I purchased a 2018 Ford Escape in February 2024 with 80,000 miles from a dealership. The vehicle had a single owner and appeared to be in great condition at the time of purchase. However, in December 2024 it presented a critical safety issue involving the engine. While driving, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost power, almost stopping in the middle of an intersection. This placed me and others at significant risk of a collision, as I was unable to control the car properly or move it safely out of traffic. The problem was confirmed by the Ford dealership, where diagnostics initially revealed a misfire code (P0302). After further inspection, the dealership determined that the engine required a full replacement. This repair was estimated to cost $9,000-?"nearly the current value of the vehicle. The car is at the dealership and has not been repaired due to the prohibitive cost. Through my research, I found Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-2346, which documents similar engine issues reported by other Ford Escape owners, requiring significant repairs and part replacements. Despite reaching out to Ford Customer Service, I was denied assistance and left to bear the full cost of these extensive repairs. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. The issue occurred without warning while I was driving, making the defect hazardous. Given the serious safety implications of this defect, I strongly urge this issue to be considered for recall. A vehicle with relatively low mileage should not experience catastrophic engine failure, and Ford must take responsibility for addressing this widespread and dangerous issue. My life and the safety of others on the road are far more valuable than the cost of repairs.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

My engine check light came on and it said Engine Fault Service Now, with a wrench signal exposed. Then I could hardly stop the vehicle, it became very difficult to apply the brakes, using all of my body weight applied to stop the vehicle. I immediately brought it to O-??Reily-??s auto place and had a diagnostic test run on the vehicle. Multiple default code come up. P1016, p0365, p0299, p164D p0369, p0443, p0456, p1450. Brought it to the Ford dealership, upon inspection the diagnosis Evap system related disc on this line, tested evap system, found canister purge valve to be broken, tech notes that this is a non Oem part. Advised to replace purge valve and hose assembly. Also discovered that vacuum pump not pulling vacuum, advise to replace pump and reset. Upon removal of the vacuum pump, found pump cam lobe twisted off, vacuum pump is seized, cam replacement is seized, cam replacement will be required. Also both front axel boots are torn, spewing grease all over, recommend replacing both axels, leak p2 pinion value, left back axel leaking, both back brake rotors and pads worn 2mm in the red, coolant level low possible leak. Also is discovered that there was a non ford part purge valve that shouldn-??t be there. Estimated cost is 8,500-9000 dollars could be more

- Minneapolis , MN, USA

Purge valve stuck open causing check engine light to come on. Same as current recall on Ford Focus 2012-2018 vehicles. Ford Escapes within the same time frame should be included in the recall. Every time I fill gas there is a hard turn on since beginning of December. Then check engine light came on and code P1450.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

Total engine failure and rebuild due to faulty head gasket component from ford. Vehicle went from running good to all of a sudden having smoke when starting, engine light came on. Immediately had inspected and was told total head gasket/engine failure.

- Geddes Sd 57342, SD, USA

I found coolant reservoir was really low. And found a check engine light. I scanned and found a code related to misfiring. After googling it I found that is a commonly issue in this vehicles related to a bad engine design. I am in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. And bought the car here. So I am wondering if we are covered by this vehicle complaint.

- Edmonton, OR, USA

In March of 2024 warning lights for abs, hill assist, traction control came on while the car was driving. We stopped driving and had the error codes checked at a autozone who said the sparkplugs where misfiring on cylinder 3. it was changed and when we started the car it blew white smoke and the engine seized. The repairs were over $6000. We were told ford had a class action suit which closed on November of 2023. We opened a case but ford closed it and will not help with known problems with the 1.5 lt engine.

- Friendship, NY, USA

Ford Escape 2018 Recall #[XXX] and #[XXX] ENGINE COOLANT LEAK Needs -??New Engine-?? confirmed by service and available for inspection at dealer. Car was taken to Ford Dealer right when engine light came on. Dealer / Service has been only one to inspect car. On [XXX] BEFORE -??Engine Coolant-?? Recalls were expired, car was taken to dealer for Recall #[XXX] I asked about ANY other CSP Letters or Recalls at the time of service. Ford Dealer decided on their own to ONLY preform ONE of the two Recalls that were crucial to being preformed for the safety of my vehicle. Both Recalls #[XXX] and #[XXX] should have been performed together according to letter sent to Dealers from Ford and NHTSA [XXX] Above link clearly states: -?? Vehicle owners will receive one letter for both [XXX] and [XXX]. -?? -??Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.-?? Ford Dealer took it upon themselves NOT to perform repair work or even discuss Recall #[XXX] at the time car was serviced [XXX] before recall expired [XXX]. Ford and Dealers knew about the -??Coolant Engine Leak-?? problem long before and did not warn me or make me aware I was driving a dangerous car. I did not receive CSP Letters that is why I make sure to double check with Service Dept. at time of service. Ford performed Recall #[XXX] and NEVER mentioned CSP Letters sent out or that there was a second recall that needed to done #[XXX] before [XXX] Ford basically sent me on my way in a very unsafe car for myself and my passengers. I should have been made completely aware of this situation at that exact time and service (XXX). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Coolant intrusion to the cylinder bores.

- Durango, CO, USA

Coolant intrusion into motor. Coolant leak causing multiple misfires and my vehicle to lose power while driving and not to over 30mph. I have had the spark plugs, injectors, and coil packs all changed and problem persisted. Taking my car back to mechanic a test was done and there is coolant in the pistons.

- Lexington, NC, USA

Gas goes fast, The canister purge valve? My engine light stays on.

- Westerville, OH, USA

The fuel injector system needs to be replaced. Last year my vehicle had the short block replaced with the "Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12" Some of the parts that should have been inspected included the fuel injector O ring kit and tubes. A year later after my engine had been overheating and was replaced. Now, the fuel injector system needs to be replaced. There are 1 reasons why the system would need to be replaced. 1 due to contamination and 2 due to over heating of the engine. Due to Fords faulty coolant system my engine was overheating for who knows how long until the coolant was completely depleted and running into the cylinders. Now my fuel injector system is leaking due to the overheated engine and ford will not repair.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Coolant injection leak, blown engine.

- York, SC, USA

The car began overheating while in operation. The driver immediately pulled over and shut the car off, and the car was towed to the dealership. It was discovered that there was a crack in the gasket, allowing coolant to slowly leak into the engine over time. The engine seized and is no longer operable. This is, as confirmed by my Ford mechanic, and KNOWN and COMMON issue with this particular year/model. Ford is aware that this is a manufacturing defect and has not issued a recall at this time.

- Brockport, NY, USA

Evap purge valve issue ( well recognized by Ford itself as part of a recall with Ford focus models after 2009.). But also needs to be addressed with Ford escape models of the same period. Multiple reports noted online as well ( seeking remedy on youtube and forums). I have Ford protect warranty. They refused to address it as part of the plan!!

- Orange City, FL, USA

Entered car after work on 6/23/22, went to pull into street and car had no excelerating power, steering wheel vibrated, couldn-??t go over 15-20 mph, then message on dash alert said: Engine Fault Service Now, the ford message on my app said: power train malfunction, reduced power, hill start assist warning. I messaged with Ford and they said I could drive just not over 15-20 mph. Drove home. Made arrangements to bring car to dealer service next day. They told me to drive it in like that. I was terrified when this happened, I had pulled into busy street, cars honking and trying to pass me, my car just couldn-??t move. I didn-??t have an immediate place to safely pull over. This was so stressful, felt grateful I wasn-??t hit pulling out or from behind.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

UNKNOWN The vehicle is only three years old is kept up with on a regular basis with the maintenance and is now having issues with a leaking evap system which has been an ongoing issue with a lot of Ford vehicles. I was notified by a mechanic that inspected my vehicle that the vehicle is not safe to drive and is like a ticking time bomb.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

While in motiion (taking off and during drive) the car 'cuts back' and doesn't pick up speed causing driver of vehicle to completely press the gas pedal to increase speed(only somewhat gradually after another cutback). This happens while traveling on highways and on city streets or country roads. In addition, when putting car in reverse (to park or pull out of parking space) the car either turns off or doesn't move back when pressing the gas pedal.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

On December 26, 2019, another other vehicle hit this 2018 Ford Escape, spinning it into another vehicle. This Escape caught on fire and was totally destroyed. All involved vehicles (all Ford) were in motion traveling about 50 mph. This Escape was traveling North on route 122 near burnt chimney, va. The other two Ford were traveling South on this two lane road.

- Moneta, VA, USA

On March 3, 2018, we purchased a 2018 Ford Escape from duval Ford in jacksonville, fl. Soon after the purchase, we experienced issues with the car stalling and jerking when applying gas. Although the situation only occurs on occasion, it is a dangerous problem when accelerating into traffic. The main time this has happened is during long trips. With our travel schedule and family out of town, we need a reliable vehicle to safely Transport us to whatever location we chose. We called to report the issue and tried some of the trouble shooting efforts explained to us via phone. The issue persisted; therefore, on May 8, 2018 we returned the vehicle to the service department explaining details of the struggles previously mentioned. We asked them to check the fuel injector and other engine misfires. Two days later, they returned the car stating there were no issues found. This process has continued several times from April 2018 until today. Our last attempt to allow duval Ford service department to repair the issue, was on December 5, 2019. We took the car into the shop, reported in detail about the on-going issue and asked for the oil to be changed. The service department had the vehicle for 9 days, drove it 31 miles, and reported that no issues were found. During the 9-day stay, we called to ask about the status of the vehicle, only to be told that it was being worked on. On Saturday, December 14, 2019, after a 9-day stay in the service department parking lot, we went to retrieve our vehicle only to find that the oil had not been changed and no issue was resolved with the problem we reported.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Getting terrible gas mileage only about 17 miles to the gallon, had 60 miles on car when leased and they told me to wait till I had a 1000 miles now have 2000 miles and still getting lousy mileage. Also, stop/start does not seem to be working. Also kick plate on back doesn't work well. Well, now try to take it in.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA