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.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 75 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle resumed normal operation. In addition, the contact stated that during cold starts, there was heavy black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
Coolant intrusion into cylinders 3&4 as a result of manufacturing defect. Confirmed by multiple certified mechanics. No warning messages/signs until major misfires occurred and car became nearly undriveable while traveling at highway speeds.
For the 6 month my check engine light has been on First repairs was replacing both bank sensors, About 3 months later again replaced another sensor. Again check engine light would go off And out of no where one morning the the dashboard reads overheating it goes in limb mode gets repairs changes thermostatabd something else Light off that's in Jan 2025, here mar 25 on again change spark plugs also misfire code burning coolant with no leak no warning on dashboard Start doing research and wow notice coolant leaking into cylinders Take my car to get looked at guess what that's what's happening to me Ford. Is highly aware with no recall This really needs to be looked
When I get gas engine turns off. Need to restart it multiple times. Hesitation on acceleration afraid to be on highway. Rough idol at stop. I-??ve seen it multiple people have had this issue. It turns out to be the vapor canister, purge solenoid, which I had to be replaced that fixed it. Hopefully this could help out other people. I was so scared on the highway. God bless you.
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA
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Originally the car started blowing white smoke out of the exhaust. Next it would misfire occasionally on engine start. After, i would start loosing coolant and getting engine overheat but could never find the leak. I had a mechanic diagnose it and he said it was coolant intrusion into the cylinder and now the head gasket is blown and potentially more damage may be found that could lead to an engine change.
I am writing to PLEAD the NHTSA to intervene and Assist in the ongoing issues with the engines in the 2018-2020 ford escapes. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" 2018 Ford Escape Engine 1.5L short block. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It has been confirmed that there is a presence of coolant intrusion into one or more cylinder bores. This could lead further damage, fires and engine shutdown while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes my car has been sitting at Dick Masheter Ford Inc Dealership in Columbus Ohio now for 3 weeks. Their number is 614-861-7150. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others" By the Dealership and an independent service Center in Grove City Ohio at Dart Automotive at (614) 875-7117. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Engine light on [XXX] showing Misfire in the Master Cylinder. My 2018 Ford Escape manufactured in Louisville KY is leaking coolant into the a cylinder. Mileage is 66,000. When calling Ford we are all directed to contact NHTSA who then sends us back to Ford who then sends us to the dealership who states its up to NHTSA. Ford is saying that NHTSA can add the VINS that were left off under their safety recalls 19B37 and 21n12. Please assist me in adding my VIN so the dealership can fix my vehicle. I am now currently out of transportation and my car has been sitting at Dick Masheter Ford Inc Dealership in Columbus Ohio now for 3 weeks. There number is 614-861-7150. In Fords 21n12 recall that these engines could combust or stop running while driving. I ask you please send me an email or contact to whomever can discuss this issue with me in more detail. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine failed due to coolant intrusion. Car failed on highway once, did not run more than 10mph after that and was taken to a shop. After researching the issue, this is a known problem with 2017-2019 Ford Escapes. There is a class-action lawsuit Miller v. Ford Motor co. case number 2:20-cv-01796-DAD-CKD. The issue is covered under a Ford recall, however my vehicle is beyond the 84,000 mile limit. Problem occurred very suddenly with the check engine turning on, flashing, and the engine temperature spiking and crippling the car. A local mechanical conducted a borescope examination and found coolant leaking into the cylinder. I was quoted for the repair with them over $16,000 to replace the engine block. The mechanics report, invoice, and borescope images are attached.
I am writing to implore the NHTSA to finally take an interest in the ongoing issues with the engines in the 2018-2020 ford escapes. you have over 1600 documented statements from concerned owners who ford has no intention of aiding. Its ironic that all are experiencing the same issues and receiving almost the same answers from the dealerships, Ford and your agency. When calling Ford we are all directed to contact NHTSA who then sends us back to Ford who then sends us to the dealership who states its up to NHTSA. Well if Ford is saying that NHTSA can add the vins that were left off under their safety recalls 19B37 and 21n12 Then I say add them all so Ford will honor their statements and fix these engines. You have over 1600 complaints and that's what we know of. at 10,000 an engine that is over $16,000,000 that the citizens of our nation have to cover for a flaw that Ford has admitted and every dealership will corroborate. I have read most of the complaints filed that are printed and it amazes me that no one at your office is doing anything about this. I ask that you tell us who we actually need to be speaking to because getting sent around the horn continuously isnt helping any one out. Please take notice of these safety issues it clearly states in fords 21n12 recall that these engines could combust or stop running while driving think of how many lives could or could have been saved if there was an issue that went un reported. I do not know about you but for me the loss of any 1 life is to great when it could be prevented. Its time for the NHTSA to do their Job and make Ford honor their obligations to their consumers. I ask you please send me an email or contact to whomever can discuss this issue with me in more detail
There is an internal coolant leak from the coolant reserve that cycles through my engine, breaking the head gasket and seeping out through the spark plugs. This was confirmed by a team of mechanics at Christian Brothers. According to the TSP released by Ford this can result in engine failure when operating the vehicle. This is a severe risk to drivers and there are cases where it has resulted in death. I brought my car to a Ford dealership for an oil change and inspection. They failed to see my coolant was empty and the next day my check engine light came on. My husband did a quick inspection and my coolant was empty. When I confronted the dealership with this information they did not respond to me or taken blame for missing any of the signs.
