NHTSA Complaint #11629646 — 2017 FORD ESCAPE

Check engine light came on while normal driving on highway and car immediately started running rough, power cutting out, engine sputtering. I immediately exited highway & pulled into a Ford dealership that was right off the highway. They hooked up a code reader & got a P0301 code error, misfire in cylinder 1. They said it could be a number of things wrong but couldn't get my car in shop for 2 weeks. Replaced spark plugs& coil, no difference, checked fuel injection & pressure seemed ok. Did some research found that there is a known issue with the 2017 escapes 1.5 liter eco boost turbo engines involving coolant leaking into cylinders causing the same exact problem I am experiencing with my vehicle. I have done regular oil changes & other maintenance on the vehicle since purchasing in 2020 and haven't had any problems really other than having to replace the water pump prematurely in my opinion at much higher costs than I have ever seen for such repair. I still owe a decent amount in the vehicle and this break engine issue is a great hardship to me personally as it is my only vehicle and is greatly hindering my ability to travel to & from work. I cannot afford a high repair bill and by my research I'm looking at a minimum of $750 and possible engine replacement at estimated $10,000 which is more than I owe & more than the car's estimated value. Ford has always been my family's preferred choice of vehicles so I'm counting on that confidence in Ford motor co to determine if my vehicle could indeed be included among the models affected by the published recalls on the 2017 escapes so that my vehicle can be repaired at no costs and I can get back on the road and otherwise avoid losing my job & having to voluntarily surrender the vehicle in lieu of repossession. I understand that repairs are sometimes required but the issue with my vehicle seems sudden with no prior warnings and with so many same model & year escapes having the exact same problem a recall seems very likely.