Our check engine light came on in our 2019 Ford Escape, which has 80,000 miles. It overheated with no warning. We took it to the dealership who informed us the coolant leaked and caused a crack in the engine between the 2nd and 3rd cylinders and said the engine needs to be completely replaced.
2019 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
227 reports with mileage · 358 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 307 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
307 reportsAt 44,000 miles Engine began to idle badly on startup and misfire. Engine light came on during drive home after work. Stopped vehicle and had it towed to the nearest Ford Dealer. Dealer Service Technician checked codes and reported P0304 cylinder 4 miss fire. Dealer Technician replaced and replaced all four sparks plugs and …
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At 44,000 miles Engine began to idle badly on startup and misfire. Engine light came on during drive home after work. Stopped vehicle and had it towed to the nearest Ford Dealer. Dealer Service Technician checked codes and reported P0304 cylinder 4 miss fire. Dealer Technician replaced and replaced all four sparks plugs and used 446676 cleaner to clean throttle body, intake, fuel injectors and valve. Few days later engine light returned, took vehicle back to Ford Dealer. Ford Technician checked and road tested vehicle and stated 446676 cleaner may not have finished cleaning systems and that was the cause of the engine light. A few days later engine began to idle badly on startup and misfire again. Then saw white smoke came from the exhaust on startup. Two weeks earlier just had vehicle service maintenance completed by the Ford Dealer. Invoice #233228 and #782806.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that in November of 2020 the engine was replaced under an unknown recall. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that after attempting and restarting the vehicle several times, the vehicle was taken …
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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that in November of 2020 the engine was replaced under an unknown recall. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that after attempting and restarting the vehicle several times, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was under a recall. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that approximately 8 months later the failure recurred while driving approximately 35 mph. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the dealer. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure recurred while driving 55 mph. The vehicle was returned a third time to the dealer however, a repair was not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. Consumer stated case number [XXX] was opened by Ford corporate. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Engine began to idle badly on startup and misfire. White smoke came from exhaust on startup. Coolant levels started to decrease. Engine is burning coolant that has leaked into the cylinders due to a defect in the casting of the engine block. Dealership is now saying car needs an entire new engine block. Obviously the previous re…
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Engine began to idle badly on startup and misfire. White smoke came from exhaust on startup. Coolant levels started to decrease. Engine is burning coolant that has leaked into the cylinders due to a defect in the casting of the engine block. Dealership is now saying car needs an entire new engine block. Obviously the previous recall that was addressed did not solve the issue.
PURCHASED VEHICLE IN OCTOBER OF 2019, IN FEBRUARY 2020 HAD ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THE CODE P0496 WHICH IS A PURGE VALVE ERROR AND TOOK TO SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT FORD HAD TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TWICE, SO ON MARCH 17, 2020, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE AGAIN AND IT WAS REPLACED. ALMOST 1 YEAR LATER, ON FEBRUARY…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE IN OCTOBER OF 2019, IN FEBRUARY 2020 HAD ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THE CODE P0496 WHICH IS A PURGE VALVE ERROR AND TOOK TO SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT FORD HAD TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TWICE, SO ON MARCH 17, 2020, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE AGAIN AND IT WAS REPLACED. ALMOST 1 YEAR LATER, ON FEBRUARY 27,2021 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO SERVICE ON MARCH 2 AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN. NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE , BUT THERE SHOULD BE. THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A NEW VEHICLE NOR SHOULD IT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN! IT IS NOW ON ITS 3 RD PURGE VALVE!!!
