Lemberg Law is investigating widespread consumer complaints about 2023-2024 Ford Escape engines overheating. While there is a technical service bulletin (TSB) that addresses the problem in both MYs, the indication is that Ford is not sure what the problem is. Two earlier TSBs refer to coolant issues, though not specifically overheating. Additionally, dealer diagnosis differs and there are reports of parts required for a fix not being available.
So What’s The Problem?
Complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that owners of both model year (MY) Ford Escape vehicles have overheating problems. Generally, their SUVs warn that the engine is overheating and they need to have them serviced immediately.
On January 30, 2024, Ford released a technical service bulletin (TSB) that addresses this issue. Two previous TSBs deal with coolant problems. They don’t appear to relate to overheating as such. However, anything relating to coolant is worth consideration because these issues could potentially contribute to the problem.
What Do the TSBs Say?
TSB 23-2274 is dated August 29, 2023. It warns dealers that some 2022-2023 Ford Escape vehicles “may exhibit a low coolant level with engine oil in the coolant and/or coolant in the engine oil. This may be caused by an internal oil cooler leak. To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to test and replace the oil cooler.” The fault only applies to Escape vehicles with 1.5L engines built between September 1, 2022, and April 6, 2023.
TSB 23B61, dated November 7, 2023, warns that some 2023 Ford Escape vehicles with 2.0L engines may need a seal replacement for the turbocharger coolant return tube to the cylinder head. Their reason for this is that “a turbocharger coolant return tube seal may have been damaged in the engine manufacturing assembly process. A damaged turbo coolant line seal may develop an engine coolant leak.”
And here’s a link to overheating.
The TSB warns what is likely to happen if customers don’t notice coolant leaks under their vehicle and continue to drive with a low coolant level. “The engine may overheat, an engine malfunction indicator light (MIL) will illuminate, and the vehicle will be forced into limp-home mode.”
TSB SSM 52219, dated January 30, 2024, focuses on overheating. It states that some 2023-2024 Escape vehicles built on or before January 11, 2024, with 1.5L engines, may display an engine coolant over-temperature warning message as well as an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with certain diagnostic trouble codes. It states that this usually happens during hard acceleration or under high load conditions. This may be because machining chips trapped in the cylinder head cause a potential blockage in the coolant passage. The TSB explains how to diagnose the condition and what to do.
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2023-2024 Ford Escape Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Engine
18
18
Electrical System
16
16
Power Train
7
7
Unknown Or Other
7
7
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
5
5
Fuel/propulsion System
4
4
Engine And Engine Cooling
3
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
3
Exterior Lighting
2
2
Forward Collision Avoidance
2
2
Owner Experience Overview
This NHTSA complaint from the owner of a 2023 Ford Escape in Texas tells the story succinctly. “The car warned of overheating and messaged to service immediately.”
An owner from Arizona tells how when his wife discovered the Escape was overheating, it went into limp mode. This is something that the November 2023 TSB and not the January 2024 bulletin warns about. He states that she was able to move to the shoulder and call him. “The check engine light had come on and the vehicle indicated maximum engine temperature. (The) service engine light soon illuminated, as well as (a) powertrain fault.” The dealer linked the problem to the most recent TSB, stating that the coolant system had debris in it that had blocked the coolant temperature sensor. The repair parts were on backorder. This vehicle had been purchased three months before and had 1,500 miles. But “Ford declined a buyback request on the vehicle and offered no remedy except warranty repair.”
Another owner reports that his vehicle malfunctioned three times, with him getting the overheating, service asap, and then limp mode scenario. After seven weeks, this “brand new vehicle” was still with the dealership — “with no resolution.” Bought with 16 miles on the clock, the first time this happened was less than two weeks after purchase!
One of the first NHTSA complaints describes two incidents while traveling on the Texas interstate. They happened roughly 10 minutes apart. There was an audible chime and visual alert, “engine coolant over temperature” that showed for about 10 seconds. The temperature gauge indicated normal, midway within the span of the gauge. The next day it started and there were no stored codes. This 2023 Ford Escape had the 1.5L EcoBoost engine.
Examples of How the Dealers’ Diagnosis Differs
In November 2023, before any of the TSBs, an owner from Pennsylvania reported to the NHTSA. The complaint stated that the check engine light of his Escape came on and the SUV was overheating. The diagnosis “was a broken wire in the wiring harness and they ordered a new harness but had fixed the wire so it should be good to go. Two weeks later it did the same thing and actually went into limp mode. This time they said it was the sensor in the cylinder head and they ordered a replacement. Fast forward 3½ months and it’s still at the dealers. They are now telling us the cylinder needs to be replaced and the parts are on backorder.”
Another Pennsylvania 2023 owner had powertrain and “low engine coolant” messages in March 2024. They received a notification via the FordPass app that there was a failure with the vehicle and they needed to see a dealer. The diagnosis this time was that “the engine and head gasket needed to be replaced.”
When a South Carolina owner’s 2023 Escape displayed overheating messages and cut power to the motor, the vehicle was towed into Ford service. The message was, “It needs a new top end of the motor with no eta on parts.” This complaint was lodged on May 30, 2024.
A June 17, 2024 complaint says that the “Engine over-temperature. Service Now” message was displayed. The failure recurred several times while driving. This time, the dealer “diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the engine cylinder head” and decided “that the head needed to be replaced under Ford SSM Number: 52219.” However, the part was not available for the repair.
Experiencing This Issue? Your Next Step
Whatever the symptoms, if your 2023 or 2024 Ford Escape has overheating problems, Lemberg Law would like to know about them. All you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you. It’s not going to cost you anything, because if we pursue your case in terms of lemon law, Ford will have to pay the legal bills.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
