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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,286 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 10 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #462

Jun 162024

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The coolant leaks into the cylinder bore. This does not cause the car to stall until the coolant gets to low. The car stalled on my son (new driver) pulling into traffic due to the piston misfires caused by the coolant in the cold engine. Dealer has confirmed coolant intrusion.

- Guyton, GA, USA

problem #461

May 172024

Escape

  • miles
Antifreeze is going into the engine making the SUV shake and blow white smoke so the vehicle is inoperable. The mechanic told me this is a problem with the 2018 Ford Escape and that Ford would only cover the cost of repairs up to 84,000 miles or 7 years and my vehicle has 94,000 so Ford says they won't do anything to cover the cost of a new engine. Since when is there an expiration date/miles on a RECALL? NOONE DRIVES THEIR CAR 12,000 MILES A YEAR ANYMORE. These number's need to be reevaluated for a more accurate mileage. This RECALL needs to be extended to all Ford customers since we've paid for a vehicle and didn't even get 100,000 miles out of it when it's report to last 200,000-250,000 miles. Ford has had multiple issues with all of their ECO vehicles.

- Durant, OK, USA

problem #460

Feb 152024

Escape

  • 86,964 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to respond while driving from a complete stop. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle, diagnostic test codes for several cylinder misfires were retrieved. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle, diagnostic test codes for cylinder #2 misfire was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 86,964.

- Vinita, OK, USA

problem #459

Jul 012024

Escape

  • 79,360 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,360.

- Reedsburg, WI, USA

problem #458

Jun 252024

Escape

  • miles
On June 25, 2024 my 2018 Ford Escape overheated. I had to get it towed. I noticed there was no coolant in the coolant receptacle under the hood. There was also no evidence of a coolant leak anywhere. On June 27, I brought it into a service station where a pressure test was performed and no leak was detected. I then brought it to a Ford dealership and explained the issue. It was then I learned about the eco boost engine and coolant leaking into the cylinders issue. The fix for this issue is to replace the engine or the long block assembly. I was quoted a price of $8500. to do this by the Ford dealership. My car has only 57,700 miles on it.

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #457

Mar 182022

Escape

  • miles
I had an issue in 2022 with my 2018 ford escape they said I had no antifreeze left and needed a transmission it took 5 months but never found the antifreeze issue or fixed it. Now engine light came on to be told a TSB came out 3 months after my repair with a diagnosis for the issues I have had since purchased car. They are refusing to fix unless it-??s under warranty I had a warranty when I first took car in 2022 but now I am just out a $35,000 car that I can-??t afford to replace engine. TSB report Ford don-??t care nor want to assist in anyway with an issue reported and brought up before warranty expired yet I am at fault now. Not ok they should be fixing this issue for free but due to entire engine being damaged they are just letting customers lose everything including a job when they don-??t have a way to get to work after paying for 6 years and won-??t offer help

- Butler, TN, USA

problem #456

Jun 302024

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car began displaying an alert that the engine was overheating anytime I drove over 50mph. I took it for repair and was told there is coolant intrusion to the engine and the engine needs to be repaired. After some research I have found this is a known issue and ford had a customer satisfaction program to extend warranty for this issue to 84k miles. I was never notified of this and am now at 88k miles so cannot receive any assistance. My car will cost $10,600 to repair per an estimate and I am unable to afford the repair or a new car. This car is not old and does not have a lot of miles- this is unacceptable.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #455

Jun 252024

Escape

  • miles
My inquiry is to add VIN# to the Ford Program my engine has failed at 62,000 miles Ford stated would have to request VIN# to be added to cover the repair All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers SUBJECT: Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine -?" Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion REF: Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 - Supplement #4 Dated: June 09, 2022 REF: Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2134 Dated: December 19, 2019quiry is to request VIN# is added to the Ford Customer Satisfaction program 21N12

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #454

Jun 132024

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM completely blown due to Coolant system flooding engine cylinders, from ZERO fault of the original vehicle owner, due to complete malfunction of the cooling system leaking into the engine components, requiring FULL COMPLETE engine /cooling system replacement at full cost to owner of CASH TOTAL : $12527.59. VIN : [XXX] [XXX] CUSTOMER STATES CEL IS PRESENT, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELS Operation Tech units COMPLETELY OKAY 0.0 194 24.0 Amount 0.00 0.00 Amount 0.00 $4656 51-1 LONG BLOCK + FLEXPLATE AND BOLTS + TURBO STUDS, NUTS AND THE GASKET+TURBO OIL SUPPLY TUBE ASSEMBLY +TURBO OIL RETURN TUBE AND GASKET THERMOSTAT HOUSING O-RING SEAL + OIL COOLER AND RETAINER+ FUEL INJECTOR ORING KIT + HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP O-RING SEAL +HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL TUBE+INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET 51-2 TURBOCHARGER COOLANT TUBE ORRENG SEALS REGAE VACUUM PUMP GASKET+COOLANT OUTLET O-RING SEAL+. INSPECT VERIFIED CONCERN ECOTEST INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #453

Jun 102024

Escape

  • miles
At 62,0000 miles, the coolant has started leaking into one of the engine cylinders. The Ford dealership says that the engine block is cracked, the engine needs to be replaced, and that Ford will not warrant it. I have seen hundreds of reports of this same issue at about this same mileage online. Clearly this is a manufacturing defect. No one expects a car to only last 62K miles.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #452

Jun 262024

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Coolant intrusion. Bought the car from the dealership and had the 30 day 1000 mile warranty. Was in the shop for the first two weeks and they said it was not coolant intrusion. Well guess what, on day 35 the car is completely worthless due to coolant intrusion now I-??m stuck with a $17000 repair on a $14000 car I have a loan on that IS NO LONGER COVERED BY FORD

- Forest Hill, MD, USA

problem #451

Jun 242024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant intrusion in engine with MIL P1299 stated from CSP 21N12 CSP 21N12 states: This program provides a no-cost, one-time repair (if needed) to the 1.5L short block, due to coolant intrusion to the cylinder bores, for 7 years of service or 84,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program. If a vehicle has already exceeded either the time or mileage limits, this no-cost, one-time repair will last through November 30, 2022. Coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners

- O'fallon, MO, USA

problem #450

Jun 242024

Escape

  • miles
Engine coolant leaks that ford is not covering

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #449

Jun 052024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into engine.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #448

Oct 172023

Escape

  • 77,617 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The contact was informed that cylinder #2 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed again with a failure within cylinder #2, due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that cylinder #2 needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failure of cylinder #2 due to coolant intrusion and engine failure. The contact was informed that due to the coolant intrusion and the repeated cylinder #2 failure, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,617.

- The Villages, FL, USA

problem #447

Jun 102024

Escape

  • miles
While driving 70 mph on the interstate, the check engine light came on and the brakes went out and the car died. It was moved to the shoulder and towed to Jarrett Ford (Charlotte Co FL). They diagnosed it with fluids have leaked into the engine and now the engine needs replacing. I am of course 1,300 miles outside of warranty. Upon researching engine troubles, this seems to be a recurring issue in Ford Escapes. I contacted Ford and they refuse to help me. $7300 is a lot of money for a non profit animal rescue to come up with.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #446

May 302024

Escape

  • miles
Check engine light came on with a P0302 code, indicating misfire. Took it to the dealer that verified coolant intrusion, indicating 21N12. Mileage exceeding the allowable coverage under 21N12, but it was covered by an extended warranty. In addition to having the short block replaced, the wiring harness and PCM were soaked with oil, requiring additional replacement of both. A month prior, the flex plate also failed and required replacement under warranty.

- Livonia, NY, USA

problem #445

Jun 032024

Escape

  • miles
On the 1st of this month (June 2024), my check engine light came on. we took it to our local auto shop and had a diagnosis ran on it to see what the problem was. We were told that a p303 code was what showed up. I took it to a local mechanic who replaced the spark plug and ignition coil. The next day, it threw the same code again. Same mechanic replaced it all again. The code popped up again. Took it to another mechanic who then told us take it to Ford as it had a blown head casket and our coolant was leaking into the combustible engine. I took it to Ford and they acknowledged it was an ongoing issue with this make and model of vehicle. We had ford diagnose the vehicle themselves and are now telling us that we have to replace the whole engine. We found online there are over 500 people having the same issues as we are. I was warned that if i continue to drive it, my engine can literally catch fire at this point. It is definitely a safety concern for all who drive an escape. Also my vehicle doesn't even have 100k miles on it yet. I am suprized that there hasnt already been a recall on this motor yet seeing as how many people are having this same issue.

- Garrison, TX, USA

problem #444

May 132024

Escape

  • miles
The motor blew. Dealer confirmed no compression in cylinder 2 and damage to the top and bottom of the head requiring the motor to be replaced. I was accelerating onto the freeway going uphill when I lost acceleration. The car went into "limp mode". I had no warning lights until the vehicle lost power at which time the service engine soon light illuminated and flashed intermittently. Evidently it's a known issue with this engine and a service advisory was issued but nothing was done to proactively prevent the issue. My vehicle is less than 6 years old and was under 75,000 miles.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

problem #443

Jun 172024

Escape

  • miles
This vehicle was purchased in 2018 new. In 2020, due to engine misfiring/recall a new engine was installed.. On June 10, 2024, the vehicle started misfiring and running sluggish. Took the vehicle on June 11, 2024 for a diagnostic test. The test showed that the number two cylinder was bad. It was suggested I buy a coil and spark plugs and they were installed on June 12, 2024.The vehicle still runs badly so it has been parked since June 12, 2024. I reached out to a Ford dealership and they agreed to come and fix the vehicle, but they only did the recall on the transmission. I was also informed to bring the car to their shop.

- Denver, CO, USA

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