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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.

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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.

24 crash reports3 fire reports20 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

42 reports
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129,657 miles · Nov 9, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

Coolant is going into the engine. Ford will not replace since it is a known issue and not a recall. I've had to replace cylinder 3 and spark plug since car started jolting down the road and wouldn't go past 30 mph. Constantly adding coolant. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety is a big issue since I have 2 kids…

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Coolant is going into the engine. Ford will not replace since it is a known issue and not a recall. I've had to replace cylinder 3 and spark plug since car started jolting down the road and wouldn't go past 30 mph. Constantly adding coolant. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety is a big issue since I have 2 kids that are with me in that vehicle. If the engine fails while I'm driving it puts everyone on the road at risk. Local Ford dealership confirmed with me this issue was coolant intrusion. This issue has been ongoing since June 2024 until present Nov 2024. Messages for engine failure have popped up. Overheating has came about. Misfiring popped up.

NHTSA ODI #11624383

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine – Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion Ford put these vehicles out knowing this was an issue.

NHTSA ODI #11611650

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

Warning light comes on the dash and Ford App that car is overheating and to service. Car will not move but stays running and the cooling fan comes on. This happened when car was started first thing in morning so it hadn't been running for at least 12 hours. Had the same issue back in Nov of 2023 took into Friendly Ford in Monroe…

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Warning light comes on the dash and Ford App that car is overheating and to service. Car will not move but stays running and the cooling fan comes on. This happened when car was started first thing in morning so it hadn't been running for at least 12 hours. Had the same issue back in Nov of 2023 took into Friendly Ford in Monroe, MI and they had it for a couple of weeks and couldn't duplicate the code, they were able to remove the code off and said if it happened again to bring it back in but basically they couldn't find anything wrong. It happened again on [XXX] and after having it towed again to the dealership which now my mileage is 60,242 its putting me over my powertrain warranty, however, when it was in the first time I was only at 50,853 miles. I am currently waiting for the dealership to look at my car and let me know what they find out. They also told me that there mechanic is 3 months behind and they have no loaner car to give me. They also told me that I couldn't take it to another dealership because they are independently owned and since they never fixed anything on it if I took it some place else it would be on my dime. Obviously there is something wrong with the car if I have gotten this warning 2 times within 8months.The first time (Nov 2023) I was lucky enough to coast into a gas station to get out of traffic and this time I only got to the end of my driveway, but unfortunately I had to have the car towed both times and this time was on my dime because of the miles on the car. My car is a 2019 Ford Escape with only 50,242 miles on it, doesn't seem like I should have this problem with it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11603640

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

Vehicle started to idle oddly on startup. Then a few days later it started to vibrate or cavitate. Check engine light came on. Scheduled for service. Service as of today 05/31/2024, coolant has leaked into engine, engine needs replaced according to service provider. Brought this issue up in 2022 to service after seeing the NHTSA…

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Vehicle started to idle oddly on startup. Then a few days later it started to vibrate or cavitate. Check engine light came on. Scheduled for service. Service as of today 05/31/2024, coolant has leaked into engine, engine needs replaced according to service provider. Brought this issue up in 2022 to service after seeing the NHTSA customer service bulletin. My mfr date was out of the listed date range so nothing was done or checked.

NHTSA ODI #11591828

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2024
Unknown Or Other

I owned this Ford Escape it only had 58,000 miles on it. I bought it at Delacy Ford all work during ownership was done there. My vehicle suffered a coolant leak into the motor which required replacement for $7000.00. The defect of the 1.5 motor is common and Ford refuses to acknowledge it. Luckily when it happens to me I was n…

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I owned this Ford Escape it only had 58,000 miles on it. I bought it at Delacy Ford all work during ownership was done there. My vehicle suffered a coolant leak into the motor which required replacement for $7000.00. The defect of the 1.5 motor is common and Ford refuses to acknowledge it. Luckily when it happens to me I was not on the freeway or I would have been stranded. Currently there is a court case against Ford because others had safety issues as a result. The case is Miller vs Ford case# 2:20CV01796DADCKD. I feel Ford need to take responsibility for this unsafe 1.5 motor that is defective

NHTSA ODI #11585006

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Liftgate fails to open and/or close completely. Rarely, Randomly it works. Safety issue should there be a child or animal back there. No manual lift opening options!

NHTSA ODI #11574236

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The COWL on my 2019 Ford Escape needs to be replaced all of a sudden, I researched and found an investigation by NHTSA was being done on 2019 Ford Explorers. I would like to complain about this issue and get back the results of the Explorer investigation I have the repair invoice but was unable to upload on this complaint

NHTSA ODI #11564364

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I purchased my car 2019 FORD ESCAPE in September 2023, last week it cut off. It will not crank. I changed the key forb batteries, then the engine stated "ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW". The car did start but after running about 40 mins, I noticed the heat was not working, only cold air coming out. All of a sudden, the ENGINE ran …

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I purchased my car 2019 FORD ESCAPE in September 2023, last week it cut off. It will not crank. I changed the key forb batteries, then the engine stated "ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW". The car did start but after running about 40 mins, I noticed the heat was not working, only cold air coming out. All of a sudden, the ENGINE ran HOT. I pulled over cut it off. Looked under hood, coolant reservoir was empty. Finally got coolant in the car. After driving another week, added more coolant. I am now on my 4th container of antifreeze in a little over 2 weeks. no visible leak on the ground under the hood. This morning , my car would not start again. And a smell was inside the car like exhaust fumes, a sweet smell, plastic burning smell. the smell was inside however when I got out of the car you ccould smell the smell away also like 10 feet. I checked my oil and the stick was covered with black thick oil; however when i checked the dipstick MY CAR WAS EMPTY OF OIL.

NHTSA ODI #11560154

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2022
Unknown Or Other

While driving at 70 mph on the expressway, the car began jerking forward and having trouble increasing/decreasing speed. It was like the car was skipping. I immediately exited the expressway because my 3 year old daughter was in the car. I drove it to the nearest Ford dealership that I could get the vehicle to safely. I bought t…

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While driving at 70 mph on the expressway, the car began jerking forward and having trouble increasing/decreasing speed. It was like the car was skipping. I immediately exited the expressway because my 3 year old daughter was in the car. I drove it to the nearest Ford dealership that I could get the vehicle to safely. I bought the vehicle two weeks ago at Brighton Ford (240 W Grand River Rd, Brighton, MI 48114) on Saturday, July 23, 2022. I have only had the car about two weeks. When I bought the car they sold it to me with a nail in the tire AND an open recall. (The tire has already been replaced) This is absolutely unacceptable. They were in such a rush to make a deal, that nothing was discussed with me that day outside of the transaction including mentioning that there is an open recall (Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable: 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!!). The recall affects MILLIONS of vehicles, so there's no way they weren't aware the vehicle they sold me fell into this category of unsafe. I suspect who ever turned it in, did so, specifically because of the recall. Then the dealership turned around and sold it without fixing it, putting my daughter and I in danger. I am now without a vehicle until they can get it fixed. This does not need to happen to anyone else, and we are grateful we did not get into a fatal accident.

NHTSA ODI #11478267

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I was driving my car and then all of a sudden it's starts to jerk and make this clanking sound and stops in the middle of traffic...a indicator check engine light pops in and the service transmission soon..thank God there was no accident due to quick thinking. I try to restart the car and take to the dealer where I bought it and…

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I was driving my car and then all of a sudden it's starts to jerk and make this clanking sound and stops in the middle of traffic...a indicator check engine light pops in and the service transmission soon..thank God there was no accident due to quick thinking. I try to restart the car and take to the dealer where I bought it and was told they could do nothing and they were backed for 3 months and they just cleared out the message. I start driving it again because I don't have a car and I have to get back and forth to work. Maybe 2 days later it's does the same thing and the car shut down and wouldn't change any gears. I had to get towed which cost money out of my pocket. The car would not move. I only had this car 2 months and I feel as if this was known before the car was sold. Know I have no car and being expected of paying a car note. I contacted Ford and they have nothing to say about it. This is unjust and creeping it's way into a civil lawsuit due to the many complaints. I just want my car fixed as it should because who pays for a car they can't drive.

NHTSA ODI #11475659

Official recalls

3

26V011000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems