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P0301 on FORD ESCAPE

Severity
High
NHTSA Reports
44
Most Affected
2017, 2018, 2019

What P0301 Means on Your FORD ESCAPE

Real FORD ESCAPE Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford escape. while driving at any speed, the engine shook and the "cylinder 1 misfire" indicator illuminated. the vehicle overheated and the engine shut off. the contact stated that the check engine indicator remained illuminated and flashed occasionally."

— 2013 FORD ESCAPE owner • ENGINE • Filed 02/20/2019

"1. Transmission failure, it is available for inspection up until time of repair. 2. The vehicle lost power while driving, had incidents of jerking forward without warning, and shifter would get stuck. 3. Yes, independent service center. 4."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner • POWER TRAIN • Filed 02/06/2026

"The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0301, P0302, and P0304 were retrieved for a misfire in cylinder #1, #2, and #4."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE • Filed 12/15/2025

"Coolant Intrusion: A design flaw in the open-deck engine block allows coolant to leak into the combustion chambers, leading to misfires, white smoke, and severe engine damage. Affected Vehicles: Primarily 2017-2019 Escapes and 2014-2019 Fusions with the 1."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE • Filed 12/22/2025

"My 2017 Ford Escape SE has the original 2.0 engine, 90857 miles, no accidents. A widely known Ford engine defect called “coolant intrusion”marked by engine error code P0301, causes the car to consume coolant and overheat without notice. Issue is documented in TSV-22-2229 replacing TSV 22-2133."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner • ENGINE • Filed 10/03/2025

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0301 on FORD ESCAPE

72.7%
6.8%
4.5%
2.3%
2.3%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2013
1
2017
25
2018
11
2019
5
2023
1
2024
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0301 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026