Complaint volume
534 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2019 Ford Escape Complaints
534 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Ford Escape, grouped by component category.
534 Total complaints
24 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
20 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, power train, engine and engine cooling. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 24 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 20 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 220 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 61,590 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, power train, engine and engine cooling?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2019 Ford Escape?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2019 Ford Escape
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Ford Escape complaints?
24 Crash
3 Fire
20 Injury
0 Fatality
58 Towed
17 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Ford Escape complaint categories?
ENGINE 195
POWER TRAIN 73
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 64
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE 11
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9
TIRES 9
AIR BAGS 7
STEERING 7
534 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 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) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Ford dealership in Ferndale,MI told me I needed a new engine February 2025 which was covered under warranty. they told me they had to replace my engine. I serviced car at same dealership for numerous oils changes engine light was in but they told me that it was codes for something else that they reported on my papers. My Vehicle started running hard in January 2026 asked them about why it was running hard when driving was not able to get any answers according to them they were unsure of the reason then February 2026 my engine went out while driving again and they told me I needed another new engine recent search says there is a class action suit with Capstone Law APC, along with co-counsel, is litigating a consolidated class action lawsuit The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Ford Motor Company: failed to disclose that these vehicles have a defect that causes coolant to leak into the engine’s cylinders, which can cause corrosion, oil dilution and contamination, and engine failure; and failed to disclose these defects create a safety risk, because the lack of coolant created by the leaks causes overheating and can result in the cylinder head cracking, total engine failure, and/or engine fires. My engine is completely out and now they are telling me that I have to pay out of pocket for a new engine when this was a safety issue while driving on the road with a engine that was said to have been replaced | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1. The sensor on the backup camera doesn't often detect someone behind the vehicle. This has occured for the last couple of years. 2. The hatch has also started to short out, popping open when the car is off, refusing to unlock etc. I heard my hatch make the latch sound and then got down the road a bit and it was open about a foot. I could have hurt someone. I can't get into my trunk about 50%og the time now. I have to do a series of locking and unlocking before I press the hatch button. I'm concerned it's not truly latching and then unlatching when I turn off my vehicle. There is the potential that items could fall out of the back causing injury to others. It is very concerning and I know this has been reported in other models of the Ford Escape. I've been dealing with this for about a month now. It should be covered by a recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant leaking into go engine. Causing erosion. Only 40,000 miles and been without car for 3 months now. Upon research this is a known issue. Confused why it wasn’t recalled with the number of people who appear to have been impacted. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | 2019 Ford Escape 1.5L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX] , built July 2019, 59,300 miles. Experiencing coolant intrusion into cylinder bores — identical defect addressed by Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and TSBs 22-2134 and 22-2322. Symptoms: white exhaust smoke at startup, low coolant level with no external leak, no check engine light. Two independent mechanics (Tune Craft Auto Center and Thomas Bros Auto Care, San Diego CA) independently diagnosed coolant intrusion into cylinders and recommend long block replacement per CSP 21N12 procedure. Vehicle build date of July 2019 falls three months after Ford's CSP 21N12 cutoff of April 8, 2019. Ford redesigned this engine block in late 2019 due to the same defect, confirming the defective architecture was still in production through at least July 2019. Ford has denied goodwill coverage citing the build date cutoff. This is the same known manufacturing defect Ford has accepted responsibility for in thousands of other vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | My 1.5L EcoBoost engine in my 2019 Ford Escape exhibits a low coolant levels, white exhaust smoke, and runs rough condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator light with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0302 and P0316. Ford admits to having this issue as described in a Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 but is not agreeing to service my vehicle as they state it does not have this issue despite exhibiting all of this symptoms listed in the Satisfaction Program. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | Misfire in 4th cylinder. Replaced spark plugs and emission coils. Recurrent misfire. Diagnostics demonstrated coolant intrusion. Only option for repair is to replace entire engine block and this did not make sense for 7 year old ford escape with 65K miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | The engine needs to be replaced due to engine leaking coolant into the cylinder. This falls under Fords TSB 22-2229. This is a known issue and manufacturing defect. While driving the check engine light started flashing and the car started overheating. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle hesitated and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer diagnosed the issue with a coolant leak and engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 86,708. | Crash: No Fire: No | 86,708 |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE | The accident occurred while I was driving south on Highway 38 at approximately 45 mph. Another driver pulled forward into my path and did not appear to see my vehicle. I attempted to swerve to avoid a more serious collision and protect both drivers, but the front driver-side area of my vehicle struck the rear driver-side area of the other vehicle. The impact caused significant front-end damage to my vehicle, particularly on the driver-side/front corner. Despite the severity of the collision and damage, my airbags did not deploy. The other vehicle’s airbags did deploy during the crash. I am concerned that the airbag system, crash sensors, or related safety components may have failed to activate properly during the collision. Due to the speed of travel and force of impact, I believe the lack of airbag deployment placed my safety at risk and could have resulted in serious injury. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. At this time, I am requesting an investigation into why the airbags did not deploy during the crash. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My vehicle I’ve had for 3 months and now it won’t start and it’s from a coolant leak flooding my engine. As they called it a coolant intrusion into my engine and will cost 12k to get this fixed as I need a whole new engine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | P0217 engine coolant over temp condition, p0316 misfire detected on startup, p2601 coolant pump a control circuit performance stuck off. investigated coolant and found no coolant in reservoir. inspected for leaks and found no leaks. preformed block test on engine and engine failed block test this indicates a failed head gasket. This happened at random, with a full tank of coolant, while driving. There was a heat warning on the dash, I pulled over immediately, and took it into the mechanic the same week. There is a crack in the engine block that is leaking coolant into the cylinders. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Coolant Intrusion into sccylinder one. Long block assembly required. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Car overheats and stalls or shuts down due to engine issues. No prior warning codes. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | I am reporting a serious engine safety issue involving coolant intrusion into the engine, resulting in misfires, loss of power, and potential engine failure while driving. My vehicle began experiencing rough starts after sitting overnight, including shaking and hesitation. in a few dayna, the issue worsened and is now accompanied by the following: * Coolant loss requiring refill approximately every other day * Sweet smell of coolant coming from the exhaust * Occasional white smoke from the exhaust on startup * Gurgling sound behind the dashboard during startup * Loss of engine power and hesitation when accelerating * Engine warning message: “Engine Fault – Service Now” Diagnostic Trouble Codes Retrieved: * P0300 – Random/multiple cylinder misfire * P0302 – Cylinder 2 misfire * P0316 – Misfire detected on startup * P0339 – Crankshaft position sensor intermittent * P059F – Active grille shutter malfunction * P06E9 – Engine starter performance issue I brought the vehicle to a repair shop where I was informed that coolant is entering the engine and mixing with the oil. I was also told there is evidence of oil leakage from the turbocharger area. The shop indicated that the engine likely requires replacement due to internal failure, with an estimated repair cost between $10,000 and $15,000. No prior warning of coolant intrusion was given during a recent service visit approximately one week earlier. This issue creates a serious safety risk because the engine may fail unexpectedly while driving. The problem appears to worsen after the vehicle sits, increasing the risk of failure during normal daily use such as commuting or transporting my child.Based on my research, similar issues involving coolant intrusion have been reported in Ford vehicles equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. This appears to be a known defect that can lead to engine failure without adequate warning.I am requesting that this issue be investigated as a potential safety defect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant intrusion issue causing excessive smoke and coolant leakage. Ford is aware of the issue and provided a service notice but no recall and an extension of coverage but. Y. Vehicle falls beyond that scope due to mileage. The repair solution is a brand new engine on a known engineering flaw costs more than. The worth of the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | Coolant intrusion into cylinder | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 2019 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L EcoBoost, VIN [XXX] , ~51,000 miles, built March 2019. Sioux Falls Ford performed full TSB 19-2346 / 22-2229 diagnostic on April 23, 2026 and confirmed coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 with visible damage on borescope. Check engine light has occurred four times. Ford Customer Care (case ##CXH-XXX-XXX) denied goodwill. Known design flaw. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | I purchased the vehicle on February 10, 2026, at which time it had approximately 31,000 miles. Within one week, the check engine light illuminated. I brought the vehicle to a repair shop, where diagnostic testing identified a fault related to spark plug #2. Further inspection revealed that the engine was losing coolant. According to the technician, coolant intrusion into the cylinder caused the spark plug to seize in the cylinder head, resulting in a misfire in cylinder #2. The spark plug was removed, and a pressure test of the cooling system was performed. Using a borescope, the technician observed coolant entering the cylinder and dripping down the cylinder wall. Based on these findings, the shop determined that the engine requires a short block replacement to correct the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | AIR BAGS | I was in an accident that envolved a rock wall and not 1 airbag deployed. Damage was severe enough for at least 2 should have deployed. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | on March 26, 2026 my engine light turned on and I’m getting in misfire on my car, and all of a sudden I can’t run more 40 mph or my car start shaking. I went to AutoZone to get it checked and the the result is, they are needing to replace the cylinder 3 coil pack or spark plugs. I went to Ford on March 31, 2026 trying to have my spark plug replaced and was told that my engine has coolant intrusion and that the long block needs to be replaced and the head gasket is blown they recommended me to have the engine replaced, and it will cost me more than 8 grand. That they was so unexpected for me because I’m not planning to get a new vehicle and my car is only more than six years old with 78,000 miles on it. I called Ford and asked them if I could get help with the situation and I was told that the certain VIN number of my car was not affected by the recalls that they have for the same model and the same year. If anyone is reading this don’t buy ford at all cost. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ENGINE | My vehicle has stop working because the engine has a crack and coolant is leaking into cylinder block. My vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership and I was directed by my warranty plan. The dealership inspected vehicle and found the issue... Ford warranty does not want to pay for the repair or recall. I would like to open and investigation Thanks | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Cylinder 4 misfire code caused a check engine light. Brought to mechanic who replaced all spark plugs and the cylinder 4 coil pack. The code came back later that day. I started noticing a low coolant level and one instance of white smoke on startup. I brought the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine block. This is a well reported and well known issue for this and other similar vehicles and Ford has not addressed this with a recall. It is a design flaw associated with multiple model years. The cost to repair the issue is more than the cost of the vehicle itself. If the problem persists, it could result in a crack in the engine, which could become a major safety hazard depending on the circumstances. Ford should provide coverage for these repairs affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |