2018 Ford Escape

I first started showing a check engine light for cylinder 2 misfire, and believed it was my spark plugs. Then, one singular day after the initial code, the car refused to start, took it to a local mechanic (as close as I could possibly tow it) and they replaced my fuel pump thinking that was the issue. They did not offer the service to repair a blown head gasket, but told me the white smoke coming from my exhaust indicated I might have a blown head gasket. Took it to another local mechanic who is a Marine motor transport mechanic (it was a friend so this was a free visit), changed my spark plugs hoping to repair the reoccurring cylinder 2 misfire, checked my exhaust and it is in fact a blown head gasket minimum due to the coolant coming completely out of my exhaust along with oil. This was all in the course of less than 150 miles and 7 days total including the three that my car was in the shop for the fuel pump. I have now taken it to the Ford service shop to get diagnosed, and through research, there has been a class-action lawsuit already launched for issues with this engine and the head gasket being blown time and time again under 100 thousand miles. My car has never overheated, but this issue can cause total engine failure, fires, and more. It's dangerous. It is a design flaw with the engine. The lawsuit is Miller et al. vs. Ford Motor Company. This is in regard to the 1.5 L Ecoboost (which is what I have). Alongside this, I'm a teacher, and I know multiple coworkers who have experienced the same exact issue. This is an extremely expensive and dangerous design flaw. If I had waited on it, the best case is the car dies, worse it catches fire and explodes on me.

The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while in a parking lot, the vehicle failed to shift into gear without warning. A tow truck driver was able to temporarily repair the vehicle and instructed the contact to drive the vehicle straight to the residence. The contact's grandson was able to reconnect an unknown part on the transmission which temporarily fixed the transmission. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off with the "Transmission Fault Service Now" message displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated that recently the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was stalling more frequently. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local Auto Parts Store and was diagnosed and DTC: P0456 (Evap. System); P0451 (Evap. System Switch) and P1450 Bleed out Fuel Vacuum) were retrieved. The contact stated that a friend recently had a recall of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V735000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) for the Canister Purge Valve (CPV) completed and related the failure to the recall. The contact had spoken to the manufacturer and a dealer and was advised that the vehicle was included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

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 contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle was still jerking and failed to accelerate as needed. The "Transmission failure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion, the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission and flywheel had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,184.

While driving the vehicle car completely shuts off in the middle of traffic, dash lights turn off then power went out.Now HORN no longer works. Turned the car back on and pulled to the side of the road. I tried to accelerate and white smoke came out of the back of the vehicle and a rattle noise from the front passenger side. Warning lights never turned on ! I was able to drive the vehicle to a nearest ford dealer after stopping multiple times in the process. Took the car to Ford , they claimed there was no issues except the ones they found not relating to the problem I first stated . They advised me for security I would have to get these problems fixed and that could be the cause. I picked the vehicle up 2/17/2025, $1951.72 later. Car cuts off again in the middle of Traffic , Smoke , lights flash then everything went off. I have a full report of the battery and everything else however the car is a big SAFETY ISSUE IF IT KEEPS STOPPING IN TRAFFIC .