2019 Ford Escape: Ran terrible smelled like burnt antifreeze
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2019 Escape report: ran terrible smelled like burnt antifreeze. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 39,950 miles.
NHTSA has 391 owner complaints for the 2019 Escape in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770414 (filed 10/11/2026): “At only 43,379 miles — well within the useful life expected of this vehicle — my 2019 ford escape developed two significant mechanical failures. (1) fuel injector: the vehicle emits visible black smoke from the exhaust when accelerating at highway speeds; the …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11769577 (filed 10/07/2026): “My vehicle has to have a new motor. it only has 127,154 miles on it. i have sent ford a letter to respond with in 30 days and they have not done that. please advise the next steps.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replaced short block engine (3 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $11,850 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Ran terrible smelled like burnt antifreeze (2019 Escape)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2019 Escape
Page last updated .