2017 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 2,686 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 39 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 56 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, power window devices and controlsJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Escape vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 16V617. The power-operated windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
Campaign 26V374000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterJan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
Campaign 26V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Jun 10, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Campaign 22V413000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsAug 24, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016. The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object such as a body part and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.
Campaign 16V617000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
1,983 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Aug 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe, and the engine overheated while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the used car dealer, where the vehicle was purchased, and the spark plugs, ignition coils, and oxygen sensor were replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2346 (Coolant in Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke And/or Illuminated MIL); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 5, 2025
Engine light came on and then 3 days later, the car would not drive. Got the car inspected and found out the coolant is leaking into the engine.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH in a parking area, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine and the low coolant warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion into several cylinders had resulted in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that an abnormal, rumbling sound was coming from the vehicle at start-up, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and a tune-up was performed on it. Despite the tune-up, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed there was coolant intrusion into the engine and the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to two other independent mechanics, who advised the contact not to replace the head gasket because it was not a permanent repair. The contact was advised to replace the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 67,895.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and was inspected. The contact continued driving, but the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the cylinder. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred 2-3 days later. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "High Engine Temperature - Stop Safely" was displayed. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was no coolant in the reservoir. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,500.
Engine, Aug 4, 2025
Coolant leak into an engine cylinder.
Engine, Aug 3, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine coolant system failed due to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, a known defect in the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. This caused white exhaust smoke, engine misfires, overheating, and eventual engine failure. The vehicle is currently undriveable and available for inspection upon request. A Ford dealership diagnosed the issue and provided a written estimate for full engine replacement. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle experienced loss of engine power, stalling, and overheating while driving, posing a significant safety risk on the road. There were instances where I felt unsafe continuing to drive the vehicle, and I was concerned about the possibility of engine failure while driving at highway speeds or in high-traffic conditions. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue has been diagnosed and confirmed by Colorado Engine, which provided an $11,000 estimate for a complete engine replacement due to coolant intrusion. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been discussed with a certified Ford dealership. I have not involved police or insurance representatives at this time. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. Symptoms included: Low coolant warnings (despite no visible leak) White smoke from the exhaust Rough idling, engine shaking, and occasional stalling Intermittent engine overheating warnings These symptoms began in late May 2025, roughly 3 years after I purchased the vehicle from CarMax. The issues progressively worsened until the vehicle became undriveable.
Engine, Aug 2, 2025
Coolant leaking unknown source
Engine, Aug 2, 2025
Engine failure. Engine was confirmed by a dealer to have engine failure from coolant intrusion into the cylinder body. Check engine light appeared before failure occurred.
Engine, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the transmission downshifted and upshifted intermittently, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to slow down and exiting the highway, the brake pedal was depressed however, the brake pedal was extremely stiff. The vehicle was shifted to neutral(N) for the vehicle to slow down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved information that the cam shaft sensor was not working properly, and the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the brake booster was defective and failed to build up pressure as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2025
My car began throwing codes for a Cylinder 2 misfire in October of 23. We did a tune up. Within a few months, same issue. By Oct of 24 my head gasket needed replaced. Now it is August of 25 and I am having the same issue and signs that the head gasket is bad again. I am told by dealers this is due to a faulty head gasket that Ford knowingly put in the vehicles. There is a limited recall for the 1.6L but not the 2.0 EcoBoost motors. I am now out thousands of dollars for the new head gasket less than a year ago and am being told the only fix is to replace the engine as a whole which will be thousands of more. This is due to Ford putting in faulty parts, and not taking responsibility. I am now out of a car, while working full time with an [XXX] and a baby on the way because Ford my & my childrens safety is not worth driving a car that could break down at any moment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Jul 31, 2025
coolant leaking into engine causing overheating
Engine, Jul 31, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 1.5L short block, due to coolant intrusion to the cylinder bores How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine could stop running. I drive with two small children so their safety would be at risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?Confirmed by a dealer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Check engine light. This is a known issue that Ford is aware of. I did not receive any communication that this should be fixed and am now facing a repair that exceeds that value of the vehicle.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at a red traffic light, a driver walked up to the contact and informed the contact that there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal sweet odor coming from the exterior of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine was consuming coolant excessively. The contact was informed that the engine block assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was informed of Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2229, which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Engine, Jul 31, 2025
I am loosing coolant into the engine, most likely into cylinder#2, spark plug is seized in the block, I have to add coolant every 3-4 days to prevent overheating.
Engine, Jul 31, 2025
I bought a used 2017 Ford Escape Titanium in September of 2024. Around a month and a half later, the check engine light came on and had the code P0302. The check engine light has been intermittent since then. My car only has 56,558 miles on it and it is a 2017 so this has been extremely frustrating.
Power train, Engine, Jul 31, 2025
I discovered, after my Ford Ecoboost engine light came on, that my engine needs a total replacement with only 67,000 miles on the engine. I have learned that it was a KNOWN design flaw by Ford Motor Company since 2020, the year I purchased my vehicle slightly used with 20k miles. The engine can overheat, catch fire, or seize up while driving, due to coolant leaking into the piston chambers. I was NEVER sent a recall notice, or warning of any kind from Ford Motor Company, even though this could cause an accident. I am expected to pay over $10,000 for a new engine that SHOULD have been recalled, due to their own design flaws. I see that there are multiple class actions law suits pending over this issue.
Engine, Jul 31, 2025
Check engine light came on for a fouled spark plug. When taken to repair shop, technician discovered that coolant was leaking into an engine cylinder. This is a known manufacturers defect that Ford Motor Company refuses to accept responsibility (see Ford Technical Service Bulletin 19-2208 - attached). Coolant is leaking at approx one gal per month. If not replaced, engine can overheat leading to further engine damage. Coolant in engine cylinder decreases driving performance with multiple misfires possibly leading to inability to avoid or causing an accident. White smoke from exhaust can hamper visualisation of following vehicles. Recall on all Ford models with Eco Boost engines is indicated with company paid repairs if coolant is leaking into engine.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop on several occasions, the vehicle sputtered and stalled. The message "Engine Fault - Service Now" was displayed. The contact related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21N12. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the cylinders through the engine block. The dealer determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided due to the mileage of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 80,065.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2025
The contact's mother owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The message "Engine Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was related to the failure of Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2322(- Low Coolant, White Exhaust Smoke And /Or Illuminated MIL -); however, the vehicle was not covered. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a vehicle safety complaint. The failure mileage was 27,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Engine, Jul 30, 2025
My engine died at 63,000 miles. I'm thinking it's a coolant leak issue that I've read about online. I am severely disappointed.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 29, 2025
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that approximately one year ago, the engine was misfiring, and the vehicle was shuddering when the vehicle was started. The contact stated that his wife had not seen any warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the same mechanic and was informed that the cylinders in the engine had failed a pressure test and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2346 (Coolant intrusion into the cylinders - Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the program to replace the engine did not cover the vehicle and had expired. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Engine, Jul 29, 2025
Coolant intrusion in engine. My Ford escape has only 89,000 miles, it looks brand new. It’s a manufacturer defect, the local Reno Ford is charging $9,000 to fix it. Why is not a recall from Ford? Thank you