2014 Ford Escape: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · SC · fire

At first, I just bought it two weeks ago. It was smoke coming from the engine and there was no coolant. The coolant wasn’t holding in the car now I was driving last night. I had coolant in it and there was just flames coming out by where the Oil is

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine · 104,353 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine light and low coolant warning light were illuminated. Upon checking the coolant level, the contact discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle; however, the coolant disappeared and gushed back into the reservoir. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start and chugged, with a white sweet-smelling smoke coming from the tailpipe while idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased, and the contact inquired about a free diagnostic test, but the dealer denied assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,353.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Engine · IL · fire

My car caught on fire while I was driving it pulled over got out of car and car imploded in flames

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Engine · 139,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust system, the engine overheated, and the coolant level was extremely low hours after the coolant reservoir was refilled. The check engine warning light was illuminated while the vehicle was shaking. An independent mechanic determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and the spark plug was stuck and needed to be replaced. There were no visible leaks found. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

I’ve always had electrical problems and now when I try to drive it, it smells like it’s going to catch on fire. And I’ve had to fix something within the fuel system 3 times.

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · IN · fire

My vehicle had no warning lamps, messages or any other symptoms before driving that day. Vehicle was well maintained. Driving on a rural straight paved road that is in excellent condition, at approximately 55 miles per hour, smoke suddenly came through the dash top (defroster along windshield) and bottom (underneath the dash - heavier volume of smoke); almost immediately, the horn started sounding independently, a message appeared that read engine failure, brakes failed simultaneously and could not stop the vehicle. Only possible way to get the vehicle to stop was to remove the ignition key, put lever in park, pulled park break up. Flames now under the dash & smoke was pouring out from under the hood. My safety was at risk and had to exit the vehicle as fast as possible from drivers side with cars approaching. After exit, saw flames in the tire well also; witness saw flames under the car therefore he was yelling "get away from the car, it's on fire". Got away as fast as possible. The witness called the fire department who arrived extremely timely (and police even sooner). FD attempted to put out fire with water first, then needed foam as it ultimately turned into a gas tank fuel fire. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer since there was nothing to speak of left. The Police, Fire Department, Tow Company, and also the Insurance Claim Inspector did view and/or inspect the remnants of the vehicle. The insurance inspector took possession of the remnants of the vehicle from the tow company. My safety was extremely put at risk as I could have died from many factors including brake failure, smoke inhalation, burns from the fire, getting hit from another vehicle upon exit from the burning vehicle, or heart attack.

Filed Nov 22, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MS · fire

Engine caught fire at the coolant reservoir

Filed Aug 5, 2025 · Engine · 178,998 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was parking the vehicle, the driver noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment and a coolant odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact added coolant to the vehicle and drove the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a vehicle safety complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 178,998.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Engine · CA · fire

I was driving up a hill on the highway with my father in the car with me when my car began to rattle slightly. I looked down and saw that my engine heat dial was somewhat higher than its standard setting, which was weird because I had just put engine coolant in a day or two prior. A second later, my dash said, "Severe engine failure. Pull over." At the same time, the smell of smoke wafted into the car, and soon after, smoke began billowing into the vehicle as well. We pulled to the side of the highway and got out to check what was happening with the engine. At this point, tons of smoke was coming out of the hood. I tried to lift the hood to inspect the engine, but I couldn't because the metal was too hot. I peered through the slit of the hood and saw flames. At this point, we began grabbing all of our belongings from the car and moving out of the way. A few minutes later, the fire became much larger and ended up jumping onto the side of the hill next to the highway. It then continued up the hill and spread to 8 acres before the fire department was able to halt it. I am not sure exactly what part of the engine failed, but I suspect it was the coolant. I had always had issues with the coolant leaking or running out fast, but figured nothing of it, as there was no recall and whenever the car was serviced nothing was said. I don't know where the car is but I do know the front half was completely destroyed by the fire. My dad's and my safety were at risk due to the car we were driving bursting into flames while we were inside. Additionally, one of the doors were broken and we lucked out not sitting in the seat with the broken door. I dont know if the problem has been confirmed. I dont think it has been inspected yet. There was an engine coolant warning minutes before the fire started. But it was just one time and I had put in engine coolant days before. It was not enough warning.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Engine · 117,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that there was coolant inside the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Engine · CA

Engine overheated, lost power, and smoke came from the exhaust. Mechanics opinion is the engine block is cracked and what had caused the heating is a blown head gasket.

Filed Mar 25, 2025 · Engine · 38,268 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The message that coolant was needed was displayed. The contact added coolant to the reservoir. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was driving rough. The contact was concerned about the vehicle catching on fire. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that a pressure test was needed to check for leaks. The mechanic informed the contact about potential codes and referred the contact to Ford and the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 38,268.