Engine diagnosed with coolant intrusion related to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. A serious misfire happened without warning after coming to a stop on the road and car perceived to be undrivable. Mechanic advised coolant in cylinders and engine needs to be replaced. Ford will not replace the engine after 84k miles but mine is at 85k.
UNKNOWN: Engine shakes and rumbles when going 35-45 miles per hour. Originally smooth when starting, now rumbles and shakes when started. Check engine light goes on and off. Engine kicks or jumps when accelerator is pushed... Not smooth, jerks very hard. Engine/starter/transmission issues. Available for inspection at dealership doing repair. Shakes and jerks going down the road. Feels like it's going to shake apart. Currently at the dealership for repair and they diagnosed there is "Coolant entering into the cylinder" Check engine light came on then went off. Did this about 3 times and is currently still on.
I was driving and the vehicle suddenly started to not accelerate. Then the check engine light started to flash and the motor shut off. I had to coast to the side of the road. After being toward my mechanic told me there was no oil and I had complete engine failure. This happened with no warning and I was stuck waiting for a tow in a very scary situation.
Coolant leak into the cylinders due to a manufacturing defect in this type of engine (1.5L ecoboost). Cylinder 2 and 4 misfired detected. Harmful emissions.
The engine light came on in my car. The heat was not working either. Took it to my mechanic, the coolant was empty and leaked into the engine. Mechanic advised this is a known issue with this car.
While driving at 60 mph on the highway, my vehicle suddenly overheated and lost power, forcing it into limp mode and reducing acceleration. The coolant was completely gone, even though it had been refilled and bled by a mechanic just a week earlier. Prior to this, I experienced engine misfires, which is a known early symptom of coolant intrusion in the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The check engine light and an overheating warning message appeared at the time of failure. This matches Ford-??s known coolant intrusion defect, which was previously covered under CSP 19B37 and CSP 21N12, yet my vehicle is now experiencing the same failure outside the program-??s coverage. This issue is extremely dangerous because it can cause the engine to suddenly fail at high speeds, creating a serious risk for drivers and passengers. This issue has not yet been confirmed by a dealer, as I am arranging transport to a service center. However, the coolant loss and overheating symptoms are consistent with reports from other Ford owners. Ford has acknowledged this problem in past service programs, but vehicles like mine continue to fail. This is a serious safety hazard, and Ford should be required to extend coverage or issue a recall before more drivers experience sudden engine failure.
I took my car in for a tune up and was advised the engine needed to be replaced and that Ford is having this issue with multiple vehicles with the same engine. Coolant leaking into the engine. I called NHTSA as Ford told me that they would have to add my car to their customer recall list. I was advised to go back to Ford that they have to do this. Upon having an electronic chat for an hour with ford I was again told to file a concern and request with NHTSA to get my vin added. According to Fords Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 ( which my car was serviced for on 1-27-2021) This was the first step to complete the issue of coolant leaking into the engine. Fast forward to 3-13-25 I was informed by a Ford dealership that the coolant was indeed leaking into the engine and needs a replacement. Under Fords customer satisfaction program 21N12 issued 6-9-22 my engine should be covered. However according to ford my vin was left off the list however my car was built under the 3 guidelines of 21N12 which were model year 2017-2019, Built in Louisville, build date was 1-10-18 according to Ladicia at ford Customer care and should have been included. On 1-27-2021 Nations Ford of Margate Florida performed the 19Be7 requirement to satisfy the 21n12 recall should the problem persist. No one seems to care nor chooses to use common sense that if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck its a duck. I am asking your agency to officially look into this concern. Ford is and was aware of this issue an put a band aid on what appears to be a fatal wound. I am sure that I am not the only person being affected by this issue as i have discovered at least 2 class action suits being worked on as i type. I only want Ford to stand behind their product and more importantly their word. From what Ive discovered not only is Ford negligent but they new that eventually coolant would leak in these engines and I am asking that you step in and make Ford honor this agreement with its cutomers. Thank you
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pontiac, MI, USA