Every Ford my family has owned (only three, my kids bought them-I would never own a Ford) has had plugged up heater cores. Every single one was full of casting sand. Granted, they were all 2005 to 2012 cars but they all had the same issue. My son's 2005 Sable had to flushed every fall due casting sand.
I don't believe it has anything to do with the coolant, especially a two year old car. The orange coolant issues are pretty well done with the closed systems of today. My neighbor is a big Ford fan and a HD equipment mechanic who does side work. He does a ton of work on flushing Ford heater cores due to casting sand. Most of the work is in the fall due to a no heat condition.
Today's cars have the heater cores buried in the dash with huge bills to replace. Years ago, I replaced one in a 1981 Escort-remove the two hoses clamps, open glove box, remove access door and replace. Easy as a cabin air filter. I would see if you can access the heater hoses and back flush. I have no idea if you even see them in an Escape.
Dave