2019 Ford Escape: start-stop system problems

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Electrical · OH

Dash board has been flashing images and turning black and white like something is malfunctioning the automatic stop start has been inconsistently working I have issues with the lights getting dimmer while I’m driving at night and sometimes I have to manually hold the brights forward for the lights to work there seems to be something distracting me in the control paneling of the vehicle making me nervous and tired sometimes distracting my eyes.

Filed May 30, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

2019 Ford Escape with a documented history of powertrain failures. White smoke on cold start and engine stalling began around 48,000 miles; the dealer noted this engine is known for coolant intrusion. At about 62,000 miles the engine short block was replaced under Ford Field Service Action 21N12 / TSB 22-2322. Smoke, shaking, and stalling continued, and the engine intermittently cuts out when shifting into reverse and must be restarted. At about 87,000 miles the transmission failed and the full transmission assembly was replaced (work order Jan 2026, vehicle returned end of March 2026). The owner repeatedly told the Ford dealer the vehicle felt unsafe. On [XXX] the owner reported renewed exhaust smoke, an illuminated engine light, and a clicking sound at startup and asked to bring it in; instead of inspecting it, the dealer advised taking the vehicle straight to CarMax. About 9 days later, on [XXX], while driving in Los Angeles about 60 miles from home with young children aboard, the transmission would not stay in gear and the engine warning lights began blinking. The owner called the Ford dealership for guidance but no one could advise and the service desk would not answer. After consulting a mechanic, the family agreed it was unsafe to keep driving given the noises and pulled over in Anaheim, about 30 miles from home, at a mechanic shop to read the codes. A paid tow (~$600) was required. Loss of gear engagement and stalling in traffic with children aboard is a serious crash and stranding hazard. The scan returned codes P0012 and P0014 (camshaft timing, stored as permanent), P0300 (random/multiple misfire), and P0301, P0302, P0304 (cylinder misfires); the dash showed "Auto Start/Stop not ready - Stall Alert - Restart Engine." The defect has been reproduced and confirmed repeatedly by the Ford dealer, which performed the engine and transmission replacements. A repurchase request was denied. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 28, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 78,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was black, almost causing the vehicle to strike a pedestrian. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the speedometer and fuel gauge readings were inaccurate, and the hatch had failed to open intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the dealer, where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failures persisted. The contact also stated that the Auto START/STOP system was inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AK

After the vehicle has been running and stopped at a traffic light or an intersection, whether the auto-start is on or off, as you pull out into traffic the engine shuts off. No error code to the computer that Ford could find, it just stops. This is a life and death situation as oncoming traffic are approaching. In order to get it started again, you have to put the vehicle in park and push the stop/start button.

Filed Aug 20, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · LA

My engine has randomly shut off in the middle of driving. I have taken it to the dealership to be serviced two times. The first time they thought they fixed the issue. But it didn’t work. The second time they couldn’t find anything wrong. Our safety is 100% at risk as it happens in the middle of driving. I have a one and two year old who have been in the car every time it has happened. We have luckily been able to get off the highway each time, but I drive across a 25 minute bridge twice a day to work and back home with my children..across water! My service light has only come on the time they were able to fix something, which again did not fix the problem. But I do get the same message each time on my dashboard that says auto start stop needs to be restarted manually.