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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

What owners actually said

585 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

Vehicle is my wife’s car. Vehicle lost acceleration during rapid acceleration attempts (freeway on-ramps, etc.). Threw engine light with P0087 code (Low fuel rail pressure). Brought to local dealer to diagnose and was told the diverter valve failed, which caused the water pump to leak and then caused transmission to overheat. Th…

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Vehicle is my wife’s car. Vehicle lost acceleration during rapid acceleration attempts (freeway on-ramps, etc.). Threw engine light with P0087 code (Low fuel rail pressure). Brought to local dealer to diagnose and was told the diverter valve failed, which caused the water pump to leak and then caused transmission to overheat. The total quote for repairs was over $8,900. None of this made sense. Did a static pressure test for over 45 minutes on coolant system and never lost pressure. That told me the water pump wasn’t leaking. Decided to replace high pressure fuel pump and upon replacing found that the spring on the pump had wore down and punched a hole in the tappet that goes to the camshaft. Replaced high pressure pump, tappet, and fuel manifold from the pump. Pump ($245), fuel manifold ($20), tappet ($10). When purchasing the tappet from the local ford dealer parts store, the employee stated that “they have people come in all the time for these tappets”. After replacing the components, the car runs fine with no issues. I returned to dealer with components and they failed to acknowledge the mid diagnoses of the vehicle and asked that I bring it back in to verify the problem was fixed before refunding the diagnostic fee ($195). Initially I agreed, but after careful consideration I decided not to due to concerns from the initial diagnoses. See attached pictures. Pictures are of new components and old components.

NHTSA ODI #11633930

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2025
Steering

Dashboard message "power steering assist failure - service required" appeared when vehicle was started. It worked fine the day before. We drove it to a local car repair place which advised they did not know what caused the problem and recommended we take it to Ford dealer. We drove it about 30 miles to the Ford dealer, with diff…

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Dashboard message "power steering assist failure - service required" appeared when vehicle was started. It worked fine the day before. We drove it to a local car repair place which advised they did not know what caused the problem and recommended we take it to Ford dealer. We drove it about 30 miles to the Ford dealer, with difficulty since there was no power steering. The dealer says it needs new steering gear (rack and pinion). The cost is about $3000.

NHTSA ODI #11633739

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2024
Tires

TIRE SIZE: 235/50 R18 I was driving on the highway at approx 65 miles per hour in the far left lane when I heard a loud POP and then my car started driving weird. No warning lights came on in my vehicle prior to. I pulled over as soon as I safely could and when I stopped and got out. I realized it was my passenger rear tire th…

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TIRE SIZE: 235/50 R18 I was driving on the highway at approx 65 miles per hour in the far left lane when I heard a loud POP and then my car started driving weird. No warning lights came on in my vehicle prior to. I pulled over as soon as I safely could and when I stopped and got out. I realized it was my passenger rear tire that exploded. I called AAA and they put on my spare. The next day I was able to get my vehicle to an NTB. The associate there told me that my front passenger wheel also had side wall damage and that’s likely what caused my passenger tire to pop. He commented that my tread was really good on all my tires so it wasn’t the cause. Because it was two tires that needed changing I was recommended to change all four tires for safety reasons.

NHTSA ODI #11632916

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

I haven't had an issue YET but my mother has the same exact vehicle and Ford's well known issue with the coolant leaking and destroying the engine has happened to her. She is now out $8500 for an issue that they KNOW about and should be recalling and fixing. I am submitting a complaint because I am sure I am next.

NHTSA ODI #11632779

124,000 miles · Dec 20, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken a dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failur…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken a dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (GTDI Engine – Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The failure mileage was 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #11631791

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2024
Power Train

I was driving on my way home then all of a sudden my car wasn’t moving when I was pressing on the gas pedal. At first I thought maybe the energy brake was on but after checking that wasn’t the problem. My car just wasn’t moving when I hit the gas. I was stranded in traffic for a bit until I decided to turn off the engine and tur…

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I was driving on my way home then all of a sudden my car wasn’t moving when I was pressing on the gas pedal. At first I thought maybe the energy brake was on but after checking that wasn’t the problem. My car just wasn’t moving when I hit the gas. I was stranded in traffic for a bit until I decided to turn off the engine and turn it back on. I was able to park it somewhere but the problem hasn’t been resolved and it doesn’t make sense for my car which I bought new in 2019 to be having transmission problems.

NHTSA ODI #11631435

84,758 miles · Dec 13, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power, with the message “Engine Overheating” displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagn…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power, with the message “Engine Overheating” displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a cracked engine block that caused coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,758.

NHTSA ODI #11630631

100,000 miles · Dec 13, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently shuddered and stalled, and the vehicle failed to return to normal operation. The contact waited several minutes for the vehicle to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently shuddered and stalled, and the vehicle failed to return to normal operation. The contact waited several minutes for the vehicle to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11630542

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2024
Engine

Coolant leak in the engine

NHTSA ODI #11630225

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2024
Exterior Lighting

I have a 2019 Ford escape. I’ve replaced the lightbulbs on both sides several times. The housing has burned out several times not just the bulbs. Twice they have burned out at the same time. The 2019 and the 2017 have the same light fixtures. The 2017 headlights were recalled. I contend that my car should be covered under the re…

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I have a 2019 Ford escape. I’ve replaced the lightbulbs on both sides several times. The housing has burned out several times not just the bulbs. Twice they have burned out at the same time. The 2019 and the 2017 have the same light fixtures. The 2017 headlights were recalled. I contend that my car should be covered under the recall. I’ve called two local Ford dealers both are familiar with my problem and have told me there’s recall “yet”.

NHTSA ODI #11630141

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