Coolant leak/known engine issue is now effecting my car. 3/31/26 my mechanic said to take it to an engine place as it will need a new engine due to this known fault. I am too late for their extended warranty which I was never notified of, including when I purchased the car in 2021 when the issue was already well-known.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Starting in Oct or Nov 2025 I noticed that my car was not starting right away when i put the key in the ignition, then a couple of weeks later my car began to shake when i started to drive and then would stop. My dad who is a retired mechanic stated that i was low on coolant, so he filled it and the car stopped shaking and drove fine, then the very next day the car would not start right away and it began to shake, my dad checked and the coolant was low again. We filled the tank back up to the correct level and the car stopped shaking. A couple of days later the car began to shake again and the coolant was low this went on from 2025 to March 2026, i took the car to the ford dealership and they stated that i have a coolant intrusion in cylinder 2. I can not drive my car due to the shaking and car not starting correctly.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Car had a weird sound and was misfiring so was taken to a shop who diagnosed with coolant intrusion issues. This has been so much headache this car has so many issues with coolant intrusion and it-??s a safety issue since it is coolant IN THE ENGINE which can cause so many issues. this needs to be fixed

- Panama City, FL, USA

My 2018 Ford Escape, which has experienced catastrophic engine failure due to the well-documented coolant intrusion defect in the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. In early March 2026, without any prewarning or engine light, my vehicle displayed an -??Engine Fault Service Now-?? warning and stored diagnostic trouble code P2601 (Coolant Pump A Control Circuit Performance/Range). I immediately took the vehicle to Bidwell Automotive in [XXX], where on March 10-?"11, 2026, technician Gannon performed a thorough inspection. The findings were as follows: the coolant level was critically low; the water pump showed signs of leaking; the top of the piston in the affected cylinder appeared washed clean (a hallmark of coolant entering the combustion chamber); and the technician detected an odor consistent with combustion gases in the cooling system. The diagnosis was a suspected failed head gasket consistent with internal coolant intrusion. I then brought the vehicle to Future Ford Lincoln of Roseville, your authorized dealership, on March 12, 2026 (RO #XXX, Service Consultant [XXX], Certified Technician [XXX] ). Future Ford verified the coolant intrusion into Cylinder 2 by removing the spark plugs and performing a borescope inspection. The dealership-??s own technician referenced TSB 22-2322 and recommended either a short block replacement ($9,396.45) or a long block replacement ($13,331.01). The dealership confirmed that my vehicle has no remaining warranty coverage and offered no assistance beyond the paid repair estimate. Ford-??s Documented Knowledge of This Defect Ford Motor Company has long been aware that the 1.5L EcoBoost engine in 2017-?"2019 Escape vehicles suffers from a structural design defect in the engine block-??s cooling passages that causes coolant to intrude into the cylinders. Ford-??s own actions confirm this knowledge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Folsom, CA, USA

Safety Risk: The vehicle suffered a sudden loss of power while driving. Without any warning light or prior symptoms, the car began "pulling". I was advised by mechanics that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the severity of the misfire. After two expensive spark plug repairs in six months, the engine light finally triggered during a trip, revealing that the internal defect was significantly worse than a simple maintenance issue. The problem began with a sudden, violent engine hesitation. A scan revealed a Cylinder 3 misfire (P0303), but there was no initial check engine light, leaving me unaware of the danger until the car began struggling to move. Over the next six months, the spark plugs were replaced twice. Despite these repairs, the car continued to struggle with acceleration and rough idling. A final diagnosis at Palmetto Ford confirmed coolant intrusion into the cylinders (TSB 22-2322). The engine is consuming coolant internally, which fouled the spark plugs and led to a mechanical failure leading to get over $11000 on repairs for a new engine.

- Savannah, GA, USA

With only 122,000 miles on the vehicle, the Escape is generating an error associated with a misfire in cylinder 1. New plugs were installed for the entire engine and the coil in cylinder 1 was replaced. A few days later, the error was generated again with an added warning to Server now. The service station that did the previous repair, stated that this was a known issue with this Ford engine and the Escape would need a new engine. If I don't replace the engine, this vehicle has been known to discontinue working while driving. The estimate for repairs are $10,300.

- Emmitsburg, MD, USA

I went in to get a tune-up on car because a engine light came on which was a misfire. The mechanic had a hard time getting out one spark plug with a hard residue on it. I drove for a couple days after tune-up and engine light came on again. I then started the next day the garage filled with white smoke with a real weird smell. The car showed another engine light that said Engine fault service now. Car would not start. It was towed to Ford dealership. It is a coolant intrusion into the block. I have 110,000 on vehicle and had the 100,000 extended warranty. I now I need to fight Ford to get fixed. This is a known issue and there was not a recall on this. I am retired and I am forced into buying another vehicle on a fixed income. If Ford does not fix this, i will join the class action suit that will be heard in June 2026. I have bought Fords all my life and I am super disappointed that Ford did not recall this motor and replace. I have heard that alot of people with this problem with coolant intrusion in block if over 84,000 or 7yrs Ford will not replace. Shameful when they know there is this issue.

- Cedar Springs , MI, USA

The engine has a coolant intrusion problem with a rough idle and potential for complete failure. This problem is documented as a known problem with this engine and Ford has in the past provided extended warranties including engine replacements. Ford had earlier released TSB 20-2100 and has acknowledged the problem.

- Seneca, SC, USA

At approximately 46,000 miles our 2018 Ford Escape experienced coolant intrusion in cylinders 2 and 3. The car has the 2.0 Liter EcoBoost engine. The car was out of warranty, requiring us to pay for the majority of the nearly $9,000 engine replacement. Additionally, we did not have the use of the car for over three months. We found that this a common problem with these engines throughout the Ford model lineup.

