Ford Escape won't start problems

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA · crash

On September 4, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM, I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape SE (1.5L EcoBoost) and executing a left-hand turn across an intersection. Mid-turn, the vehicle suddenly lost all power, an "Engine Fault" warning message illuminated on the dashboard, and the engine completely stalled out. Because the vehicle died directly in the path of oncoming traffic, I was forced to steer the coasting vehicle out of harm's way to avoid an imminent side-impact collision. This emergency maneuver caused the vehicle to scrape a curb—damaging the right tire rim—and collide with a utility pole. Fortunately, no injuries occurred. I managed to bring the vehicle to a stop on a side street. Once stopped, the vehicle exhibited a total "no crank, no start" condition and completely refused to turn over or restart. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair facility. Upon professional diagnostic inspection, the technician discovered extensive engine oil intrusion within the main engine wiring harness. Engine oil had dynamically wicked through the harness directly into the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), completely compromising and shorting out the primary computer. This electronic failure is what triggered the sudden, catastrophic engine shutdown mid-traffic. This vehicle has a chronic history of severe electrical, powertrain, and "no-start" defects at only 56,000 miles, despite being meticulously maintained with routine synthetic oil changes as required. This is the second time I have experienced a life-threatening loss of engine power while actively driving, and I am fortunate to have narrowly avoided a major, high-speed collision on both occasions. In July 2025, the throttle body failed and initiated a dangerous Limp Mode mid-traffic, forcing a tow for replacement. In July 2026, a starter failure resulted in another total "no crank, no start" condition during the holiday weekend, requiring an emergency mobile mechanic. Following this my car has sat for a month.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

As I was driving my 2018 Ford Escape SE 1.5 liter EcoBoost on the interstate at the posted 70 mph limit, my dash warning center display said Cross Traffic Fault, Hill Start Assist Not Available, Front Camera Fault, Collision Warning Not Available, Blindspot Left Sensor Fault, AWD Temporarily Unavailable, and Speed Control (radar?) not available. It then felt as if my AWD was switching on and off while making weird clicking noises. My engine then began missing and running very rough. After a very short period of time, it completely shut down and would not start and I wasn’t able to get the all the way to the right because of impatient drivers passing me on the right as my vehicle slowed. I’m [XXX] and had trouble pushing the car with the driver door open while steering it. The road was slightly uphill. Fortunately, two men stopped and helped me push it off the road. After several hours of waiting on the side of the road I was able to get it towed on a flatbed tow truck. I had it towed to Brondes Ford in Maumee, Ohio and they diagnosed that it has the coolant intrusion issue. They said it needed a new motor and the estimate was about $11,000. I contacted Ford Customer Support for help with the cost and was told there was no Customer Satisfaction program to help me. She said I would need to pay the entire amount myself. I asked for her to have a supervisor call me and the supervisor said there was nothing she could do as Ford had made no accommodations for owners of these 1.5-liter EcoBoost vehicles (“open deck” cooling grooves block design defect) Which have a known extremely high percentage of engine failure. My Escape is still sitting unrepaired in the Ford Dealer’s lot as I’m hoping that a Class Action Suit will prevail to help those customers, including myself, that Ford chose to turn their back on. This known by Ford engine failure probability was extremity dangerous for me and could easily have cost me my life. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(

Filed Jul 26, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · IA

Was driving and a loud pop happened when pulling onto the hwy and lost power. Immediately pulled into parking lot and tried to restart but would not start. My son came over that evening and towed back to my house and the discovered the oil pan was cracked along with block and piston shattered. There are parts inside the oil pan. This has not been inspected by a dealer or service center. No warning or check engine lights came on indicating a problem. My build date is June of 2019 and the tsb is for May of 2019, indicating that this engine still had a coolant problem as there was no coolant left and had all came out in the pan with the oil. I am asking for assistance in getting this covered . Please let me know what steps can be taken. Thanks

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Engine · NC

The 2017 Ford escape left me and my young child broke down on the side of the road would not crank was running rough. Had the car towed to a mechanic there is coolant leaking into the motor. Replacement of motor is needed. Ford has changed the block on this vehicle because of this problem why is there no recall

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Vehicle has trouble turning back on after filling with gas. The engine clicks and sometimes will not start back up without a jump. The battery has been replaced. The check engine light is on.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NJ

