Complaint 2218720
2018 FORD ESCAPE • ENGINE • incident May 1, 2026
Complaint Summary
ENGINE
Owner Narrative
My car experienced a sudden internal engine failure due to a known manufacturer design defect causing coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. A Ford dealer service center diagnosed the issue with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0303, confirming a Cylinder 3 misfire caused by coolant leaking into the block. The vehicle requires a total engine replacement at just ~66000 miles at a cost of over $9000. This internal coolant leak poses a severe safety hazard, including sudden engine stalling, loss of motive power while driving, and potential thermal runaway/engine fire risks. The vehicle is currently rendered unsafe to drive.
Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.
Related
Data sources & freshness
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Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
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