NHTSA Complaint #11556986 — 2016 FORD EDGE

My 2016 Ford Edge equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine had coolant leak into the engine cylinders and my check engine light came on. Upon contacting Ford, they said it happens and I should be fine to take a 1,046-mile road trip to Colorado and back home. I then had my hometown mechanic look at the problem and he said I had a P0304 problem and that I need to stop driving the car immediately. He printed off the Technical Service Bulletin dated 06/26/2019. He said if I drove it, it would overheat and potentially catch fire. I immediately drove it to the Ford dealership I purchased this car from and after checking they said I needed a new engine, and I would pay approximately $4,700.00 right before the holidays. I rented a car for my trip and when I returned, I called the dealership on 11/14/23 and told them to put the new engine in as I can't afford this expense or another vehicle. The bill amounted to $5,955.80 and the difference the dealership said they would bill to Ford, and they would get reimbursed, but I had to pay $4,700.00. This was not on my radar, budget or understanding as the defect was known since 2019 and I had this car in to my Ford dealership for maintenance many times after this and not one word was mentioned about this faulty engine design. I am single mother with no child support. Shame on Ford!