2018 Ford Escape

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the power train malfunction warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact became aware of fluids leaking underneath the vehicle and accumulating on the rear glass. The contact drove the vehicle to a nearby parking space and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a fractured flex plate, a failed torque converter, a failed front pump, a failed crank shaft and engine failure. The contact was informed that the suggestive repairs would be to replace the flex plate, torque converter and the front pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,500.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the flex plate had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the engine was running roughly while driving at various speeds. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond and decelerated instead. The contact was able to continue driving off the highway at a slower speed. The following day while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The “WRENCH” warning light was illuminated, indicating the vehicle needed to be serviced. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure due to a coolant leak in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and provided a reference number from the dealer for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Check engine light first appeared early May 2025 days after the car started running very roughly, then bucking upon startup; local mechanic said may need engine but should go to dealer; dealer towed a couple of days later as engine light had begun to blink and said it couldn't be driven; a few days later dealer reported coolant leaking into combustion chamber and would need a new engine at $12,860. Apparently a known failure as reported in Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229, date 6/9/2022 for vehicles including my 2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0 L Ecoboost with only 44k miles, final assembly Louisville KY. Reported danger of engine failure while driving, possible fire.

HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER THE END OF APRIL 2025 FOR OIL LEAK THAT THEY DISCOVERED. IT WAS FIXED. THEN ON MAY 8 2025 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. CAR HAD WHITE SMOKE, SHAKING WHEN STARTING AND SMELLED LIKE OIL. THEY HAD IT 6 DAYS BEFORE RETURNING IT. THEY SAID THE WHITE SMOKE WAS NORMAL FOR AN OLDER CAR BECAUSE THE EXHAUST STSTEM IS OLDER. HUH??? SO THEN ON MAY 29 2025 THE CAR STILL HAD THE WHITE SMOKE WHEN STARTED. MOVED CAR DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET AND IT DIED. IT WOULD NOT MOVE AND WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. CALLED DEALER AGAIN AND ASKED THEM TO TOW IT AGAIN. DEALER SAID THE WALL WAS CRACKED AND THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE CYLINDERS AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $10,000.00. OH AND THAT WAS A DISCOUNTED PRICE. THE WARRANTY HAD RAN OUT 86 MILES BEFORE. I ASKED FORD MOTOR CO. IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO PROGRAMS TO PAY FOR IT. THEY SOLD A FAULTY VEHICLE AND SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, NOT ME. IT WAS A DANGER TO DRIVE AND WE AS OWNERS WERE NOT TOLD ABOUT IT.