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 and engine cooling, Sep 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired under an unstated recall, there was an abnormal amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a coolant intrusion into the engine short block. The contact was informed that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Engine, Sep 24, 2024
At random times, the engine would lose power without warning, sometimes very significantly. I was fortunate that this never occurred during a time when it could have resulted in an accident. This is a known issue with this engine (ref: Ford TSB 22-2229), yet Ford refuses to offer any corrective measures other than to replace the entire engine at the owner's expense. In my opinion, this is clearly a potential safety issue and the Ford Motor Company should be held responsible for correcting the problem with all owners of the vehicles affected.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was rust inside the cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Engine, Sep 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust system. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the engine and that the short block needed to be replaced. Upon further investigation, the contact was informed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Engine, Sep 23, 2024
Coolant is leaking I to the engine compartment.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact became aware of an abnormal coolant odor. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak into the engine and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the messages that "Engine Overheating, Do Not Drive" and "Power Train Failure" were displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was placed in Neutral(N) and coasted back into the garage. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the short block needed to be replaced due to coolant leaking into cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Engine, Sep 22, 2024
Noticed 2017 Ford Escape Titanium, 73,000 miles with 2.0L ecoboost was starting to use coolant. We kept topping off. One day trying to start, engine ran roughly. When looking under hood noticed there was almost zero coolant in reserve tank and engine light came on (first time it ever came on). Have had all services done at dealer, last one in Jan, 2024. Took to dealer, diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. Was told it would require new long block. Car out of warranty and total cost to replace over $8500. I have since researched this issue and Ford Motor Co is aware of it and doing nothing. I called their help line and was told basically, you are out of warranty and out of luck.
Engine, Sep 21, 2024
My engine light went on Tuesday, [XXX], while driving on [XXX] in Los Angeles. The vehicle wouldn’t accelerate and the engine started to shake. Reducing my speed I was able to make it to my destination INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Sep 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was white smoke from the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was chugging. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, and the head gasket and engine needed to be replaced. There was a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls for the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,580.
Engine, Sep 20, 2024
Timing belt and/or tensioner failed and destroyed the engine. Mechanic said it may be impossible to know the cause but something that should not happen. No warning lights or symptoms until catastrophic failure. Belt broke, made a noise as it was hitting other parts in the engine and the car stopped. We were lucky we were pulling into the garage and not on the interstate. The car only had 46,000 miles well kept and maintained. Ford does not even recommend inspecting the timing belt until 150,000 miles. Other 2017 ford escapes with eco boost are known to have coolant leakage that destroys the engines as well as other issues. Ford made some of those right and even extended warranties but mine was not included and past warranty. Ford refused to escalate my complaint. We only owned the car for 5 years putting only 15k miles on it rarely leaving town. The dealer estimate was a whooping $10889.23. We hadn’t even finished making payments
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact that the engine temperature gauge was in the red zone. The contact stopped and checked under the hood and became aware that coolant level was very low. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir and drove to the destination. The contact stated that failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2346 Coolant Intrusion In Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The message "Engine Fault - Service Now" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not repaired because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,026.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled while attempting to start the vehicle. The contact stated that coolant was leaking into the engine. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,990.
Engine, Sep 17, 2024
Head gasket failure while under 100k miles. Replacement costing more than the value of the 6 year old vehicle.
Engine, Sep 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed up an incline, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power; however, the contact was able to arrive to the destination. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Engine, Sep 17, 2024
Check engine light illuminated followed by service immediately light Ford garage pressure tested and overnight the coolant psi dropped 5 psi overnight Ford garage indicated that they removed spark plugs and found coolant in the cylinder Ford garage indicated "leak intrusion, these engines had issues for this" suggesting it is a common engine problem not an isolated incident Ford garage mentioned that they have created a revised block to address the failure of the jacket by eliminating the coolant jacket that fails and causes the leak Recommendation from Ford garage was engine replacement, a long block replacement Cost of recommended repair estimated at $11,223
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine. 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 Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Engine, Sep 17, 2024
Component malfunctioning is the engine cylinder 2. EcoBoost engines can break or catch on fire causing an accident. Yes, apparently a known issue. There is a current class action lawsuit in the state of California about this exact situation. Yes. Cylinder 2 started to miss fire on March 2024, took it to the shop thinking it needed new coils or spark plugs replacement. That did not solve the issue. Took it back because engine light turned on September 2024 and that's when i was told about the coolant leaking into the cylinder and how it was a known issue with the EcoBoost engines that my vehicle had.
Engine, Sep 16, 2024
I was driving from work on 9/12/2024 and the check engine light began flashing, car shaking, and began to have difficulties to accelerate. I got home, set up a tow, and the following day was told my engine failed due to no compression on cylinder 2. It was towed today on 9/16 to ford and they basically told me they likely won’t do anything after diagnosing it. A 7 year old car with 94,000 miles taken care of amazingly has complete engine failure. Why is there no help for people in these situations?! Please help
Engine, Sep 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions when started, the vehicle ran rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where a handheld diagnostic machine determined a failure in cylinder #3. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed; however, the spark plugs were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,700.
Engine, Sep 16, 2024
have a 2017 ford escape titanium that has only 96000 something on it that needs a engine replace....now my car sit in my yard as a ornament...loved that car but can't afford to put the engine in plus pay to put the engine in....engine light came on and say miss fire...cause by a # piston ....i wish something coud be done anot that....
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 14, 2024
Coolant leaking into cylinders, smell coolant through vents, smoke from exhaust, film of exhaust coming into front windshield, turbo charger 1, under boost, car just stopped accelerating