2018 Ford Escape: misfire or rough idle

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I purchased a used 2018 Ford Escape SE equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine on June 26, 2026. The vehicle currently has approximately 55,088 miles. While driving, I experienced a check-engine warning light after accelerating. The warning light subsequently began flashing while the vehicle was moving and would become solid when stopped or idling. The vehicle also developed noticeable engine shaking and rough operation, particularly when stopped at traffic lights with the transmission in Drive. The shaking is significantly reduced when the transmission is shifted into Park. The vehicle displayed diagnostic trouble code P0302, indicating a cylinder 2 misfire. I also noticed that acceleration was not as responsive as expected, requiring additional time to gain speed. Upon inspecting the engine compartment, I observed that the coolant level appeared low. These symptoms raise safety concerns because the vehicle may experience reduced engine performance or potentially lose power while driving, particularly during acceleration or when merging into traffic. I stopped operating the vehicle because of concerns about further mechanical damage and driving safety. According to the vehicle’s service history, the engine short block was replaced on August 3, 2021, at approximately 28,170 miles. The service history also indicates subsequent cooling-system maintenance. I am concerned that the current misfire and apparent coolant loss may be related to an internal engine or cooling-system defect, including possible coolant intrusion, although the underlying cause has not yet been confirmed. The vehicle has not yet undergone a complete diagnostic inspection by a Ford dealership or independent repair facility for this incident. An experienced mechanic familiar with these engines expressed concern about possible internal engine failure based on the symptoms described, but no physical testing has confirmed that assessment. The vehicle remains parked and is available for inspection

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Engine · NJ

We bought a 2018 Ford Escape new from the dealer in 2028. In August of this year, 2026, The check engine light came on and our vehicle was running very rough. I used a scanner to check the engine code and it indicated that cylinder # 2 was misfiring. I removed the spark plug to check its condition and there was coolant in the cylinder. I read up on the cause and was surprised to see that Ford Ecoboost engines in Escapes and other models have a problem with coolant intrusion into the cylinders caused by a head gasket/ block crack issue. There were many, many vehicles affected by this problem. Ford had offered an engine replacement for cars with this problem, but only if the vehicle was still under the original factory warranty. Ours is not still under warranty and I'm curious as to what my options are to force Ford to admit/assist in my problem.

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Engine · FL

Id been getting misfires on cylinder 3 and eventually 2 even after replacing coilpacks, spark plugs, and fuel injectors into my 2018 ford escape sel 1.5L ecoboost engine. We believe it to be a coolant intrusion and have not been able to operate my vehicle. White smoke appears and it stutters a lot on start up.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine · FL

vehicle experienced a sudden misfire, loss of power, and internal coolant intrusion at Cylinder 2. Vehicle is now inoperable due to manufacturing defect.

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Engine · NC

I suffered catastrophic engine misfires with a sudden loss of power and white smoke coming from the exhaust. This was due to a design flaw in the Ford ecoboost 1.5l engine which allowed coolant into the #3 cylinder.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Engine · CA

Apparently my 2018 Ford Escape 1.5 liter Ecoboost engine has a known flaw of coolant intrusion into the cylinders. It can be inspected right now as it's at the Ford service center. This problem could have left me on the side of the freeway at night. Ford service has verified the problem and that it needs a new engine. I dont believe the parts have been inspected by anyone other than Ford service and my independent mechanic. There was a check engine light that came on back in April of this year. I brought it into Ford for basic minor service on April 29 and was told to check diagnostics I had to pay $298. I took it elsewhere and they told me it was a code that came up for the smog system. I didn't have any other issues at that time. In July a different light came on that was flashing so I took it to an independent mechanic and he found the misfire code of P0304 in cylinder #4. He proceeded to replace spark plugs and injector #4. Not until September did the sputtering start but no engine light came on. I took it back to my mechanic and he spent 2 weeks trying different things to figure out what was going on. He was unable to so I had to take it to the Ford service center and they verified the coolant intrusion problem. My car is only 8 years old and there was never a recall or service notice to advise me of this problem.

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Engine · FL

I have had a cylinder 2 misfire every 6 months for the past 3 years. After the 3rd misfire I replaced the entire engine that had less than 86,000 miles with another one that had only 32,000 miles on it. After another 6 months I had it happen again. I got the spark plugs and coil replaced and now I'm having it 6 months again happen and the read out says cylinder 2 had too many misfires within a predetermined period of time.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · VA

