What 2,068 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Escape Gas

Coolant is leaking and overheats all the time. It has the 1.6l engine and is being grouped with the 2.0 engine.

NHTSA ODI 11750053

- Component/ System: (UNKNOWN). Possible Powertrain / Transmission . - YES available for inspection. - My Safety @RISK: mine and my child (passenger) - Problem Confirmed : YES at local mechanic shop and FORD dealer service shop. - Has the vehicle been inspected : YES - Any Warning Lights or Messages prior to Failure: Check Engine (appeared at time of incident) and “Engine Fault: Service now” - When Did the Warning Appear: after it failed (5/2026) NO warning prior to failure. - Vehicle attempts from start to find the proper gear (like a bicycle chain that has come off) - clunky - NO power from first gear up. NO city driving - DANGEROUS to OPERATE

NHTSA ODI 11746255

2014 Ford Escape. 1.6L ecoboost engine. Bought the car a couple of years ago from a local Ford dealership. The car was immediately using coolant, but never saw where it was leaking. There was never a spot on the ground where it was leaking. Took car to local mechanic and they replaced water pump. Stating possibly leaking. Car continued to use coolant. A few mornings ago, tried to start car, loud pop sound, white smoke, and engine knocking. Car has 124,000 miles on it. What Now?

NHTSA ODI 11745191

Last month my engine suddenly got hot and the engine light came on and I got a coolant alert. All my coolant was gone. I refilled it a couple of times and the same thing happened. I took it to get it repaired and this is what was fixed: removed and replaced the engine coolant reservoir hose and the overflow bypass heater hose. He said that my engine cylinder head is leaking oil. I have a pdf of the repair that was done.

NHTSA ODI 11742948

Today, my turbocharger was diagnosed as damaged and leaking coolant into the cylinders and visibly leaking throughout the undercarriage. Additionally, my cylinder 4 is misfiring. My mechanic said they've seen this problem many times and while the turbocharger can be replaced, it often fails or other parts of the engine are damaged beyond repair. I had sluggish performance, mainly with acceleration over the last month, but saw smoke late last week that I thought was just exhaust from a truck idling next to me while stopped, but then I saw it at home later that week when the check engine light turned on. At the same time, my idling was excessively rough and felt dangerous to drive, as was later confirmed by my mechanic. I have not taken this into a Ford dealership, nor do I want to because they have refused to help others in the same situation. I am considering contacting my insurance to figure out if they will do an evaluation that is less biased than Ford. I definitely think this is a fire risk as it has happened for many other owners of the same model and year range.

NHTSA ODI 11741537

Component failed 1.6L Escoboost engine coolant intrusión into cylinders causing misfire and white exhaust smoke vehicle available for inspection upon request .safety risk:engine misfire and coolant loss cause sudden of power or ingine fire while driving. Recall 17S09 was issude for this exact defect .Ford SSM 46433 states this requires new engine assemby . Problem confirmed multiple repair shops confirmed cooland in cylindres. I have spent S5000 on repairs including used transmisión Trying to fix this defect. Manufacturer inspection called ford customer service 05/22/2026. Agent refused supervisor and stated we cannot help no case number probided Ford is refusing to honor federal safety recall 17S09.warning symptoms: check ingine light, ingine misfire , white exhaust smoke , coolant loss. First appeared approximately 6 months ago and has worsened. Requesting NHTSA compel Ford to provide engine replacement per SSM 46433.

NHTSA ODI 11739624

Apparent coolant leak identified in my 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L (Ecoboost). The car loses approx. 500mL of coolant each time I drive it, and I need to refill the coolant tank before every time I need to use it. I traced the coolant leak back to the blockheater, which has a failed seal. There is currently a recall for leaking block heaters on the 2.0L Escape motors, but this problem appears to extend to the 1.6L Ecoboost engine as well.

