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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,357 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 3 of 32)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #592

Nov 272024

Escape

  • miles

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

Coolant is getting into oil. Misfires. And coolant disappears and causes engine to get hot.

- Muskogee, OK, USA

problem #591

Nov 222024

Escape

  • miles
Car has less than 100,000 miles on it. Engine failed due to coolant intrusion from manufacturing defect in the cylinder walls. (Ford TSB 19-2139) Now Ford wants $11,500 to fix a problem they created.

- Clarksville, VA, USA

problem #590

Nov 112024

Escape

  • miles
The check engine light came on so I took it to a dealership. There is a crack in the engine resulting in coolant leaking into the cylinder. It can't be repaired and will need a total rebuild of the engine. I researched this issue and there have been MANY with the exact same issue and several class-action lawsuits against Ford Motor Company. This vehicle has LESS THAN 50,000 miles on it. My dad was the original owner of the vehicle but due to his age and relocating closer to his children after the passing of his daughter, the title was transferred to me and I paid his loan off. Being elderly, they didn't drive the vehicle often so the issue wasn't noticed until recently. It's hard to believe that there hasn't been a recall on these vehicles! This is a serious problem and Ford should make right on this. As I stated, I know there were at least 2 class-action lawsuits for this very thing. Ford initiated a TSB19-2375 then updated to TSB22-2322. If they needed a TSB, there was obviously an issue with the vehicle.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #589

Oct 232024

Escape

  • miles

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

I have been advised that the EVAP PURGE Valve is defective by my Ford Dealer. I was also advised that they have been going through a lot of them. After fueling car, if not fueled slowly the car will not start.

- Greeneville, TN, USA

problem #588

Nov 062024

Escape

  • miles
Engine failure due to coolant intrusion. Ford has known about this issue for years. A recall needs to be issued.

- Clinton Two, MI, USA

problem #587

Oct 062024

Escape

  • miles
The engine has coolant intrusion and misfiring that can lead to an engine fire. My family was put in jeopardy as coolant disappears during driving. The dealership has confirmed a coolant intrusion issue as indicated in the CSP 21N12. There are two CSP's (19B37 and 21N12) from Ford issued when the dangerous engine problem should be a RECALL. Ford recently issued Ecoboost engine recalls for many other vehicles and somehow the 2018 Ford Escape was missed. Ford has refused to fix the engine hazard on this 2018 Ford Escape due to an expiration date on the CSP, even though the vehicle is STILL within the 7 year timeline indicated in the CSP. The vehicle was purchased after the expiration date so I am trying to figure out why the vehicle did not have either of these CSP's done, when dealer had the vehicle, so this dangerous issue was resolved prior to the expiration date and consumer purchase.

- Milton, DE, USA

problem #586

Aug 062024

Escape

  • miles

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

Head gasket blown at 97,000 miles. My car died in the middle of the road. My car was deemed not drivable by the dealership. The problem started with a P0303 code which was a cylinder three misfire. I had a shop look it and they were going to replace the spark plug and coil pack. Three days later my car overheated on my way to get the repair and they said my head gasket was blown. This was in August of 2024

- Roaring Branch, PA, USA

problem #585

Nov 142024

Escape

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact stated that a blank warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 132,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #584

Nov 132024

Escape

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly began to lose significant motive power, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was empty. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant had intruded into the cylinder head gasket. The contact was informed that the seal between the engine block and the cylinder head had failed, resulting in damage to the engine. 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 95,000.

- Grundy, VA, USA

problem #583

Nov 102024

Escape

  • miles
2018 Ford Escape - The engine made unusual noise and began running rough. We had to quickly exit traffic unexpectedly. Engine light came on after this incident. Local Ford Dealership has diagnosed the problem as coolant leak into the engine cylinder. Dealership recommended long block replacement at cost of just over $10,000. They also stated that there were no recalls or other assistance available from Ford Motor Company. I later found out about Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12, which covers the cost to replace the 1.5 ecoboost engines with the same problem we are having. However, it only covers 7 years or 84,000 miles. Our vehicle was at 6 years and 118,000 miles when the issue occurred. We have never received any communication from Ford Motor Company regarding Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #582

Nov 092024

Escape

  • miles

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

I just recently came across the 21N12 letter that was sent out to people awhile back after googling an issue I noticed with my car. It appears my car is losing coolant. Which, after reading the 21N12, it appears is a known issue that ford submitted a letter letting people get this repair done for no charge. Well, I never received the letter and might be experiencing these issues. I don-??t find this to be anywhere near fair at all. What if my car died on me?

