Ford Escape problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The 2013–2019 Escape’s documented weak spot is its small EcoBoost engines: 2013–2014 1.6L recalls for overheating, cracked heads and fire risk, plus lawsuits alleging coolant intrusion in the 1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L. The 2020-on Escape adds 1.5L fuel injector cracking and 2.5L hybrid engine-failure fire recalls.

CarWhere lists 8 documented Escape issues, including 7 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, engines, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Escape generations at a glance

Ford Escape generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
3rd gen2013–20192013 1.6L EcoBoost overheating and fire recalls · 1.6L cylinder head cracking when low on coolant (2014) · Alleged coolant intrusion in 1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines · Transmission shift cable bushing can detach
4th gen2020+1.5L three-cylinder fuel injector cracking · 1.5L engine oil separator housing cracks · 2.5L hybrid engine-failure fire risk · Hybrid and plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery failures

3rd gen Escape problems (2013–2019)

2013 1.6L EcoBoost overheating and fire recalls (2013)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2013–2019)
Years:
2013
Engine:
1.6L EcoBoost

The 2013 Escape with the 1.6L EcoBoost was recalled several times in its first year: a split engine-compartment fuel line (12V-336), a dislodged cylinder head cup plug causing coolant loss (12V-431), coolant leaks causing overheating and flammable fluid leaks (12V-551) and localized cylinder head overheating that can crack the head and leak oil (13V-583).

Symptoms

  • Fuel smell under the hood
  • Sudden coolant loss or overheating
  • Smoke or burning smell from the engine bay

Check before buying

  • Confirm 12V-336, 12V-431, 12V-551 and 13V-583 are all closed on the VIN
  • Inspect for coolant residue around the cylinder head and signs of past overheating

NHTSA recall: 13V-583 (2013-11)

Sources: [1][2][3][4]

1.6L cylinder head cracking when low on coolant (2014) (2014)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2013–2019)
Years:
2014
Engine:
1.6L EcoBoost

If a 1.6L EcoBoost is driven with insufficient coolant, the cylinder head can overheat and crack, leaking oil and creating a fire risk. Recall 17V-209 covered 2014 Escapes and other 1.6L Ford models.

Symptoms

  • Low coolant warning or falling coolant level
  • Overheating
  • Oil leak or burning smell

Check before buying

  • Confirm recall 17V-209 is closed
  • Check the coolant level cold and ask how often it has needed topping up

NHTSA recall: 17V-209 (2017-03)

Sources: [5]

Alleged coolant intrusion in 1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines (2013–2019)

Major repair
Generation:
3rd gen (2013–2019)
Years:
2013–2019
Engine:
1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost

Class actions consolidated in California allege that cylinder head sealing on Ford’s four-cylinder EcoBoost engines lets coolant leak into the cylinders, leading to overheating, cracked heads and engine failure; 2013–2019 Escapes are among the vehicles named. Plaintiffs allege Ford added coolant-level sensors rather than redesigning the engines; these are allegations, not court findings.

Symptoms

  • Coolant loss with no external leak
  • White exhaust smoke at startup
  • Misfires on a cold start
  • Overheating

Check before buying

  • Ask how often coolant has been added and look for a reservoir below the minimum line
  • Have a shop perform a cooling-system pressure test and a cylinder leak-down test
  • Ask whether the engine or short block has been replaced and request the invoice

Sources: [6]

Transmission shift cable bushing can detach (2013–2019)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2013–2019)
Years:
2013–2019
Engine:
Six-speed automatic models

The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the six-speed automatic can degrade or detach, so the selected gear may not match the shifter and the vehicle can roll away when the driver thinks it is in Park. Recalls 18V-471 and 22V-413 covered 2013–2019 Escapes.

Symptoms

  • Shifter feels loose or moves without changing gears
  • Gear indicator doesn’t match lever position
  • Vehicle moving after being put in Park

Check before buying

  • Confirm 18V-471 and 22V-413 are closed
  • Shift through every gear and confirm the display matches

NHTSA recall: 22V-413 (2022-06)

Sources: [7][8]

4th gen Escape problems (2020+)

1.5L three-cylinder fuel injector cracking (2020–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th gen (2020+)
Years:
2020–2023
Engine:
1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder

A fuel injector on the 1.5L three-cylinder can crack and leak fuel into the engine compartment, creating a fire risk. Ford recalled about 522,000 Escapes and Bronco Sports under 22V-859, adding leak-detection software and a drain tube, then issued 24V-187, 25V-165 and 25V-467 for additional and incorrectly repaired vehicles.

Symptoms

  • Fuel smell from the engine bay
  • Check-engine light or reduced engine power
  • Smoke from under the hood

Check before buying

  • Confirm 22V-859 and any later injector campaigns (24V-187, 25V-165, 25V-467) are closed
  • Smell for raw fuel under the hood after the test drive

NHTSA recall: 22V-859 (2022-11) · 521,746 vehicles

Sources: [9][10][11]

1.5L engine oil separator housing cracks (2020–2022)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th gen (2020+)
Years:
2020–2022
Engine:
1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder

The engine oil separator housing on 2020–2022 1.5L Escapes can crack and leak oil, which can lead to a loss of power or reach hot exhaust parts.

