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 7, 2023
On July 16th 2023 my husband and I were driving on a local street when our car lost all power. Lucky we were able to make it to our destination and ended up bringing our Escape to a local repair shop where we learned we would need a new engine costing approximately 13000 dollars with no guarantee the new used engine wouldn't fail as well. While we are so grateful that our engine didn't catch fire or cause an accident or fatality we feel we now have a very expensive brick parked in our driveway that we can't in good conscience sell and can't afford to repair. This was our first new car purchase and I feel Ford should take responsibility for the defect they knew existed. We were lucky but it's only a matter of time before someone loses their life when their engine fails on the highway.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the spark plugs. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic a second time and the cooler pack was replaced. The contact was informed there was a misfire in cylinder #4. While driving, the temperature gauge rose to the hot level. The contact pulled over to let the engine cool down. The driver became aware there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. Additional coolant was added on several occasions. The contact called the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 61,500.
Engine, Aug 5, 2023
BEACH FORD REPLACED THE HEADGASKETS AND 12 MONTHS LATER COOLANT LEAKED INTO CYLINDER AND NEED NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS AT BEACH FORD IN MYRTLE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 4, 2023
Technical Service Bulletin #22-2229 needs to be added to my car's vin number. Car was brought to dealership after check engine light was illuminated. Diagnostic trouble codes indicated misfire detected on cylinder 1, misfire detected on start up. Dealership did an additional review, and found coolant intrusion into cylinder 1. Entire engine replacement has been reccomended. Car was picked up from dealership on 7.11.23 for regular maintenance, check engine light illuminated again on 7/31/23, car was brought to dealership on 8/1/23, and dealership recommended replacement on 8/2/23. Engine replacement is $8,500.
Engine, Aug 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle was stopped at a light with the brake pedal depressed. The contact stated that a message that read “Stop Vehicle – Emergency” was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to a coolant leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage 108,000.
Engine, Aug 4, 2023
At 98,500 mileage I saw white/blue smoke coming from the exhaust. It would cloud up my garage and the smell was terrible. We started parking outside and after the second or third time this happened, we took it into the dealership. There were no warning messages or dash lights present. At the dealership they said the coolant looked a little low and after some research did a coolant pressure test. The pressure was not supposed to drop more than 4.5psi over 5 hours and ours dropped 5psi within 2 hours signaling a coolant leak. The repair was a new engine block costing $7000.
Engine, Aug 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally and failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,843.
Engine, Aug 3, 2023
Code P0302 Coolant intrusions into #2 cylinder causing check engine light with risk of engine failure, stalling, engine fire, decreased power, etc. all of which are life threatening issues to myself, my spouse, and my three young children. Was informed by Ford to file a report.
Engine, Aug 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that he had filled the coolant reservoir and a month later the message to check the coolant level was displayed. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was running rough and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There was no sign of a coolant leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,300.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 31, 2023
2017 Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost at 58K miles after "the works" oil change at Ford Dealership I noticed coolant tank was empty, engine was heavily leaking oil, engine was running very rough, whitish exhaust smoke, check engine light came on "misfire code", replaced spark plugs and ignition coils, added coolant and engine oil fluid every week, it just kept rolling downhill from there. It is criminal what is going on here...the repair costs aren't worth it and clearly don't fix the problem...do you want to buy a used Ford Escape that either needs a new engine or has had the engine replaced once already before 60K (and probably needs another new engine)? Do you want to buy a new(er) Ford Escape? "Ford Motor Company has issued a new recall for 125,322 model year 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles for a risk of fire due to engine failure. 2020-2023 recalls on ford escapes." I'll never buy another Ford vehicle again. I shouldn't have to investigate Ford dealerships/Fords work to make sure they are being honest about my vehicle, it's condition and the warranty, I shouldn't have to explain and argue with Ford dealership / Ford to try to get them to fix the situation, I shouldn't be stuck with it and have to wonder or double check if my vehicle is low on essential fluids every time I go somewhere due to Fords design flaws and constantly buy more fluids (there's no way that this meets environmental regulations), I shouldn't have to worry about my vehicle catching fire and/or lose all function at any moment while driving it or after driving it, I shouldn't have to fear parking my car in my garage (catching fire and burning house down with it) or being stranded where I am (whether I'm close to home or far away), could cause accident, injury and/or death. I paid good money for a vehicle that was advertised and marketed (by Ford dealership/Ford) as top rated, safe and reliable vehicle (this can't be legal). FIX THIS NOW BEFORE...
