Affected vehicles equipped with 1.6-liter GTDI engines include:
- 2014 Escape – Louisville Assembly Plant, Feb. 12, 2013 to Sept. 2, 2014
- 2014-15 Fiesta ST – Cuautitlan Assembly Plant, Jan. 22, 2013 to May 27, 2014
- 2013-14 Fusion – Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 15, 2012 to June 6, 2014
- 2013-15 Transit Connect – Valencia Assembly Plant, June 13, 2013 to Dec. 14, 2014
Apparently these cars and trucks are prone to coolant leaks, and in spite of the fact they have a temperature gauge to alert drivers that the engine is overheating, if the coolant gets low it will stop circulating and the engine will get hot enough to crack the cylinder head. The crack exposes a pressurized oil galley that sprays hot engine oil onto the hot exhaust with predictably disastrous consequences. Ford’s fix is to install a “Low Coolant Level” sensor in the reservoir and a light on the dash.
This same engine, made by a German manufacturer, is also fitted to a number of Volvo automobiles made from 2010 through 2012.
The bottom line is to learn how to check your coolant (and oil) yourself and keep an eye on the temperature gauge.
Here at Morin Brothers Automotive we check the coolant every time your car is in for an oil change or other service under the hood, but for many of our customers that turns out to be once a year! These engines are running right at the ragged edge, putting out up to 200 horsepower in some models. We strongly recommend using synthetic oil and checking it often.