2018 Ford Escape engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 3, 2026PACrashTowedElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   On September 4, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape SE (1.5L EcoBoost) and executing a left-hand turn across an intersection. Mid-turn, the vehicle suddenly lost all power, an "Engine Fault" warning message illuminated on the dashboard, and the engine completely stalled out. Because the vehicle died directly in the path of oncoming traffic, I was forced to steer the coasting vehicle out of harm's way to avoid an imminent side-impact collision.…

   NHTSA complaint #11768713 · source
2. Filed Oct 2, 2026AKEngine

   Engine has been diagnosed with coolant intrusion (very common ford ecoboost engine problem) where due to a manufacturing defect the engine has grooves in cylinder that allow coolant to enter combustion chamber. This causes coolant loss, engine mis fires, lots of white smoke upon starting and extremely rough idle. car has 120000 miles and the cost to repair is over 10,000 dollars. The vehicle and remainder of loan is a total loss because the common problem has made the trade…

   NHTSA complaint #11768462 · source
3. Filed Oct 2, 202694,000 miGATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the head gasket of the engine cracked and the vehicle stalled. There was coolant leaking into the engine previously, and the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was leaking coolant. There was white smoke coming from the tailpipe with a sweet odor during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, where a case was opened. The contact was informed…

   NHTSA complaint #11768457 · source
4. Filed Oct 1, 2026TNEngine

   Ford issued TSB 22-2229 (and earlier TSB 19-2208) specifically covering 2018 2.0L EcoBoost engines with coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The Root Cause: Ford redesigned the engine block around mid-2019 because the original design allowed coolant to pool in small grooves between the cylinder bores, eventually degrading the head gasket or cracking the cylinder wall. Error code * P0316 — misfire detected during startup. Ford dealer estimate $12,700 for the Repair. A new…

   NHTSA complaint #11768370 · source
5. Filed Sep 30, 2026FLEngine

   Cylinder cracked due to Coolant intrusion. A Customer Satisfaction Program was opened 21N12 however it closed last November. My vehicle is under the milage for the fix.

   NHTSA complaint #11768013 · source
6. Filed Sep 29, 2026INEngine

   Supplemental Information – NHTSA Complaint XXX– 2018 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost.Vehicle information: 2018 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L Turbocharged EcoBoost VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: 65,946 Since my previous communication, Ford instructed me to take the vehicle to a Ford dealership for evaluation and provide the dealership with my Ford case information. I delivered the Escape to Andy Mohr Ford in Plainfield, Indiana on XXX. On XXX, the dealership diagnosed the vehicle with…

   NHTSA complaint #11767895 · source
7. Filed Sep 29, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My vehicle has experienced a recurring cylinder 1 misfire (code P0301) over approximately two years. Ignition coils and spark plugs on cylinder 1 were replaced multiple times by different repair shops, but the misfire repeatedly returned, sometimes within months, sometimes within about a year. Wiring and injector testing was also performed and ruled out as the cause. A mechanic ultimately performed a leak-down/compression test and borescope inspection and found a compression…

   NHTSA complaint #11767894 · source
8. Filed Sep 29, 202664,054 miMITowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. While driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated, and the message to "Pull Over Immediately" was displayed. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the long block, turbo charger, transaxle oil cooler, an unknown pump, and flushed and refilled the transmission fluid due to coolant intrusion into the transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by…

   NHTSA complaint #11767849 · source
9. Filed Sep 29, 2026SCEngine

   Engine just started shaking and stopped working engine light came on then the hot light came on and no longer works. This car had been constantly serviced appropriately has 105,000 miles on it

   NHTSA complaint #11767640 · source
10. Filed Sep 28, 2026AZEngine

    Radiator fluid ìs leaking into cylinder, requiring engine replacement. Every other model and year of escape has recalls for this issue

    NHTSA complaint #11767520 · source
11. Filed Sep 26, 2026TXEngine

    2018 Ford Escape Mileage 74,920. Catastrophic unrepairable engine failure due to coolant leaking into engine on 09/21/26. Ford Motor Company knew of this design flaw as early as 2010 but continued manufacturing and selling the cars with this flaw. Engine light came on but only after the engine was already compromised. Car was towed to Clay Cooley Ford Dealer in Arlington Texas on 09/23/26 who confirmed this diagnosis. My safety and safety of others was at risk because the…

    NHTSA complaint #11767106 · source
12. Filed Sep 23, 2026PAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The engine began misfiring and causing the car to shake and causing an engine light on ignition, pulling an error code of P0304, pointing to an issue with the cylinders. Even after replacing all spark plugs and coils, the engine continued to misfire and cause the car to shake. When we brought it back to our independent mechanic, he diagnosed it as a coolant intrusion, which I've come to read is incredibly common on this type of engine from Ford. The engine has failed and…

    NHTSA complaint #11766386 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology