KnownCarProblems2019 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 596 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Escape, most often about the engine (66% of complaints, typically around 71,000 miles). It is 16th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2019 Ford Escape problems
Engine
391 complaints · 66%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he had been filling the coolant reservoir constantly prior to the engine stalling…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to drive rough and was hesitating. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed a misfire in the cylinder #2 and that the number two spark plug was fractured. The vehicle was repaired…
Transmission
128 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of the NHTSA campaign number: 22v413000 (power train). The local dealer was notified of the recall notification and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed to wait on the second notice on when parts would be available.…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after his daughter parked the vehicle to run some errands; after returning to the vehicle and starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shifted to drive(d) but failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact stated his daughter had…
Other or unspecified
42 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles.
While turning right slowly and gradually toward a parking place, with my foot off of the throttle and coasting, the car accelerated suddenly. I immediately hit the brakes and barely avoided a crash into the other car at the curb. Very unsettling!
While operating the vehicle at approximately 70mph on the interstate I noticed that all instrument panel lighting, gauges, and display screens went out. The gauge needles returned to their 'home' positions. There was an error message on the main touch screen that said: network communication failure. Worried, I took…
Electrical
37 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 3,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
While operating the vehicle at approximately 70mph on the interstate I noticed that all instrument panel lighting, gauges, and display screens went out. The gauge needles returned to their 'home' positions. There was an error message on the main touch screen that said: network communication failure. Worried, I took…
While driving a local interstate between 60 and 70 MPH, our newly purchased (3,000 miles) 2019 Ford Escape sel sport completely shut down without warning in heavy traffic. Luckily, my wife was able to coast to the nearest exit and pull off the road while traffic was whizzing by US at breakneck speed. Turns out that…
Fuel system
26 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the contact received an unknown notification through the Ford mobile app. Upon inspecting the…
The contact owned a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the rear driver's side and there was a burning odor. The vehicle was parked and the contact noticed smoke coming from the driver's rear side of the vehicle. No warning lights were…
Wheels and tires
21 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, pressure monitoring and regulating systems, sidewall.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after receiving a maintenance check-up by her mechanic, she was informed that only 50% of her tread remained on all four tires. A few months later, the contact noticed that all four tires were shredding and that small holes had developed around each tread.…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape equipped with continental tires, tire line: conti pro contact, tire size: 235/55/r17, dot number: [VIN]. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed…
Steering
16 complaints · 3%2019 Ford Escape titanium steering wheel shakes/vibrates heavy & makes a loud noise from car (almost sounds like a bad loud muffler sound) at speeds of 35 MPH & 45mph when the gas peddle is leveled at speed and also does the same when going up an incline at the same speeds. Also transmission slips between 1 & 2 gears…
The contact owns a 2019 Escape. The contact stated that soon after start of the vehicle, the power steering failed to operate as the "power steering assist, system malfunction" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact's husband arrived at the scene of the failure and managed to drive the vehicle…
Lights
13 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
While operating the vehicle at approximately 70mph on the interstate I noticed that all instrument panel lighting, gauges, and display screens went out. The gauge needles returned to their 'home' positions. There was an error message on the main touch screen that said: network communication failure. Worried, I took…
We were driving on a 3 lane highway at night, stopped at a red light. Suddenly, the car went completely dead - no lights or power. Cars driving at between 40-50 MPH were coming up behind US, but could not see US because we could not even get hazard lights on. We were locked in - the doors would not open!! After…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2019 Ford Escape recalls
Equipment: engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed march 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s01. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall b
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 focus, 2013-2019 escape, and 2015-2016 mkc vehicles equipped with a 2.0l engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Transmission: shift linkage/cable/rod
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed july 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed october 27, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s43.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 escape, 2013-2018 c-max, 2013-2016 fusion, 2013-2021 transit connect, and 2015-2018 edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Wheels and tires: tires
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s10.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2018 f-150, 2018-2020 f-250, f-350, and 2019 escape vehicles equipped with continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2019 Ford Escape
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Escape?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (391 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles); transmission (128 complaints, typically around 64,500 miles); other or unspecified (42 complaints, typically around 6,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Escape have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2026 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2019 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
- It is 16th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints, with 596 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.