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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 19 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #282

Oct 232023

Escape

  • miles

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

According to my mechanic, coolant has leaked into the cylinders of the engine. This is a common problem with this particular model the dealer Ford will not repair.

- Middle Island, NY, USA

problem #281

Sep 262023

Escape

  • miles
Intermediate start ups, followed by "service engine now" light. Upon immediately taking to shop, I was informed that coolant had leaking into engine via head gasket and engine is damaged beyond repair - vehicle has less than 99,000 miles and has had regular oil changes and fluid checks.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #280

Oct 212023

Escape

  • miles
Leaking coolant into 2nd cylinder. The head gasket has blown.

- Eureka, CA, USA

problem #279

Sep 012023

Escape

  • miles

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

The 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or may run in a rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into a cylinder bore.

- Southgate, MI, USA

problem #278

Sep 142023

Escape

  • miles
Coolant is leaking in to the combustion chamber of my 1.5lt Ecoboost engine. Causing the engine to run very rough and not start sometimes.

- Sacramento , CA, USA

problem #277

Oct 142023

Escape

  • 106,382 miles
Coolant Intrusion Cylinder #2. Codes for misfire cylinder 2 as well as coolant loss for OVER 2 YEARS. At the time of both of my warranty work (as well as other extended warranty work) they did the associated computer flash to add the low coolant light, but told me that on the 1.5 eco boost motor that coolant consumption is a "normal occurrence". Which is true but that is because ITS LEAKING INTO THE MOTOR. Ford has intentionally covered up this issue and knowingly sold this motor with this defect. We qualified for the 21N12 Customer satisfaction program but the letter was sent to the old owner of the vehicle ( we purchased this from ford and registered in VT and the letter was sent to a person in Tennessee.) We are currently working with ford customer care but they have said there is little they are willing to do. My local dealership currently has 3, 1.5 eco boost in 2 for intrusion diagnosis and 1 for a new motor. This is a massive safety issue because the motor could overheat ( even with the low coolant light they added the temp gauge does not go over normal operation levels) so the car has a high potential to catch on fire at highway speed. We are currently waiting for our diagnosis appointment (no one can see us for 2 months) but we have all symptoms and codes from the diagnosis process on the 21n12 customer satisfaction letter. [XXXX] ford INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Glover, VT, USA

problem #276

Sep 302023

Escape

  • miles

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

Coolant intrusion leak in multiple cylinders causing misfires.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #275

Sep 162023

Escape

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated but then disappeared. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #274

Feb 102022

Escape

  • miles
I was pulling out of a parking lot when going up a hill my car no longer would shift gears. There was a car coming up fast on me and I barely made it over the hill. I allowed the car to roll into the next parking lot to get out of traffic. No warning lights came on. I turned the car off to see if it was a computer problem. The car would not start up. I used a jump box to restart the battery. When the car was back on I attempted to drive in the empty lot and the car would not shift gears. The car is an automatic and I tried to do manual shift if sport mode and it would not function. I was in a different state with my sister and we were stranded. I had to call my husband to tow my car home because it would be months to get parts for the repair shop in the other state. I had it evaluated at Ford and they said it was the transmission. It took 7 months to get parts and to get it fixed. Now the radiator is leaking and the car no longer runs. I spent $8000 on repairs and I can-??t even drive it. Now my dad-??s escape that is a different year and body style has to have its transmission repaired too.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #273

Oct 122023

Escape

  • miles
The vehicle check engine light came on at 61k miles, was found to be misfiring. Upon inspection, dealership found coolant intrusion in engine. Engine will require block replacement. Vehicle could have overheated, caught fire, or left family members stranded in severe weather conditions.

- Whitehall, MT, USA

problem #272

Sep 262023

Escape

  • miles

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

I was driving my 2018 ford escape. The check engine light came on, I drove straight to dealer. The inspected the vehicle and said there was a coolant leak which leaks on to the pistons. My 3 piston is misfire and my engine block needs to be replaced. $7500. As I research this issue, I see this was known by for manufacture. I just paid off my vehicle, I have no money and no vehicle to get to work.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

problem #271

Sep 232023

Escape

  • miles
On September 22 2023 I drove my car home from work and everything was good. The next day September 23 2023 I started my car and my check engine light went yellow, then red, my car instantly overheated, smoke poured out of my exhaust. I brought it to dealership for inspection and was told coolant had leaked into my engine and the engine cracked. Upon research this is a known problem with ford escapes dated from 2013-2019 with the possibility of the car catching fire. I paid over 10k to have it repaired but it shouldn-??t have happened in the first place! Ford should have recalled the SUVs and fixed/replaced the problem components.

- Bedminster, NJ, USA

problem #270

Sep 182023

Escape

  • miles
Engine and Turbo plus Turbo lines, Hardware and Gasket

- Troy, VA, USA

problem #269

Sep 262023

Escape

  • miles
Issue: 2018 Ford Escape, damaged engine short block due to coolant intrusion. Inspection: Inspected by Ford dealership mechanic. Outcome: needs an engine replacement due to damage from coolant intrusion. Was told there is no preventive maintenance or alerts for this issue and I was told there was nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening. Opinion: Sounds like FACTORY DEFECT that should have been recalled

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #268

Oct 022023

Escape

  • miles
My 2018 Ford Escape 2.0L Eco Boost engine has a coolant leak that is leaking into the number 3 cylinder. My local Ford dealer said it cannot be fixed and that a new engine is required. The estimated cost to replace the engine is $10,500. My car is out of warranty by 5 months with about 36,000 miles. The dealer will not fix it for free. An online search shows a TBS for the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. [XXX] Further searches provide links to Reddit and car forum posts by other owner's who have had the same issue. I will contact Ford corporate next to see if they can help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #267

Sep 152023

Escape

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle in July of 2023 and put 3000 miles on it and then found out when parked and sits-??when started blue smoke comes out of exhaust. Made an appointment at a Ford dealer, it was there 10 days without being looked at and I needed to return the rental car, which I told the service advisor that it had to be checked out in order for my warranty company to pay my rental fees, kept calling with no answer.. ended up taking it to another dealer which diagnosed it needing an engine due to the cyclinders taking coolant-?? they than til me they 6 months out due to having 6 escapes just like mine in front, all needing engines.

- Carrollton , KY, USA

problem #266

Sep 272023

Escape

  • 34,035 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle turned off independently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 34,035.

- Corry, PA, USA

problem #265

Jul 012023

Escape

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions where the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact then stated that the vehicle began to overheat as the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who discovered that coolant intrusion in the engine cylinder had caused a fracture in the engine block. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #264

Dec 012022

Escape

  • miles
Engine died. Took it to a licensed mechanic and was told coolant leak caused total engine failure. Needs a new engine. Only 80000 miles.

- Tarrytown, NY, USA

problem #263

Sep 222023

Escape

  • 66,952 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the spark plugs, and ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,952.

- Shelby Twp, MI, USA

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