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #581

Aug 092024

Escape

  • miles
Took the vehicle to 3 different mechanics for estimate as my daughter was driving the car and it started to over heat, white smoke coming from tailpipe, coolant level very low or gone. It was determined this is a known issue on this 1.5L eco boost engine. Estimate $9K to replace with new engine! It's technically not a blown head gasket. It's a design/manufacturing defect in the open-deck design of the block. Google "Ecoboost coolant intrusion" and "Ford Customer Service Program 21N12" for more info.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #580

Sep 242024

Escape

  • miles
My engine failed as I was driving down the road with cars behind and in front of me. Lost power while driving, had to find a place immediately to pull over before being hit by other vehicles. Dash lights came on, car started making beeping noises, dash said it was overheating when thermostat gauge said it was completely cold. No antifreeze in the overflow tank, all antifreeze went into the engine from a coolant leak. Had to have car towed to garage they called and said it was engine failure due to coolant intrusion, called Ford Customer Care and they would not help me, talked to closest Ford dealership service department and they told me it was within the years but over mileage for the Customer Satisfaction Program and would be $8900 to replace the entire engine. Now I am left without a car that I am still paying on.

- Mount Joy, PA, USA

problem #579

Nov 012024

Escape

  • 92,561 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,561.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #578

Oct 232024

Escape

  • miles
My car has about 104,000 miles. Suddenly the check engine light came on and a warnning that reads "High Temprature Engine Stop Carfuly" and "Engine Fault Service Now" came on. Certified mechanic checked and confirmed coolant intrusion into cyliners needing engine replaced. Ford was contacted and said the "Customer Satisfaction" addressing this issue expired. It was for 7 years or 84,000 miles, which my car exceeds. And refused to do anything and said to complain through NTHSA. This is clearly the manufacturer issue and is repeatedly showing on NTHSA by owners of 2017-2019 Escape. This should turn into a nationwide recall. New engine costs $12500 which is more than the car price.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #577

Nov 042024

Escape

  • miles
Engine coolant intrusion

- Rosenberg, TX, USA

problem #576

Aug 232024

Escape

  • miles
Coolant leaking into block.

- Forty Fort, PA, USA

problem #575

Sep 242024

Escape

  • miles
My check engine light came on, took it to a parts store for an analysis and got code P0303. The vehicle was also running different. When I would first turn it on, it felt like it wasn-??t at full power and felt like the engine was shaking slightly. We changed the spark plugs, engine light didn-??t go away. Had same code so changed cylinder #3 coil as that was the one misfiring. The engine light blinked and remained on. The car when I would put it in drive had almost no power for the first several seconds I would press the gas in drive then would all of a sudden jump to driving. $140 later in parts I had a bunch of white smoke coming out of the back, about every light and alarm sound started going off as it had a message that was telling me engine overheated (we checked the antifreeze when changing plugs and coils and was still between max and minimum) and told me to safely stop. I was on a busy street and my car stalled while waiting for a tow. While looking at the antifreeze, it was completely gone even though we just checked it. My car that still has a $13,000+ loan is not drivable. It is in a mechanics garage now and is estimated to cost OVER $2000 to fix. I-??m very frustrated because after a started researching this issue, I-??ve found hundreds of complaints about this SAME issue with others and yet NO recall has been sent to me by ford motor company. When I lookup recalls for my vehicle using my vin number, it stated that there are zero open recalls. I have been without my car for about 6 weeks and not sure what to do about this.

- Great Falls, MT, USA

problem #574

Sep 122024

Escape

  • miles
- The vacuum pump is the part that failed and locked up, it broke parts internally in the engine and that is what caused the crank bolt to spin loose and the car to jump time. - this happened when the car was going dowin a steep mountain and we were forced to pullover immediately, however the breaks were not working normally. - yes the problem has been confirmed - the component was inspected by the dealership - there were no warning signs, and the delear mechanic said there was nothing we could do to prevent the issue

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #573

Sep 152024

Escape

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. No further information was available. The vehicle was taken to the residence, where the contact's husband used a hand-held vehicle diagnostic scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble code P0301, indicating a misfire of the first cylinder. The contact's husband replaced the spark plugs, but the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact's husband then replaced the ignition coils. The contact's husband also noticed that the coolant level was abnormally low. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Hampton, NH, USA

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