2019 Ford Escape recalls and problems

The 2019 Ford Escape has 3 safety recalls and 605 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
605
Crashes / fires
24 / 3
Injuries / deaths
28 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2019 Ford Escape vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2019 Ford Escape recalls

Recall 26V-011: Equipment

Reported Jan 15, 2026 · 116,672 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

Recall 22V-413: Power Train

Reported Jun 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 21V-155: Tires

Reported Mar 10, 2021 · 15,769 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

2019 Ford Escape problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine325
Power Train128
Engine and Engine Cooling94
Unknown or Other42
Electrical System37
Fuel/Propulsion System17
Steering16
Exterior Lighting13
Tires13
Structure12
Air Bags11
Wheels11

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 9
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 3
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 3
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Evaporative Emissions › Canister — 3
  • Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs — 3
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,420 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2019 Ford Escape complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 10, 2026
The open-deck engine design features small coolant passages between the cylinders. Over time, thermal cycling warps the block deck or compromises the head gasket, allowing pressurized coolant to leak directly into the combustion chambers (often cylinders 2 and 3). The check engine light came on. A new engine was required at 62,000 miles on the vehicle. This is a known issue but Fors has chosen not to address it.
Engine · reported Nov 9, 2026
• I have a P0304 code from coolant intrusion. •Coolant intrusion can cause sudden loss of engine power while driving, severe engine overheating, or engine fires.
Engine · reported Nov 7, 2026
Engine was sputtering. We took it to a Ford dealership in Kalispell MT and was plugged into their diagnostic tool. We were told it was an emissions issue but was safe to drive home to [XXX]. A few days later the engine failed while on the interstate 3 miles east of Billings MT. We barely got it off the interstate. A warning light read something to the affect "get off road and turn off engine". It was towed to a dealership where we were told before they had even unloaded it that it had a known problem called coolant intrusion and would need a new engine. We were told that if we had had the 1.5L…
Engine · reported Nov 5, 2026
Was told by an automotive repair shop that my car's check engine light codes are P0302/P0316. Current intrusion into the cylinder directly through the head gasket. The technician looked into this issue and found that 2019 Ford Escapes assembled in [XXX] in 2019 have these issues. I was not aware of this manufacturing error, and no recall/repair notices were issued. I'm putting XXX as my date of incident, even though the manufacturing error was done upon creation. I'm also selecting WA where the incident occurred, but my vehicle was assembled in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…
Engine · reported Nov 2, 2026
The vehicle suffered a major manufacturing defect known as internal cylinder coolant intrusion, which is common to Ford's 1.5L EcoBoost engines. The vehicle began experiencing rough cold starts and white exhaust smoke before being officially diagnosed by a certified dealership, Folsom Lake Ford, who confirmed internal coolant leaking into the 2nd engine cylinder. The dealership issued a repair quote of $13,000 for a complete engine replacement. Ford Motor Company Corporate headquarters was notified via certified mail but issued a formal courtesy denial letter refusing any financial or…

Other Ford Escape years

Compare all Ford Escape years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Ford Escape: 26V-011 (equipment), 22V-413 (power train), 21V-155 (tires). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 Ford Escape?

Owners report engine problems most often (325 reports), followed by power train (128). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,420 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.