Hello!! I’ll try to shorten this story…I have a 2018 Ford Escape with around 88k miles. In 2020, it had to have a new engine, due to the coolant leaking issue, which threw a P0303 code. In 2022, it had to have the purge valve replaced, small I know, but I don’t want to leave any details out, no code this time. In October of 2023, I took it in to the dealer because it was making a terrible knocking sound. It ended up being a cracked flex plate, which resulted in also replacing the torque converter and transmission fuel pump. No code this time either. I’ve had the car back for one week. Last night I leave Kroger, the car starts running rough, and the check engine light comes on. So I pulled into Advanced Auto and they put it on their computer, and the code was P0303. Surely it cannot be the same problem as when it needed the new engine? Has anyone else had this happen?

 

Let's hope not !
Was the engine replacement covered by any warranty ? Did that replacement come with any kind of warranty?

I noticed you listed all the things that went wrong..
Was any routine maintenance performed in between those problems? If so , what and by whom?
Unfortunately, the cracked flex plate is not that unusual, Many times a purge valve becomes a problem when refueling and we continue to add fuel after the pump nozzle shuts off.
Whether or not warranty coverage is still in effect would dictate the vehicle be brought back to the place that replaced the engine.
A lot will depend on what is found with a thorough diagnosis. Can understand your frustration and let's see what the answers are to the above

 

The car has had all of the regular maintenance that is normally done, the dealer calls me when it’s time to come in, and I take it. I have an unlimited powertrain warranty. So far it’s covered everything except the purge valve. I will be taking it back to the dealer first thing tomorrow.

 

Suggest you reread your vehicle warranty provisions. Emission controls many times are covered up to 100,000 miles and a purge valve is an emission control, check it out.

 

Well, the warranty is through a third party from the dealership. Ford told me they’re emission warranty is up to 80k miles, but they drop parts off of it every to often. The purge valve was apparently dropped around 60k. It sounds very silly to me. So the powertrain warranty did not cover it, but Ford actually ended up paying for it, because I’ve had so much trouble with this car.

 

Glad you got it covered. Have to check when it was changed to 60,000 mi.
Thank you for the update.

 

The dealership said I have a bad ignition coil. Which they say is just regular wear and tear. Maybe that is the case. I assumed When my engine burnt up a couple of years ago, that the ignition coil was part of that, so I assumed It would be replaced. It’s still very discouraging to have it back for one week, and have to send it back.

 

Hopefully the new year will turn out much better.

 

I picked my car up this morning. It was riding a little rough, but I thought, I’ll give it a minute, maybe it’s just getting acclimated. I made it to work. When I got back in after work to go home, it started jerking like before, and the check engine light came on. I’m feeling very defeated.

 

It is unfortunate but some "Repair folks" get overcome with tunnel vision. Instead of running a series of checks,a decision is arrived at , Oh I just had a problem like this on my last job and this is what it was and the conclusion was incorrect.
There could be other reasons too, but many times a customer asks if the dealership can provide a loaner until they can find and correct the problem. Never hurts to ask.

That is a much better reason to have the customer always come back !