The Lemon IndexOn Fords, the engine got hot enough that the computer turned on its overheat protection, which can shut off cylinders and cut power. Full P1299 page
41 owner complaints · the #9 code Ford Escape owners name · 5% of Ford Escape complaints that name a code (every car: 0.5%)
Middle of 98,000 miles · most between 72,000 and 146,000 (14 owners gave it)
Ford Escape owners named P1299 in 41 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2018, 2014 and 2013 model years, at a middle of 98,000 miles. The part they name most is the head gasket (21 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Ford Escape model years that report P1299
Owner complaints naming P1299, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
98,000 miles is the middle of what 14 owners entered. Half were between 72,000 and 146,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the head gasket, in 21 of the 41 complaints (51%). 6 of those mention it being replaced or repaired. Next: engine (replaced or rebuilt) (13), spark plugs (3) and engine computer (ECM / PCM) (3).
- Head gasket or coolant in a cylinder21 complaints6 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford Escape owners paid
- Engine replaced or rebuilt13 complaints13 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what Ford Escape owners paid
- Spark plugs3 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford Escape owners paid
- Engine computer (ECM / PCM)3 complaints1 mentions a repair or replacement · what Ford Escape owners paid
15 complaints mention a recall and 3 mention a warranty.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P1299
49% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Overheats39%16 of 41 complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires32%13 of 41 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode22%9 of 41 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off12%5 of 41 complaints
- Warning lights and electrical faults10%4 of 41 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P1299 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
P0316 14 P1285 14 P0217 14 P0301 13 P0304 13 P0300 13
Other codes named in the same Ford Escape complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
Ford Escape head gasket replacement cost · Ford Escape engine replacement cost · Ford Escape spark plug replacement cost · Ford Escape ECM (engine computer) replacement cost
Recalls on these Ford Escape years
- Engine · 2014 · issued 2017
If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil. NHTSA 17V209000 - Engine · 2013 · issued 2013
The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak. NHTSA 13V583000 - Engine · 2013 · issued 2012
Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids. NHTSA 12V551000 - Engine · 2013 · issued 2012
The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant. NHTSA 12V431000
4 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Ford Escape model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P1299. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P1299: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Ford Escape reliability by year
- 2018 Ford Escape problems and recalls
Other codes Ford Escape owners report
P2111 P2112 P0302 P0303 B2278 P0316 P0301 P0304 P0300 P1450
P1299 on other cars
Ford Fusion (15)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P1299 means
On Fords, the engine got hot enough that the computer turned on its overheat protection, which can shut off cylinders and cut power. Pull over and let it cool.
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
- Low coolant or a leak
- Failed thermostat or water pump
- Cooling fan problem
- Faulty cylinder head temperature sensor
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11758288, 11758082, 11735003, 11731183, 11704568, 11685553, 11678749, 11669165, 11661007, 11654926, 11649286, 11629319 and 29 more.
Quick answers
What does P1299 mean on a Ford Escape?
Cylinder Head Overtemperature Protection Active. On Fords, the engine got hot enough that the computer turned on its overheat protection, which can shut off cylinders and cut power. Pull over and let it cool.
Which Ford Escape years have the most P1299 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2018 (9), 2014 (9), 2013 (9) Ford Escape named P1299 most (41 complaints in all, 2013–2019). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P1299 on a Ford Escape?
Owners most often name the head gasket (21 of 41 complaints), then engine (replaced or rebuilt) and spark plugs. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does P1299 show up on a Ford Escape?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 98,000 miles; half were between 72,000 and 146,000 (14 owners).
Can I drive my Ford Escape with P1299?
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P1299 on the Ford Escape, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.