What 563 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Escape Gas

My 1.5L EcoBoost engine in my 2019 Ford Escape exhibits a low coolant levels, white exhaust smoke, and runs rough condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator light with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0302 and P0316. Ford admits to having this issue as described in a Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 but is not agreeing to service my vehicle as they state it does not have this issue despite exhibiting all of this symptoms listed in the Satisfaction Program.

NHTSA ODI 11738955

The engine needs to be replaced due to engine leaking coolant into the cylinder. This falls under Fords TSB 22-2229. This is a known issue and manufacturing defect. While driving the check engine light started flashing and the car started overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11738199

The vehicle experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders related to the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The issue has been diagnosed as an internal engine failure requiring engine replacement. Symptoms included coolant loss, engine misfires, rough operation, white exhaust smoke, check engine warnings, and intermittent no-start conditions. The vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle experienced rough engine operation, loss of power, shaking, intermittent starting issues, and engine fault warnings while being driven on public roads. The engine misfires and loss of performance created concern about the vehicle potentially stalling unexpectedly in traffic or during highway driving, which could have increased the risk of an accident. The coolant intrusion also created concerns about sudden engine failure while the vehicle was in operation. Yes. The problem was initially diagnosed by a trusted independent mechanic and later confirmed by a Ford dealership. Both identified coolant intrusion consistent with the known issues associated with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine and Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. Yes. The vehicle has been inspected by both an independent mechanic and a Ford dealership service department. Ford corporate customer service has also been contacted regarding the issue and an active case has been denied coverage. Yes. Prior to the confirmed failure, the vehicle experienced rough idle, shaking when placed into drive, engine misfires, coolant loss, and intermittent starting issues. The check engine light and “Engine Fault – Service Now” warning message also appeared. Symptoms first became noticeable shortly before diagnosis and progressively worsened over time.

NHTSA ODI 11737398

My vehicle I’ve had for 3 months and now it won’t start and it’s from a coolant leak flooding my engine. As they called it a coolant intrusion into my engine and will cost 12k to get this fixed as I need a whole new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11736156

P0217 engine coolant over temp condition, p0316 misfire detected on startup, p2601 coolant pump a control circuit performance stuck off. investigated coolant and found no coolant in reservoir. inspected for leaks and found no leaks. preformed block test on engine and engine failed block test this indicates a failed head gasket. This happened at random, with a full tank of coolant, while driving. There was a heat warning on the dash, I pulled over immediately, and took it into the mechanic the same week. There is a crack in the engine block that is leaking coolant into the cylinders.

NHTSA ODI 11735687

Coolant Intrusion into sccylinder one. Long block assembly required.

NHTSA ODI 11735392

Car overheats and stalls or shuts down due to engine issues. No prior warning codes.

NHTSA ODI 11734762

I am reporting a serious engine safety issue involving coolant intrusion into the engine, resulting in misfires, loss of power, and potential engine failure while driving. My vehicle began experiencing rough starts after sitting overnight, including shaking and hesitation. in a few dayna, the issue worsened and is now accompanied by the following: * Coolant loss requiring refill approximately every other day * Sweet smell of coolant coming from the exhaust * Occasional white smoke from the exhaust on startup * Gurgling sound behind the dashboard during startup * Loss of engine power and hesitation when accelerating * Engine warning message: “Engine Fault – Service Now” Diagnostic Trouble Codes Retrieved: * P0300 – Random/multiple cylinder misfire * P0302 – Cylinder 2 misfire * P0316 – Misfire detected on startup * P0339 – Crankshaft position sensor intermittent * P059F – Active grille shutter malfunction * P06E9 – Engine starter performance issue I brought the vehicle to a repair shop where I was informed that coolant is entering the engine and mixing with the oil. I was also told there is evidence of oil leakage from the turbocharger area. The shop indicated that the engine likely requires replacement due to internal failure, with an estimated repair cost between $10,000 and $15,000. No prior warning of coolant intrusion was given during a recent service visit approximately one week earlier. This issue creates a serious safety risk because the engine may fail unexpectedly while driving. The problem appears to worsen after the vehicle sits, increasing the risk of failure during normal daily use such as commuting or transporting my child.Based on my research, similar issues involving coolant intrusion have been reported in Ford vehicles equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. This appears to be a known defect that can lead to engine failure without adequate warning.I am requesting that this issue be investigated as a potential safety defect.

