2019 Ford Escape Coolant Capacity & Type Guide

The 2019 Ford Escape holds between 7.3 and 8.6 quarts (6.9 to 8.1 liters) of coolant, depending on the specific engine under the hood. Keeping your cooling system properly maintained is one of the most critical things you can do to ensure the longevity of your Escape, especially if it is equipped with one of the EcoBoost engine options.

Quick answer

• Total Cooling System Capacity: 7.3 to 8.6 quarts (6.9 to 8.1 liters), varying by engine size.
• OEM Coolant Spec: Motorcraft Orange (OAT, specification WSS-M97B44-D) or Motorcraft Yellow (P-OAT, specification WSS-M97B57-A1). Note: Ford transitioned from Orange to the newer, backward-compatible Yellow coolant around this model year. Always check your reservoir color and owner's manual.
• Mix Ratio: 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water (available as pre-mixed or concentrate).

Capacity by engine option

The 2019 Ford Escape was offered with three different four-cylinder engines. Here is the approximate coolant capacity for each:

Note: Capacities are approximate dry-fill amounts. If you are doing a standard drain and fill, you will likely need slightly less.

Flush interval

Ford’s recommended maintenance schedule for the 2019 Escape is fairly straightforward:

• Normal Duty: The factory-fill coolant is designed to last up to 100,000 miles or 6 years. After the initial flush, the interval drops to every 50,000 miles or 3 years.
• Severe Duty: If you frequently tow, idle for extended periods, or drive in extremely dusty/hot conditions, it is highly recommended to perform your first coolant flush around 60,000 miles to prevent degradation of the corrosion inhibitors.

How to refill & bleed

Modern engines, particularly the EcoBoost lineup, can be prone to trapping air in the cooling system.

1. Drain: Ensure the engine is completely cool. Locate the petcock at the bottom of the radiator, attach a hose, and drain the old fluid into a catch pan.
2. Vacuum Fill (Recommended): Because the 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines have complex coolant routing (including turbo coolant lines), using an airlift/vacuum coolant refill tool is highly recommended. This pulls the system into a deep vacuum and draws the new 50/50 mix in without introducing air pockets.
3. Manual Fill (If vacuum tool is unavailable): Slowly pour the 50/50 coolant mix into the degas bottle (coolant reservoir) until it reaches the MAX line.
4. Bleed: Start the engine and turn the cabin heater to the maximum temperature and blower speed. Allow the engine to idle until it reaches operating temperature and the thermostat opens (the upper radiator hose will become hot).
5. Top Off: As air bleeds out, the coolant level in the reservoir will drop. Add coolant to keep it between the MIN and MAX marks. Shut the engine off, let it cool completely, and double-check the level.

Common cooling system issues

For the third-generation Ford Escape (which includes the 2019 model), there are a few notable cooling system issues to be aware of:

• 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion: This is a very well-documented issue where coolant leaks into the cylinders due to block design/head gasket failure. Symptoms include a mysterious loss of coolant with no external leaks, white smoke from the exhaust, and misfire codes (like P0300 or P0301-P0304).
• Water Pump Leaks: The water pump can develop weeping leaks around the shaft seal or mounting gasket as the vehicle approaches higher mileage. Keep an eye out for small puddles of orange or yellow fluid under the passenger side of the engine.
• Degas Bottle Cracks: The pressurized plastic coolant reservoir can become brittle over time from heat cycles, leading to hairline cracks and minor pressure/fluid leaks.

If you are experiencing a loss of coolant, overheating, or need a professional flush to keep your EcoBoost running healthy, don't put it off. Find a trusted shop on Repairius.