2017 FORD ESCAPE Complaints

My 2017 2.0L Ford Escape experienced the commonly known coolant intrusion issue that this model faces. It started out as a P300 cylinder misfire code every now and then. I replaced all the spark plugs and coil packs but the engine light would still come on. The vehicle was looked at by Ford. They conducted a cylinder pressure test which indicated microfractures in the engine block. They quoted a replacement close to $8k. The mileage was maybe around 90k or 100k in March 2025. This was past the point of the free one time engine replacement with max mileage at 83k miles. I continued to drive the vehicle hoping it would last a little longer. The vehicle's heating stopped working over time (since it was loosing coolant). Soon after, on a 27 degree winter night of December 2nd, 2025 , I was driving the vehicle and a flashing message came on the screen saying something like "engine overheating, stop the vehicle safely now". The temperature gauge was all the way up on H. The next morning, I saw that the coolant reservoir was empty and that the oil cap had a milkshake appearance indicating coolant had mixed with the oil. The mileage was at 115,763 and I haven't driven it since. This voluntary one time engine replacement under the "Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12" should not be conditional with how many vehicles have been affected by this issue. This should be a full recall.

First trip (12/9) to mechanic for regular maintenance...technician discovered empty coolant reservoir, found leaking auxiliary water pump...repairs made. Two weeks later (12/23), engine light comes on...technician found faulty ignition coil in cylinder two...removed and replaced all ignitions coils and spark plugs. Took car on the highway, but couldn't get above 35 mph without lurching, car wouldn't go into higher gear. Technician reprogrammed computer twice before the issues seemed to be resolved (12/27). Six days later (1/02), car was idling unusually high, once on the road the idle settled down. Three days later (1/05), started the car and the temperature gauge flew up above HOT LEVEL. Warning light came on that the car was overheated. Turned it off. Checked under hood a few hours later, no coolant in reservoir. No coolant on the ground (there was never any evidence of a coolant leak on the ground). Diagnosed (1/07 and 1/14) as internal coolant leak by two different technicians (an independent service center and a Ford dealer). Need to replace engine block, etc. Cost for repair over $10,000. Unable to drive car for at least two weeks. Cost of repairs were over $1500, before final diagnosis made. Car cannot be driven safely without repairs. No inspection by police or insurance representatives.

Ford did a recall on certain vehicles with the 1.5L ECVOBOOST motor, when in fact everyone of these motors are know to have issues, either white smoke out the exhaust, loosing coolant into the engine or in our case the motor now has a cracked head, and cannot be driven. The recalls for motors from the Louisville, KY plant. Our vehicle came from that plant. It seems that Ford knows all of their 1.5l eccoboost motors have the same issues, abd they refuse to address the issues, whike consumers are being screwed over by Ford. We need help with this ASAP. PLEASE HELP US.

Coolant intrusion causing need for engine replacement. Like many others I've read about this is a KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT that Ford does not want to fix.

Bought the car used in 2021 from a non Ford dealer, 3 months after purchase the engine failed due to coolant leak in the 3rd cylinder, was told Ford had created a new engine to fix the problem so went $5,000 in the hole for the new engine by Ford and had it replaced by a Ford certified mechanic. Now in March 2026 the car started having issues with skipping limited power. Took it to the mechanic and once again being told we need a new engine because it misfiring and low compression in the same cylinder number 3 and it's an internal issue. The new engine we purchased only had 60,000 miles on it. Ford needs to issue a recall and replace the engines for free and refund what consumers have already paid out for repairs. This issue is dangerous and Ford has done nothing to fix the issue. This year model for the escape has had nothing but problems and Ford knows it and does nothing

Engine failure due to coolant intrusion. Ford has issued a technical bulletin to its technicians regarding this issue. While my wife was driving the vehicle, a warning light first appeared indicating that the engine temperature was high. Shortly afterward, the warning escalated to a red alert stating that the transmission was blocked. My wife immediately turned off the engine to prevent further damage. The vehicle was then towed to a Ford dealership for inspection. After evaluating the vehicle, the dealership informed us that the engine had suffered severe damage and would need to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. We have maintained the vehicle responsibly and have documentation of regular oil changes and other maintenance and repairs. When we contacted Ford Motor Company, we were informed that the vehicle was outside the warranty period. We opened a case with Ford’s customer relationship department requesting assistance; however, the case was denied. Although the vehicle is outside the warranty period, Ford has acknowledged this issue in a technical service bulletin, indicating that coolant intrusion is a known problem affecting this engine design in the Ford Escape 2017.

White smoke from vehicle exhaust. Vehicle misfires and jumps when trying to engage gears. Then vehicle goes limp after running for a while.

Our car just turned over 91,000 miles. The check engine light came on so I had spark plugs replaced. The repair shop noticed that our coolant level was way down so they ran a scope into the cylinders. They found fluids leaking into the #4 cylinder. I took car to Ford dealer and they confirmed water leaking into cylinder. They say I need a completely new motor and want to charge full price even though this has been a known "issue" for this motor since 2019 (Tech service bulletin 19-2346). They refuse to give any discounts and are telling me it will cost over $9,400 to replace the motor. I'm now being told it will be unsafe to drive the vehicle any long distances.

2017 Ford Escape SE 2.0L critically malfunctioned on my way home from work due to coolant intrusion. The engine started sputtering, a warning came on the dash, and lost all acceleration. This is a known design flaw by Ford that requires a full engine replacement but a recall was never issued and I, like many customers are burdened with the financial responsibility to replace the engine or buy a new car.

My vehicle started slowing down, check engine light came on, and then the vehicle went into limp mode. The vehicle won't go faster than 10-15 miles per hour. I had the accelerator and sensor replaced, but the vehicle won't start or move. My car is not running and hasn't run for over a year.