- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.
- The risk
- If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.
Engine & cooling
2014 Ford Escape Engine problems
Owners have filed 887 complaints about the 2014 Ford Escape's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 42% of all its complaints, most recently on November 9, 2026. They describe 3 crashes, 83 fires and 2 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 887
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 83
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Engine recalls for the 2014 Ford Escape
Engine complaints
2014 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost - Coolant System Failure Following Safety Recall 17S09 I own a 2014 Ford Escape equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine. My vehicle is experiencing a significant coolant leak involving a broken coolant outlet flange located near the cylinder head. Before the failure, my vehicle's cabin heater stopped producing heat for several days. Shortly afterward, the dashboard displayed a high-temperature warning instructing me to stop the vehicle. I pulled over and shut off the engine almost...
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immediately. My mechanic inspected the vehicle and identified a significant coolant leak from the coolant outlet flange. The plastic component was broken, and the attached hose also requires replacement. The estimated repair cost is approximately $1,600. I contacted Ford regarding Safety Recall 17S09, which concerns the cooling system and the risk of cylinder-head overheating in certain 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost vehicles. Ford Corporate verbally confirmed that Recall 17S09 was performed at Gwinnett Place Ford and that a coolant kit was replaced. Ford also provided the following historical information: * June 6, 2017: 17S09 pressure test performed; no concern found. * January 2018: Coolant kit and exhaust gas recirculation kit installation recorded by the dealership. Despite multiple calls, Ford has been unable to provide me with written documentation, detailed repair records, or a list of the components installed during the recall repair. The dealership has also been unable to retrieve the original repair order because its database does not go back far enough. I am concerned that the current coolant-system failure may involve a component affected by, or related to, the previous recall repair. I cannot independently establish whether the failed coolant outlet flange was replaced or modified during the recall because Ford has
I am the original owner of a 2014 Ford Escape SE equipped with the 1.6 L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle currently has approximately 122,000 miles. Within he first three years of ownership, while the vehicle was still under its initial warranty, it suffered from a cracked cylinder block that required repair at the dealership. The vehicle has a severe persistent history of cooling system failures. I am forced to constantly add engine coolant to the reservoir, and the vehicle previously broke down and left me stranded...
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on the freeway due to sudden engine overheating. Most recently, the engine coolant turned into a thick, creamy, milky substance, confirming severe internal coolant intrusion and mixing with the engine oil. This is known, unrepairable structural manufacturing defect in the open-deck block and cylinder head design of the 1.6 engine, which leads to catastrophic internal block cracking localized overheating. This severe cooling system failure directly present a critical vehicle safety and engine compartment fire hazard, directly matching the safety risks detailed in Safety Recall 17S09. The original safety recall remediation failed to fix the core manufacturing defect. The vehicle now requires a total long-block engine replacement. Sincerely, [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
in my 2014 ford escape has a coolant intrusion in the first cylinder.
At first, I just bought it two weeks ago. It was smoke coming from the engine and there was no coolant. The coolant wasn't holding in the car now I was driving last night. I had coolant in it and there was just flames coming out by where the Oil is
My car warned me via service light that there was low coolant in my car, so I went to go get it topped off but the guys at valvoline said my coolant was almost completely full. I continued to drive it since the service light turned off, but when I drove it a day later, it suddenly warned me that my car was over heating and I needed to stop immediately. A local mechanic said that my head gasket failed and my coolant hose was leaking. My car only warned me once of the coolant being low, then the light turned off until my head gasket blew.
My car warned me via service light that there was low coolant in my car, so I went to go get it topped off but the guys at valvoline said my coolant was almost completely full. I continued to drive it since the service light turned off, but when I drove it a day later, it suddenly warned me that my car was over heating and I needed to stop immediately. A local mechanic said that my head gasket failed and my coolant hose was leaking. My car only warned me once of the coolant being low, then the light turned off until my head gasket blew.
In the ford escape, when the remote start is activated. The car will show as overheating. I was told it was a known issue with ford. This occurred twice resulting in over 1900 in towing and repairs. Those repairs did not fix issue as 4 weeks later it did it again.
Car is eating antifreeze with no visible leaks. The vehicle overheats if not enough antifreeze. I had to use stop leak just to keep the antifreeze from leaking. The vehicle had a recall fix in 2018 for coolant intrusion by the previous owner but problem is occurring again. Have asked multiple ford dealerships to help but they said the warranty is expired but after doing research I saw that even after a recall occurs if the problem was not fixed even after a warranty expires the company is still liable for repairs. I would like to make a complaint because I feel as if Ford is not honoring their recall policy. Even after correct information was given.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine light and low coolant warning light were illuminated. Upon checking the coolant level, the contact discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle; however, the coolant disappeared and gushed back into the reservoir. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start and chugged, with a white sweet-smelling smoke coming from the tailpipe while idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased, and the contact inquired about a free diagnostic test, but the dealer denied assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 104,353.
am reporting a potential safety defect involving my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 1.6L EcoBoost. While driving, I suddenly heard a pop/burst from under the hood. The vehicle then began producing white smoke/steam. There were no warning lights or temperature warnings before the smoke began. The high-temperature/overheating warning appeared only after the vehicle was already smoking/steaming. I immediately pulled over and stopped the vehicle. Green coolant had sprayed throughout the engine compartment. An independent...
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repair shop confirmed that the plastic return-side heater-hose union/connector broke, causing a severe coolant leak. The shop recommended replacing the connector and coolant, performing a cooling-system pressure test, and a combustion leak test to check for possible engine damage. This failure created a safety risk because the vehicle suddenly lost coolant while being driven and gave almost no advance warning before overheating. The vehicle has not been inspected by Ford for this specific failure. I am concerned because these symptoms appear similar to the coolant-loss/overheating concerns addressed by Ford Safety Recall 17S09 involving certain 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost vehicles. My VIN is not currently listed in that recall. I am reporting this so NHTSA can determine whether similar sudden cooling-system failures are occurring in vehicles outside the original recall population.
My coolant mixing with the oil cause a severe overage. This is what I understood my recall to be about but the FORD dealership refused to fix it on June 1st. Now I'm subject to a very expensive car repair.
Coolant leak into the cylinder causing engine failure and need to replace the engine, it is not possible to fix this, must replace engine.
Coolant is leaking and overheats all the time. It has the 1.6l engine and is being grouped with the 2.0 engine.
- Component/ System: (UNKNOWN). Possible Powertrain / Transmission . - YES available for inspection. - My Safety @RISK: mine and my child (passenger) - Problem Confirmed : YES at local mechanic shop and FORD dealer service shop. - Has the vehicle been inspected : YES - Any Warning Lights or Messages prior to Failure: Check Engine (appeared at time of incident) and "Engine Fault: Service now" - When Did the Warning Appear: after it failed (5/2026) NO warning prior to failure. - Vehicle attempts from start to find the proper gear (like a bicycle chain that has come off) - clunky - NO power from first gear up. NO city driving - DANGEROUS to OPERATE
2014 Ford Escape. 1.6L ecoboost engine. Bought the car a couple of years ago from a local Ford dealership. The car was immediately using coolant, but never saw where it was leaking. There was never a spot on the ground where it was leaking. Took car to local mechanic and they replaced water pump. Stating possibly leaking. Car continued to use coolant. A few mornings ago, tried to start car, loud pop sound, white smoke, and engine knocking. Car has 124,000 miles on it. What Now?
Last month my engine suddenly got hot and the engine light came on and I got a coolant alert. All my coolant was gone. I refilled it a couple of times and the same thing happened. I took it to get it repaired and this is what was fixed: removed and replaced the engine coolant reservoir hose and the overflow bypass heater hose. He said that my engine cylinder head is leaking oil. I have a pdf of the repair that was done.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated and experienced a coolant leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a heater hose failure. Although the heater hose was repaired, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Today, my turbocharger was diagnosed as damaged and leaking coolant into the cylinders and visibly leaking throughout the undercarriage. Additionally, my cylinder 4 is misfiring. My mechanic said they've seen this problem many times and while the turbocharger can be replaced, it often fails or other parts of the engine are damaged beyond repair. I had sluggish performance, mainly with acceleration over the last month, but saw smoke late last week that I thought was just exhaust from a truck idling next to me while...
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stopped, but then I saw it at home later that week when the check engine light turned on. At the same time, my idling was excessively rough and felt dangerous to drive, as was later confirmed by my mechanic. I have not taken this into a Ford dealership, nor do I want to because they have refused to help others in the same situation. I am considering contacting my insurance to figure out if they will do an evaluation that is less biased than Ford. I definitely think this is a fire risk as it has happened for many other owners of the same model and year range.
Component failed 1.6L Escoboost engine coolant intrusión into cylinders causing misfire and white exhaust smoke vehicle available for inspection upon request .safety risk:engine misfire and coolant loss cause sudden of power or ingine fire while driving. Recall 17S09 was issude for this exact defect .Ford SSM 46433 states this requires new engine assemby . Problem confirmed multiple repair shops confirmed cooland in cylindres. I have spent S5000 on repairs including used transmisión Trying to fix this defect....
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Manufacturer inspection called ford customer service 05/22/2026. Agent refused supervisor and stated we cannot help no case number probided Ford is refusing to honor federal safety recall 17S09.warning symptoms: check ingine light, ingine misfire , white exhaust smoke , coolant loss. First appeared approximately 6 months ago and has worsened. Requesting NHTSA compel Ford to provide engine replacement per SSM 46433.
Apparent coolant leak identified in my 2014 Ford Escape 1.6L (Ecoboost). The car loses approx. 500mL of coolant each time I drive it, and I need to refill the coolant tank before every time I need to use it. I traced the coolant leak back to the blockheater, which has a failed seal. There is currently a recall for leaking block heaters on the 2.0L Escape motors, but this problem appears to extend to the 1.6L Ecoboost engine as well.
My car caught on fire while I was driving it pulled over got out of car and car imploded in flames
The engine was replaced at 50,000 miles for a known coolant intrusion issue. The problem reappeared at 72000 miles. This widely known issue should have been a recall and won't be because of the financial impact to Ford.
its leaking coolant internally and this engine is a known issue and still is not covered by ford
Engine light repeatedly comes on. Coolant leaks out of engine, onto ground outside and onto the floor inside of the car. Warning lights for engine come on repeatedly. This is a constant battle with this 2014 Ford Escape. It is the Ford company that should have resolved this issue. I can't provide approximate dates this happened because it is constant. The problem has been reproduced by our trusted repair shop and the thousands of others who have experienced this issue. If you complete an online search, you'll...
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find the same information as what has been happening for a long time with our car. This is not only frustrating and costly, but hazardous for the environment and us who drive this car. Please tell me how to get a resolution for this. Most importantly, for my child who drives this I worry about health implications from the coolant fumes and leaks, contact with skin, etc.
#3 cylinder failed and leaked coolant into block and the block has cracked. Costs $8k to replace. It's a known flaw with this ford engine.
Ford Escape engine complaints by year
Escape engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data