BOUGHT USED ESCAPE IN APRIL. DIDN'T DRIVE MUCH SINCE I LIVE IN TOWN. TOOK A HOUR DRIVE FROM HOME.ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND CAR WAS JERKING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD FOR TWO WEEKS. SAID WAS SOLENOID IN TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED IT. PICKED UP, TOOK HOME. DROVE 3 DAYS LATER, STARTED DOING SAME THING. DROVE NEXT DAY AND CAR Q…
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BOUGHT USED ESCAPE IN APRIL. DIDN'T DRIVE MUCH SINCE I LIVE IN TOWN. TOOK A HOUR DRIVE FROM HOME.ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND CAR WAS JERKING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD FOR TWO WEEKS. SAID WAS SOLENOID IN TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED IT. PICKED UP, TOOK HOME. DROVE 3 DAYS LATER, STARTED DOING SAME THING. DROVE NEXT DAY AND CAR QUITE RUNNING 1 BLOCK FROM HOUSE. TRIED TO START BUT STARTED MISSING AND QUIT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD FOR 2 WEEKS. SAID CAM SHAFT AND CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WERE BAD AND REPLACED THEM. THEY TEST DROVE OVER 400 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. PICKED UP AND DROVE LESS THEN 5 MILE AND STARTED MISFIRING AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS ALTERNATOR.THEY REPLACED AND IT TOOK THREE WEEKS TO GET BACK. A COUPLE OF DAY LATER I DROVE 2 MILES TO GAS STATION, FILLED UP AND GOT ON INTERSTATE. BY FIRST EXIT(2-3 MILES) IT STARTED MISSING AGAIN. DROVE TO SECOND EXIT TO GET OFF INTERSTATE SINCE I DIDN'T TRUST. TOP SPEED ON INTERSTATE WAS 45 MPH. OIL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AS IF CAR WAS STALLING. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY HAVE HAD FOR GOING ON 4 WEEKS WITH NO WORD ON WHAT THEY FOUND. CAR HAD 27,939 MILES WHEN WE BOUGHT KNOW HAS 30,030 MILES. HAD SINCE APRIL OF 2020 AND WAS BEEN IN SHOP 11 WEEK.
I PURCHASED MY 2019 FORD ESCAPE BRAND NEW IN EARLY SPRING OF 2019. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY ESCAPE I DID NOTICE SOME SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION. I PLANNED ON GOING BACK TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD CHECK IT OUT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I BECAME ILL, AND THEREFORE IT SLIPPED MY MIND. I WAS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR THE NEXT SE…
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I PURCHASED MY 2019 FORD ESCAPE BRAND NEW IN EARLY SPRING OF 2019. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY ESCAPE I DID NOTICE SOME SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION. I PLANNED ON GOING BACK TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD CHECK IT OUT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I BECAME ILL, AND THEREFORE IT SLIPPED MY MIND. I WAS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT AS SOON AS I FELT WELL ENOUGH I COULD NOT WAIT TO DRIVE MY NEW CAR AGAIN. MY FIRST TRIP WAS ACTUALLY TO MY ONCOLOGIST OFFICE, BUT I WAS EXCITED JUST TO BE DRIVING. ON MY WAY THERE, HOWEVER, MY CAR JERKED ME TO THE LEFT CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. I WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE, SO I PARKED AND WENT ABOUT MY BUSINESS. WHEN I MY APPOINTMENT WAS OVER, AND I CAME BACK OUT I NOTICED I HAD A FLAT TIRE. IT REALLY SURPRISED ME, BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I DID HAVE THE WEIRD INCIDENT I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD CAUSE MY TIRE TO BLOW OUT. SO, I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED, AND LIFE WENT ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR THE FIRST TIME 11/19/19, MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER 1/20/21 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I ADMIT, I DO NOT DRIVE MY CAR MUCH THESE DAYS, BUT I DO MAKE AN EFFORT TO START IT ALMOST EVERYDAY, AND LET RUN FOR 20 MINUTES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE ESCAPE, I WAS EXPECTING TO HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE MEDICAL ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. I AM SURE EVERYONE IS DRIVING LESS BECAUSE OF THE CORONA VIRUS. I REALLY FEEL NERVOUS GOING OUT BECAUSE OF MY VEHICLE AND CORONA. I HAVE CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE MORE SINCE I BOUGHT THE 2019 ESCAPE, THAN MY OWN MOTHER. ONE LAST THING. I DID MENTION THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, IT DROVE FINE, BUT I RECORDED THE MILEAGE WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP, AND THE MILEAGE WAS THE SAME AS IT WAS WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF.
2019 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM STEERING WHEEL SHAKES/VIBRATES HEAVY & MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM CAR (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A BAD LOUD MUFFLER SOUND) AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH & 45MPH WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS LEVELED AT SPEED AND ALSO DOES THE SAME WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT THE SAME SPEEDS. ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1 & 2 GEARS INTERMITTE…
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2019 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM STEERING WHEEL SHAKES/VIBRATES HEAVY & MAKES A LOUD NOISE FROM CAR (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A BAD LOUD MUFFLER SOUND) AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH & 45MPH WHEN THE GAS PEDDLE IS LEVELED AT SPEED AND ALSO DOES THE SAME WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE AT THE SAME SPEEDS. ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 1 & 2 GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. VERY BUMPY RIDE IN THE BACK WHEN GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHEN ON LOCAL ROADS & HIGHWAY RAMPS. DEALER REPAIR HAS CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES. FIRST FEW TIMES THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DECEMBER 29, 2020 FINALLY GOT THE ISSUE TO REPLICATE AND PUT A TICKET DIRECTLY INTO FORD. I CHECKED BACK ON 1/7/2021 SINCE I BARE THE HEARD FROM THE DEALER SERVICE REP. AT THAT TIME SHE STILL DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO A RESOLUTION TO FIX THE FAULT. I CALLED TODAY 1/13/2021 AND THE DEALER REPAIR SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE MODEL BECAUSE THEY INFORMED FORD ON THE TICKET THEY TESTED ANOTHER 2019 ESCAPE WITH THE SAME ENGINE & TRANSMISSION AND IT HAD THE SAME FAULT. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 3/2019. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE PURCHASED BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPES IN 2002, 2005, 2009, 2017 & 2019. I KNOW HOW THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION OF A FORD ESCAPE SHOULD PREFORM. I STILL HAVE MY 2009 ESCAPE AND IT PREFORMS BETTER THEN THIS 2019...COMPARABLE ENGINES & TRIM PACKAGE. THE FAULTS THIS 2019 IS HAVING ARE NOT CHARACTERISTICS OF A CAR THEY ARE CLEARLY ISSUES WHERE PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. FORD NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE AND REPAIR IT CORRECTLY.
BOUGHT THIS CAR AS CERTIFIED PRE OWNED FROM A FORD DEALER WITH 28K MILES. APPROX. 4 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE STARTS RUNNING ROUGH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH AN ERROR CODE P0303 MISFIRE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED COOLANT IN CYLINDER 3 WITH THE FIX BEING A NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACEMENT. IT WAS STIL…
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BOUGHT THIS CAR AS CERTIFIED PRE OWNED FROM A FORD DEALER WITH 28K MILES. APPROX. 4 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE STARTS RUNNING ROUGH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH AN ERROR CODE P0303 MISFIRE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED COOLANT IN CYLINDER 3 WITH THE FIX BEING A NEW SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACEMENT. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT VERY FRUSTRATING THIS HAPPENED TO A CAR WITH LOW MILES. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD 1.5 LITER ENGINE.
WAS STARTING VEHICLE, IT SHUDDERED AND STOPPED WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, RESTARTED VEHICLE AND THEN PUT IN DRIVE, TRIED TO PRESS GAS PEDAL AND CAR WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 25 MPH BEFORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOWED TO DELAERSHIP WAS INFORMED IT HAD COOLANT LEAKING AND NEEDED ENGINE REPLACED 28,200 MILES
Official recalls
326V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jan 15, 2026
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.
22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Jun 10, 2022
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.
21V155000 · Tires
Mar 10, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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