2019 Ford Mustang engine problems

ENGINE

My 2019 Ford Mustang equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine developed a check-engine light, rough startups, engine misfires/rough running, and some engine knocking. The vehicle had approximately 87,453 miles. I took the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership for diagnosis. The dealer brought the engine to operating temperature, pressurized the cooling system to 21 PSI, removed the ignition coils and spark plugs, and inspected the cylinders with a borescope. The dealer documented coolant intrusion into cylinder #2 due to a failed cylinder head and recommended replacement of the complete long-block engine due to the extent of the damage. The dealer also documented diagnostic trouble codes P0300 and P0316 for misfires, along with P008A and P018C related to low-side fuel pressure. I am concerned that internal coolant intrusion causing misfires, rough operation and engine knocking could result in significant loss of engine power or engine failure while driving, creating a safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds or in traffic. Ford Customer Relations was notified but declined financial assistance because the vehicle is outside the factory warranty and stated that there is no applicable recall for my vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection. The Ford dealership's written diagnostic report and photographs of the cylinder inspection are available.

NHTSA complaint #11757812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated, causing the engine to overheat. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned off the vehicle to allow the engine to cool down while waiting on a mechanic to arrive on the scene. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant had leaked into cylinders #2 and #3 before the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and the ignition coil packs and spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V828000 (ENGINE); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

NHTSA complaint #11756680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2019 Ford Mustang with 3.2 EcoBoost engine has coolant intrusion into the engine thru a defectively made engine block. Diagnosed by the Ford dealer in Hinesville,GA on August 11,2026. Car has 52,731 miles on it and has always been maintained by the local Ford service department. Car is a daily driver, no abuse or rough driving. Car is available for inspection upon request Coolant intrusion can cause sudden engine failure, loss of power and sudden stoppage at any speed. Overheating due to loss of coolant, engine fire, loss of control of the car. Check engine light came on and engine ran rough on cold start up on [XXX] & i then took it in to be checked out by Ford service. Service advisor stated that this coolant intrusion is due to a Ford known defect in the EcoBoost engines; but that there has been no recall. Only solution he offered was to have a new replacement engine installed for about $13,500. I declined the replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11756275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Engine Failure where a replacement engine is required just after a few months of purchasing the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11744985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Coolant intrusion. This particular motor has caused NUMEROUS issues with 2019 & older Ford models, specifically with the 2.3L Ecoboost engines. The Ford Motor Company should recall & replace the engines of all models affected, mine included. I spent $2200 for a new timing system, tow fees, was broke down on the side of the road when my engine overheated. I bought this car brand new. Financed $27k & owe $3900 right now. Devastated & livid describes how I feel at the present. Coolant intrusion causing hydrolock is a KNOWN issue by Ford, and they should make things right with the owners of the vehicles affected. A new motor will cost $6500. That should NOT be a cost that the customer has to pay.

NHTSA complaint #11744908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Left for work. Started running funny, stalled-started-stalled-started on my street. Got on highway about 1/2 mile, check engine light & engine temp light came on. Got off highway and called a tow to SARASOTA FORD. Tech ran diag. for codes, codes found.: P1285( cylinder head over temp ), P0316(engine misfire ), P0304( cylinder 4 misfire ), P0303(cylinder 3 misfire ), P0302( cylinder 2 misfire ), P217( engine coolant over temp ),.. Tech removed spark plugs and saw coolant in cylinder's ( 2,3,4 ) with a bore scope. Ongoing problem I found out about after the fact with the ( 2015-2019, 2.3L EcoBoost .. "ECO-BOOM" motor ). Specifically between cylinder's 2 & 3... Was quoted a repair cost of over $10,000.00 -12,000.00 dollars. It's been next to my house for almost a year now. Bought the car used in JANUARY 2021 with my son with no explanation of the known problem. If known I would not have bought the car, 2019/FORD/MUSTANG/2DR CPE ECOBOOST FASTBACK. Diagnostics were done on 06/04/2025 at ... Incident happened around 05/30-31/2025, That's about all I got

NHTSA complaint #11739704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle's speed did not accelerate above 20 MPH. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #11737649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that it was difficult to start the vehicle. While driving at 30 MPH, there was a significant amount of white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes, reducing the visibility of the rear of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine was blown. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA complaint #11731555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The car is using a lot of engine coolant and oil. It is also burning the spark plugs. The check engine light comes out 6k miles after I install new spark plugs and it starts shaking, misfiring, running poorly, not accelerating properly and blowing white smoke through the exhaust on cold start. I know the engines have a defect from factory that causes them to do this. It usually needs a new head gasket, block or engine. Please advise. I read a forum that referred me to this website. The car is well taken care of and has 115k miles.

