2018 Ford Escape

While driving at 60 mph on the highway, my vehicle suddenly overheated and lost power, forcing it into limp mode and reducing acceleration. The coolant was completely gone, even though it had been refilled and bled by a mechanic just a week earlier. Prior to this, I experienced engine misfires, which is a known early symptom of coolant intrusion in the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The check engine light and an overheating warning message appeared at the time of failure. This matches Ford’s known coolant intrusion defect, which was previously covered under CSP 19B37 and CSP 21N12, yet my vehicle is now experiencing the same failure outside the program’s coverage. This issue is extremely dangerous because it can cause the engine to suddenly fail at high speeds, creating a serious risk for drivers and passengers. This issue has not yet been confirmed by a dealer, as I am arranging transport to a service center. However, the coolant loss and overheating symptoms are consistent with reports from other Ford owners. Ford has acknowledged this problem in past service programs, but vehicles like mine continue to fail. This is a serious safety hazard, and Ford should be required to extend coverage or issue a recall before more drivers experience sudden engine failure.

I took my car in for a tune up and was advised the engine needed to be replaced and that Ford is having this issue with multiple vehicles with the same engine. Coolant leaking into the engine. I called NHTSA as Ford told me that they would have to add my car to their customer recall list. I was advised to go back to Ford that they have to do this. Upon having an electronic chat for an hour with ford I was again told to file a concern and request with NHTSA to get my vin added. According to Fords Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 ( which my car was serviced for on 1-27-2021) This was the first step to complete the issue of coolant leaking into the engine. Fast forward to 3-13-25 I was informed by a Ford dealership that the coolant was indeed leaking into the engine and needs a replacement. Under Fords customer satisfaction program 21N12 issued 6-9-22 my engine should be covered. However according to ford my vin was left off the list however my car was built under the 3 guidelines of 21N12 which were model year 2017-2019, Built in Louisville, build date was 1-10-18 according to Ladicia at ford Customer care and should have been included. On 1-27-2021 Nations Ford of Margate Florida performed the 19Be7 requirement to satisfy the 21n12 recall should the problem persist. No one seems to care nor chooses to use common sense that if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck its a duck. I am asking your agency to officially look into this concern. Ford is and was aware of this issue an put a band aid on what appears to be a fatal wound. I am sure that I am not the only person being affected by this issue as i have discovered at least 2 class action suits being worked on as i type. I only want Ford to stand behind their product and more importantly their word. From what Ive discovered not only is Ford negligent but they new that eventually coolant would leak in these engines and I am asking that you step in and make Ford honor this agreement with its cutomers. Thank you

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to provide a diagnostic cause for the failure because the MIL was no longer illuminated when the vehicle was taken in for inspection. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who then diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. Then contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 49,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

Check Engine light came on and car was taken to the shop where it was diagnosed to have diagnostic codes PO302 and PO316 - at which time the mechanic informed me that the spark plug had "ceased" and could not be removed - upon further research, found out that this is an issue with the 1.5L Ecoboost motor and that there was a program to replace but based on mileage/age, could not be replaced. The car is a 2018 Ford Escape SEL with 133k miles.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering with the engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The "Engine Coolant Overtemperature" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The contact continued driving the vehicle at 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a cracked #2 cylinder. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: 20-2100. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained at the independent mechanic and had not been driven since. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

I first started showing a check engine light for cylinder 2 misfire, and believed it was my spark plugs. Then, one singular day after the initial code, the car refused to start, took it to a local mechanic (as close as I could possibly tow it) and they replaced my fuel pump thinking that was the issue. They did not offer the service to repair a blown head gasket, but told me the white smoke coming from my exhaust indicated I might have a blown head gasket. Took it to another local mechanic who is a Marine motor transport mechanic (it was a friend so this was a free visit), changed my spark plugs hoping to repair the reoccurring cylinder 2 misfire, checked my exhaust and it is in fact a blown head gasket minimum due to the coolant coming completely out of my exhaust along with oil. This was all in the course of less than 150 miles and 7 days total including the three that my car was in the shop for the fuel pump. I have now taken it to the Ford service shop to get diagnosed, and through research, there has been a class-action lawsuit already launched for issues with this engine and the head gasket being blown time and time again under 100 thousand miles. My car has never overheated, but this issue can cause total engine failure, fires, and more. It's dangerous. It is a design flaw with the engine. The lawsuit is Miller et al. vs. Ford Motor Company. This is in regard to the 1.5 L Ecoboost (which is what I have). Alongside this, I'm a teacher, and I know multiple coworkers who have experienced the same exact issue. This is an extremely expensive and dangerous design flaw. If I had waited on it, the best case is the car dies, worse it catches fire and explodes on me.