NHTSA ODI 11734956

Coolant intrusion issue causing excessive smoke and coolant leakage. Ford is aware of the issue and provided a service notice but no recall and an extension of coverage but. Y. Vehicle falls beyond that scope due to mileage. The repair solution is a brand new engine on a known engineering flaw costs more than. The worth of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11734030

Coolant intrusion into cylinder

NHTSA ODI 11733542

2019 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX] , ~51,000 miles, built March 2019. Sioux Falls Ford performed full TSB 19-2346 / 22-2229 diagnostic on April 23, 2026 and confirmed coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 with visible damage on borescope. Check engine light has occurred four times. Ford Customer Care (case ##CXH-XXX-XXX) denied goodwill. Known design flaw. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11733452

I purchased the vehicle on February 10, 2026, at which time it had approximately 31,000 miles. Within one week, the check engine light illuminated. I brought the vehicle to a repair shop, where diagnostic testing identified a fault related to spark plug #2. Further inspection revealed that the engine was losing coolant. According to the technician, coolant intrusion into the cylinder caused the spark plug to seize in the cylinder head, resulting in a misfire in cylinder #2. The spark plug was removed, and a pressure test of the cooling system was performed. Using a borescope, the technician observed coolant entering the cylinder and dripping down the cylinder wall. Based on these findings, the shop determined that the engine requires a short block replacement to correct the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11733096

on March 26, 2026 my engine light turned on and I’m getting in misfire on my car, and all of a sudden I can’t run more 40 mph or my car start shaking. I went to AutoZone to get it checked and the the result is, they are needing to replace the cylinder 3 coil pack or spark plugs. I went to Ford on March 31, 2026 trying to have my spark plug replaced and was told that my engine has coolant intrusion and that the long block needs to be replaced and the head gasket is blown they recommended me to have the engine replaced, and it will cost me more than 8 grand. That they was so unexpected for me because I’m not planning to get a new vehicle and my car is only more than six years old with 78,000 miles on it. I called Ford and asked them if I could get help with the situation and I was told that the certain VIN number of my car was not affected by the recalls that they have for the same model and the same year. If anyone is reading this don’t buy ford at all cost.

NHTSA ODI 11732774

My vehicle has stop working because the engine has a crack and coolant is leaking into cylinder block. My vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership and I was directed by my warranty plan. The dealership inspected vehicle and found the issue... Ford warranty does not want to pay for the repair or recall. I would like to open and investigation Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11732181

Cylinder 4 misfire code caused a check engine light. Brought to mechanic who replaced all spark plugs and the cylinder 4 coil pack. The code came back later that day. I started noticing a low coolant level and one instance of white smoke on startup. I brought the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine block. This is a well reported and well known issue for this and other similar vehicles and Ford has not addressed this with a recall. It is a design flaw associated with multiple model years. The cost to repair the issue is more than the cost of the vehicle itself. If the problem persists, it could result in a crack in the engine, which could become a major safety hazard depending on the circumstances. Ford should provide coverage for these repairs affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11731912

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH on a local roadway, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate. The engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic retrieved DTC: P1299, P0300, P0303; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, and DTC: P0303 was confirmed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11731183

Engine failure due to overheating and leaking antifreeze but not a viable leak Misfire cylinder 1 and 3 repeatedly White smoke

NHTSA ODI 11730704

Coolant leak via head gasket failure on cylinder number 3. Trouble light (check engine) reported on the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI 11728660

