NHTSA Complaint #11551139 — 2017 FORD ESCAPE

I purchased my Ford escape 2017 "new" from Gainesville Ford dealer in 11/2016. Over the years I have serviced my vehicle well, changed all my four tires and brake pads in 06/2023. On 10/2/2023, while I was driving on highway- I 75 &Florida turnpike the engine suddenly showed Engine overheated stop for safety. I stop the car and drove. The sign kept on coming on and off throughout my drive. Since I was on a busy highway, and also in the construction area, there was not a possibility to stop every time the sign appeared. Finally, I reached my destination in Orlando and parked the car in covered parking. That afternoon as I was trying to return home, I started the car, car was moving slowly, I pulled out of the parking lot into the road and the car would not go beyond 10-15 mph. Thankfully the cars around me were considerate and I was able to circle back into the parking lot. From there the car had to be towed to one repair shop who diagnosed that there was coolant leakage into the engine, causing damage of the engine cylinders. I called Ford dealership in Orlando and the car was again towed there. Ford dealership told me that the coolant had leaked into the engine causing damage of the engine and now the whole engine had to be changed and it would cost me $9600. 1 year earlier I had received a letter from Ford stating that my car had a recall on coolant leak into the engine causing engine failure. I had taken the car to the Gainesville Ford dealer where the agent told me that it will take about 3 months for the car to be repaired as they had to order the part. I did not have an alternate vehicle so the agent told me he will order new parts and call me. They never called me. Now my car has total engine failure. I spoke with Ford customer service multiple times, and Ford refused to pay for my car repair. Orlando Ford dealership was no help at all. After 2.5 weeks of multiple calls and no help I had to junk my car and buy a new car. Ford has to be held accountable.