A number of Ford EcoBoost engine issues have been outlined in great detail in the past, ranging from carbon buildup to coolant leaks in Ford’s 1.5L I-4 EcoBoost, 1.6L I-4 EcoBoost, and 2.0L I-4 EcoBoost engines used in a variety of vehicles including the Ford Escape, Ford Fusion, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKC, and Lincoln MKZ, which have in turn prompted some lawsuits. Experienced Ford technician and YouTuber Ford Tech Makuloco covered some of these problems on a customer’s truck last fall, issues that have been further compounded by COVID-19 induced parts shortages, and now he’s back with a more detailed look at Ford EcoBoost coolant intrusion issues on a 2014 Escape equipped with the 1.6L powerplant.
Our resident tech walks us through the process of performing a pressure test on the crossover’s coolant system when he finds an intrusion in cylinder number two, a problem that’s very common with EcoBoost four-cylinder powerplants. Unfortunately, the only real fix is to replace the entire long block with the updated design, or face endless coolant consumption issues, it seems.
The problems typically occur between cylinders two and three, and it doesn’t even take a ton of miles for the issue to surface – this Escape, for example, had just 55,000 miles on the clock when it first started experiencing problems. Initially, the owner brought it in after a low coolant warning, and the tech told him that he would need a new block at some point. One year later, the crossover was throwing overheating codes after running bone dry in terms of coolant.
Unfortunately, replacing the long block on a vehicle like this costs somewhere between $6,000-$8,000, which is obviously a lot of money to sink into something that isn’t worth a lot more than that. But at this point, the engine is so far gone that it’s a necessity, making this particular Escape one heck of a pricey paperweight otherwise.
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Comments
OLD NEWS
How many times are they going to repeat the same story.
Until they get rid of Ford’s new useless CEO. His priority is pleasing the Government instead of focusing on quality and cost.
Ford need to step up to the issue, selling off the unneeded scooters and Rivian, this mess is paid for– we don’t need a VEGA —-
Have a 2018 edge with 2.0 eco boost sucked the cooling system dry at 28K miles. Dealer replaced the engine. Got 36K on it now, hope the new engine does better.
were you still in warranty or not? Im out of warranty but only 23k miles on my 17 escape 2.0. hoping this is covered out of time warranty
Ford focusing on inefficient EVs instead of quality and practicality. Ford desperately needs to fire this new CEO. Ford is losing lifelong Ford owners because no one likes him.
What about the owner taking responsibility? The Escape had a low coolant warning a year before the failure and the owner apparently never bothered to check the coolant again? That’s crazy lazy. Coolant is about the easiest thing to check. Open hood, look at coolant tank, you don’t even have to open it, and see if the coolant is above the min level. And I bet the owner ignored more low coolant warnings and probably ignored the temp gauge as well. Well he or she got what they deserved.
I have a 2017 escape with 1.5l turbo and it blew up because of a defective design at 108k miles. I kept the coolant level filled up. The fact of the matter is it was a defective design not user error. Nobody should have to keep putting coolant in their new car. You sound laughable. If Ford can’t design an engine that can’t hold its coolant past 10,000 miles as in many of the cases of blown EcoBoost, it has no business making cars at all.
We have a 2019 Ford Edge Titanium. 3 weeks ago I noticed like a misfire when at a traffic light. I put it in neutral and pushed the accelerator gently for about 30 seconds. No rough running, no smoke from exhaust and NO engine lights on. Next day started it, left my driveway and came back – would not go over 20 mph! Called tow truck who towed to local garage. Received a phone call the next day “you need a new engine”!! REALLY????? We haven’t even put new tires on yet!! 60,000 miles!
Had it towed to Ford motor the next day and they diagnosed that we needed a new seal and a couple exhaust seals I believe they called the one part an EGR. “Easy fix! Extended warranty will cover. After reading all of these reviews, my plan is to take that Ford that we love so much, to the dealership that is not American motor vehicles and trade that puppy in! I see that Ford motor is not standing behind many many many people that they should be standing behind they are going to get a very bad name! And oh, by the way, it truly is laughable that somebody would go check the coolant on their new vehicle every day crazy crazy crazy people out there!
Doesn’t really matter because the coolant intrusion is due to a design FLAW with the engine. Read the TSB.
Hmmm…own a Ford eco boost?
No temp guage or low coolant level warnings.
One day coolant is full. Next it’s empty. Inconsistent.
I check under the hood every time I get in my car.
Has ford done anything to correct this for 2022 ??
Amazingly I had a similar drawback with a GM aveo 2012, I dared to try a cooling system sealant called “rislone” carried by Autozone developed in New York (domestic); Luckily it worked out but preferably pour the bottle with new coolant (old previously drained).
Rislone is a last ditch effort and only use if its drinking moderate amounts..A few ounces over a week isn’t enough. This stuff will seal a leaking head gasket but also coat your radiator. Bypass the radiator after installing for a while..it did work, but only on the coolant side , won’t seal a compression leak into the water jacket.
I have a 2017 Ford Escape Titanium 4WD. My check engine light came on in may. Problem with cylinder number 3. Than we noticed loss off coolant. The dealer checked it and I was told to keep driving the vehicle and ad coolant or water as needed. They have to check what they can do. I have the extended 7 year warranty. So far I have no answer. Vehicle is running rough.
Have a 2017 Escape titanium with 72000 mi. So far no problems except for a leaking injecter.
We love this car but worry about the coolant problem. Just what percentage of these engines have failed due to coolant intrusion. I`m willing to gamble if it`s a low number but will look at trading it if it`s a sure thing that at some point failure is inevitable. Thanks for a reply.
Reading all of the comments here and elsewhere begs the question, “What’s going on with Ford?” I have a 1976 F150 with a 390 CID engine that now has over 200,000 miles on it, it’s never had serious engine issues, and I’ll be giving it to my daughter soon. And I now have a 2018 F150 with the Ecoboost engine. The truck’s out of warranty, my wife’s 2018 Escape’s engine was just replaced, and I’m getting concerned. Should I be?
I own a 2014 1.6 ecoboost escape. 130k ish miles and I suffered the catastrophic coolant issue. It’s now getting a used engine at the dealership now, which laughably is the second engine they ordered for it because the first one that arrived had the same issue. Honestly Ford needs to step up and own this mistake.
2018 ford edge needed a new engine due to coolant intrusion. Ford dealer was happy to take 6000 dollars to fix it with a new motor. I loved my Edge but its the last ford Ill ever own. The company does not stand behind its product unless forced to. They new about this and redesigned the engine and left costumers footing the bill.
Hello,
I just want to comment on the coolant intrusion problem we had with a 2018 Ford Escape equipped with a 1.5L Turbo. I purchased it used from a dealership when the vehicle had 77,000 miles on it. The vehicle had one other previous owner a fleet vehicle company. Before I purchased the SUV i asked the dealership for a CARFAX report. This vehicle was taken care of per manufacturers recommendations outlined in their service maintenance sheets. At around 100,000 miles I had the coolant replaced and flushed and new coolant installed. About 8 months later the check engine light came on the engine lost power and my wife was barely able to drive it home. Next day when trying to start the car it made a strange sound and engine would not even turnover. Had vehicle towed to Ford Dealership and they told me we need a new engine. We had the TSB campaign done not even a year before all this happened and Ford Motor Company would not assist for the repairs after opening a case with the Corporate Office. I added our name to pending lawsuit a law firm has regarding these defective engines. I contacted the BBB, and also contacted the NHTSA about the loss of power and my wife was at an intersection when engine almost stalled out. Nothing has come of this. Is this still a pending lawsuit against Ford?