2019 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (231) · Power Train (112) · Engine And Engine Cooling (86)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
230 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater 2026-01-15 · campaign 26V011000 · 116,672 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. For
Power Train:shift Linkage/Cable/Rod 2022-06-10 · campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Tires 2021-03-10 · campaign 21V155000 · 15,769 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.
Service bulletins (128)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Electrical System 2025-11-26 · TSB 25-2570 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 24-2165 to update the tsb service procedure. some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit various sync performance related concerns including but not limited to: display operation concerns navigation inoperative voice recognition concerns phone co
Power Train 2025-11-12 · SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2015-2021 ford and lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated mil with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0011, p0012, p0014, p0015, p0016, p0017, p0018, p0019, p0021, p0022, p0024 and/or p0025. pinpoint test hk in the powertrain control and emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) or in section 303-14 of th
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-27 · TSB 24-2165 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 21-2175 to update the tsb service procedure. some 2016 mks, 2016-2017 navigator, 2016-2018 f-150/focus/c-max/edge/fiesta/mkx/transit connect/mustang, 2017-2018 continental/fusion/mkz, 2017-2019 explorer, 2016-2019 escape/mkc/flex/mkt/taurus/transit/expedition/f-super duty
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Showing the 6 most recent of 128 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-26 · Engine“we received an "engine failure- service now" error message on our vehicle and our mechanic told us it is a known issue with this year, make,model, engine and to take it to the dealership for repair. the dealer, and ford motor company said though the recall is for 2017-2019 ford escape ecoboost engines and for the exact same issue, our vin is not on…”
2026-10-26 · Engine“i have a 2019 ford escape. with the ecoboost 1.5-liter engine. the engine has a well-documented engineering defect that causes coolant intrusion into the cylinders. and ultimately engine failure. ford created a customer assistance program to deal with this. its limits are seven years and 84,000 miles. my vehicle is 7 1/2 years old and 96,000 miles …”
2026-10-25 · Engine“the coolant system leaked into engine cylinder two. this caused engine block destruction and i was quoted $13,000 to repair the engine. i called ford and they stated that because the vehicle was at 120,000 miles there was nothing they could do. …”
2026-10-15 · Power Train“transmission failed, car would only move at high rpms, created a dangerous driving situation known issue with ford and the 6f35 transmission …”
2026-10-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System“at only 43,379 miles — well within the useful life expected of this vehicle — my 2019 ford escape developed two significant mechanical failures. (1) fuel injector: the vehicle emits visible black smoke from the exhaust when accelerating at highway speeds; the dealership diagnosed this as a failed fuel injector requiring replacement (est. $1,200). v…”
2026-10-07 · Engine · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the message “stop vehicle” was displayed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. the failure mileage was approximately 60,000.…”
2026-10-07 · Engine“my vehicle has to have a new motor. it only has 127,154 miles on it. i have sent ford a letter to respond with in 30 days and they have not done that. please advise the next steps. …”
2026-10-05 · Power Train“my 2019 ford escape se was smoking during start up. dealer says it needs a whole new engine due to coolant intrusion. i have been seeing there are many issues with this. …”
2026-10-05 · Engine“i am reporting a potential safety defect involving the 1.5l ecoboost engine in my 2019 ford escape, which has approximately 39,000 miles. beginning in august 2026, the vehicle developed repeated check-engine lights, misfires, and severe shaking while driving. ignition coils and a spark plug were replaced, but the problems continued. the vehicle the…”
2026-10-03 · Engine“the check engine light has repeatedly came on and been brought to the mechanics numerous times throughout the year. it was determined that the cause of issue is due to engine coolant leaking into the engine.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.