NHTSA complaint #11730612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Description of the Defect: My 2019 Ford Mustang EcoBoost experienced a premature engine failure caused by internal coolant intrusion, resulting in the need for complete engine replacement. This failure is not related to routine maintenance or a head gasket issue, but rather a known internal engine design defect that allows coolant to intrude into the cylinders over time. The vehicle exhibited symptoms including coolant loss without visible external leaks, rough operation, and engine malfunction. Upon inspection by a Ford dealership, the failure was diagnosed as coolant intrusion into the engine, with the only repair option being long‑block (engine) replacement. Ford has acknowledged this failure mode in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19‑2346, which documents coolant intrusion in EcoBoost engines and states that engine replacement—not head gasket repair—is the required corrective action. This bulletin confirms the issue is caused by an internal design flaw that develops over time. Why This Is a Safety Concern: This defect can lead to sudden engine misfires, loss of power, or complete engine failure while driving, which poses a serious safety risk to vehicle occupants and other road users. Engine failure at highway speeds or during normal driving conditions creates the potential for crashes, loss of vehicle control, or roadside breakdowns in unsafe conditions. The failure occurred at very low mileage (~36,000 miles), indicating a premature and abnormal engine defect, not normal wear and tear. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. Yes, it is diagnostic and confirmed by AutoNation Ford Bellevue [XXX] Direct line: [XXX] No, prior warning and symptoms. First appeared on March 16, 2026. No recall exists despite Ford’s TSBs acknowledging the defect. Ford later redesigned the EcoBoost engine, showing awareness of the issue, yet owners are forced to pay for costly engine replacements after warranty expiration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11729810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The component that failed on my ecoboost mustang 2019 was a failed design in the motor called the head gasket. The head gaskets broke and started leaking coolant into the engine. The engine has 39,000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11714513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Have a 2019 Ford Mustang 2DR 2.3L Ecoboost with 59,500 miles which I took to the dealership with a code P0302 and P0304 present, cylinder misfire, observed coolant level low, performed borescope in cylinder 2 and 4, found coolant intrusion, recommend long block engine replacement which would have cost me $10,728.85. Concern is that the engine can stall suddenly and may cause an accident. Ford Motor Company knows about these kind of engine issues with Ecoboost engines and have not offer any reasonable solutions. Vehicle VIN is the following: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11702554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost engine defect that causes coolant to leak into the cylinders, leading to engine failures and potential fire risks.

NHTSA complaint #11702019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Blown Head Gasket @ 86,000 miles due to Block defect. Now I have to either pay to replace the Head Gasket with the expectation that it will fail again due to the block defect, or replace the whole defective block.

NHTSA complaint #11701641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Purchased just 2 months ago from ford dealer, after 1 week noticed shimming of engine on cold start, next incident overheat warning, filled with radiator fluid, noticed slow lowering of fluid level, next day car would not start at all. Towed to mechanic in which they report blown head gasket and all 4 cylinders damaged. After searching this site I found others had same complaint but no recalls. Evidently there is a lawsuit, how do I participate so I can get my beautiful car repaired ASAP?

NHTSA complaint #11695944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I am filing this complaint regarding a vehicle I purchased from Florida Fine Cars in Miami Gardens on [XXX}. The vehicle is a Ford Mustang GT with a Roush supercharger (VIN: [XXX] ). Immediately after purchase, the car exhibited serious performance and safety issues that were never disclosed by the dealer. Within hours of driving home, the vehicle showed severe power loss, hesitation during acceleration, and loud mechanical noises at highway speeds. These issues were not detectable during the brief, low-speed test drive the dealership provided. Additionally, by the next morning, the car emitted a strong plastic or chemical odor under the hood, which intensified in the Florida heat — suggesting a possible engine, exhaust, or emissions-related fault. The dealer misrepresented the condition of the vehicle, repeatedly claiming it was “fully inspected” and “in excellent condition.” However, a certified Ford dealership technician later confirmed that the car “ran like garbage” and required immediate diagnostic attention. These defects are potentially safety-related, as they directly affect the engine’s performance, drivability, and emissions integrity. The vehicle could stall, lose power during acceleration, or emit toxic fumes. Florida Fine Cars has refused to take responsibility, despite clear evidence that the car was sold with undisclosed defects. Their actions constitute false advertising, misrepresentation, and a disregard for consumer safety. I urge NHTSA to record this complaint and investigate whether similar vehicles sold by Florida Fine Cars (or others with aftermarket superchargers) have unreported safety or emissions defects. This poses a serious risk to consumer safety and compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11693399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Engine - Blown head gasket This is a common issue with these engines and is a costly repair or potential engine failure.

NHTSA complaint #11687657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Check engine light on. Code is p0301 for multiple cylinder misfires. At startup I can hear coolant sloshing around and white exhaust. Coolant is leaking into cylinder 1. The Ford dealer says it needs a new engine. 2019 ford mustang ecoboost at 55k miles.

