2019 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 588 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 24 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 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.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)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.
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.
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.
Campaign 22V413000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V155000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
94 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "Hot" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, there was sufficient coolant in the coolant reservoir and the engine was not overheating. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a significant amount of white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine base had failed, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the temperature gauge moved to Hot, and the message "Engine Overheating, Pull Over Safely" was displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon pulling to the side of the road and parking the vehicle, the temperature decreased completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant intrusion into an unknown cylinder had caused the engine to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 53,000.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2024
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 the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine block had failed, causing coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and checked under the hood and became aware that the coolant reservoir was low on coolant. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir and drove to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinders #2 and #3 due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, which caused engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,899.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the head gasket had failed due to coolant leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the engine hot warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The following day, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact stated that the engine overheated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was due to a defect in manufacturing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool off before continuing to drive home at slow speeds. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant was leaking into cylinders #2 and #3, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was unable to retrieve the vehicle due to lack of coverage for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there was no recall on the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at approximately 30 MPH, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle started to shudder and vibrate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was cold started, the engine was idling rough but then started running normally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine block, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the check engine warning light being illuminated, the contact had been adding coolant to the coolant reservoir every several weeks. The contact had not observed any coolant leaks on the driveway. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into cylinder #2, causing a misfire in the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the failure persisted, with a sputtering sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who immediately referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test showed coolant intrusion into engine cylinder #3. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,945.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was advised by an independent mechanic that the failure might be related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,080.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2024
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 driven to the residence. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the contact raised the hood to inspect the vehicle and became aware that the coolant reservoir was extremely low. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to accelerate as intended. The driver was able to reach her destination, where the vehicle stalled, after which the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parked and attempting to start the vehicle, the engine was noticed jerking and misfiring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant intrusion into the engine, and it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related to the failure with the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21n12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to her grandson's repair shop, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact’s grandson related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2375 (Low Coolant, White Exhaust Smoke And/or Illuminated MIL); however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2024
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.
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2024
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 28, 2024
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.
Engine and engine cooling, May 21, 2024
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.
Engine and engine cooling, May 16, 2024
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.
Engine and engine cooling, May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that the vehicle was also overheating. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and the check engine light was illuminated continuously after starting the vehicle. The contact returned the vehicle to the mechanic who determined that coolant was leaking into the engine. The mechanic referred the contact to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had intruded into the engine block and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19-2346 Coolant in Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the engine overheated message was displayed. The contact observed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact discovered Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.