About this problem
Coolant carries heat away from the engine to the radiator. Leaks from hoses, the water pump, the thermostat housing, the radiator or internal gaskets let the level fall until the engine overheats. Owners usually notice a sweet smell, puddles, a low-coolant warning or a temperature gauge climbing. Driving an overheating engine even a short distance can warp the cylinder head.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Ford Escape since 2012, 4,927 (30.9%) describe coolant leak and engine overheating, making it the most reported problem we track on the Escape. The reports cluster on the 2013, 2017 and 2018 model years, and the 2017 drew the most, with 1,585. It tends to show up at higher mileage: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 62,000 and 108,000 miles. 89 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. 7 recalls are related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Escape owners report coolant disappearing, the engine overheating, white smoke and in the worst cases engine fires. On 2013 models the 1.6-liter engine was recalled because it could overheat and leak oil onto hot parts. On 2017 to 2019 models with the 1.5-liter engine, many owners report coolant leaking into the cylinders, which leads to misfires and engine failure, usually past 60,000 miles.
How it gets fixed
Recall repairs on the 2013 1.6-liter engine are free. For the 1.5-liter, Ford issued service guidance and extended coverage on some vehicles; once coolant gets into the cylinders the usual fix is a new engine block or a replacement engine.
Typical cost: A cylinder head or block repair typically runs $3,000 to $7,000, and a replacement engine more.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"1.6l EcoBoost: service engine indicator comes on. Dealer has determined several instances of engine misfire. Initially too, a more urgent indicator light came on (amber) indicating that the coolant level is low."
2013 Ford Escape, 23,000 miles
"Fords 1.5l engine has a fuel in oil. Even after oil change after car driven just 30 miles highway miles oil had almost a quart of fuel in it. Turbo is burning coolant. Every two weeks have to add coolant to reservoir because turbo is burning it."
2017 Ford Escape, 5,000 miles
"Brought my vehicle in on july 13th, 2020 (55,785 miles) due to a recall notice I received. The recall was for a powertrain reprogramming due to coolant leaking into the cylinder bores. Reprogramming was performed along with an oil change."
2018 Ford Escape, 65,955 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
This is an update to a recently announced recall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through June 2, 2013 and equipped with 1.6L engines.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Ford has sent dealers 46 bulletins that mention this problem on the Escape. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Ford customer satisfaction program see document search button for owner letter.
Some 2023-2024 Escape vehicles built on or before 11-Jan-2024 equipped with 1.5L engines may exhibit an Engine Coolant Over-Temperature Warning message displayed in the IPC and an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) wi...
Some 2021-2024 F-150-3.5L FHEV, 2020-2024 Explorer 3.3L FHEV, 2020-2024 Escape 2.5L FHEV, and 2022-2024 Maverick 2.5L FHEV vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with DTC P237F and/or P2C23 stored in the powertrain control mod...
Some 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, 2020-2024 Escape/Corsair/Edge/Nautilus/Transit Connect and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles may exhibit erratic shifting and/or a transmission fluid venting condition.
Some 2023-2025 Escape vehicles built on or before 16-Sep-2024 equipped with 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an "Engine Coolant Over-Temperature" warning message displayed in the IPC and an illuminated malfunction indicator lam...
Some 2022-2023 Bronco Sport/Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.5L engine and 2022-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, built on 01-Sep-2022 and through 06-Apr-2023, may exhibit a low coolant level with engine oil i...
Government investigations
Preliminary evaluation PE18007 · 2013 · opened Jul 2018, closed Dec 2024
Before you buy a Escape
- Check the coolant level and look for the reservoir being low or freshly topped up.
- Ask for any coolant or engine repair records, and check by VIN for recalls.
- Watch for white exhaust smoke or a sweet smell after the car warms up.
Questions
Which Ford Escape years have coolant leak and engine overheating?
Complaints are highest for the 2013, 2017, 2018 model years. The 2017 drew the most, with 1,585 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 85,000 miles, and half reported it between 62,000 and 108,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A cylinder head or block repair typically runs $3,000 to $7,000, and a replacement engine more.