NHTSA complaint #11683756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 at 26,000 miles. Was told by mechanic this is due to thin cylinder wall design between cylinder 2 and 3. And the thin coolant channel cut between them. A new engine block manufactured after 2020 was recommended because the engine design was changed to fix this issue. My warranty expired 4 months prior so I had to fix myself.

NHTSA complaint #11683781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

On Repair Order #:[XXX] at Lorenzo Ford, the dealership technician documented the following: “Verified customer concern, DTC P0304 perform pinpoint test, inconclusive, perform coolant pressure test and found coolant intrusion into cylinder 4.” This confirms a coolant intrusion defect causing misfire and overheating — exactly the well-documented issue affecting 2.3L EcoBoost engines that is now the subject of a pending class action lawsuit (filed June 2025). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11682279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Since purchasing the vehicle (used) there had been several issues with the engine.

NHTSA complaint #11680932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I purchased this 2019 Ford Mustang Ecoboost 2.3L brand new in July 2019. It has been well maintained, regularly serviced by the authorized Ford Dealer where I purchase the car. It has never been in an accident, and has only 36,100 miles. This vehicle passed inspection last month. The check engine light came on, and then had rough cold starts. I have been informed by the service station that antifreeze is leaking into the engine, and a new engine is required (estimated cost of $11,000). After researching this matter, it appears that there is a design flaw with this vehicle, given the high number of similar occurrences with 2015-2019 Ford ecoboost vehicles. It is my understanding there is even a class action lawsuit related to this issue. Luckily, there was no accident resultant from this engine malfunction in my case, but the NHTSA should investigate this issue, given the high risk it poses to highway safety!

NHTSA complaint #11679972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My vehicle experienced a blown head gasket due to a faulty engine block design at 56K miles. The car started running rough for 10 seconds upon a cold start up and was also misfiring. This is due to coolant intrusion through the gasket and it got into cylinder 3 which could have caused catastrophic engine failure or worse.There are several class-action lawsuits against Ford for the defect.Ford has not taken any steps to address this issue with the ecoboost engines on 2015-2019 models. Additionally, Ford did NOT provide relief to me and I had to pay out of pocket to fix this.

NHTSA complaint #11677642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My vehicle recently had a head gasket leak due to a faulty engine block design. I noticed one day the coolant was lower than it should be but nothing concerning, over a month or so it got progressively lower & the car would also sputter/misfire on startups from time to time. This is due to coolant slipping through the gasket & getting into the cylinder & oil which can lead to catastrophic engine failure or worse. Eventually I got a check engine light & was told it was a misfire after running a diagnostic on the vehicles OBD2. I researched what the issue could be &it became more & more apparent that it was a head gasket issue. The oil was contaminated & coolant was getting very low. Apparently it’s a big issue since Ford is now facing a class action over the defect. The vehicle also has some issues with the transmission, for example ill start the car up on a cold California morning 50°F & let it warm up before driving & when I go into reverse after the car will jolt hard as if you were backing up & hitting something like a wall, even in the afternoon when you start it from a cold start & go into reverse it will do it. Not sure why but it’s concerning to say the least. The transmission also feels confused when shifting, when I’m in 4th about to push fit it will get confused & revs will drop slightly before going up again to up shift, also when downshifting due to braking the shifts can feel a bit hard, especially when needing to stopping fast. The engine & transmission are the most importantly parts of a vehicle & without them working properly is something no one should have to face.

NHTSA complaint #11672603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

5.0 GT Engine continues to lose power and has loud “clicking” when idling. First appeared after May 2025 oil change. Mustang dealer ran codes check - nothing shows up. Mustang dealer has recorded a video / audio of sound and recommends engine replacement. The engine only has 22,000 miles on it .

NHTSA complaint #11667260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Blown head gasket causing coolant to leak into the engine at 49,000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11666503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

There is a coolant leak and that has caused significant damage to the engine due to a bad head gasket by poor manufacturing of the engine.

NHTSA complaint #11660855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while shifting from reverse(R) to drive(D) or from park(P) to drive(D), the vehicle jerked before shifting into the intended drive mode. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while accelerating. The check engine warning light had illuminated intermittently. The wrench symbol was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle lost power. They waited for a while before restarting the vehicle. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that there was a failure with the transmission, but had not determined which part in the transmission had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11653685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Took car into dealership because it was running rough at start up and check engine light came on. They told us today that coolant leaked into cylinder requiring head gasket repair and pissible engine replacement. The car has less than 40,000 miles, has been gently driven, with full service records from the dealership and the extended warranty just ended in July 2024. Reading online forums, this is a very common issue due to design flaw of the Ford Ecoboost engine. What recourse do we have?

NHTSA complaint #11650220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and upon inspection, the contact became aware that there was coolant leaking from the exhaust system. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,807.

NHTSA complaint #11635740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.