[Recurring No-Start Issue with Multiple Warning Alerts – Safety Concern] I am reporting a recurring vehicle issue involving failure to start, which I believe may pose a safety risk. The issue has occurred five times: August 11, 2023 April 12, 2025 June 13, 2025 December 12, 2025 April 1, 2026 During these incidents, the vehicle failed to start and displayed multiple warning messages on the dashboard. On some occasions, the vehicle only started after several hours. The vehicle becomes completely inoperable when this issue occurs. After the third occurrence, I brought the vehicle to an authorized service center. However, the issue was not resolved and has continued to occur. This repeated failure raises serious concerns about vehicle reliability and safety, as the vehicle may become inoperable without warning. I have attached documentation, including repair records and photos of the dashboard warnings. I am submitting this report so that this issue can be properly investigated.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Engine · NC

The vehicle experienced coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders related to the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The issue has been diagnosed as an internal engine failure requiring engine replacement. Symptoms included coolant loss, engine misfires, rough operation, white exhaust smoke, check engine warnings, and intermittent no-start conditions. The vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle experienced rough engine operation, loss of power, shaking, intermittent starting issues, and engine fault warnings while being driven on public roads. The engine misfires and loss of performance created concern about the vehicle potentially stalling unexpectedly in traffic or during highway driving, which could have increased the risk of an accident. The coolant intrusion also created concerns about sudden engine failure while the vehicle was in operation. Yes. The problem was initially diagnosed by a trusted independent mechanic and later confirmed by a Ford dealership. Both identified coolant intrusion consistent with the known issues associated with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine and Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. Yes. The vehicle has been inspected by both an independent mechanic and a Ford dealership service department. Ford corporate customer service has also been contacted regarding the issue and an active case has been denied coverage. Yes. Prior to the confirmed failure, the vehicle experienced rough idle, shaking when placed into drive, engine misfires, coolant loss, and intermittent starting issues. The check engine light and “Engine Fault – Service Now” warning message also appeared. Symptoms first became noticeable shortly before diagnosis and progressively worsened over time.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Engine · IN

I am reporting a potential safety-related engine defect on my 2017 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost. The vehicle has a history of repeated coolant loss and white smoke, followed by engine failure/no-start. The trouble codes later provided by the dealer included P1285 and P1299, which are related to engine over-temperature protection/thermal event concerns. The local Ford dealer diagnosed the vehicle as “out of time” and recommended a major timing/engine repair path. However, after repeated written questions, the dealer confirmed that my prior history of repeated coolant loss and white smoke was not taken into account as part of the current diagnosis. I am concerned that the vehicle should have been evaluated under a coolant-intrusion / thermal-event failure pathway associated with this engine family, rather than being limited to a timing-only diagnosis. My concern is that this may represent a safety-related engine failure pattern involving coolant loss, overheating protection, and possible coolant intrusion, which could cause sudden vehicle disablement or engine failure. I have also opened a case with Ford requesting an independent review: Case CXH-07588177-W3Z8K7.

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Engine · VA

Starting in Oct or Nov 2025 I noticed that my car was not starting right away when i put the key in the ignition, then a couple of weeks later my car began to shake when i started to drive and then would stop. My dad who is a retired mechanic stated that i was low on coolant, so he filled it and the car stopped shaking and drove fine, then the very next day the car would not start right away and it began to shake, my dad checked and the coolant was low again. We filled the tank back up to the correct level and the car stopped shaking. A couple of days later the car began to shake again and the coolant was low this went on from 2025 to March 2026, i took the car to the ford dealership and they stated that i have a coolant intrusion in cylinder 2. I can not drive my car due to the shaking and car not starting correctly.

Filed Mar 22, 2026 · Engine · MI

I went in to get a tune-up on car because a engine light came on which was a misfire. The mechanic had a hard time getting out one spark plug with a hard residue on it. I drove for a couple days after tune-up and engine light came on again. I then started the next day the garage filled with white smoke with a real weird smell. The car showed another engine light that said Engine fault service now. Car would not start. It was towed to Ford dealership. It is a coolant intrusion into the block. I have 110,000 on vehicle and had the 100,000 extended warranty. I now I need to fight Ford to get fixed. This is a known issue and there was not a recall on this. I am retired and I am forced into buying another vehicle on a fixed income. If Ford does not fix this, i will join the class action suit that will be heard in June 2026. I have bought Fords all my life and I am super disappointed that Ford did not recall this motor and replace. I have heard that alot of people with this problem with coolant intrusion in block if over 84,000 or 7yrs Ford will not replace. Shameful when they know there is this issue.