2019 Ford Escape Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 11, 2026 · 127 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2019 Ford Escape, 21% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 64,460 miles. The words owners use most often: “coolant intrusion” (9% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Coolant intrusion: mentioned in 11 of 127 complaints (9%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2019 Ford Escape at $8,800, and half of them between $8,550 and $9,600.

Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2023–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 54 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles9 · 17%
10k–25k miles4 · 7%
25k–50k miles8 · 15%
50k–75k miles12 · 22%
75k–100k miles10 · 19%
100k–150k miles9 · 17%
150k+ miles2 · 4%

How serious are the reports?

Of 127 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 3 an injury.

Ford Escape power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2010, with 508 complaints
2000: 120002001: 1282002: 10520022003: 552004: 2720042005: 1172006: 8020062007: 442008: 32920082009: 3012010: 50820105082011: 2682012: 6620122013: 4012014: 48120142015: 2862016: 32020162017: 3912018: 27520182019: 1272020: 24120202021: 442022: 3120222023: 232024: 220242025: 3

n = 4,654 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Escape312%—
2024 Escape23%—
2023 Escape2323%33,000
2022 Escape3113%21,500
2021 Escape4413%79,845
2020 Escape24115%50,000
2019 Escape12721%64,460
2018 Escape27515%80,000
2017 Escape39115%75,456
2016 Escape32028%88,000
2015 Escape28626%94,000
2014 Escape48123%89,804
2013 Escape40115%81,500
2012 Escape6611%41,967
2011 Escape26820%45,380
2010 Escape50825%51,430
2009 Escape30118%65,000
2008 Escape32917%68,100
2007 Escape4417%74,500
2006 Escape8017%80,000
2005 Escape1178%91,928
2004 Escape275%72,000
2003 Escape5510%69,000
2002 Escape10510%74,000
2001 Escape12813%68,308
2000 Escape120%76,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2025, with 37 complaints
2019: 5201952020: 8202082021: 3202132022: 132022132023: 162023162024: 202024202025: 372025372026: 25202625

n = 127 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)Jun 10, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

My 2019 Ford Escape Se was smoking during start up. Dealer says it needs a whole new engine due to coolant intrusion. I have been seeing there are many issues with this.

Received Oct 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769079

I am reporting a dangerous manufacturing defect regarding internal engine coolant intrusion on my 2019 Ford Escape SEL at less than 70,000 miles. Upon starting the vehicle after it sat parked overnight, a massive cloud of heavy white smoke erupted from the exhaust system and both sides of the…

Received Oct 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768512

My 2019 Ford Escape has the Ford 6F35 transmission and I was just informed that mine is going out and needs to be replaced by a Ford dealership service department. Since 12/2025, I have had my car in the shop 3 times. I have researched and there are thousands of issues and complaints about this…

Received Sep 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764367
Ford Escape
2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite photographed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2019 Ford Escapes have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 127 owner complaints about power train for the 2019 Ford Escape (21% of the 595 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Ford Escape power train?

Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 64,460 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2019 Ford Escape?

Owners report a typical cost of $8,800 (half paid between $8,550 and $9,600), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2019 Ford Escape?

The most frequent phrase is “coolant intrusion”, in 11 of 127 complaints.

Other 2019 Ford Escape problems

See all 2019 Ford Escape problems or power train problems across all Escape years.