Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
870–25K
7825–50K
12350–75K
18675–100K
184100–150K
10150K+
668 reports with mileage · 1,123 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 1,145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 342 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 269 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports5 fire reports23 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,791 reports
92,561 miles · Nov 5, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notif…
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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 a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,561.
NHTSA ODI #11623675
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2024
Engine
My car has about 104,000 miles. Suddenly the check engine light came on and a warnning that reads "High Temprature Engine Stop Carfuly" and "Engine Fault Service Now" came on. Certified mechanic checked and confirmed coolant intrusion into cyliners needing engine replaced. Ford was contacted and said the "Customer Satisfaction" …
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My car has about 104,000 miles. Suddenly the check engine light came on and a warnning that reads "High Temprature Engine Stop Carfuly" and "Engine Fault Service Now" came on. Certified mechanic checked and confirmed coolant intrusion into cyliners needing engine replaced. Ford was contacted and said the "Customer Satisfaction" addressing this issue expired. It was for 7 years or 84,000 miles, which my car exceeds. And refused to do anything and said to complain through NTHSA. This is clearly the manufacturer issue and is repeatedly showing on NTHSA by owners of 2017-2019 Escape. This should turn into a nationwide recall. New engine costs $12500 which is more than the car price.
NHTSA ODI #11623510
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2024
Engine
Engine coolant intrusion
NHTSA ODI #11623484
49,000 miles · Nov 4, 2024
Suspension
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the front passenger’s side wheel detached. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #11623459
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2024
Engine
Coolant leaking into block.
NHTSA ODI #11623352
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2024
Engine
My check engine light came on, took it to a parts store for an analysis and got code P0303. The vehicle was also running different. When I would first turn it on, it felt like it wasn’t at full power and felt like the engine was shaking slightly. We changed the spark plugs, engine light didn’t go away. Had same code so changed c…
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My check engine light came on, took it to a parts store for an analysis and got code P0303. The vehicle was also running different. When I would first turn it on, it felt like it wasn’t at full power and felt like the engine was shaking slightly. We changed the spark plugs, engine light didn’t go away. Had same code so changed cylinder #3 coil as that was the one misfiring. The engine light blinked and remained on. The car when I would put it in drive had almost no power for the first several seconds I would press the gas in drive then would all of a sudden jump to driving. $140 later in parts I had a bunch of white smoke coming out of the back, about every light and alarm sound started going off as it had a message that was telling me engine overheated (we checked the antifreeze when changing plugs and coils and was still between max and minimum) and told me to safely stop. I was on a busy street and my car stalled while waiting for a tow. While looking at the antifreeze, it was completely gone even though we just checked it. My car that still has a $13,000+ loan is not drivable. It is in a mechanics garage now and is estimated to cost OVER $2000 to fix. I’m very frustrated because after a started researching this issue, I’ve found hundreds of complaints about this SAME issue with others and yet NO recall has been sent to me by ford motor company. When I lookup recalls for my vehicle using my vin number, it stated that there are zero open recalls. I have been without my car for about 6 weeks and not sure what to do about this.
NHTSA ODI #11623162
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2024
Wheels
Lug nuts are swollen and need to be replaced. It seems like this is an issue with Fords.
NHTSA ODI #11622826
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2024
Engine
- The vacuum pump is the part that failed and locked up, it broke parts internally in the engine and that is what caused the crank bolt to spin loose and the car to jump time. - this happened when the car was going dowin a steep mountain and we were forced to pullover immediately, however the breaks were not working normally. - …
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- The vacuum pump is the part that failed and locked up, it broke parts internally in the engine and that is what caused the crank bolt to spin loose and the car to jump time. - this happened when the car was going dowin a steep mountain and we were forced to pullover immediately, however the breaks were not working normally. - yes the problem has been confirmed - the component was inspected by the dealership - there were no warning signs, and the delear mechanic said there was nothing we could do to prevent the issue
NHTSA ODI #11622798
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2024
Power Train
2018 Ford Escape engine coolant leaking into engine oil. 88,000 miles. Car well taken care of. White smoke coming from exhaust. Ford knows of this defect. I am a poor student and owe 8k on this vehicle. This defect should be a required recall.
NHTSA ODI #11622623
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2024
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I have had to replace multiple headlight bulbs every few months. The bulbs and fuses are working fine. Sometimes one side will work and the other side will turn off without warning. I have been stranded on the side of the road multiple times. It is unsafe to drive this way. Finally today both lights just stop working without…
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I have had to replace multiple headlight bulbs every few months. The bulbs and fuses are working fine. Sometimes one side will work and the other side will turn off without warning. I have been stranded on the side of the road multiple times. It is unsafe to drive this way. Finally today both lights just stop working without any warning. This is why I came to this page to see if I was the only one having this issue and it looks like I'm not. I have made an appointing to take it in to the dealer hopefully they can find the problem.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