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 31, 2023
2017 Ford Escape 2.0L Ecoboost at 50K miles after "the works" oil change at Ford Dealership I noticed coolant tank was empty, engine was heavily leaking oil, engine was running very rough, whitish exhaust smoke, check engine light came on "misfire code", replaced spark plugs and ignition coils, added coolant and engine oil fluid every week, it just kept rolling downhill from there. It is criminal what is going on here...the repair costs aren't worth it and clearly don't fix the problem...do you want to buy a used Ford Escape that either needs a new engine or has had the engine replaced once already before 60K (and probably needs another new engine)? Do you want to buy a new(er) Ford Escape? "Ford Motor Company has issued a new recall for 125,322 model year 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles for a risk of fire due to engine failure. 2020-2023 recalls on ford escapes." I'll never buy another Ford vehicle again. I shouldn't have to investigate Ford dealerships/Fords work to make sure they are being honest about my vehicle, it's condition and the warranty, I shouldn't have to explain and argue with Ford dealership / Ford to try to get them to fix the situation, I shouldn't be stuck with it and have to wonder or double check if my vehicle is low on essential fluids every time I go somewhere due to Fords design flaws and constantly buy more fluids (there's no way that this meets environmental regulations), I shouldn't have to worry about my vehicle catching fire and/or lose all function at any moment while driving it or after driving it, I shouldn't have to fear parking my car in my garage (catching fire and burning house down with it) or being stranded where I am (whether I'm close to home or far away). I paid good money for a vehicle that was advertised and marketed (by Ford dealership/Ford) as top rated, safe and reliable vehicle (is this not false advertising?). Ford should be held accountable and at a loss, not me.
Engine, Jul 30, 2023
Engine coolant intrusion causing engine failure intermittently while driving at 51k miles. Repaired by Ford at my cost even though it was within warranty mileage but exceeded time by 7 months. This is a known issue by Ford…see Ford Service Bulletin 19-2346.
Engine, Jul 30, 2023
Check Engine light came on. Notice some rough starting followed by white smoke from exhaust. Brought to mechanic. Mechanic indicated the following: "diagnosis inspected and verified misfire #4 pulled plug found residue of possible coolant in cylinder, overflow of reservoir was near empty, topped off let sit overnight, started cold and saw white smoke believed to be coolant out of exhaust. Most likely internal engine failure. Recommended going to Ford for additional diagnostic and possible warranty extension". Mechanic indicated that this is a known issue that Ford is aware of unsafe coolant engine and overheating defects in the 2017 escape model. Coolant leaks create risk of engine fire and complete engine failure. Online reviews say serious safety issue some consumer had no warnings before vehicle misfires leading to total engine failure while driving. I plan to bring to Ford dealership mechanic on Aug 10th. At this time advised not to drive the vehicle by mechanic who inspected it. No prior issues before light came on. Well maintained vehicle. Research online shows this is a known concern with eco boost 2017 Ford Escape. At this time Ford indicated they are not aware nor feel responsible for the issues presented. Scheduled appointment for Ford Mechanics to inspect it. This is concerning. Checked recall list but this did not come up. However numerous online posts.
Engine, Jul 29, 2023
Have replaced the turbo. Have replaced the transmission. Had coolant leak fixed in October getting into the cylinders. Now again in July coolant is leaking again into the the engine, causing potential fire. Lots of smoke and engine is overheating.