I own a 2019 Ford Escape with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle began experiencing engine misfires and a powertrain malfunction warning. Diagnostic code P0302 appeared for cylinder 2 misfire. The coolant reservoir level began dropping without any visible external leaks. A mechanic performed a pressure test and confirmed there were no external coolant leaks, indicating coolant intrusion into the engine cylinder. This is a known defect affecting 2017 - 2019 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost engines. The issue can cause engine misfires, reduced power, and potential engine failure while driving. This problem poses a safety concern because engine power can be reduced unexpectedly while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11727587

I have a 2019 Escape with only 33k miles. The check engine light came on for P0304cyl 4 misfire and on/off again rough idle. Ford service had technician pulled plug on cylinder four and used a borescope and found coolant leaking into engine. Ford has a known TSB for coolant intrusion on this particular model and vin and manufacturing date. Ford refuses to help me with cost to replace the long block of the engine at a cost of $14000. The blue book is 10k. This appears to be a very common issue and needs a recall immediately. This is completely wrong of Ford to do this to customer fully knowing there is a problem but won't pay to fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11727294

We just bought this vehicle 3 weeks ago, paid sales tax and first car payment. The check engine light came on for P0304cyl 4 misfire, notice white smoke blowing from exhaust and low coolant level. Had technician pull plug four and used a boriscope and found coolant leaking into engine. Ford has a known TSB for coolant intrusion on this particular model and vin and manufacturing date. Ford refuses to help me with cost to replace the long block of the engine at a cost of $7000, out of my pocket. I have not even put a thousand miles on this car. This is completely wrong of Ford to do this to customer fully knowing there is a problem but won't pay to fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11726813

Ford at Jim Ellis dealership in [XXX] [XXX] look at my car last Thursday and gave me only one code P0304 which means tune up but texted me that my car need $8000 of labor and $6k of a new engine, without an explanation. Prior too the vin they pulled up showed Cust satisfaction 21N12 said yes a recall when the rep saw it. However, even expired 2022 another paragraph states If exceed mileage 84000 and 7 yrs ..that THIS IS NO COST. Yet ford still stating not related to Cust sat...engine fire, exhaust low coolant smoke rides rough which is what my car did last Saturday 3/14/26. To text me 15k pay or not with a conversation as to why but invoiced only one code about a tune up yet told the Tow guy my coolant going into the engine but didn't advise me of that same information is highly unprofessional this is a risk and unsafe I have seen 3 other complaints 2025 2022 same issues and on kbb. The rep said that depends on manuf well it showed [XXX] same manuf as Cust satisfaction. This should be listed as a new recall many more complaints on kbb.....I will notify FTC as I am also a govt worker its unruly unsafe and for Ford to act unworthy with no integrity is an outrage. I called there corp and complained as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11726862

I initially replaced the entire Y coolant hose to the coolant system. Six months later I had to replace a secondary coolant hose separate from the initial one. Initially, it cost me about $600 and then $300 for the second incident. Now March 22 I have to replace a coolant bypass valve because it has been failing and my car is overheating again. The HVAC system is not working properly and the car is overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11726212

In June 2025 vehicle had no coolant in tank, refilled and monitored, July 2025 check engine light appeared and code for cylinder 3 misfire, Aug 2025 vehicle went to local certified automotive repair company who began running diagnostics, replaced spark plug and coil #3. After replacement was asked to drive, less than 10 miles check engine came back on with same code. Mechanic kept working on vehicle until December/January 2026 when it was determined and confirmed that there is a coolant leak, running a check engine with malfunction of cylinder 3 inevitably leading to full engine failure. Was quoted February 2026 by another local certified automotive repair company over $8,000 for the removal and install of a new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11726228

I am experience coolant intrusion into cylinder 3 causing the check engine light to come on, when.checked on obd2 system shows a misfire on cylinder 3, multiple checks by service centers all diagnose the coolant intrusion defect on the 2.0 ecoboost engine requiring a long block replacement

NHTSA ODI 11722668