What 2,616 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Escape Phev

After 95000 miles engine service light came on, dealer service team says it is being caused by coolant intrusion into cylinder 1, The repair is to replace the engine block at a cost of approx. $10,000. The is a lot of information available the indicates the issue is related to a well documented design flaw in the open-deck block design used in the 2017 engine making it prone to stress fractures, erosion or cracking under the high pressure of turbocharging.

NHTSA ODI 11748694

On 7/6/26 the car started to rough idle and engine light was coming on/off/on - so we took into the local shop and check for misfiring - mechanic opened up spark plug and scoped and immediately noticed coolant inside the cylinder #1/4. Proceed to call me and note this particular engine they have seen dozens of these issues and the engine block needs to be replaced. TSB was pulled up noting that the engines were defective from a certain period of time and Ford was replacing them. Took to dealer on 7/7/26 and they proceeded to tell me the same issue but this was out of any warranty that Ford would offer. I understand this TSB was issued in 2022 or maybe earlier as I am just gathering information at this time. I do not recall seeing a recall issued for this issue. Is this a known issue to the NHTSA ? Why has a recall not been issued or is their a process to have this issued ? Are there any class action lawsuits for this engine ? The obvious safety concern is an useable engine, extreme cost to replace and Ford knowing that this engine had some issues early on. The car only has 74,000 miles and I am told Ford will not warranty this. Please provide clarity on known issues and what has or has not been done about it.

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8/17/25 - Check engine light. Codes for Cylinder Misfire 1,2 and 3. Very very low coolant. 8/19/25 - The mechanic where we bought the car said that they checked plugs, did a compression test, everything came back fine and looks fine. Cleared the codes, drove it around, left it running, no light back on as of yet. Said the low coolant may have triggered the codes. - Coolant Filled back up Jan 31 2026 Car over heated and went into limp mode. No coolant when I looked before the tow truck came.. Had it towed to where we bought the car from. The mechanic said they couldn't find anything wrong and did the oil change and added coolant. Place we got car from: “Doesn’t know why it keeps losing coolant. They checked everything” To keep filling it up. March 23rd. Misfire codes again and evap leak code and coolant ½ empty -Filled back up. Place we bought car from “Changed plugs - Compression test done again.” March 23rd Compression test from where be bought the car: They said it’s fine compression May 2026: Coolant low, See photo: Filled it up to max line. I brought it to a friend to have him look at the cylinders. These were the spark plugs and cylinder pictures Plug on right was Cylender 4. My friend says it doesn't look like the place we bought the car from even changed the spark plugs. Cylinder photos are of Cylinder 4 Low coolant, Filled it back up. July 5 2026 : Check engine light. Code below - Bringing to ford 7/7

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Well known issue with this 2017 Ford Escape with faulty coolant system leaking into engine cylinders causing internal engine failure. This was the formal diagnosis by a qualified repair shop on or about May 26, 2026.

NHTSA ODI 11748378

Misfire cylinders, did extensive work to the car. Replaced spark plugs, fuel pump, thermostat, etc. coolant in cylinder walls. Evidence internal engine failure. Cracked block

NHTSA ODI 11748284

On June 4, 2026 I got into my 2017 Escape to head out for the day. Upon startup my car began to buck/idle roughly. Then my check engine light came on. I brought it in to be checked and was told that I had a cylinder 3 misfire. All coils and spark plugs were replaced at that time. The rough idling returned 2 days later and when checked the mechanic informed me that it may be a coolant intrusion. He kept it over night and sure enough he found a coolant Intrusion in cylinder 3. Per Ford, replacement of engine is necessary. Of course I was shocked to read that this has been a major known issue that Ford is aware of and not correcting. I read online that “while not officially recalled, many 1.5L and 2.OL EcoBoost engines in this model year are known for a design flaw that allows coolant to leak into the cylinders. This often results in rough idling, white exhaust smoke, or total engine failure. If you experience these symptoms, contact your local dealership or an independent mechanic, as it may be covered under a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB).” The TSB # I was given is 22-2229. The Ford dealership is now wanting me to pay over $11,000 for a new engine on a 9 year old car. I only have 50,000 miles on it and take amazing care of my Escape. It looks brand new still. I think it is absolutely absurd that Ford has not recalled all 2017 Escapes to fix this manufacture defect! They are leaving consumers to pay completely out of pocket and it has made me never want to buy a Ford product again!

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My 2017 Ford Escape just alarmed me with a PO302 code and it happens to be coolant intrusion. It’s draining coolant levels.

NHTSA ODI 11748031

COMPONENT: Engine / Cooling System DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM: My 2017 Ford Escape (1.5L GTDI EcoBoost engine, 83,891 miles) has been diagnosed by a Ford-authorized dealer (Apple Ford White Bear Lake, RO# 157692) with coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The dealer reports white/blue exhaust smoke on cold starts that dissipates after 10-20 seconds, and has recommended full short block replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $10,000. This is the exact condition addressed by Ford's own Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 (Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine, Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion), issued June 9, 2022. That program acknowledges the 1.5L EcoBoost engine in this vehicle range may exhibit coolant intrusion into cylinder bores, low coolant levels, white exhaust smoke, and rough running, potentially leading to engine damage. When I contacted Ford's Customer Relationship Center, I was told my vehicle is outside the program's 7-year time window and was denied assistance, despite being under the program's 84,000-mile threshold. Coolant intrusion of this kind creates a risk of sudden engine roughness, misfire, and potential stalling, which is a safety concern, not just a mechanical inconvenience, particularly if it occurs at highway speed. I am filing this complaint because this is a known, documented defect that Ford has acknowledged in writing but is declining to remedy on my vehicle due to a time-based technicality, despite mileage well within the program's own stated safe range. VEHICLE: 2017 Ford Escape ENGINE: 1.5L GTDI (EcoBoost) MILEAGE AT FAILURE: 83,891 DEALER: Apple Ford White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake, MN RELATED FORD DOCUMENTATION: Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 / TSB 22-2134

NHTSA ODI 11748059

Engine overheated, dashboard told driver stop immediately, find somewhere safe to pull over. I filled it with coolant and took it to my local Chevy dealer. They told me the long block was porous, coolant was getting into the cylinder and my engine needed to be replaced. There is no external coolant leak, it is all going into the block. I have the 2.0L Ecoboost engine.

NHTSA ODI 11747607

The vehicle was misfiring, smoke emitting from the exhaust, overheating, and constantly running out of coolant. The service engine light first appeared roughly a year ago. A code scan revealed a cylinder misfire. I replaced the spark plug and timing coil and noticed the coolant was extremely low and refilled it. The service engine light recently reappeared and the misfires, smoke, vehicle shaking and revving started getting worse. I had the vehicle taken to the local ford dealership who confirmed that the engine suffers from a widely known defect of coolant intrusion into the cracked engine. They provided photos of the cracks in the cylinder and coolant leaking into it. Online I found an alarming amount of ford owners experiencing the same issue, some even reporting engine fires that burnt the entire car.

NHTSA ODI 11747839

Coolant intrusion for the second time. The entire engine was replaced due to coolant intrusion. Ford did the replacement. Now a handful of years later, the engine has coolant intrusion again. This block has a known issue with the design.

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Coolant leak into my engine, causing engine failure. Common issue with this vehicle and ford wont do anything to fix the problem they created

NHTSA ODI 11746597

The 2017 Ford escape left me and my young child broke down on the side of the road would not crank was running rough. Had the car towed to a mechanic there is coolant leaking into the motor. Replacement of motor is needed. Ford has changed the block on this vehicle because of this problem why is there no recall

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The engine block cracked and leaked coolant, causing sputtering and misfiring. It has been reported to the NHTSA that Ford is refusing to fix our car.

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The check engine light came on and the vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and it was stated by the dealership Service department to be a known issue for this particular engine. However, there was no recall and Ford offers no assistance for the engine replacement, which is what is needed. The engine replacement estimate from the dealership was over $8000.

NHTSA ODI 11745695

Water leaking into cylinder White smoke when start engine Uses coolant quickly Engine light on

NHTSA ODI 11745388

I own a 2017 Ford Escape with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. Beginning around December 2025 through January 2026, the vehicle began exhibiting symptoms consistent with coolant intrusion into the engine. Engine coolant continually disappears from the reservoir despite no visible external leak. However, at the time I did not know think it was a coolant intrusion. It wasn't until I took my car to the Ford dealer in June that I started researching things online. Prior to the June diagnosis, I also took the vehicle to Denny Menholt in January and February 2026 for inspection due to the same concerns. At that time, they were unable to determine the cause of the issue. As the condition has worsened, the engine runs rough and frequently vibrates, rumbles, and shakes while driving. The vehicle occasionally misfires and loses power. There have also been instances where the vehicle accelerates more aggressively than expected when pressing the gas pedal and instances of unexpected downshifting while driving. These issues make the vehicle difficult to operate predictably and create a significant safety concern. The Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminated during this time. No other warning lights were displayed before the vehicle's condition worsened. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership for diagnosis in June 2026. The dealership identified cylinder 1 and cylinder 4 misfire codes and performed a pressure test on the cooling system. The dealership determined that coolant is leaking into the cylinders and advised that Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2229 applies to this condition. The dealership informed me that the engine requires complete replacement due to the coolant intrusion issue. The estimated repair cost is approximately $11,000. Although the vehicle is outside the warranty time period, I purchased it new in December 2017 and it currently has fewer than 35,000 miles. I do not believe a vehicle with such low mileage should experience catastrophic engine failure re

NHTSA ODI 11745304

Complete engine failure Was driving when car suddenly it started to shake; gages displayed warning signs; parked vehicle at home; next day car started and drove to corner mechanic Had vehicle towed to two different mechanics; both showed engine failure & stated a problem with Ford Escape Ecoboost having sudden engine failures within my car's year (2017) There were no warnings of an issue until the day the car started to shake. Issues appeared one day, the next day the vehicle showed signs on the dash of an issue- immediately taken to a mechanic. A second mechanic observed the issue and a third mechanics made same claim of total engine failure

NHTSA ODI 11744801

I am reporting a confirmed safety defect in my 2017 Ford Escape involving engine coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores. This is a sudden, random manufacturing defect that occurs without warning. I have exercised full due diligence as an owner regarding upkeep and maintenance on my vehicle. I now have a formal, written diagnosis from a Ford Service Center confirming this internal failure (consistent with TSB 22-2229). This defect creates an extreme safety hazard because it leads to unpredictable engine stalling and sudden engine failure at any time. The verified diagnosis proves my vehicle is currently a high-risk hazard that could lose power without warning on high-speed roadways. Ford’s Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 is an insufficient response to a defect that causes vehicles to become disabled and vulnerable in traffic. I am requesting that NHTSA escalate this to a mandatory safety recall based on the documented, spontaneous nature of this failure despite my proven maintenance history. I purchased the recommended extended warranty and lifetime powertrain warranty recommended by Tri-County Ford where I purchased the vehicle. They are also refusing to fix the issue because it was not caused by an internal part failure. Now I am being forced to either pay $12,000 for a replacement engine or purchase a new vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11744807

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle failed to immediately restart on several occasions. Additionally, the vehicle stalled on several occasions with the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the evaporator canister and purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The contact was informed about NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V515000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 104,600.

NHTSA ODI 11744553

Total Engine failure due to coolant leaking into the engine. Car would sometimes not start requiring it to be jump started but I thought it was due to an old battery but after the car couldnt be started.agter replacement it was brought to the dealership who said it was the engine. We did have to keep adding coolent regularly which we thought was strange at the time but were unaware that this was an issue with some Ford leaking coolant. I worry that the car would have just stopped running while i was driving. Luckily it didnt but i still believe that this should be looked at

NHTSA ODI 11744246

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and lost motive power. The vehicle was coasted to the next town, approximately a mile and a half away. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who attempted to change the spark plugs and fuel injectors. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then diagnosed using a code reader, and a code for a cracked engine block was retrieved and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11744209

Engine replacement due to defective engine at a cost of $10784.68 plus Washington tax of $949.05 for a total of $11,733.73. I file a complaint with both Ford and NHTSA. This engine replacement was done on XXX. I have yet to get a refund for the defective engine from Ford. I need your help as this is very unfair to me as the defective engine was an Ford error. Here is my contact information: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX]/cell INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11743990

Engine failed at 71,700 miles due to cracked block causing coolant intrusion into cylinders. Motor would quit while driving. Ford dealer tested and confirmed known problem. Motor would misfire then stall.

NHTSA ODI 11743855

My Turbo/EcoBoost Escape’s check engine light kept coming on and off between October and December 2025. I took it to a Ford repair shop in December to diagnose (P0301 and P0306 engine codes), and they said coolant was leaking into an engine cylinder. They said maybe I hadn’t done a coolant flush years back, but they weren’t sure why it developed. Regardless they said I needed to replace the entire engine— $10,000+ on an 8 year old car. I went to an independent repair shop for a second opinion. They confirmed the problem but told me more that Ford didn’t: it was a known design flaw (a Technical Service Bulletin notice was written) in the engine that Ford didn’t do a recall for, and yes I still needed to spend $10k to replace the engine, or else the car could risk becoming abruptly undrivable within months or as soon as weeks. I was very upset and disappointed a Ford dealer/repair shop wasn’t honest about what was going on, and Ford hadn’t stepped up to address the known flaw in their engines. I was put into a spot of spending $10k on an 8 year old car that was in great shape otherwise and paid off, but could become a piece of junk at any moment. I felt forced into having to get a new car, all because of a design flaw that Ford didn’t admit or correct. But they were happy to start trying to get me to buy a new Ford. As if.

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