spark plugs had seized. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #427

Jun 062024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant intrusion lead to broken head gasket. Ford CSP 19B37 and 21N12 expired Nov 2022 and Ford will not cover cost of repairs even though this was a known issue from June 2022 and last service at Ford dealership was July 2023.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #426

May 212024

Escape

  • miles
My 2018 Ford Escape needs a completely new engine at 84,495 miles due to coolant leaking into the engine. $9100 to fix an issue Ford is aware of is unacceptable. Ford extended the warranty to 84,000/7yrs. This should be a recall and not simply an extended warranty.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #425

May 222024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into 3rd cylinder causing engine failure.

- Deerfield, WI, USA

problem #424

Jun 062024

Escape

  • miles
My 2018 Ford Escape with only about 70000 miles needs a complete engine replacement. The reason is there a crack in the cylinder which is leaking coolant into the engine. Because of that I need my entire engine replaced at a cost of $6,800. This car has been very well maintained. I have always followed the vehicle maintenance recommendations.

- New Berlin, WI, USA

problem #423

Jun 012024

Escape

  • miles
Head Gasket appears to have failed prematurely allowing coolant liquid to enter cylinder and degrade internal components of engine, causing misfiring and engine overheating and failure messages. Conditions have been confirmed by private independent mechanic. have appointment to have dealer evaluate issue.

- Egg Harbor City, NJ, USA

problem #422

Jun 032024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into engine. Not dead yet but not drivable since it will cause more damage to the engine. Luckily caught it before engine went out on the highway, overheating occurred, or fire occurred. This was confirmed by a dealership after they did an engine diagnostic, although a month ago when I brought it in for an oil change they noticed my coolant was low and said they would look into it, they didn-??t. Only the ford dealership mechanics have inspected this as of yesterday. An engine warning light came on the day I took it in (yesterday). - was told by my dealership that entire engine needs to be replaced.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #421

May 282024

Escape

  • 100,228 miles
While driving the vehicle a light indicating overheating came on. I slowly and safely made it home and parked the vehicle outside as I was scared it could catch on fire. I contacted a local repair shop, who stated to have it towed to them. The owner of the shop indicated there is coolant leaking/intruding into the cylinder. He stated this is a known issue with Ford's with this particular engine. He stated it is not safe to drive. I contacted two Ford dealerships who stated this is a known issue but there is no coverage to repair it. I contacted Ford Customer Care who advised the customer satisfaction program, 21N12, for this mechanical issue expired in November 2022 which is prior to when I purchased the car. I have been advised by Ford to take it to a Ford dealership for a diagnostic check. I informed them the vehicle is not safe to drive and would need to be towed. I requested they at minimum cover the diagnostic evaluation at the dealership to which they responded the dealers are independently operated and they can't waive it. Ford customer care stated once evaluated at a dealer they would then escalate the issue to a level 2 care executive department and requested I keep all receipts for potential reimbursement. The vehicle is available for NHTSA to inspect.

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

problem #420

May 242024

Escape

  • miles
I have kept this vehicle always serviced and took care of it. One day I was starting the car in the morning, the car was shaking when starting, I drove it was ok, I did have little bit of shaking in Idle. the next day, car also started to shake, after driving it for 3 minutes a check engine light came. I called Pepboys where they did recommended the replacement of the Spark plugs and the coils, after doing all job at pep-boys, next day, same shaking problem and same check engine light it was a misfire in Cylinder 3 then it show multiple Cylinder code, get it back to pep boys. They checked their job and did a leaking test for cylinder which showed a 18-20% leak, then they told me they car has issues in the Gaskets or the Pistons, and you should take it to the dealer, I called the Davidson Ford in Clay, they did test the car and said there is nothing wrong with it, Even the tech drove for 30 Miles. they cleared the Engine light and gave me the car. the second day, car started shaking again when start and the check engine light start Flashing and then the sign Engine Needs Maintenance now appeared I turned it off, towed it back to the dealer. Where they did further diagnostic and found out that there's a coolant intrusion in the Cylinders and the car needs a new engine !! car has 93K ish miles on it... never ever had an issue with it....