Engine, Jul 28, 2023
My engine is misfiring due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The issue has been confirmed by the dealer, and is currently being repaired. It is a safety issue because the engine failing due to lack of coolant could render the vehicle undrivable. It has also caused random jerking movements in times of acceleration. It was inspected by the dealer, and before that, my usual mechanic. Check engine light is on, and the engine is rumbly at start.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had misfired, and spark plug #1 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that at start-up, the engine rumbled, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Engine, Jul 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was placed on a diagnostic machine and produced fault codes: P0316 and P0300. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 58,870.
Engine, Jul 26, 2023
2017 Escape 2.0: Ongoing issue with check engine light coming on and running rough. Had issues with traffic with engine suddenly stop running. I am concerned for myself and safety of my daughter. Took to first place and they replaced spark plugs and coil packs. Issue came right back running rough and check engine light back on. Took to Ford dealer to be diagnosed. They found coolant in cylinder. TSB has correction to replace complete engine. Estimate is approximately $9500. Do not understand why this is not a recall since its a known MFG issue.
Power train, Engine, Jul 26, 2023
On June 15th I took my car to AllStar Ford in Palestine Texas because my check engine came on flashing and I started my car it was running rough and having trouble accelerating. I was called later that day and told I needed 1 new spark plug. I told them to replace all of them and they also did a tune-up. I picked my car up on June 21st and it seemed to be fine. The next morning my check engine light was flashing again. I took it back and was later told there was a cracked spark plug. Skip to July 14th and my check engine light was back on. I took it back to the dealership. On July 20th they called to tell me there was a leak in my coolant reservoir and they found coolant intrusion in cylinders. Now I'm being told I have to replace my engine. There has been a recall on 2014 to 2019 Ford EcoBoost because of the very same issue. For some reason my car was not part of that. I have researched this issue and found a lot of owners having the same problem and being told the cost is on them. There are also class action lawsuits in California for this problem. Had I know these cars had this severe problem I would have purchased something different. My car could over heat and blow the motor and even catch on fire. I owe less on my car than what it will cost to fix and that doesn't guarantee it won't happen again.
Engine, Jul 25, 2023
Check engine light came on, vehicle overheated. When towed to local Ford dealership we were informed that water had gotten into engine and whole engine needed to be replaced. The car is less than 6 years old and only has 59,000 miles on it. We were one month shy of paying off the vehicle when this happened. We were quoted $8,300 to replace engine. Ford offered only $4,000 in credit to cover the replacement. Dealership stated during our communication that this is a known defect with this make, model and year Ecoboost engine.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the contact saw smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with coolant leaking into the engine cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,300.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 25, 2023
In January 2023, my transmission went, and it was towed to the dealership. It sat for SIX MONTHS until it was fixed. I got the back 1 month ago, 2 weeks later, it broke down, stopped driving, on a VERY BUSY highway. It has now been sitting for 2 weeks and I do not have any answers as to what is wrong with my car.
Engine, Jul 24, 2023
As I was driving one evening my vehicle started acting weird. Anytime I would press the brakes at a stop light, when the light would turn green, as I would press the gas the gears would remain at neutral for a few seconds before going into drive mode. After a couple of days, the problem had gotten a little worst. I did check with Ford to see if another recall was done on my vehicle and it wasn't. At the time when the previous recall occurred, my vehicle was not having any issues. Almost a year later, my vehicle now has the exact issues that the recall had stated occurred, in which makes no sense.
Engine, Jul 21, 2023
2017 Ford Escape Titanium with just over 65k miles taken to dealership with warning light on. Dealer diagnosed it with coolant to leaking into the cylinders, requiring a full engine replacement with cost of over $7,000. This same issue can be found after a simple internet search and is reported as a known Ford issue where they have an internal tech bullet but no support for the cost of the repair.
Engine, Jul 21, 2023
misfire of engine with white blueish smoke from both exhaust pipes for short period.