2019 Ford Escape: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MS

I am reporting a dangerous manufacturing defect regarding internal engine coolant intrusion on my 2019 Ford Escape SEL at less than 70,000 miles. Upon starting the vehicle after it sat parked overnight, a massive cloud of heavy white smoke erupted from the exhaust system and both sides of the vehicle, clearing after 1–2 minutes. The vehicle also exhibits a severe structural shudder and a mechanical groaning noise when shifting gears due to engine misfires caused by this leak. A physical inspection confirmed that the engine cooling system is losing fluid (which was just topped off again last night), which is leaking directly into the combustion cylinders overnight. This is a well-documented factory design flaw involving the engine block casting on Ford EcoBoost engines (referenced in Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and multiple Technical Service Bulletins). Ford Corporate and local dealerships have refused to assist with repairs because my specific VIN was excluded from their limited voluntary campaign parameters. This defect presents an immediate, severe safety risk to myself and others, as internal coolant leaks cause sudden cylinder misfires, severe engine shuddering, engine stalling without warning in traffic, and the sudden eruption of heavy white exhaust smoke blinds drivers driving behind my car...not to mention catastrophic engine failure. Ford should be forced to issue a mandatory safety recall for all affected model years regardless of VIN exclusion lists.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · TN

For a few days before the transmission went out, it was kinda spitting and shuddering, then the 4th day the transmission would not shift into gear and go. It would rev the engine all the way up and bark the tires even with my foot not on the gas or brake. It started jerking and just would not go. It would not accelerate at all.

Filed May 29, 2026 · Engine · GA

Coolant intrusion on the cylinders due to a manufacturing issue with the Ford Ecoboost 1.5L engine manufactured between 2017-2019. This issue warrants a total engine replacement and the vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership. This can cause total engine failure while driving or even vehicle fires. This issue was acknowledged by Ford in TSB 19-2139 which was published in November of 2019. The symptoms we experienced were hard shuddering, white smoke from exhaust, check engine light, a "service engine now" message on the dashboard.

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and shudder, prompting her to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter and transmission. The contact was informed that the torque converter and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Engine · 104,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact believed that a fuel cleaner needed to be added to the fuel tank. The contact stated that the engine revved abnormally. While at a stoplight, the vehicle failed to drive forward and stalled. The contact stated that the axle and turbocharger had been repaired prior to the failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Jun 13, 2025 · Engine · 117,645 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. In addition, the contact became aware of an abnormal coolant consumption. The check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with OP code: 62. The contact was informed that the short block needed to be replaced. The local dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to TSB: 19-2208; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,645.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Engine · 62,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and jolted independently while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined the converter assembly, pump assembly, and a screen assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was previously repaired at the same local dealer for converter assembly, pump assembly, and a screen assembly; however, approximately 30,000 miles later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2024 · Engine · 100,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently shuddered and stalled, and the vehicle failed to return to normal operation. The contact waited several minutes for the vehicle to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Engine · AK

My check engine light first came on in June 2024 (3 months ago), and said there were too many cylinder 4 misfires, and to replace the spark plugs. This was done, check engine light was cleared. My car began showing an "engine fault, service now" error 2.5 weeks ago and it sounded like water was "rushing" in the engine. The check engine light came on 3 days later, got the codes read, took it to a mechanic, then exchanged the ignition coil. When I went to pick it up, the car shuddered whenever trying to accelerate, so much so that my car wouldn't accelerate, and I had to have to towed to the Ford dealer. The mechanic confirmed that with the codes and the symptoms, and he previously worked at Ford, there is a coolant leak into the engine block and I would likely need a new engine. There is a Technical Service Bulletin out for this issue, so they know it exists. The dealer has not confirmed the issue yet, they said it will probably take 2 weeks before they get to that, then it would likely be 1-3 months to get the parts here, then they would start repairing it, but there were 3 vehicles ahead of mine with the exact same issue. My safety was put at risk because the car would not accelerate to the speed limit, increasing likelihood of a wreck, and the engine felt like it was going to die at any moment when I returned the one block back to the mechanic.

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque convertor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque convertor might need to be replaced. The vehicle was left at the local dealer for further repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2024 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at approximately 30 MPH, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle started to shudder and vibrate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was caused by coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Engine · 74,051 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2, causing a misfire. The independent mechanic attempted to repair the vehicle; however, while attempting to repair the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the vehicle could not be repaired under the Customer Satisfaction Program, because the vehicle was leaking oil instead of coolant. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,051.