AI Damage2019 Ford Escape: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Ford Escape filed 596 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 75 service bulletins for this year. We found 4 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 596
- involving a crash
- 24
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 75
- YouTube repair videos
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 53% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 16% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 316 complaints (53% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Powertrain: 128 complaints (21% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Engine and cooling: 94 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Electrical system: 37 complaints (6% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 17 complaints (3% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 23 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 6 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 596 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 316 | 3 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 128 | 6 | 16 |
| Engine and cooling | 94 | 0 | 22 |
| Electrical system | 37 | 4 | 28 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 12 | 3 | 3 |
| Air bags | 11 | 10 | 0 |
| Tires | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2 | 3 |
| Wheels | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Despite the severity of the collision and damage, my airbags did not deploy. The other vehicle’s airbags did deploy during the crash. I am concerned that the airbag system, crash sensors, or related safety components may have failed to activate properly during the collision.
The car started acting as if nothing was wrong about a week or so later then two days ago December 13,2025 first my head lights went out and a message saying there’s a bulb outage or electrical issue appeared and also the hill assist unavailable warning light appeared , following the 911 calling assistance is…
White smoke during start up and loss of engine coolant. Also is stuttering during start up with check engine lights..
The air bags did not deploy upon impact however the other vehicle’s air bags did deploy. It was mentioned that the contact's husband was exempt from wearing a seat belt.
A car cut me off and I rear ended them going under 20 miles per hour. And my air bags went off and they exploded and I recieved chemical burns
This morning I noticed my vehicle had rolled forward and hit a pole and the curb, cause front left damage to the fender, wheel and wheel hub assembly, and the brakes. Call is currently under recall due to a problem with the transmission slipping out of gear
Recently, the contact's wife had placed the vehicle into the reverse(R) position, and the vehicle surged forward and crashed into the corner of his home's garage. Both the vehicle and the garage sustained damage due to the failure. The air bags did not deploy and none of the vehicle's occupants sustained any injuries.
The contact sustained bruises on her chest due to the seat belt and her husband had deep tissue injuries from his neck to his waist. The contact and her husband sought medical attention the following Monday from their medical physician. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 89 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Escape has 780 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 596, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- Various vehicles have had pinpoint tests, guided routines and the Warranty and Policy Manual…
Various vehicles have had pinpoint tests, guided routines and the Warranty and Policy Manual recentlyupdated for diagnostics and repairs on SYNC generation 3 and later applications. When performingdiagnostics and…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford…
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or…
In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass…
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be…
The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses…
Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses a 50-tooth variable camshaft timing (VCT) intake and exhaust unit from the assembly plant or if a service long…
NHTSA lists 75 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Ford Escape?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 596. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (40%), overheating, coolant loss (21%), smoke, burning smell, fire (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Ford Escape?
NHTSA lists 75 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Ford Escape from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.