Symptoms

  • Oil leak at the top-rear of the engine
  • Burning oil smell
  • Low oil level between changes

Check before buying

  • Confirm recall 22V-191 is closed
  • Look for oil residue around the oil separator and intake

NHTSA recall: 22V-191 (2022-03)

Sources: [12]

2.5L hybrid engine-failure fire risk (2020–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th gen (2020+)
Years:
2020–2023
Engine:
2.5L hybrid and plug-in hybrid

If the 2.5L hybrid or plug-in hybrid engine fails, oil and fuel vapor can be released into the engine compartment and ignite on hot parts. The 22V-484 remedy modified the underbody engine shield and grille shutters; 23V-380 and 25V-345 followed for additional and incorrectly repaired vehicles.

Symptoms

  • Unusual engine noise or sudden loss of power
  • Smoke from the engine bay

Check before buying

  • Confirm 22V-484, 23V-380 and 25V-345 are closed
  • Listen for knocking at startup and under load

NHTSA recall: 22V-484 (2022-07) · 100,689 vehicles

Sources: [13][14]

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery failures (2020–2024)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th gen (2020+)
Years:
2020–2024
Engine:
2.5L hybrid and plug-in hybrid

Several campaigns cover the high-voltage battery: 22V-149 for 2021–2022 hybrids whose batteries may fail and cause a sudden loss of drive power, and 24V-954 for 2020–2024 models with battery cells that may short-circuit internally.

Symptoms

  • Sudden loss of drive power
  • Hybrid system warning messages

Check before buying

  • Confirm 22V-149 and 24V-954 are closed
  • Scan for hybrid system fault codes and check that the vehicle starts and drives in EV mode

NHTSA recall: 24V-954 (2024-12)

Sources: [15][16]

Related Escape research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint counts.

Confirm exactly how a Escape was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and equipment decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Ford Escape VIN into its factory record — powertrain, equipment groups and options as built. $9.99, instant.

Ford build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Ford Escape problems?

The best-documented Ford Escape issues are alleged coolant intrusion in 1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines (3rd gen, 2013–2019). Which ones matter depends on the generation and engine, so check the section for the exact truck or car you are looking at.

Has the Ford Escape had any recalls?

Yes. Recalls covered on this page include 2013 1.6L EcoBoost overheating and fire recalls (NHTSA 13V-583), 1.6L cylinder head cracking when low on coolant (2014) (NHTSA 17V-209), transmission shift cable bushing can detach (NHTSA 22V-413) and 1.5L three-cylinder fuel injector cracking (NHTSA 22V-859). Recall repairs are free at a Ford dealer; check any specific vehicle’s VIN with NHTSA to see whether the work was completed.

What should I check before buying a used Escape?

Ask how often coolant has been added and look for a reservoir below the minimum line. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic covers these and should include a scan for stored fault codes.

Is the Ford Escape reliable?

Most well-known Escape problems are tied to a specific generation, engine or transmission rather than the model as a whole, and many have a published fix, updated part or recall remedy. Owner-complaint volume by model year is tracked separately in CarWhere’s years-to-avoid research.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. NHTSA recall 13V-583: 1.6L cylinder head may overheat and crack — NHTSA
  2. NHTSA recall 12V-551: 1.6L coolant leaks may cause fire — NHTSA
  3. NHTSA recall 12V-336: 1.6L fuel line may split — NHTSA
  4. NHTSA recall 12V-431: 1.6L cylinder head cup plug may dislodge — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recall 17V-209: 1.6L cylinder head may overheat and crack — NHTSA
  6. Ford EcoBoost class action alleges faulty seals allow coolant to leak into the engine cylinder heads — CarComplaints.com
  7. NHTSA recall 22V-413: shift cable bushing may degrade or detach — NHTSA
  8. NHTSA recall 18V-471: shift cable bushing may detach — NHTSA
  9. NHTSA recall 22V-859: 1.5L fuel injector may crack and leak — NHTSA
  10. NHTSA recall 25V-467: 1.5L fuel injector may crack (expansion) — NHTSA
  11. NHTSA recall 25V-165: injector remedy repaired incorrectly — NHTSA
  12. NHTSA recall 22V-191: oil separator housing may crack — NHTSA
  13. NHTSA recall 22V-484: 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine failure may cause fire — NHTSA
  14. NHTSA recall 23V-380: 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine failure fire risk (follow-up) — NHTSA
  15. NHTSA recall 24V-954: high-voltage battery cell defect — NHTSA
  16. NHTSA recall 22V-149: high-voltage battery may fail — NHTSA

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company. Ford, Power Stroke, EcoBoost, Coyote and the model names are trademarks of their owner.