2018 Ford Escape

The vehicle experienced engine failure due to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, requiring complete engine replacement. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Prior to diagnosis, the vehicle exhibited engine misfires, rough operation, and noticeable “jumping” or jerking when starting the engine and when shifting into reverse. Warning indicator lights were also present. These symptoms indicated unstable engine operation and raised concern for potential sudden loss of power or engine failure while operating the vehicle, which could create a safety risk in traffic. The condition was first diagnosed by an independent repair facility and later confirmed by an authorized Ford dealership. The dealership confirmed coolant intrusion into the engine and determined that complete engine replacement was required. The manufacturer, through its authorized dealership, inspected the vehicle and confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle is currently not safely operable due to the confirmed engine failure. Based on my understanding, Ford has previously acknowledged coolant intrusion concerns affecting certain 1.5L EcoBoost engines through Customer Satisfaction Programs. Although this specific vehicle was not included in that program, the dealership confirmed the same coolant intrusion failure.

My car engine overheated, the check engine light came on, and the "engine fault, service now" message popped up when I was driving to work. My local Ford dealership confirmed that there was coolant intrusion into the second cylinder bore of the engine of my vehicle. Thankfully, due to the gradual progression of the intrusion, the overheating didn't get to the point where it affected my safety or the safety of others. The problem is well-known in Escapes manufactured from 2015-19 in the Louisville, KY Ford plant, to the point that a customer satisfaction program 21N12 and technical service bulletin 22-2134 were issued. The vehicle was inspected by my local Ford dealership. For a few days before the incident, the (i) information symbol popped up and disappeared inconsistently both on my way to work and on the way home.

Coolant intrusion of the engine. Coolant appearing in the cylinders due to engine block flaw design. The vehicle was inspected at 4 different locations, including Auto Zone, Meineke and 2 Ford dealerships and all came to the same conclusion. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk since the engine could've stopped since there was already observations of engine misfiring upon startup. The safety of others were at risk as well since the vehicle could've stalled on the expressway causing a major accident. First, I took the vehicle to Auto Zone to run diagnostics that showed cylinder 2 and 3 were misfiring. Then took the vehicle to Meineke where they ran diagnostics that stated cylinder 2 and 3 were misfiring and then they switched the cylinders to see where the issue was occurring they also added coolant since the level was low. I then was advised to drive the vehicle and come back if the engine light turned on. The engine light appeared and observed shaking of the vehicle so I returned to Meineke. They then ran further testing and came to the conclusion that there was a coolant intrusion issue (loss of coolant) and startup misfiring and I was advised to take it to a dealership where certified people could do more testing. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership and they came to the same conclusion that the issue was coolant intrusion of the engine and that the whole engine would need replacing with symptoms of startup misfires and coolant loss. I then took it to another Ford dealership for another opinion and they also came to the same conclusion where they observed startup misifires, coolant loss, and white smoke. The warning signs were the check engine light and shaking of the vehicle. After observing that, I didn't drive it until the following morning to get it checked out.

My pregnant wife and 2 year old daughter we driving to daycare the morning of June 22nd 2026 and the car flashed an engine overheating message while they were on the highway. They were luckily able to pull off safely and get the car home. Then on June 23rd I went to take the car into the shop to get it looked at and the car completely broke down in traffic on my way to get the car serviced. The engine is completely seized up due to the coolant leak known issue with these engines.

I bought the vehicle used with 98,000 miles. After a few months of driving and reaching 103,000 miles is when the problem occurred. As active duty military I was in the field for 2 days. When I had gotten out of the field I started the car and was sitting there for about 2 minutes and seen the temperature gauge starting to rise. So I turned the heat on full blast and started to drive, then the temperature gauge went all the way to the hot position and went into limp mode. I turned the car off popped the hood and seen it drank all of the coolant. So I refilled the coolant and let it sit for about 24 hours. The next day i turned the key over to supply battery and seen it was still completely hot. I’ve done some research and believe I’m experiencing the beloved coolant intrusion.

My car experienced a sudden internal engine failure due to a known manufacturer design defect causing coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. A Ford dealer service center diagnosed the issue with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0303, confirming a Cylinder 3 misfire caused by coolant leaking into the block. The vehicle requires a total engine replacement at just ~66000 miles at a cost of over $9000. This internal coolant leak poses a severe safety hazard, including sudden engine stalling, loss of motive power while driving, and potential thermal runaway/engine fire risks. The vehicle is currently rendered unsafe to drive.

I bought a 2018 Ford Escape SEL 4WD in March of 2019 ( I think ) it already had about 1240 miles on it but was sold to me as new. At the time of purchase I also bought a 7 yr warranty because of my age. Only my wife and I drove the car. In March of 2026 the engine block failed due to a manufacturing error concerning coolant getting into the piston chambers. The SUV only had about 15,800 miles on it. The 1.5 liter eco boost engine block had to be redesigned to allow coolant to flow around the cylinders. All this info is on the internet. I never received a letter from Ford about this potential engine failure. The engine light came on and the book said take it to the dealership which I did. They diagnosed the problem as stated above. If I had not have purchased the xtra warranty I would have been on the hook for 6 or 7 thousand dollar engine replacement as it was out of the 3 yr warranty at the time of purchase. In my opinion only, my guess is that Ford gambled that the engine would last thru the initial warranty period and maybe fail some time after but this is just conjecture on my part. On top of this they lost the first block they ordered by mistake ? and had to order another which took extra weeks of waiting, then it came in and then they found problems with the phasers and camshaft and then there was a dispute I presume between the Dealership, Ford Motor Co. and the warranty people as to who would pay for what. So in the end of my statement we got our car back 12 days before 3 mo's in the shop and many calls to the service dept. and to say that I was upset would be an understatement as I was having to pay insurance for nearly 3 mo's on a car I could not drive.