2018 Ford Escape

On recent trip to Florida from Ohio, we experienced an incident where the check engine service light was flashing and the car was running very rough(determined later that it was misfiring). Incident lasted about 3-4 minutes. Were able to get to next exit; before we exited the highway the incident stopped, and the engine sounds back to normal. Pulled into a parking lot, shut off the engine, and restarted and stopped a number of time. The check engine light never came back on. Drove another 600+ miles to our destination in Siesta Key FL. Decided to contact local Ford dealer, Sarasota Ford, to have it checked out before having to drive 1100 miles back home. Learned that their diagnostics indicated that we had a coolant leak into the engine. Service advisor initially indicated that he thought their was a "recall repair" for this issue. But later advised that the "recall" had expired on Nov. 30, 2022, and was subject to a limit of 7 years of service or 84000 miles. Estimated repair cost was $8000, about the value of the 2018 Ford Escape with 100,900 miles. Contact Ford customer service to discuss why the "recall" had a time and mileage limit, and why I wasn't notified. CSR was really rather rude; advised that it was NOT a recall but a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). On subsequent discussion with both Sarasota Ford and Masheter Ford in Columbus OH, where we bought the vehicle, also learned that the one time repair offered by the TSB was only valid IF the vehicle actually experienced a coolant leak. I have a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and in researching what lead to the TSB being issued, learned that the actual design of the head gasket was changed. This to me indicates that a defect in the design was discovered, prompting a change. Based on that this TSB should have had NO restrictions on time or mileage for the one time repair, and quite frankly should have been offered to customers BEFORE a coolant leak actually occured, not afterwards

The engine on my car has become unusable because antifreeze leaked into my engine. It is available for inspection. Thankfully due to familial support my safety was not put at risk. The problem was confirmed by a mechanic. BJ's Auto Collision and Restoration, 816-279-2886. The check engine light came on when I first started the car for the day. This happened to my car while I was 5 hours away from the city where I live. I do not have the money to repair the car. So I had to rent a car. And will have to find a way to buy a new car.

My 2018 Ford Escape started to shake upon starting the engine. Within 2 days the check engine light turned on. I immediately phoned my mechanic and took the car in for diagnostics. The mechanic determined that coolant is present in the engine cylinders, he said likely due to head gasket failure. He said that the only was to resolve the issue is a total engine replacement which he quoted could cost as much as $17,000. The mechanic tells me that the car cannot be driven at all as it is because the engine can fail at any time. This renders the car a total loss. I have done internet searches and have discovered that many Ford owners are experiencing this same problem and that it has been known to Ford that there is this defect in certain models yet they have not offered a recall or compensation for repairs.

Fluids leaked into engine. Overheated and died on highway drive home no check engine lights were on prior. 2nd and 4th cylinder misfires. Spark plug welded and cross threaded and needed to replaced but when when it was attempted it broke off in engine due to being welded. Due to the original issues and all of those caused from them this vehicle is NOT SAFE; even if this was able to work again it is NOT SAFE! It was a family car and we do NOT trust for our families safety!! (Had car towed to repair the next day and has been inoperable since without either new engine or engine rebuild.)