2017 Ford Escape

I have a 2017 ford escape with a 1.5L engine. My engine is having an issue with the 1.5L short block, due to coolant intrusion to the cylinder bores. This is causing my motor to misfire at cylinder 1 as well as I have to constantly add coolant to my car due to the internal coolant leak. After much research I came across something called “customer satisfaction program 21N12.” This program also references “Customer satisfaction program 19B37 – supplement #4” AND “Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2134” This program covers 2017-2019 Ford Fusion and Ford Escapes with the 1.5L engine that has the same internal coolant leak. My vehicle is experiencing exactly what this program (21N12) covers. I have called ford about this program, and they state that although this program does cover same type of vehicle and motor. However, my vin number is not associated with that recall/program. Ford customer relations informed me to contact you and make a complaint in order to add my vin number to that recall so that I can have my car’s engine replaced by ford, for a problem that is a known issue. Please add my vin number to this recall/program (21N12) so that I can have my car fixed. My vehicle was purchased new, and I am the only owner. My vehicle has approximately 74,400 miles on the odometer as I type this (8/22/24). I know for a fact that this engine has a internal coolant leak for the simple fact that I have to constantly add coolant to my vehicle every 1 - 2 weeks.

The engine light came on, we took it to a mechanic who replaced the spark plug and a coil. We were told it was safe to drive long distances. We drove the car about 8 hours with no issues. The car was parked for 2 days. We then turned it back on to drive home and white smoke blew out of the exhaust and the engine over heating light came on. We turned the car off and had it towed to a mechanic in the area who stated coolant had leaked and the entire engine would need to be repaired. The car has less than 60,000 miles on it, but is over 5 years old, so it is out of warranty. We have maintained it carefully. Original mechanic stated the gasket must have blown when the white smoke came out because we could not have driven 8 hours if there had been an issue when we originally brought the car in. Ford dealership quoted us $11,000 to repair/replace engine. Ford customer service stated no goodwill repairs were available. Looking into joining the class action lawsuit for the manufacturing defect in the engine that we are now painfully aware of. We are thankful that the gasket blew in a drive way and not on the highway as it easily could have.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with timing belt, water pump, and engine failure. The contact was informed that the timing belt, the engine, and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

There is a known issue with EcoBoost engines that allows coolant to leak into the cylinder heads causing engine misfires, ruined spark plugs, white smoke in the exhaust, catastrophic engine failure, and fire. This vehicle has recently had this issue but is not covered by the extremely limited recall Ford submitted (7 years OR 84,000 miles). This issue needs a full and comprehensive recall as Ford is completely aware of the problem.