2021-2024 Ford Escape 1.5L 3-Cylinder Engine: Longevity, Problems, and Specs

Modern engines tend to have small displacements and be pretty economical. But does it make them durable and good to buy? The new Ford Escape is available at dealers with three types of the powertrain with the 1.5L 3-Cylinder EcoBoost engine being the most popular choice. The 2-liter turbocharged and the 2.5-liter hybrid units are somewhat better than the base version, but they are more expensive.

Today, we'll be talking about the Ford Escape 2022 with the 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine under the hood. Is the car good and is it worth the money? It's really hard to answer these questions because the vehicle is new and not so many people have already had some problems. But we'll try hard and find some checked facts about this engine.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2017-now
• Average lifespan of 1.5L 3-cylinder EcoBoost:150,000-190,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:direct injection
• Power range:150-200 hp
• Fuel efficiency:good
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:cylinder deactivation mode problems, vibrations, various electrical issues, turbocharger problems.

What do you need to know about the 1.5L Escape engine?

You may have heard about the other 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine with 4 cylinders and you may have also heard that this engine wasn't the best technology ever made by Ford. But the new 1.5L EcoBoost Dragon engine with 3 cylinders has more in common with the Fox (1.0 EcoBoost) than with the old 1.5 EcoBoost unit. Why? Because it's basically the development of the 1.0L engine.

We won't be digging hard and revealing its technical aspects, but we'll tell you more about some important innovations found in this engine. First of all, you should know that the Dragon engine was first used in the Escape in 2020 when the new fourth generation appeared. But this engine has been here with us since 2014, so we know a lot about it.

Here are some key points you should know:

• with the dimension of 1.5 liters, this engine only has 3 cylinders which is a surprise for some people because usually, such engines are 4-cylinder units;
• the surprising amount of power is available - 181 hp, and the torque is also wonderful - 190 lb-ft, such specs are admirable for such a small-displacement engine;
• all 1.5-liter turbo engines in the Escape are coupled with the eight-speed automatic transmission, the transmission is relatively new and still, it hasn't got any bad reviews;
• the vehicle shows wonderful gas mileage with about 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on highways which is pretty good for an SUV;
• you can order the vehicle with AWD or front-wheel drive depending on your needs and wishes, but the AWD option will cost you a lot;
• the engine is offered with 36,000 miles of warranty which is not a lot, and this is the first point that makes us think about its overall longevity;
• the Escape drives really well with the 1.5L turbo engine, you may drive actively or choose a more economical way of driving.

The power and torque decide everything. The small 3-cylinder engine deals easily with all the challenges of quite a big and heavy SUV. But will it do that for a long time? Some experts say we should wait and see. But who will want to wait for some years before buying this vehicle? We want to know the truth today.

And here, a little look back will help us get the needed information. First of all, you should know that the 1.5L EcoBoost Dragon engine has already been installed in different Ford vehicles and has some historical records that will help us make quite important predictions about its lifespan and common issues.

How many miles will the Ford Escape 1.5L go?

We know you expect us to say that the Dragon engine will manage to survive for years and will not lead to any bad damage. But unfortunately, the estimated longevity of the 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo engine offered by Ford is about 120,000 miles. We still think that you can easily drive it for 150K miles if you follow some simple tips.

But an average buyer of the 2022 Escape 1.5L will have to do something as soon as the vehicle has over 100,000-120,000 miles on it. What exactly? Well, the engine replacement seems like a good option.

Look, everything else in this car is guaranteed to last over 200K miles, but the engine. If you replace the engine, you can drive another 100K miles without bad issues on your way.

But you should know that these 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engines are certainly not the best ones in terms of durability. They are also hard to repair and get back to life. In most cases, the replacement will be the best option for you.

How much is it to replace a broken 1.5L engine in your Escape?

A Ford dealer would charge you about $5,000 for the engine assembly, but you can find one cheaper on eBay or just with any other sources online. The average price should be about $3K for the engine that will still come with a warranty.

Also, add about $800 to $1,200 for labor because you aren't likely to be able to install this engine by yourself unless you have decent experience as a car mechanic.

Frankly speaking, this is not the cheapest engine we've seen. But still, if you decide to repair this engine after it starts burning an excessive amount of oil and shaking like crazy, you will spend more money and get poor results.

The strategy with this 1.5L engine in your new Escape should be just the same as with the 1.0 EcoBoost (Fox) engine in Fiestas and Focuses. Those engines go about 100K miles and are then replaced by a new one for the car to go another 100K miles. After that, the vehicle just goes to a scrapyard.

What are the common problems of the Escape 1.5L engine?

Unfortunately, we know quite a lot about common problems with these engines even though they are quite young. We mean that these problems happen more or less with every 1.5L 3-cylinder engine and that's why owners hit forums and write about their experience hoping to find some advice on how to deal with these issues.

We've analyzed what people say about these engines and are now ready to make a short list of common problems:

1. The engine is often overheated

This may happen due to the water pump or low coolant level. Also, overheating may be the issue when you try to drive the engine more actively than recommended. Keeping the unit at high RPM continuously for a long period of time will create a lot of excessive heat and may just damage the head and the gasket.

2. Poor longevity

We expect this engine to last up to 150K miles with owners who care about the unit. Once you don't care about the best maintenance and careful driving, you are going to experience more problems with the Escape 1.5L engine.

3. Unstable gas mileage

We believe the Escape is just too big for this engine. It would go well in a Focus or Fiesta, but Escape... It's a big and heavy SUV for these 3 cylinders. And that's why once you push the pedal to the metal, your consumption will grow rapidly to unbelievable figures. You should be careful with speeding.

4. Spark plugs and coils

If you own the 1.5L 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine, you are going to be one of the regular clients in Ford dealers and part stores. Spark plugs and ignition coils are really bad here and they keep failing all the time. It means you will have to spend some money and you better know how to replace them yourself to avoid spending even more on labor.

5. Turbochargers

At 80,000 miles, you will likely have some issues with a turbocharger. Yes, the turbocharger here is not big and it's relatively durable. But you should know it can fail at this mileage because of bad oiling. Some oil can clog the lines and you will end up holding the broken turbo in your hands and thinking about how you should pay for the new one.

How to keep your Escape 1.5 EcoBoost on the go longer?

• You should avoid using any other oil but the original Ford product. This will ensure optimal oiling of the turbo and all other parts.
• Avoid aggressive driving. This engine can be driven actively, but not for a long time.
• Remember about regular maintenance. We recommend replacing filters even more often than the manufacturer suggests.
• Listen to any weird sounds and immediately have the engine diagnosed if you hear something unusual.

Final words

Overall, the 1.5L EcoBoost engine in your new Ford Escape is not bad at all. It's quite powerful, silent, quick, and easy to maintain. But after you drive your SUV for more than 100K miles, you will see all problems of this engine. Most likely, you will need the replacement after that to keep driving your vehicle. But we are sure a lot of drivers will be lucky enough to get it over 150,000 miles with no major issues.