Was told by an automotive repair shop that my car's check engine light codes are P0302/P0316. Current intrusion into the cylinder directly through the head gasket. The technician looked into this issue and found that 2019 Ford Escapes assembled in [XXX] in 2019 have these issues. I was not aware of this manufacturing error, and no recall/repair notices were issued. I'm putting XXX as my date of incident, even though the manufacturing error was done upon creation. I'm also selecting WA where the incident occurred, but my vehicle was assembled in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2019 Ford Escape problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine397
- Transmission128
- Electrical37
- Fuel system26
- Steering16
- Lights13
- Body12
- Airbags11
- Tires11
- Brakes10
- Wheels10
- Acceleration8
- Driver assistance8
- Seat belts6
- Suspension3
- Visibility3
- Seats2
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 Ford Escape
Check engine light 185Engine failure 137Overheating 130Misfire 88Stalling 37Fire or smoke 35Transmission failure 25Loss of power 21Hesitation 19Jerking 19Shudder 18Headlights 11Slipping 11Fuel pump 8No deployment 7Knocking 7Won't shift 7Adaptive cruise 6Tire blowout 6Won't start 6Backup camera 5Start-stop 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2019 Ford Escape mention
P0302 15P0304 9P0316 9P0301 8P0300 7P0303 7P0217 4P1299 4P0496 3P1285 3P0012 2P06E9 2
Recalls 3
Equipment: electrical: engine block heater
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- 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 on January 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V011000 · Recall details
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V413000 · Recall details
Tires
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 21V155000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2019 Ford Escape 128
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless...
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes...
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal...
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
- Various vehicles have had pinpoint tests, guided routines and the Warranty and Policy Manual...
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an...
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or...
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be...
2019 Ford Escape fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23 | 30 | 26 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 |
| 1.5L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22 | 28 | 24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 21 | 27 | 23 |
What 2019 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Misfire in cylinder 2. Diagnosed as coolant intrusion. Block and header replaced.
The vehicle suffered a major manufacturing defect known as internal cylinder coolant intrusion, which is common to Ford's 1.5L EcoBoost engines. The vehicle began experiencing rough cold starts and white exhaust smoke before being officially diagnosed by a certified dealership, Folsom Lake Ford, who confirmed internal coolant leaking into the 2nd engine cylinder. The dealership issued a repair quote of $13,000 for a complete engine replacement. Ford Motor Company Corporate headquarters was notified via certified mail but issued a formal courtesy denial letter refusing any financial or mechanical assistance because the vehicle is outside its standard warranty period. This defect creates a critical roadway safety hazard, as internal coolant leaks can lead to sudden engine overheating, catastrophic block failure, stall-outs in active traffic, or potential engine fires. The vehicle is currently un-driven and parked at my residence due to this safety risk. This newly purchased used car from a dealership was at the end of May 2026. Happened while driving home on the freeway from work, I noticed the engine was overheating. I had to quickly and very nervously move through traffic to get to the shoulder of the freeway in traffic hour. I was traveling up a steep grade and traffic was bunched and slowing, which compounded the problem. I was in the second lane from the left and had to get over, I think 3 lanes to get to the shoulder quickly. It was very scary with all the traffic. Everyone on the road near me was at risk including me. This is a known manufacture defect in this type of engine (1.5L). Happening in July 2026. Why has a recall not been done for this very dangerous known fault of Fords and for anyone to be on the road around these types of engine propelled cars is putting many at risk on the roads. How can this be overlooked???
We received an "engine failure- service now" error message on our vehicle and our mechanic told us it is a known issue with this year, make,model, engine and to take it to the dealership for repair. The dealer, and Ford Motor Company said though the recall is for 2017-2019 Ford Escape EcoBoost engines and for the EXACT same issue, our VIN is not on the current VIN list so it's not covered. Even though this issue is due to a faulty design, thus the recall, they will not cover it. They want $10,000 to fix an issue caused by their design which they have a recall out for. Ford needs to step up and cover this issue under the recall that does apply. Help please.
I have a 2019 Ford Escape. With the EcoBoost 1.5-liter engine. The engine has a well-documented engineering defect that causes coolant intrusion into the cylinders. And ultimately engine failure. Ford created a customer assistance program to deal with this. Its limits are seven years and 84,000 miles. My vehicle is 7 1/2 years old and 96,000 miles so I'm outside their numbers. The problem first presented itself in my vehicle nearly two years ago, but none of the mechanics I work with had any idea about this defect, And I only became aware of it about two months ago. 1. The entire engine is in the process of failing 2. When it does fin ally fail I may well be driving it (it's my only transportation), which could jeopardize the safety of myself and others on the road. 3. The issue was confirmed by Ford service technicians 4. It has been inspected by the Ford Service Department 5. I started getting random engine warning messages intermittently 2 years ago, but they all pointerd to other issues, even though they were porbably caused by this design flaw. 4.
The coolant system leaked into engine cylinder two. This caused engine block destruction and I was quoted $13,000 to repair the engine. I called Ford and they stated that because the vehicle was at 120,000 miles there was nothing they could do.
Transmission failed, Car would only move at high rpms, created a dangerous driving situation Known issue with Ford and the 6F35 transmission
At only 43,379 miles — well within the useful life expected of this vehicle — my 2019 Ford Escape developed two significant mechanical failures. (1) Fuel injector: the vehicle emits visible black smoke from the exhaust when accelerating at highway speeds; the dealership diagnosed this as a failed fuel injector requiring replacement (est. $1,200). Visible exhaust smoke during highway acceleration is a visibility hazard to following traffic. (2) Coolant intrusion into the engine: the dealership's service department diagnosed coolant intrusion requiring replacement of major short block components (est. $8,300), and told me this failure is in its early stages and the engine is likely to fail completely within 6 to 12 months if not repaired. The lead service technician stated this is a common, known issue with this engine, which is being discontinued. Complete engine failure could occur without warning, including while driving on a highway, creating a risk of a stalling-related crash. Rather than repairing the vehicle, the dealership's own service advisor recommended I sell or trade the vehicle to a third party such as CarMax while it still retains value and purchase a different vehicle — effectively passing a vehicle with a known, unresolved engine defect on to the next owner. Coolant intrusion and short block failures in this engine family have been widely reported by other Ford Escape owners. I am requesting the federal safety agency review this complaint alongside others for the same engine/model-year combination to determine whether a pattern exists warranting an investigation or recall.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the message “Stop Vehicle” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
My vehicle has to have a new motor. It only has 127,154 miles on it. I have sent Ford a letter to respond with in 30 days and they have not done that. Please advise the next steps.
Compare the 2019 Ford Escape
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2019 Ford Escape
Is the 2019 Ford Escape reliable?
Owners have filed 602 complaints about the 2019 Ford Escape, fewer than a typical Escape model year.
What is the 2019 Ford Escape year score?
The 2019 Ford Escape scores 83 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Escape: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Ford Escape?
Engine and cooling, with 397 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles. Next is transmission (128).
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Escape have?
3 recalls, covering equipment, power train and tires.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Ford Escape get?
Official estimates for the 2019 Ford Escape range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 30 highway.
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