1.5L EcoBoost Escape engine replaced

[fred m]

My 2019 Escape with 9800 miles on it got a short block under warranty last week, it was losing coolant slowly but enough to get my attention. Dealer replaced the engine, no questions per the TSB.

I know we have a couple experienced Ford techs here (@adsm08). Does anyone know if the new block/head gasket is actually improved any to prevent this from happening again? Or am I going to be replacing head gaskets every year like a Subaru once it’s out of warranty?

I’m really regretting not getting the 2.5, but I couldn’t find an SEL or higher trim anywhere in the southeast that didn’t have an ecoboost.

The loaner car they gave me was a brand new 2020 Escape with that horrid 1.5l three-cylinder. I’ve probably owned lawn tractors with more horsepower than that thing. Absolutely miserable to drive but it was funny to see the look on the service advisor’s face when I brought their brand new car back with 2,200 miles on it.

 

[19Walt93]

My 2016 Escape has a 2.0 EcoBoost. When I retired in 17 we'd had no trouble at all with the 2.0 but the 1.6 had some problems, heads cracking and leaking oil onto the exhaust was the worst. The 1.5 replaced the 1.6 but I don't know a lot about them. If Ford replaced the engine it wasn't just for a head gasket, maybe a casting or machining concern with the block,possibly. If it was a gasket problem they'd have the dealers replace the gasket.

 

[55trucker]

This is a well documented issue with the ecoboost engines, especially the 1.5 manufactured before April/2019, you'll find numerous webpages on the subject & there are legal headhunters out there looking to gather complainants to file lawsuits against Ford on the subject.
As far as I know the 1.5's are built in Romania, the 2.0 are built in Valencia Spain.
I own an '18 Escape Titanium, deliberately stayed away from the 1.5 because of the bad press on the engine.
The earlier 1.6 ecoboost also suffered from failures.