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
588 reports, newest first.
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, Jul 12, 2024
Fluid leaking from engine into coil resulting in engine being ruined and needed to be replaced.
Engine, Jul 10, 2024
I recently purchased a 2019 Escape with 65,000 miles. Within a few days, the CEL activated and OBS code was P0301 and the engine started missing and showing white smoke from exhaust. My personal scanner shows the code had displayed twice before. At this point it is at the Ford dealer and Ford financial assistance is trying to evaluate what they may cover.
Engine, Jul 9, 2024
Coolant intrusion into the cylinders of the engine
Engine, Jul 7, 2024
Leaking coolant to the inside of the motor. Currently at 64000 miles. Motor was repaired once before for same issue at 33000 miles with previous owner. I purchased this from a ford dealer as a certified pre owned. I was unaware of the issue with this motor. As I can find online here this year make and model with this motor has this issue as an ongoing problem with ford.
Engine, Jul 6, 2024
- engine severely lost power - if I didn’t get off the road in time could’ve possibly created a big car accident -took my car to 2 independent car shops and one have confirmed the problem - no the car has not been inspected by anyone but the service center. If have to it will be done -the only warning was the check engine light which isn’t much of a warning if the problem is already present Anti-Freeze coolant leaks into a cylinder randomly. Caused the engine to stall out immediately on the freeway.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle then failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the transmission was previously replaced by the same local dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Engine, Jun 28, 2024
2019 Ford Escape Titanium Eco Boost 2.0 w/ 86,442 miles. Regularly maintained, no accidents, no previous owners. DTC for misfire cylinder #1. Performed coolant pressure test, found system losing pressure and cylinder intrusion, with matching symptoms, recommend further diagnostics. Check engine light diagnostic testing resulted in P0496. Removed and replaced EVAP purge control solenoid. After a few days new check engine light diagnostic testing resulting in P0302 cylinders misfire. Mechanic's diagnostics found coolant leak within engine. Dealership stated we would need a new engine for $9,100. Continued operation will result in overheating.
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, Jun 27, 2024
The vehicle very briefly showed a high temp warning (as in, the indicator came on, and went off just as fast, the temp gauge on the instrument panel went to high, and immediately back to normal). Later, the vehicle showed a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and a runs rough condition. Diagnostics by a local repair shop as well as the dealership verified that this was due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder, and as a result, I now need to pay $7,100 for a new engine with no help or relief from Ford.
Engine, Jun 27, 2024
Torque converter this is the 2 nd time 14 months apart that I need to replace the converter. It causes the car to not accelerate or stop driving with a warning.
Engine, Jun 21, 2024
Service center diagnosed my check engine light ON resulting to coolant leaking into cylinder. Determined to be TSB 22-2229 and need to apply engine long block replacement for coolant intrusion. Reporting this issue to NHTSA before having it fixed because based from this public forum, multiple Ford owners encounter the same issue and might be considered for recall. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Jun 21, 2024
2019 Ford Escape w/ 30,000 miles. Regularly maintained, no accidents, no previous owners. Engine coolant leak which resulted in the dealership stating we need a new engine for $13,500. Cylinders were filled with oil and car was not drivable. This is relevant to the ongoing class action lawsuit for EcoBoost engines. We are 3 weeks past our 5-year warranty and were told we are out of luck. Ford is not accepting any responsibility and won’t even provide a loaner vehicle considering we are 3 weeks past warranty. Should have gotten a Toyota.
Power train, Jun 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.
Engine, Jun 19, 2024
Ford Escape coolant intrusion TSB. Car has been running rough, check engine light came on. Called dealership and didn't get a return call. Took it in next day and the light wasn't on. They told me the mechanic saw the coolant leak and know about this problem, but since my light wasn't on they can't do anything about it. They said I'll need a new engine. This should be a recall since I now see class actin lawsuits starting for this issue.
Engine, Jun 17, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The cylinder warped. With this cylinder failure, I would have to replace the engine. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If I continue to drive this car without replacing the engine which could affect my ability to brake safely in an emergency. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The Ford Forum and the Ford Dealership states this is a regular problem with this 2019 Ford Escape with the 1.5 liter engine. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The 2019 Ford Escape has been regularly serviced and inspected almost entirely by a Ford Dealership. My car has 113,000 miles. I bought the car brand new. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The engine light came on on June 12th. I put my car in the shop on June 14th.
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, Jun 13, 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 with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of TSB: 22-2322. The contact was advised to report the failure to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not eligible for repair under TSB: 22-2322; or covered under warranty. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Engine, Jun 11, 2024
At less than 50k miles and 5 years old, the car started not turning on, driving shaky and having warnings of faulty engine services and engine lights coming on the dash. Turns out coolant is leaking into engine and was told the whole engine needed replacing.
Engine, Jun 11, 2024
2019 Escape with 1.5L EcoBoost engine showing a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and runs rough condition with illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM), caused by coolant intrusion into a cylinder bore.
Engine, Jun 7, 2024
Driving car on a highway it started to shake and buck. Barely managed to pull over on the side of the road.... had car flatbedded to the dealer. Dealer now saying engine coolant in cylinders... known issue with these engines... vehicle has issues with the same thing 6 months after buying it.
Engine, Jun 6, 2024
Vehicle had check engine light come on. Took it to the Ford dealer and was told it needed a tuneup. They put in new spark plugs and it did not solve the problem. I took it to an independent mechanic, he scanned it and determined the head gasket was leaking. Looked on the internet to find this is a fairly common problem with the 2.0 Ecoboost engine. The vehicle has not been fixed. Checking to see if there is any recall on this particular vehicle.05
Engine, Jun 5, 2024
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)
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.