NHTSA Complaint #11648481 — 2018 FORD ESCAPE

While driving at 60 mph on the highway, my vehicle suddenly overheated and lost power, forcing it into limp mode and reducing acceleration. The coolant was completely gone, even though it had been refilled and bled by a mechanic just a week earlier. Prior to this, I experienced engine misfires, which is a known early symptom of coolant intrusion in the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The check engine light and an overheating warning message appeared at the time of failure. This matches Ford’s known coolant intrusion defect, which was previously covered under CSP 19B37 and CSP 21N12, yet my vehicle is now experiencing the same failure outside the program’s coverage. This issue is extremely dangerous because it can cause the engine to suddenly fail at high speeds, creating a serious risk for drivers and passengers. This issue has not yet been confirmed by a dealer, as I am arranging transport to a service center. However, the coolant loss and overheating symptoms are consistent with reports from other Ford owners. Ford has acknowledged this problem in past service programs, but vehicles like mine continue to fail. This is a serious safety hazard, and Ford should be required to extend coverage or issue a recall before more drivers experience sudden engine failure.