What 1,734 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Escape Gas

Coolant intrusion a known flaw in the design of the 1.5 ecoboost yet no help from ford at all. When a failure is designed into a product and sold to customers this is not ok and should be made right by Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11742954

Coolant Intrusion due to a design flaw leading to coolant entering the combustion chamber causing spark plugs to prematurely fail and in extreme cases cause the engine to hydrolock and bend piston rods. Symptoms are a rough idle, MIL illumination and DTC for Misfires P0300-P0304, Coolant loss and overheating

NHTSA ODI 11742688

In 2025 I bought this vehicle used at a dealership with 84,000 miles on it. A year later, it’s at 118,000 miles and needs a new engine. Due to coolant leaking into my cylinders and into my engine and mixing with oil and water in my oil pan. The issue it is having is directly caused my ford and the way it has designed this engine. Coolant has leaked into my cylinders causing a check engine light coming on labeled cylinder 3 misfire. I called ford about this to see if they would help, but they told me because my car is over 84,000 miles, they cannot cover the cost of repairs. I am still paying on my car loan, and in addition now, I have to pay even more to buy an engine for 5,000 dollars. This is not okay. Other have this issue as well. It is well documented online. Ford should recall this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11742546

took to a shop to replace dead battery. shop did full inspection as this shop does for me. shop found oil dripping down cv boot and thought I needed new CV boot. I advised CV boot just replaced a few years ago. They thought it was leaking from my Turbo. I advised I should still have warranties from Ford. Took to my Ford dealership I leased from in Dec 2017, and purchased in Dec 2020 and regularly brought my vehicle to. They said you need a new engine, and your warranties expired 5 months ago. My Ford had 38K miles ONLY! Called warranty # for Ford, no help, dealership wouldn't help. 38K miles on a 2018 Ford Escape and it's now JUNK! 15K for a new engine on a car that's worth 8K. Great job FORD! Never again!

NHTSA ODI 11742575

Engine running rough on start; found coolant intrusion in cylinder 3; necessary to replace long block assembly

NHTSA ODI 11742424

Driving on highway, suddenly starts chugging and stalling, blowing white smoke and engine light comes on. On side of road won't restart. Ford dealer confirmed it was coolant intrusion from a known engine faulty design, dealer said Ford did not cover all VINS that this effected, (which mine was one) even though it met the other criteria. Has only been inspected and confirmed at Ford repair center. Engine lights on at same time engine began mis-firing during drive. No previous warnings or issues with the car.

NHTSA ODI 11742472

Car started losing coolant and engine overheating on highway. Ford knows about this issue with coolant leaking into engine block but fails to mention to current owners. We have to figure it out ourselves once the engine is destroyed and damage is done and the expensive fix is in. This is dangerous!

NHTSA ODI 11742486

Coolant breach in engine block, Cylinder 3. Causing misfire and engine fault. TSB 22-2322

NHTSA ODI 11742381

1.5 L eco boost engine FORD- COOLANT INTRUSION, cylinder 3 misfire, check engine light at 59,800 miles - known defect by Ford- needs new engine. Some models recalled but not this one (?? Why??). Cannot safely drive this vehicle. Problem diagnosed by dealer[ as well as by independent garage] and dealer acknowledged a recall should be done but they cannot help except to replace the engine at my expense. So many others having the same issue! Can you please help us get Ford to take responsibility for selling us vehicles with defective engines? Please?? Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

NHTSA ODI 11741776

2018 Ford Escape 105K miles. Check engine light came on, car ran rough, white smoke coming out of tail pipe. I took it to a third party mechanic, they ruled out coolant intrusion (or so they said) replaced a coil and spark plug and cleared check engine light. One week later after I had driven maybe 100 miles it had a very rough start in the morning and the check engine light came on again. I noticed white smoke coming out of the tail pipe. I had it towed back to the mechanic that first worked on it. They found coolant intrusion. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle can misfire, overheat, lose power, enter limp mode, or stall while driving, including at highway speeds or in traffic. A sudden loss of engine power could prevent me from accelerating, merging, clearing an intersection, or safely pulling off the roadway. Ford has acknowledged coolant intrusion on certain 2017–2019 Escape 1.5L engines through Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12, which provided short-block repair coverage for coolant intrusion, but my vehicle is now outside coverage and requires an engine replacement. Up to this point Ford has refused to provide any assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11741467

Coolant intrusion in the engine which needs replacement. Car was misfiring and white smoke coming out took the auto shop for service. Its about $9400 to fix the car which is now more than the car is worth. Dealership never warned me that this was a potential issue.

