NHTSA Complaint #11551137 — 2017 FORD ESCAPE

I bought this car "new" from Ford dealer in Gainesville , FL in Nov 2016. A dashboard sign suddenly appeared on 10/2/2023 (overheated engine, risk of fire, please stop driving immediately) while driving on I-75 S from Gainesville to Orlando. The vehicle odometer reading was about 78000 miles. The vehicle would not move past 20 miles per hour. I finally was able to reach my destination in Orlando and took the car to the "Sun State Ford" dealer in Orlando, FL on 10/3/2023. Their inspection stated that the coolant leaked into the engine cylinders and the engine is completely damaged. They stated it will cost me USD 9600 for parts and labor to replace a new engine. I called Ford manufacturer 11 times and spoke to multiple representatives who told me that "it is not Ford's responsibility to replace the engine". Ford had a recall on the same problem in July 2022 and the recall expired in Nov 2022. I took the car to Gainesville Ford dealer at that time when I received the recall message even though there was no problem with my car at that time. The dealer that time stated that it will take 2-3 months for the repair to get completed. Since I had no alternate vehicle to drive and since the car that time had no issue, I did not fell it was necessary to do so. Finally, I sold the car to the "Junk car buyer" for few hundred dollars one 10/18/2023. From 10/3/2023-10/18/2023, I rented multiple cars and paid diagnostic fees to the Orlando Ford dealer. Finally, I bought another used car on 10/18/2023. I feel that this defect in the coolant/engine put my life at risk while driving on 1-75 S on 10/2/2023 and Ford seems to be very irresponsible. A one-owner car's engine should not go down at 78000 miles.