NHTSA ODI 11739336

My car caught on fire while I was driving it pulled over got out of car and car imploded in flames

NHTSA ODI 11739008

The engine was replaced at 50,000 miles for a known coolant intrusion issue. The problem reappeared at 72000 miles. This widely known issue should have been a recall and won't be because of the financial impact to Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11737509

its leaking coolant internally and this engine is a known issue and still is not covered by ford

NHTSA ODI 11735592

Engine light repeatedly comes on. Coolant leaks out of engine, onto ground outside and onto the floor inside of the car. Warning lights for engine come on repeatedly. This is a constant battle with this 2014 Ford Escape. It is the Ford company that should have resolved this issue. I can’t provide approximate dates this happened because it is constant. The problem has been reproduced by our trusted repair shop and the thousands of others who have experienced this issue. If you complete an online search, you’ll find the same information as what has been happening for a long time with our car. This is not only frustrating and costly, but hazardous for the environment and us who drive this car. Please tell me how to get a resolution for this. Most importantly, for my child who drives this I worry about health implications from the coolant fumes and leaks, contact with skin, etc.

NHTSA ODI 11733882

#3 cylinder failed and leaked coolant into block and the block has cracked. Costs $8k to replace. It’s a known flaw with this ford engine.

NHTSA ODI 11733419

Complaint is related to NHTSA campaign number 17v-209, engine and engine coolant. The 2014 Ford Escape we purchased, leaked coolant into the cylinder. The cylinder head was sent to a machine shop, upon examination the cylinder head was cracked requiring an new cylinder head be installed. The work was performed and paid for without reimbursement from Ford as the 2014 Ford Escape was not listed in the recall. The recall covered 2014 Ford Escape manufactured in the Louisville, Kentucky. Our Escape is a 2014 Ford Escape, that was manufactured in Louisville, Kentucky. The cost of the repair was approx $5261.

NHTSA ODI 11730012

Loss of coolant and engine misfires are occurring. Receiving the the following engine codes P0300, P0302, & P0303

NHTSA ODI 11729229

1. Total transmission failure. Kept up with maintenance, but I changed the transmission fluid and suddenly it just died. Transmission just gave out and it's been a fancy lawn ornament for the last 6 months. 2. God forbid I was anywhere that wasn't inside my neighborhood. If I was anywhere else the car suddenly decelerating and not being able to accelerate would be a death sentence. 3. It's an 6F35. You can go get it reproduced at any Ford Escape really. 4. Got it inspected. Needs a brand new trans, not just a single part. Quotes going at lowest $6k. 5. No warnings, messages, etc. Car would jerk a little bit when initially accelerating, but this went away with oil changes.

NHTSA ODI 11723048

2014 Ford Escape 1.6L engine with ECO boost. Alarm on dash for High Engine temperature, Stop Safely. Pulled vehicle to side of road and fire was under hood. Attempted to extinguish with standard fire extinguisher; called 911 and fire department had to extinguisher. Vehicle was towed to local shop.

NHTSA ODI 11722373

I was driving down a 25mph road and my car completely stopped. I shut my car off and it had trouble starting. When it would start it would go a couple hundred feet and stop. Took it to the shop and the transmission line was broken. The entire transmission needed replace because of one thing going bad. 4.5k repair bill

NHTSA ODI 11722129

Coolant leaking into cylinder 4. Code P0304. I’ve been having this problem for months. I’ve gotten numerous repairs on the car and nothing is fixing the problem. It is currently at a Ford dealership again in Durham North Carolina. They are saying it’s an engine block problem. The car is constantly emptying coolant.

NHTSA ODI 11720792

car has 56K miles. went to dealer for the recall on the bushing and cap. left dealer and next couple days the car slid twice in my driveway a few feet even with parking brake on. went back to dealer and they said cant duplicate problem. Drove home and car continues to have shifting issues and going out of gear.. have to shift to park or neutral and then reengage and to try to get it to work. in the mornings after sitting its now having issues going in gear and then after awhile will work. called dealer and Ford corporate and they said there is nothing they can do or help with. the car is a safety hazard slipping out of gear while driving in traffic or on a hill and then you are stranded in fear of getting totaled out from behind until it decides to go into gear! this is terribly dangerous and it only has 56, 600 miles on it!! Also the engine is NOT throwing a code. so dealer and another repair shop has charged 1600 for service and its still doing it!!!! Me researching seems to prove ford had transmission issues with this year of escape titanium and the edge etc.... why is there not a full recall on the transmission that they have to fix with such little mileage!

NHTSA ODI 11720202

The vehicle has suffered four (4) catastrophic engine failures due to "coolant intrusion" into the engine cylinders, a known defect in this model year. Despite the vehicle’s VIN showing that Ford Recall 17S09 (NHTSA 17V209) was previously "repaired" by a previous owner, the engine continues to overheat, crack the cylinder head, and fail. The cooling system and engine block are currently available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: During multiple failures, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power and stalled in active traffic without sufficient warning. This creates an immediate risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. Additionally, the overheating creates a documented fire risk under the hood, as coolant or oil can leak onto hot engine components. CONFIRMATION: The failure has been reproduced and confirmed by both a major national used car retailer’s service department and an independent certified mechanical service center. The independent shop confirmed that the engine block has failed due to coolant entering the combustion chamber. SYMPTOMS: Prior to the most recent failure, the "Coolant Over Temperature" warning lamp appeared briefly before the engine lost power. These symptoms first appeared within 30 days of vehicle purchase and have recurred through four separate replacement engines, proving the manufacturer's recall "remedy" is ineffective at preventing catastrophic engine failure.

NHTSA ODI 11719788

At less than a thousand miles after purchasing the vehicle the Coolant has begun intruding into the cylinder wall and causing a sweet smelling exhaust from the rear

NHTSA ODI 11718968

[XXX] *PERSISTENT LOW COOLANT - REQUIRING CONSTANT TOPPING OFF THE COOLANT FLUID * ENGINE OVERHEATING * ODOR OF COOLANT LEAK n the affected vehicles, a lack of coolant circulation could cause an engine to overheat, resulting in a crack in the cylinder head. A cracked cylinder head can result in a pressurized oil leak. Oil that comes into contact with a hot engine surface increases the risk of a fire in the engine compartment. Ford Dealership and Ford Customer Service Representatives have stated my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium with the 1.6 L engine was not covered under FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN #17S09. With the claim only certain engine series were covered. Requested the eligible engine series covered and the engine series of my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium. Dealership advised they did not have that information and that I needed to contact Ford's Corporate Office. The overheating of the engine required my daughter to pull over to the side of the road. Ultimately the vehicle was towed to our home. The vehicle was towed to a Ford Dealership for servicing advised the coolant was leaking on the ground. Dealership service included a valve assembly part (cooling system component designed to regulate the flow of engine coolant to the heater core), coolant outlet flange, anti-freeze, coolant outlet gasket, coolant temperature sensor, HVAC heater hose. The cost was around $1,230.00. Service was completed 11/14/2025. Even after the non-recall service was provided PERSISTENT LOW COOLANT continued requiring constant topping off of the coolant. While Ford has indicated that the engine series determined which 2014 Ford Escapes where affected by the recall it is my understanding that ALL of the 2014 Ford Escapes TItanium had the very same ENGINE CONFIGURATION for ALL the 1.6L engines. Thank God there have been no fires or accidents. Similar issues noted in FORD RECALL CAMPAIGN 17S09 creates a driving safety concern for my family. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11717830

Coolant intrusion due to head gasket/ cracked cylinder head

NHTSA ODI 11716556

The coolant reservoir needs to be refilled on a regular basis even though there is no discernible leak. When it does get low but is not empty, the warning ️ light comes on and if this is not attended to in a matter of days it can lead to the red warning ️ light coming on and the car losing power. The warning states a coolant issue and to pull over as soon as possible. Once the reservoir is refilled to max level the engine can be restarted and the car is again drivable. This has happened multiple times while on highways or interstates and can come on quickly. This has happened for years even after repairs have been made to supposedly address the problem I have had to make previous repairs to the engine where I was told that the spark plugs were stuck in place due to a leak from a line that by design is placed next to the engine block and it leaks the coolant into the plug sockets and it causes the plugs to become stuck in place. The last repair involved having to use a specialized tool to remove the plugs because they were not able to be removed normally.

NHTSA ODI 11715183

I’ve always had electrical problems and now when I try to drive it, it smells like it’s going to catch on fire. And I’ve had to fix something within the fuel system 3 times.

NHTSA ODI 11712849