NHTSA ODI 11741611

I purchased this vehicle used in 2024, and since I bought it have had a variety of issues. I have already invested over 5k in repairs. I have replaced the head gasket and now the water pump twice. This vehicle will not stop overheating. Ford has a known issue with these engines and should correct these issues. They are making working families go broke and we still owed 8k on the car loan.

NHTSA ODI 11741654

Check engine light came on and took to shop and determined that coolant intrusion in cylinder #2 this was a recall on other 2018 Ford Escape but not this VIN number.

NHTSA ODI 11741007

Componet System that Failed: Engine and engine cooling Complaint Description:The vehicle experienced a sudden internal engine failure due to a manufacturer design defect causing coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. A professional mechanic diagnosed the issue with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0303, confirming a Cylinder 3 misfire caused by coolant leaking into the block. The vehicle requires a total engine replacement at just 48,406 miles. This internal coolant leak poses a severe safety hazard, including sudden engine stalling, loss of motive power while driving, and potential thermal runaway/engine fire risks. The vehicle is currently rendered unsafe to drive and is parked at my residence.

NHTSA ODI 11741011

I have not even had this car for a year spent 10,000 on it it had less than 100,000 miles sounded great no noises or engine lights first it was the canister purge valve issue even tho I got the oil changed and everything wen I first got this car I have a work car so I literally bearly drive this car then the transmission went out less than a year into owning it it needs rotors In the front n mind u I paid cash so I can’t even complain to them can’t believe there are no recalls on this model im literally starting a facebook group about this car just to see how many ppl had this problem so far every person that had problems with this model transmission went out or both had my 2010 Kia for 12 years this car is a 2018 this is ridiculous

NHTSA ODI 11740468

Engine coolant intrusion. Known issue with these cars apparently that Ford needs to step up and fix/replace their design flaw. The fact car dealerships sell these ticking time bombs to unknowing customers is ridiculous.

NHTSA ODI 11739831

Car exhibited white smoke, overheated and engine stopped. Left me stranded in middle of extremely busy road, 90° temps and I’m [XXX] with no one to help me. I had car towed to Autonation (Ford Dealership, Jacksonville, Fl, where car was purchased in 2022 and Dealership was aware of defect but failed to divulge at time of sale. Autonation has confirmed Coolant Intrusion EcoBoost engine defect, they deny any responsibility quoting a cost of $11,000 to have Ford correct their defect; I do not have this kind of money. No early warning INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11739183

Bought the vehicle used and two months later engine and transmission needed replacement after several transmission faults and check engine light stayed on due to coolant intrusion in the cylinders and the known transmission defects in this model.

NHTSA ODI 11739270

I was driving doing errands when suddenly a warning popped up that my engine needed to shut down for cooling. I pulled over and shut down. After about 30 minutes, I started up again and the engine ran very rough and after a short distance, warned again. I took the vehicle to the shop and was told there was an engine defect known to ford causing coolant intrusion into the cylinders. Because my vehicle was out of warranty, I had to pay the entire repair out of pocket ($7500), plus be without my vehicle for about 2 weeks. After, doing some research, I learned that had the incident happened 6 months sooner, the repair would have been covered in full by a CSR. I would like to know if there is anything that can be done to reimburse my expenses regarding this repair.

NHTSA ODI 11739345

3rd cylinder coolant intrusion and blown head gasket diagnosis. Car needs new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11738992

I own a 2018 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. My vehicle experienced a known coolant intrusion defect in which coolant leaks internally into the engine cylinders. This issue appears consistent with problems reported by many other owners of similar Ford vehicles and engine configurations. The vehicle experienced symptoms including coolant loss without an external leak, engine misfires, rough operation, and diagnostic trouble codes including P0316. The condition progressed to a determination that the engine requires replacement due to coolant entering the combustion chamber. This defect creates a significant safety concern because the engine can suddenly misfire, lose power, hesitate, run roughly, or potentially stall while driving. Sudden loss of power during traffic, highway travel, merging, or intersections creates a risk of collision. Ford has issued service bulletins and customer programs involving coolant intrusion and engine replacement on similar 1.5L EcoBoost vehicles, yet my VIN was reportedly excluded despite suffering the same failure pattern. This appears to be a design-related defect rather than ordinary wear and tear, which ford subsequently completely altered as they recognize the design failure. An internal engine defect causing coolant intrusion and catastrophic engine failure presents a potential safety issue affecting numerous consumers.

NHTSA ODI 11738143

The vehicle has coolant intrusion, and engine has been reported knock. Before the incident, I called the Bloomfield office to book an appointment, I was put on call waiting but no response, I booked the appointment online, no confirmation. I then booked another appointment and went to Springfield, Vauxhall Ford plant when I received the Recall paper. The agent that responded to me told me that the parts are not available and I have to wait for the part. I told them that the engine light is coming up and that maybe it is due to recall issue. They told me that I will pay $275 for diagnosis, and if any part or repair is needed, it will be additional charge. I told them to provide me with the temporary solution suggested by Ford on the paper. The agent told me that if they provide that, I will not get the intended part when it is available . I went to a local shop where they help me to change one of the misfired plug, change the oil, and add to the coolant because the level was low, and asked me to come back few days later to do the proper checking/smoke test. I packed the car, and on the appointment date, I tried to start the car, the car did not work again. I call my local mechanic to check for me, find out that the coolant has went down again! He said that the car has coolant intrusion and has affected the engine. I need to replace the engine now!

NHTSA ODI 11737867

My engine has coolant intrusion causing the 3rd cylinder to misfire. Ford will not speak to me on the issue other than to say it is not covered under warranty, even though this is a known and reported issue. I see there was a recall on the 2013-2019 Escape (2.0L Engines) - #26S01

NHTSA ODI 11737915

Vehicle was having engine problems, idling rough, loss of acceleration and unable to drive at speeds over 20 mph.. Took it to local Ford dealer July 1, 2025, they diagnosed coolant intrusion into the engine block. They said it was a common known problem with the Ford Ecoboost engines. They offered $500 to buy it off of me, saying they would not fix it. - Diagnosed repair requires engine replacement. - Vehicle loses power leading to potential engine seize on roadway at highway speeds creating a risk of collision from another vehicle. - Engine issue was confirmed by an independent auto repair shop. - Check engine light came on, used code checker. Would not reset, so had it towed to Ford dealer for inspection. They then diagnosed it as coolant intrusion into the engine block.

NHTSA ODI 11737602

Hello, My vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) is not operational due to coolant intrusion/corrosion. I was informed this issue is not covered by the Customer Satisfaction Program, but this failure matches a known problem affecting this model/year and should be reconsidered. Two months ago I took the car to Bob Allen Ford in Overland Park for a check-engine light. They replaced a coolant-related part, but the coolant intrusion was not discovered. Approximately 2,000 miles after that service the vehicle became undrivable. At the time of that visit I requested a bumper-to-bumper inspection and was told no. I am highly upset that a likely systemic issue was not identified or addressed, and that coverage has been denied despite the circumstances. Please have a supervisor or specialist call me to explain why coverage was refused, review the service and inspection history, and discuss options for goodwill, escalation, or repair assistance. I expect a clear explanation, next steps, and a timeline. Contact phone: [XXX] [XXX] Email: [XXX] Thank you, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11737700