- Lawrenceville, NJ, USA

coolant intrusion. apparently this is a very well documented and known issue

- Princeton, TX, USA

I have owned this car for a year have taken it to multiple mechanics to get the overheating issue fixed. Well the most recent time my car had overheated my whole car had smelt like it was on fire. I've had to fix this issue 5 times in the last year and mechanics are not cheap

- Clarksville, IA, USA

Vehicle overheated in middle of traffic and immediately went in limp mode due to antifreeze leaking in the internal engine

- Conover , NC, USA

I am reporting a confirmed safety defect in my 2018 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine involving engine coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores. This appears to be a manufacturing defect associated with this engine design rather than a maintenance issue. I have exercised proper diligence as the vehicle owner and have two prior inspection reports (available upon request) that showed no indication of this issue before the failure occurred. I have a formal written diagnosis from a Ford Service Center confirming internal engine failure consistent with Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2229. This defect allows engine coolant to leak into the cylinder bores, which can lead to misfires, overheating, severe internal engine damage, and eventual engine stalling or complete loss of engine power. This condition presents a serious safety hazard because it can cause sudden and unpredictable loss of engine power while the vehicle is in motion, including at highway speeds. A sudden stall in traffic significantly increases the risk of a crash and endangers the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists. Ford-??s Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 does not adequately address the severity of this defect. All these vehicles like mine even at only 101,000 miles are at risk with no warnings. Numerous owners have reported the same coolant intrusion failure in vehicles equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine, suggesting a systemic manufacturing issue. There are also ongoing consumer complaints and civil litigation related to this defect. Because this issue has the potential to cause sudden loss of power without warning, I respectfully request your Administration investigate this defect and consider a mandatory safety recall to protect the entire public. Thank you.

- Longview , WA, USA

The engine leaked coolant into the cylinder. Bad cylinder #2 per mechanic. Engine needs replacement. This is a know problem with 2017-2109 ford 1.5L eco boost engines.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

Vehicle: 2018 Ford Escape SE, 1.5L EcoBoost, 130,000 miles Problem: Coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 has caused engine misfires, rough starting, check engine light, and the engine now requires replacement. Circumstances: The failure occurred suddenly. The vehicle was properly maintained and regularly serviced. Safety concern: Coolant intrusion can lead to sudden engine stall and loss of power, creating a risk while driving. Additional info: Diagnosed by an independent mechanic; engine replacement recommended. This appears consistent with a known defect in this engine type.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

A check engine light came on the vehicle and I decided to get it tested with my device and it said that the was a problem with the crankshaft position sensor and there was a misfire on cylinder 2 and 3. When I did my research it said that it could be many things and I should replace my spark plugs and crankshaft position sensor. I did that and immediately after replacing the spark plugs and the sensor, white smoke started to emerge from the exhaust and a message came on screen that said engine fault service now. I decided to have my car towed to the service shop that I usually take my car to when I-??m not doing minor replacements and they said that it was a problem with the engine due to a manufacturer design fault. The said that as a result of the design flaw coolant was getting into the engine. They said that it was coolant intrusion. I did my research and found out that my car falls under this known fault. I have a 2018 Ford Escape. I was not made aware of this problem when I purchased my vehicle in November of 2022. At that time there was a voluntary program that said that owners with this make could have a one time replacement of the engine. I am now out of a car as a result of this known problem. I called the company based on advice from my mechanic and they denied me a goodwill assistance repair. They open a case report and the case number is [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

Check engine light came on last week. Took it into the repair shop and they let me know that there is coolant in the first cylinder. There is not a recall for this but it is a known issue with Ford escapes designs and that Ford has redesigned the engine block and gasket, and in some cases, they are replacing the entire long block.

- Seattle, WA, USA

My 2018 Ford Escape has experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known issue affecting this model year. The vehicle began misfiring and consuming coolant without external leaks. The dealership confirmed the diagnostic, a Technical Service Bulletin applies to my VIN. This defect can cause engine failure while driving, creating a serious safety risk. I am experiencing coolant loss, smoke and excessive shaking. Just paid my car off and got title last week. Only 130,000 miles. Ford will not help pay for repairs. Ford needs to be responsible for this and pay for this fix! It is a know defect!!!.Safety Risks -?? Loss of power while driving -?? Risk of engine stall -?? Overheating risk -?? Highway safety concern

- Hudson , WI, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off with the check engine, transmission, battery and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact and her husband shifted into neutral(N) and pushed the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased, and a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed by the mechanic that a timing chain failure had destroyed the engine block resulting in complete engine failure. The contact was provided an estimate for a new engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and that there were no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- Perrinton, MI, USA

While driving on a highway the RPMS in my 2018 Ford Escape with 88,600 miles went up high without me touching the gas because I was coasting downhill & then once I pushed the gas pedal to resume normal speed it shifted real hard into gear but would not move, it just kept coasting as cars were speeding up behind me going at least 55 MPH! I was finally able to pull over and once I put the car into park & tried to move it into a parking lot the car would not go into gear at all. The car was towed is currently at the Ford Dealer & they confirmed that the transmission needs to be replaced. The only time the warning sign/light came up on the dashboard was AFTER I tried for the last time to move the car into a safe parking area. Per the Ford service this apparently is a known issue with ford & the 6F35 transmissions & they are on back order for 4-6 weeks and Ford will not give me a loaner car.

- Hopatcong, NJ, USA