Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the spark plugs and ignition coil to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the check engine warning light turned off but then illuminated again. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the spark plugs and ignition coil to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after attempting to start the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated; however, the engine failed to turn over. The contact stated that the vehicle was jumpstarted, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed on the instrument panel "Engine overheated - Pull Over". The contact pulled off the road and turned off the vehicle to allow the engine to cool down. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the crank shaft sensor light illuminated and turned off. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the engine was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission was slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the oil was changed. The contact's son noticed that there was white smoke coming from the exhaust and noticed that the coolant level was low. The contact added coolant to the reservoir. The contact's neighbor informed her that there was white smoke coming from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver's side CV joint was leaking, and the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving the "Transmission Service Now" message was displayed. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle jerked, and white smoke was coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with spark plug failure. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact's husband inspected the vehicle and determined that the coolant level was low, and the coolant reservoir was refilled. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir needed to be refilled constantly; however, there were no visible coolant leaks. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and engine failure. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the contact received a power train malfunction notification through the Mobile App. The vehicle was able to restart but failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start but was started after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to Loganville Ford (3460 US-78, Loganville, GA 30052); where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam seals, the crankshaft sensor and harness, and the timing components needed to be replaced. …
he freeway I notified future ford of concord and I was told I would receive a call back but as I recall I didn't receive a call back. The car started acting as if nothing was wrong about a week or so later then two days ago December 13,2025 first my head lights went out and a message saying there's a bulb outage or electrical issue appeared and also the hill assist unavailable warning light appeared , following the 911 calling assistance is unavailable as well, and I also noticed my radio is no longer producing sound so I believe the engine ( block , head gasket etc) component also electrical system, sync 3 system has also failed or malfunctioned. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that the vehicle was also overheating. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and the check engine light was illuminated continuously after starting the vehicle. The contact returned the vehicle to the mechanic who determined that coolant was leaking into the engine. The mechanic referred the contact to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had intruded into the engine block and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that in November of 2020 the engine was replaced under an unknown recall. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that after attempting and restarting the vehicle several times, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was under a recall. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that approximately 8 months later the failure recurred while driving approximately 35 mph. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the dealer. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure recurred while driving 55 mph. The vehicle was returned a third time to the dealer however, a repair was not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond and started shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that at times she would veer to the side of the road for a moment before resuming normal driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where four spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the engine and the engine block was cracked. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that she needed to pay out-of-pocket for the repair because the failure could not be repaired under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2, causing a misfire. The independent mechanic attempted to repair the vehicle; however, while attempting to repair the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the vehicle could not be repaired under the Customer Satisfaction Program, because the vehicle was leaking oil instead of coolant. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Engine complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 391 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Ford Escape, 66% of the model year's 596 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Ford Escape engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2019 Ford Escape, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Ford Escape engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.