- Baldwinsville , NY, USA

problem #419

May 232024

Escape

  • miles
Manufacturing design defect in Ford 2.0L Ford Escape. Number 4 cylinder misfire (P0304) and coolant intrusion into cylinder 4. Common pproblem but Ford has not issued a recall as of 06/01/2024. Conyacted Ford customer relations but no succes. Demanding I pay for the engine replacement. Why - since it is a known defect by Ford? 1.5L ening, same problem and Ford issued recall notice for that engine is same model Escape.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #418

May 232024

Escape

  • miles
The engine began to report misfires in cylinder 3. Spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced, white smoke was noticed out of the exhaust, and the engine was still misfiring. A compression test was run, noting that the engine could not build pressure. The repair shop reported that this is a common issue with these engines and that a new engine would be required. This could have failed while driving at interstate speeds, causing an accident, or the lack of coolant could have led to a fire. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, just an independent repair shop. The first dash light that came on was the check engine light, with a code of "misfire in cylinder three" subsequently leading to the belief of a bad spark plug or ignition coil for that cylinder. Three days later, the "service engine now" light came on and the vehicle was taken to a repair shop. No other lights were present.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #417

Apr 192024

Escape

  • miles
The engine has a coolant leak and has made my car not properly functional. Have taken it in multiple time for repairs same issue would happen now they won't fix it because of a specific code is not reading but exactly what's going on they won't fix because it's over the milage coverage confidently.

- Smithville , MO, USA

problem #416

May 302024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant intrusion to engine causing all coolant to drain

- Midlothian , VA, USA

problem #415

May 232024

Escape

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power train warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related to the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under the Customer Satisfaction Program because the mileage had been exceeded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #414

Apr 262024

Escape

  • miles
I brought my 2018 Ford Escape in for a fuel purge valve issue and the dealership Geweke Ford returned my car to me to put together all the way and with a cylinder misfire. I took the car back to the dealership and they say I now have coolant in my motor. They refuse to take responsibility for the issue which is a common issue with the Eco Boost engines and they know. I replace an engine for my 2015 Ford Edge for the same issue. I contacted Ford Corporate and they tell me to work with the dealership and will not help me out. I still have not got a detail quote from the dealer as Ryan the service coordinator will not work with me and was extremely rude to my wife and the Ford Rep. The service manager Josh will not do anything. I tried to ask if they will trade in and they told me they dont buy Ford Escapes especially that year and will engine issues. With multiple class action lawsuits for the ecoboast engines including Miller VS Ford. Ford should have to do the right thing and take care of these engines they built.

- Yuba City, CA, USA

problem #413

May 212024

Escape

  • miles
My car began running rough upon start a few weeks ago. After pressing the gas pedal, it would smooth out a little. I took it to my normal mechanic to get it looked at and the engine coolant was low. The reason was that coolant had been intruding into the engine block. This is a KNOWN ISSUE to Ford on 2017-2019 Escapes and other models. This issue puts people at risk for breakdowns. The engine can apparently overheat without warning. My mechanic filled the coolant and pressurized the system and the car started and idled the same way, which is to say roughly. It had been starting that way and running rough up hills for a few weeks, but the check engine lamp only came on recently.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #412

May 252024

Escape

  • miles
I-??m at 87,000 miles and all of a sudden my check engine light comes on it reads misfire. I take it in have new spark plugs Put in next week my check engine light comes on again. We check the oil now I have coolant leaking into my cylinders and oil. It never overheated nor have I had any other issues. It is non-drivable and I owe $24000 on it. I read online that others have had this same situation.

- Thermopolis, WY, USA

problem #411

May 082024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into motor

- Twin Falls, ID, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »