Ford Escape Complaints

29,499 consumer complaints on file.

#11758449August 21, 2026
ENGINE
Engine cylinder head. Coolant is leaking into the engine cylinder(s) (coolant intrusion). Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I was driving to DCA and while on [XXX] on the highway my engine totally overheated requiring I drift into an isolated parking area near east potomac park. I checked and the coolant had totally run dry. Upon ubering to get more coolant and waiting for the engine to cool down, I topped it off and took it to the mechanic. They informed me on a KNOWN Ford 2015 Escape SE Ecoboost issue where the Ecoboost allows coolant intrusion. This is similar to: Safety Recall 17S09 on the 2014 model but instead of oil leakage, it is coolant related. I received a single warning of engine overheating and within 5 seconds the temperature gauge shot up to max and multiple alerts began. I had under 30 seconds to cross multiple lanes and get to a parking spot before catastrophic failure. Since then, I have been able to continue driving by keeping coolant levels extremely high, but it is a significant cost to repair (full engine replacement required) due to the design of the Ecoboost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758510August 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle jerked significantly. The contact continued to drive the vehicle despite the failure, which intensified while coming to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758536August 21, 2026
ENGINE
Received P0304 code for 4th cylinder missfire. Appears to be affected by the know coolant intrusion issue with these models
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758593August 21, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758594August 21, 2026
ENGINE
The 'Engine fault, service now' warning came on. Car started sputtering and in reverse engine shuts off. Car shakes while driving and loss of power. Upon further inspection looks like a coolant intrusion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758622August 21, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to reverse the vehicle, the vehicle reversed into her in-law's vehicle after the rear-view camera glitched. Neither the independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available. The failure mileage was 165,119.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758629August 21, 2026
STEERING
"While driving down a steep mountain hill, my 2015 Ford Escape suffered a sudden and complete loss of electric power steering assist without any advance warning... We came within inches of a catastrophic collision and almost crashed directly into a utility pole." I'm absolutely terrified & Now going to cost a fortune. No injury, Just wife Panic attack.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758655August 21, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The ulpostery covering the sunroof fails to retract all the way causing a sag in the fabric blocking the view from the rearview mirror. Dealership states not covered under warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758424August 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
**On August 19, 2026, while driving my 2023 Ford Escape on Interstate 57 (I-57), with approximately 35,575 miles on the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpectedly. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not respond as expected and I could not stop it immediately. I became very frightened and started sounding the horn and turned on the hazard warning lights. I noticed that the lane immediately to my right was relatively clear, so I moved into that lane and applied the brakes again. The vehicle then responded to the brakes, allowing me to slow down and stop. I moved as far to the right as possible and stopped on the side of the road. I was extremely shaken and felt dizzy after the incident. I stopped to catch my breath and contacted my husband to tell him what had happened. During the incident, the Check Engine Light came on and the vehicle displayed the message “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power.” I took the vehicle to a Ford dealer for inspection. The dealer diagnosed a turbocharger problem and advised that the turbocharger needs to be replaced under warranty. The vehicle was left at the dealership for repair, and I was provided with a loaner vehicle. The vehicle and the affected components are available for inspection upon request. No collision occurred, but the unexpected acceleration and the vehicle’s initial failure to respond to braking created a serious safety risk and I nearly had an accident.**
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758152August 20, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758213August 20, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle began losing engine coolant. No external leaks visible. Took to Ford dealership for inspection and diagnostics. They found coolant intrusion in cylinders 1 and 2. They say that TSB 22-2322 applies to this issue. Vehicle has 86,896 miles and warranty started on February 16, 2019.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758221August 20, 2026
ENGINE
2020 ford fusion taken to Bessemer Ford dealership July 20 2026 with issues to vehicle sputtering. The vehicle was returned as no problem found On August 15, 2026vehicle ran hot and shut down 140 miles away from home. The vehicle was then towed to Huntsville Ford. I was sent a video by the dealership of the coolant being milky brown but have had no contact with them at this time. When I call or text I receive a message stating they will get back with me when they can.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758230August 20, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the rear-view camera image was upside down or blank. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758288August 20, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle was losing coolant, running rough and check engine light was on. We took it to a Ford dealer who told us: Stored Codes P1299 and P0302 for the cylinder 2 misfire due to the coolant intrusion in the cylinder. The fix is to replace the entire engine at a cost of $15,735.95!! This is a 2019 Ford Escape. We've owned it for six years. We had planned on keeping it another six years, at least. A car should not need an engine replacement within six years. We're retired, living on social security and a very small pension. We can't afford a $15,000 repair. On top of a diagnostic fee of $435 and close to $500 to rent a car (so far.) We contacted Ford and they said there was nothing they could do for us.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758357August 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear view camera is unavailable on center display screen. NHTSA Recall # 25v695
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757948August 19, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757994August 19, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On XXX at approximately 2:45pm MDT I was traveling on XXX in [XXX]. I had approximately a quarter tank of gas. I received a low fuel alert, stating 50 miles to empty. My plan was to stop at the next exit approximately 10 miles away. However, over approximately the next minute, the distance to empty rapidly decreased to 0, at which point the vehicle stopped moving while in the right lane of traffic. I could not re-start the car. It would not move out of park into gear. After several minutes sitting stalled in the lane of travel, I was able to get the vehicle started for a few seconds to move to the shoulder. The gas gauge still showed 1/4 tank but at the same time, there was an alert that said 0 miles to empty. In the Ford app, it showed a fuel level of 21% and 0 miles to empty. I had to contact a company who came and poured two gallons of gas into the vehicle for $180.00. At this point I was able to safely make it to the gas station to fill up. I noted that the vehicle took 10 gallons of gas. The tank is 14.3 gallons. That confirms that I did still have 2 gallons in the tank (which would be about 50 miles) plus the two gallons from the tow company. I was not out of gas. There was an error in the Ford app that said “The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module has disabled the gasoline engine function due to an additional concern being detected”. Images of the driver gauges and Ford app readings, along with the high voltage warning are attached. After filling up, the Ford app was still incorrect - it said it was 31% full with 117 miles to empty even though I had just filled it up - and the physical gauge on the dash showed full with 379 miles to empty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758005August 19, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera was blank while reversing. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758006August 19, 2026
ENGINE
First the transmission failed on the freeway and was almost squished between a semi and car. I pay thousands to get it fixed and now the engine light is on and the transmission fluid and the coolant are leaking into each other. I can't accelerate very well and they said it can't be fixed only a NEW engine. The mechanic at your dealership said it's a known problem and that there is no recall yet. I'm sorry for the working family this a cost that can not be endured! This is terrible. The car can not accelerate very well for passing vehicles or when entering onto the freeway. It is very much a safety issue and needs to be addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758082August 19, 2026
ENGINE
2018 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may include P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the long block engine assembly. THis is a known issue with a Techinal service bulletin issued on 6/9/2022. My car has only 87,000 miles on it and will need a new motor because coolant is leaking into the piston and causing a missfire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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