My daughter was driving our 2018 Ford Escape at highway speed when it suddenly began shaking and shuddering violently, with no advance warning. The check engine light came on for the first time as the shaking began. The vehicle lost propulsion, and the shaking impaired her ability to control it, creating an immediate safety emergency in moving highway traffic. She had to maneuver quickly out of traffic onto a narrow shoulder. It was dark, and the limited shoulder space made exiting safely difficult. She feared for her life due to the sudden failure and exposure to passing traffic. She reached the shoulder without a collision. The vehicle required an emergency tow through her insurance company, and she received transportation home. The vehicle had undergone a safety inspection in August before this incident. A Ford dealership confirmed an internal engine leak allowing coolant into a cylinder's combustion chamber. A borescope inspection found liquid on top of the piston, and a cooling-system pressure test confirmed coolant entering the combustion chamber. The spark plugs were severely carbon-fouled, causing a misfire. Replacing them temporarily improved the symptoms, but the misfire quickly returned. The dealership determined that the engine requires a rebuild or replacement. The diagnosis appears to correspond to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12, dated June 9, 2022. We were not notified of this issue before the incident and found no corresponding safety recall for this vehicle in the federal safety agency's records. This sudden failure caused loss of propulsion and impaired control at highway speed, forcing an emergency maneuver onto a narrow shoulder after dark. The check engine light provided no advance warning. We request that the federal safety agency investigate this defect and determine whether a safety recall is warranted to prevent similar incidents and injuries.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

On approximately September 28, 2026, the vehicle began sputtering when first turned on. It then progressed to running extremely rough. On September 30, 2026 the Engine Icon lit up first. A few days later, I received an Engine Fault Service Now message. I went to the Auto Zone on October 4, 2026 and they ran a diagnostic check. These are the codes that were found: Check Engine Fail Replace Ignition Coil and Spark Plug #3 P0303 Cylinder 3 misfire detected P0339 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent P0300 Random misfire detected Cylinder 3 On October 5, 2026, I took it to my mechanic and he began checking everything. He found oil on and inside the computer. He also found that there was antifreeze residue on the Cylinder and Spark Plugs. He did some research to find out what could cause this to happen. He found the following: 1,134–1,711 engine complaints depending on dataset. Failures typically occur between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Main Engine Problems 1. Coolant Intrusion (1.5L EcoBoost – Most Common & Severe) Coolant leaks past the block/head sealing surface into cylinders. Not a head gasket failure—requires short-block or long-block replacement. Symptoms: Misfire codes (P0300–P0304) White exhaust smoke Unexplained coolant loss Rough idle, stalling, overheating. 2. Cracked Engine Block Often the end result of prolonged coolant intrusion. Leads to catastrophic engine failure requiring full replacement. On Friday, October 9, 2026, I drove my car to work, approximately 2.5 miles, after the Escape sitting for 3.5 hours, I started it. I immediately received the HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE STOP SAFELY, and the engine shut off. On the 3rd try, the Escape stayed running. I could only drive 11 mph. On my final turn onto a busy street, the Escape began sputtering and would not accelerate at all. I was stuck in the middle of the street, putting myself at risk of being hit. I finally made it to a parking lot but had to be pushed home by my son.

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Engine · NV

VIN:[XXX] Current Mileage: 110,900 I am experiencing coolant intrusion in the engine of my 2018 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle is losing coolant with no external leak visible. This has led to engine misfires, rough idling, and concerns about potential engine damage or failure. This issue is identical to known coolant intrusion problems documented in other Ford EcoBoost engines of similar model years. Safety Concern: Coolant intrusion can cause sudden engine failure while driving, creating a hazardous situation—especially at highway speeds or in heavy traffic. This poses a significant risk to my safety and the safety of others on the road. Requested Action: I am requesting the federal safety agency review this issue as a potential recurring safety defect affecting the 2018 Ford Escape. Many owners have reported similar coolant intrusion problems, and a recall or investigation may be warranted to prevent engine failure–related accidents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · KY

Failed Component/System: The engine assembly/engine cooling system. The internal structural failure of the cylinder block (open-deck design defect) allowing engine coolant intrusion into combustion chambers, cylinders 2/3. Safety: The vehicle is experiencing severe engine stalling, immediate loss of motive power on active roadways, dense white smoke from exhaust which blinds trailing traffic. This causes immediate risk for rear-end collision, leaves others with the possibility to be stranded on dangerous traffic situations. The vehicle leaks hot fluids into the combustions system putting everyone at risk for under hood fires. Has the Problem been confirmed: Yes, my vehicle is currently at the Pennyrile Ford Dealership, they performed a cooling system pressure test and borescope inspection, and confirmed internal coolant intrusion requiring a total engine replacement. They have even confirmed and acknowledged that this is an on going issue! Dealer inspection: Yes Warning Lamps/Messages: Check engine soon light, raised engine levels, rapidly depleting coolant within days of refill, rough idling, cold start rumblings, sweet chemical smell and thick white smoke coming from tailpipe. Ford has already admitted this is an ongoing issue with these systems, I currently have a 2.0 engine but the recall is for the 1.0/1.5.

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Engine · AK

Engine has been diagnosed with coolant intrusion (very common ford ecoboost engine problem) where due to a manufacturing defect the engine has grooves in cylinder that allow coolant to enter combustion chamber. This causes coolant loss, engine mis fires, lots of white smoke upon starting and extremely rough idle. car has 120000 miles and the cost to repair is over 10,000 dollars. The vehicle and remainder of loan is a total loss because the common problem has made the trade in value around $6000 even if repaired. With out use of vehicle and remainder of loan and repairs I will be around 16000 in the hole and have to sell as salvage. FORD needs to recall this 2.0 ecoboost engine.