low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or may run in a rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This is due to coolant intrusion into a cylinder bore.
2017 Ford Escape engine complaints
Page 21 of 68: complaints 581 to 610 of 2,003, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shaking slightly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and 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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
The engine block has coolant leaking into cylinder 1. This is a known defect with the engine that ford acknowledges but refuses to fix. My car has less than 75,000 miles on it.
Catastrophic engine failure; unless it could happen very quickly, the vehicle likely will not be available for inspection. As background, our family purchased this vehicle used from a MI dealer in July 2023. It was a trade-in by the previous owner, and the dealer did not disclose any known issues. This vehicle belongs to our daughter, who is a graduate student in upstate NY. After driving only ~6,000 miles, her safety was put at risk when she lost acceleration as gray smoke poured out of her tailpipe (had she been on a highway, both she and other drivers would have been at grave risk). She had the vehicle towed to a local service station and was told the engine needed to be replaced. After searching Google for problems with this vehicle's engine, a 1.5L Ecoboost, we discovered that not only is this a known issue (coolant intrusion) for which Ford did not issue a recall (instead, "Program #21N12 one-time repair for vehicles included in 19B37"), but there also is a class action lawsuit being litigated by Capstone Law APC. Given this, we towed the vehicle to the local Ford dealer, who also advised we need to replace the engine, we will receive no financial relief from Ford, and it will cost $12,000 for the replacement (we paid $16,000 for this vehicle less than two years ago). We have spoken to various individuals at the national Ford customer satisfaction organization, and they will not help us. So we now have an inoperable vehicle that my daughter can't afford to repair, and since we are not getting any financial relief from Ford, she is forced to buy a much older, high-mileage vehicle that may also put her safety at risk. The only indication of a problem was when the check engine light came on, but since the vehicle was driving fine, our daughter did not realize she should take it for service right way (this is her first vehicle, and she lives close to campus so drives only infrequently). She is unsure how long the light was on, but likely several weeks.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start as intended; however, the vehicle then functioned as needed after being started. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon further investigation, the vehicle was scanned and diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #4, due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
We own and have owned a 2017 Ford Escape Eco-drive for over 5 years. We have just learned from two different local mechanic shops that coolant is leaking into cylinder #2 and presenting a check engine light error code (P0302). This is caused by some sort of internal engine crack. We have been told that this will roughly cost us $6,000.00 for a new engine, and that's on the low end. I have also learned that there is a class action lawsuit related to this issue. So, there's obviously a preexisting problem and ongoing resolved issue with his vehicle which needs to be addressed. Please HELP forward and handle this complaint with high attention and resolve.
Our engine has quit working due to the much publicized coolant intrusion issue by Ford and the Escape model vehicle. I called Ford customer service and they would do nothing to help with the expensive engine repair left but what is being called on the internet as a faulty design. It appears to be quite well known and quite common and they addressed it somewhat with the 1.5 liter Escapes but ours is a 2.0 engine and it is happening a lot with that engine too.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there was scoring in cylinders 1-4 due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the head gasket was blown due to not being properly manufactured. The contact stated that there was a misfire in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed with the federal safety agency ID Number: 10169884 (Engine and Engine Cooling); which related to the vehicle failure; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was idling rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The dealer related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229 (Coolant in Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke And/ Or Illuminated MIL); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 44,800.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The engine's coolant is leaking into the second cylinder, causing unsteady performance and leading to engine failure. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - In the short term, unpredictable engine performance creates inconsistencies in the how the vehicle is expected to perform; as coolant contaminates the transmission fluid, erratic shifting will make routine maneuvers like accelerating to merge or pass another vehicle unsafe to the driver and those around. This will also lead to an eventual breakdown moment, likely catching the driver and those near to adapt to a sudden dangerous and unexpected action. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - When the vehicle first displayed signs a problem (a rumbling of the engine on start, followed by the check engine light coming on,) the vehicle was taken to the local make dealership. Their service team diagnosed the issue as coolant leakage present in the second cylinder and prescribed an engine replacement to resolve the issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - At this time the vehicle has only been inspected by the service team of the manufacturer dealership. We are no longer driving the vehicle for fears of safety concerns and further damage that could be done. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - The first indication of a problem occurred when the vehicle was started and there was approximately 20-30 seconds of a shaking rumble coming from the engine that could be felt from the driver's seat. While there was no engine light at that time, on the next start the light was on.
Engine lost near complete power on highway witrhout warning, nearly causing multiple accidents.
I have a 2017 Ford Escape. Have owned the car for 4 months and it's already experiencing transmission issues i.e. hesitation, slipping etc. Took it the repair shop and found other issues (turbocharger, thermostat, water pump). They claimed they didn't see anything wrong with the transmission. Car ran well for a couple of weeks and then I got transmission fault warning. It wouldn't engage and I couldn't get it in gear. Undrivable. I sat on the side of the road for four hours waiting for a tow. Mechanic says it's either a full transmission problem or the brushing cable.
My check engine light came on and the mechanic said it was spark plugs. I had it fixed and then it came on a week later and they said they didn’t know what it was. A week later all my panel was flashing telling me to pull over immediately. I almost got in an accident while trying to pull over in the emergency of the warning. The dealer said it’s a coolant leak in the engine and a fault of Ford’s eco boost engine and nothing at all that is my fault. Now they want $7,100 to fix it and Ford knows they caused the issue in their cars. I don’t know why I should pay for the engine replacement when Ford knows it’s their fault.
My warning light went off for misfire in plug 3, then proceeded to set off warning light that temperature was too hot to stop immediately. Took to mechanics, something with the coolant system and it blew my motor. Second motor put in, it was not compressing correctly now waiting on 3rd motor. Also there is no sound coming from my speakers and my radio module will not allow me to change from am to fm. Bluetooth will connect but with no sounds
Check engine light on, running rough on startup. Diagnosed as Coolant Intrusion in Cylinder No. 2 as result of engine warpage.
My engine was replaced 80,000 miles ago for a coolant intrusion. In April, I had a check engine light. Ended up being for a misfire. Using a borescope, we were able to confirm that there was coolant in cylinder 3, confirming another coolant intrusion.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Check engine light activated and taken to mechanic. Diagnosed as multiple spark plug misfires in engine cylinder caused by engine coolant leaking into cylinder. White smoke from exhaust seen when starting car. Coolant levels dropping quickly; approx 1 gallon per month. With multiple misfires, stability and reliability of car acceleration is decreased, thus increasing the possibility of accidents. With coolant levels dropping, risk of engine overheating is increased. Dependability of vehicle for long trips is compromised. Ford Motor Company is aware of this design flaw in their ECO Boost engines as indicated by their Ford Technical Service Bulletin 19-2208 where the only fix is to replace the engine, however they refuse to take responsibility to repair. A nationwide recall of all Ford vehicles with ECO Boost engines needs to be enacted for inspection of this problem and engines replaced by Ford if coolant leak into engine cylinders is confirmed. The Ford models Escape and Edge have been discontinued, but remaining vehicles on the road need to be made safe.
Bad engine design flaw causes the cylinder sleeve to become unattached and it rises up , damages the head gasket and ruins the engine. There have been multiple repairs of this year engine in escapes in our area. A very well known defect.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon driving into the driveway, the vehicle abruptly shut off without warning. The contact called an independent mechanic and was to bring the vehicle for an inspection. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal chugging sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. Upon inspection, the contact was informed that the engine long block was defective, leading to engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there was no warranty on the vehicle and that the vehicle was not covered under Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a safety complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
My Ford Escape has had coolant leak into engine block, causing damage to cylinders and cylinder misfires, detailed in this service bulletin: [XXX] . The car has been checked by my mechanic, who confirms the problem. Dealership acknowledges that this problem is real and has had many customers who have had to replace motors because of it but says there has been no recall or extended warranty in respect to this design flaw and declines to resolve the problem at Ford's cost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Escape 2.0 Liter check engine light turned on. Code was cylinder misfire. Diagnosis was no issues with spark plugs. However coolant was low after having been checked and topped off during an oil change 2 weeks prior. Technician performed leak test and identified coolant intrusion in number one cylinder (attached photo is diagnosis). Ford Technical Services Bulletin recommends replacing with new long block engine.
The Check Engine light was going on and off. I took it into a repair shop and they told me there was a coolant leak in the engine and a full engine repair needs to be done. After looking this up, I came to realize this is a very common issue with the make and model and ford refuses to pay for it.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and parked in a safe location. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinders #2 and #4. The dealer stated that there was metal inside the cylinder head and pistons. The dealer determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Morning of April 25, 2025 heard unusual engine sound on 2017 Ford Escape, Eco Boost Engine. Evening - check engine light came on. Next morning took to dealer. "Diagnostics: retrieved code P0303, cylinder 3 misfire, pressure test cooling system, cylinder #3 has coolant intrusion, recommend engine assembly." Had we not paid attention to the issue immediately, the engine could have simply stopped running at some point while on the road. 10-11K to replace engine on 8 yr old car with 97K miles on it. Just like that no second car in the family, worthless without an engine, great financial loss and stress. Should be driving it for another 90K miles! Vehicle at home and cannot drive it, sell it, trade it. The 2017 Ford Escape has manufacturing defects (to include the paint)!
I own a 2017 Ford Escape equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine. I am experiencing a known issue related to engine coolant intrusion into the cylinders, which has been reported by many owners and acknowledged by Ford through Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. This issue involves coolant leaking internally into the combustion chamber—usually due to a flawed cylinder head casting—which can cause engine misfires, white exhaust smoke, rough idling, overheating, or complete engine failure. In my case, a coolant pressure test was performed, and it confirmed that the cooling system is losing pressure, which is consistent with internal coolant leakage into the engine. Despite this, Ford has declined to cover the repair under the 21N12 program, stating that my vehicle is not eligible by VIN, even though it is the correct model year and engine. I believe this constitutes a safety issue, as the engine could fail at highway speeds without warning, and Ford has failed to provide adequate support for vehicles that clearly exhibit the documented failure pattern. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate this issue further, including why certain 2017 Escapes with the affected 2.0L EcoBoost engine are being excluded from coverage despite confirmed symptoms.
The contact's husband owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact was informed that upon starting the vehicle, a message indicating high engine temperature was displayed, stating to pull over as soon as possible. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked for a long time after the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving the vehicle around the neighborhood, the failure recurred. The contact's husband drove back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a crack in the engine block, which caused coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
The 2.0 Motor in my 2017 Ford Escape had a Check Engine light displayed for Engine Misfire on the #2 Cylinder after the OEM Scanner was run for the reason the Check Engine light was on by the Auto Mechanic at my workplace. I ordered the replacement cylinder and sparkplug, and it was replaced. I am no Mechanic, but this issue is similar to the 2013 Ford Escape with the 2.0 Motor which Ford put out a recall on and this issue is no different.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was blinking. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 101,261.
coolant leak into two pistons which in past ford escapes could cause the engine to overheat and potentially catch fire. was checked at the ford dealer on 04/24/2025
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