2018 Ford Escape ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the check engine warning light returned on the drive back to the residence from the mechanic. After the check engine warning light appeared, the vehicle began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal while driving at 35 MPH. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle to the destination. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle back to the independent mechanic the next day, and the vehicle began to overheat as the "High Engine Temperature Stop Safely" message appeared on the instrument panel while driving at 25 MPH. After multiple attempts to restart the vehicle, the failure persisted. The next day, the contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a crack in the cylinder head. The crack resulted in an internal coolant leak which damaged the engine. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the dealer's possession and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and the coolant level was low. The mechanic added coolant and replaced all four spark plugs. The contact stated that several days after the repair, the failure recurred, and the check engine warning light and the engine overheating message was displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 62 MPH, the service engine light illuminated. While driving, the engine light started to flash, and the vehicle was running rough. The contact pulled off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to a tire center, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket had failed, and coolant had intruded into the engine. There was a misfire. The dealer recommended an engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who opened a case and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon start up, the vehicle started to shake, and the contact noticed a cloud of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that ignition coil and spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon start up, the vehicle started to shake, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then noticed that a cloud of white smoke came from the exhaust. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket leaked oil and coolant had leaked into the engine cylinder and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that upon research, he noticed that the vehicle was included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall or the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle and started accelerating, the vehicle was jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the oil level was low and that cylinder #4 was misfiring. The contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic confirmed a misfire in cylinder #4 due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 43,780.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions where the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact then stated that the vehicle began to overheat as the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who discovered that coolant intrusion in the engine cylinder had caused a fracture in the engine block. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine misfired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that coolant was intruding into the engine cylinder. The mechanic retrieved codes: P0304-00 and P0316-00. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shaking violently. There was no warning light illuminated. The following day upon start the vehicle, the "high engine temperature, stop safely" message was displayed. The contact stated that thick white smoke was coming from the tailpipe. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a Customer Satisfaction Program associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,783.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon his wife starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. After a visual inspection, the contact observed a failure with the second cylinder spark plug, which he replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and that he became aware that the coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined there was engine damage due to coolant intrusion, resulting in a cracked engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 73,600.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to overheat intermittently, prompting the driver to pull to the side of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the head gasket had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 23V380000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000. The contact stated after the independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure, the vehicle was towed to Ford who confirmed it was in fact engine failure. The cost for repairs was $10,000+ prohibitive without a recall, especially since there is a $17,000 balance on the financed car only ten months earlier.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where it was discovered that coolant had leaked into cylinder #2. The dealer informed the contact that either the engine block or the engine might need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light started to flash then remained illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on occasions, he checked under the hood and noticed that on multiple occasions that the coolant level was low and refilled the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into cylinder #3, causing a misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced however, the contact stated that the diagnostic test was incomplete, and the vehicle remained at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the warranty was out of the parameters. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her son was driving 65 MPH, the temperature gauge began to raise quickly. Additionally, the “High Engine Temperature - Stop Vehicle Immediately” message was displayed. The driver parked the vehicle on the side of the road for an hour before continuing to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the thermostat to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and overtaking another vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal sound before the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she parked on the side of the road and restarted the vehicle and drove slowly back to her residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the four spark plugs to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the four spark plugs, four coil boots, and the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 35 MPH or lower, the vehicle was hesitating and jerking. The RPM’s would erroneously be reduced. The failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #1. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,915.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an unknown speed, a temperature warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was first towed to an independent mechanic and later to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant had leaked into cylinder #2. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN regarding the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure and remained in the possession of the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started overheating and the coolant level warning light illuminated. The contact checked the coolant level and noticed that there was no coolant in the vehicle. The contact added coolant, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 122,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the coils needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The engine misfire warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown, and that antifreeze was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2. The contact was also informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The contact called the manufacturer who referred her to a dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was a message that cylinder #2 had misfired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant leaking into cylinder #2. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 42,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant leak and an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 61,000
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The 2018 Ford Escape has 48 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.