NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
342 reportsClear category filter82,000 miles · Aug 8, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechan…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined there was coolant intrusion into various cylinders, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #11679334
84,000 miles · Aug 5, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact called on behalf of the owner of the 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was diagnosed that a warp cylinder block had failed, and the dealer became aware of coolant intrusion into the c…
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The contact called on behalf of the owner of the 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was diagnosed that a warp cylinder block had failed, and the dealer became aware of coolant intrusion into the cylinder, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #11678567
70,000 miles · Jul 30, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle experienced a rough idle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylin…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle experienced a rough idle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a vehicle safety complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11677213
90,000 miles · Jul 25, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls or programs in the system on the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that upon starti…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact received Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls or programs in the system on the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer was provided Customer Satisfaction Program number. The dealer denied assistance and provided the contact an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11676132
92,420 miles · Jul 24, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure and coolant intrusion. In addition, the contact was informed that the engine had overheated internally. The co…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure and coolant intrusion. In addition, the contact was informed that the engine had overheated internally. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or any special programs. The failure mileage was 92,420.
NHTSA ODI #11675827
89,000 miles · Jul 23, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders resulted in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the …
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders resulted in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #11675702
67,582 miles · Jul 16, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal chugging sound coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with head g…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal chugging sound coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with head gasket failure. The vehicle was taken to another local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder #3 leak and misfire in cylinder #1, #2, and #3. The contact was advised by the local independent mechanic that the failure was related to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,582.
NHTSA ODI #11674042
87,000 miles · Jul 16, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto body repair shop, where it was diagnosed with the cylinder #1 misfire. The contact replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure recurred, and the check engine warning light was flashing.…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto body repair shop, where it was diagnosed with the cylinder #1 misfire. The contact replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure recurred, and the check engine warning light was flashing. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant level was significantly low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #1. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #11673980
53,000 miles · Jul 16, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was white and bluish smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder and that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not r…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was white and bluish smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder and that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.
NHTSA ODI #11673943
102,000 miles · Jul 15, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact started that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was vibrating and shaking abnormally before the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact started that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was vibrating and shaking abnormally before the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure the check engine warning light had illuminated; however, the contact was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #11673668
Official recalls
4Jan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Jun 10, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Feb 12, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
Dec 18, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