THINK TWICE

The 1.6L EcoBoost's defining failure is a cracked cylinder head from localized overheating. Per Ford's own recalls, if the engine runs with an insufficient level of coolant the cylinder head can overheat, crack, and leak oil, and oil reaching a hot engine or exhaust surface can start an engine-compartment fire. Recall 17V209000 covers the 1.6L GTDI 2014 Escape and 2013-2014 Fusion (remedy: a coolant level sensor plus supporting hardware and software); recall 13V583000 covers the 2013 Escape (remedy: modified engine shielding, cooling and control systems). ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING complaints echo it -- overheating, cracked heads, and fires.

Check — VIN-check that both recalls are closed (17V209000 coolant-level sensor installed; 13V583000 completed). Look for an overheating history, coolant loss with no obvious external leak, white exhaust smoke, or a prior head / short-block replacement. Walk away from any 1.6L with an open overheat/fire recall.

Before the head-crack recalls, the launch-year 1.6L had two coolant-loss fire recalls. Recall 12V431000 (2013 Escape): the cylinder-head cup plug (freeze plug) can become dislodged, causing significant loss of engine coolant, and the leaking glycol can ignite on the hot engine, causing an engine-compartment fire. Recall 12V551000 (2013 Escape and 2013 Fusion): coolant system leaks can make the engine overheat and leak flammable engine fluids that can ignite on the hot exhaust; Ford's remedy inspects for leaks and reprograms the powertrain control module and instrument cluster with updated overheat-strategy software. Both affect 1.6L engines only.

Check — VIN-check that 12V431000 and 12V551000 are complete on any 2013 Escape or Fusion 1.6L, and confirm the overheat-strategy calibration is loaded. Inspect for coolant weeping around the cylinder head or seeping freeze plugs.

The 2013 Escape 1.6L also carried a stop-driving fuel-line fire recall. Recall 12V336000: an engine-compartment fuel line can split and leak, and in the presence of an ignition source that increases the risk of a fire. This one was severe enough that Ford instructed owners to stop driving the vehicle and arranged dealer pick-up (with a rental if needed) while the engine-compartment fuel line was replaced. It applies to 2013 Escape vehicles with the 1.6L engine.

Check — On any 2013 Escape 1.6L, VIN-check that 12V336000 is complete and the engine-compartment fuel line was replaced. Inspect for a fuel smell or weeping fittings in the engine bay.