2018 Ford Escape

The engine design used for my car and multiple other makes of Ford have a common problem of leaking coolant into the engine cylinder. After having it diagnosed at the Ford dealership, I was told that I would need a completely new engine because there is no fix and there is no recall for my specific vehicle, but funnily enough, for similar ones with the same issue. I was told that because it was made at X factory instead of Y factory, mine wasn’t included in the recall issued. If it’s an engine design flaw why does it matter what factory it was built in? Anyways, I’m glad I now know my engine is unusable because I had no engine light warning. I just started it one morning and noticed that it was blowing white smoke out of the exhaust and I had no coolant when I looked at the engine. I’m sure driving a vehicle without any knowledge it was out of coolant or had a crack in the cylinder is a massive safety issue not only to myself but to others on the road with me.

This is an update to complaint 11594178 regarding the coolant intrusion issue for cylinder 3 in 2018 1.5l Ecoboost. Customer Relations Case number: cxh02238478. Consumer to dealership who recommended speaking to customer relations regarding the engine replacement due to the coolant in the cylinders. Consumer spoke to customer relations at manufacturer who reported that consumers VIN does not have a customer satisfaction program. Consumer directed customer relations to the Ford Pass/recall/CSP webpage which lists CSP program. Customer relations reported that vehicle is out of the mileage and the date for that program, and consumer requested information on how to appeal, as vehicle is within the years span of the CSP, and consumer did not receive notice of this being a known issue until after the safety concern of vehicle losing power and overheating and shaking while driving. Manufacturing customer relations reported that NHTSA controls when CSPs are allowed or called for, even though manufacturers determine the length of time and if the program will be conducted. Manufacturers customer relations also reported the notice of the CSP would have been sent from NHTSA, not the manufacturer, after consumer reiterated that no such notice was received for the time frame allotted for this to be addressed. Manufacturers directed consumer to file a complaint with NHTSA and to ask NHTSA about manufacturers CSP and it's requirements. Customer relations reported that there is no allotted CSP or support for consumer regarding long block replacement, as the CSP is also specific to the short block, but due to the nature of the issue and the damage caused by the engine design, the dealership service center is recommending a motor replacement. Manufacturers customer team reported no other follow up can be completed to address the safety concern or assist in fixing the vehicle, but reported many other consumers were experiencing the same issue, and to call back if there are updates.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the check engine warning light returned on the drive back to the residence from the mechanic. After the check engine warning light appeared, the vehicle began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal while driving at 35 MPH. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle to the destination. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle back to the independent mechanic the next day, and the vehicle began to overheat as the "High Engine Temperature Stop Safely" message appeared on the instrument panel while driving at 25 MPH. After multiple attempts to restart the vehicle, the failure persisted. The next day, the contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a crack in the cylinder head. The crack resulted in an internal coolant leak which damaged the engine. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the dealer's possession and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

I got in my car on June 2, 2024, the car was misfiring really bad. I took it to a mechanic on June 3, 2024 to get oil changed and checked to see why it was misfiring and the check engine light. They told me that I had cylinder 2 misfire and misfire on start up. They stated that I need a new head gasket. I then took to the ford dealer and they stated the same codes were reported and I needed a brand new engine. The dealership did inform me that there was a 1 time replacement on a part at a certain mileage or until June 2022. I never received this notice to get it replaced.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided because the vehicle was no longer under Warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and would not accelerate above 3 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle would occasionally remain idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the exhaust pipes began to blow an abnormal amount of smoke after being driven the following day. The vehicle was scanned with an OBD scanner where it was diagnosed that there was a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion present in cylinder #4. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was vibrating and driving rough. The contact pulled off the roadway and drove to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was a coolant intrusion in cylinder #2. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer who confirmed coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2139 - Coolant Intrusion Into the Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.