On cold start, white smoke bellows from exhaust. Engine block has coolant intrusion. See [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
What owners actually said
585 reportsThe contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and attempting to start the vehicle, there were large clouds of white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a cracked engine …
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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, and attempting to start the vehicle, there were large clouds of white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a cracked engine block and coolant leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Engine Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed the vehicle was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repa…
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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that her Service Advisor notified her that the vehicle was included in a Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37; however, the contact never received the notification. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not serviced under Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 in the required timeframe. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Low coolant, there is an active ongoing problem with my year make and model. Ford dealership and ford customer satisfaction says my vehicle is not included in this issue when it in fact is.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact opened the hood and noticed that the coolant level was extremely low. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,00…
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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact opened the hood and noticed that the coolant level was extremely low. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the long block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle…
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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the long block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred at 92,000 miles. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000.
The contact called on behalf of her mother-in-law who owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the "Vehicle Hot, Reduce Speed" message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head …
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The contact called on behalf of her mother-in-law who owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the "Vehicle Hot, Reduce Speed" message was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2375. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that over time the roof rack sealant failed causing water to enter the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined there was a leak due to the sealant failing to function caused by a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer was made aware of the failur…
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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that over time the roof rack sealant failed causing water to enter the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined there was a leak due to the sealant failing to function caused by a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to reach out to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle idled rough when started; however, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would drive smoothly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a coil pack failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure r…
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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle idled rough when started; however, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would drive smoothly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a coil pack failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
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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