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, Jun 22, 2023
At about 61,000 miles the engine began to use more antifreeze by 63,000 miles the engine was leaking antifreeze into the engine. we now need to replace the engine.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 22, 2023
The contact’s wife owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating after driving 20-25 miles. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the cylinders, causing the vehicle to overheat. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that there was an Extended Warranty Coverage related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the Extended Warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the vehicle idled roughly with white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred frequently. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant leaking into the cylinders. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2346 Coolant In Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Engine, Jun 19, 2023
Defect in engine looses coolant could cause overheating and engine lockup
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine and engine default warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the temperature gauge rose to the red zone. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that a big puff of white smoke came from the exhaust pipe. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to a shopping mall and filled the radiator with one gallon of water. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local parts dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had leaked into cylinder #2 and #3. The contact called a dealer and was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2346 Coolant In Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Engine, Jun 16, 2023
Had scheduled a service to repair back latch. The day prior the check engine light came on. Upon diagnostic from Ford service center, it was determined that coolant had leaked into a cylinder and caused miss-fire. The Service center informed me that it was just a matter of time until all cylinders were compromised and would seize. I was quoted roughly $7,500 to replace the engine on a vehicle that is only worth $7,000 ( per the Ford service center sales team ). After looking into this type of problem, it seems to be a re-occurring problem for many of the Eco Boost engines. Currently there is an active Class-Action Lawsuit against Ford for this exact problem. I then contacted Ford Motor and was told by 2 different people & 1 supervisor that there was nothing they could do, and to go to the NHTSA website and put a complaint in. I have yet to have the vehicle repaired. Vehicle has roughly 122K miles.
Steering, Engine, Jun 16, 2023
Engine began smoking and had to be replaced 2 days after purchase (in 2020- covered under warranty.) Failed inspection for front end suspension problems which was covered under warranty at first but a year later needed struts and tie rods replaced.. In 2021 the transmission suddenly failed, cost $5,000 to repair out of pocket. The other day the power steering assist suddenly stopped working and I was told it would be $150-3,000 to fix.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and associated the failure with Manufacturer Recall Number: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Power train, Engine, Jun 13, 2023
Engine failure. Check engine light came on and then went back off a day later. Took it to multiple places to get it checked out. They all told me it was a faulty engine and Ford knows about it. My car really started smoking. Took it to a Ford dealer ship and the even tried to get me some help. The are now denying to fix my car so I took it somewhere else. I'm just glad my engine didn't catch fire. Ford didn't seem to care. In the last 3 month I have paid 16,000 dollars to get it fixed.
Power train, Engine, Jun 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she had experienced the failure on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer in March of 2023, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on April 11, 2023. The contact stated that the engine failure warning light illuminated on June 4, 2023. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, Jun 9, 2023
Received check engine light for cylinder # 2 misfire. Learned that this relates to a prior technical service bulletin on the vehicle (TSB 22-2229). Required entire engine to be replaced even though car only has 76,500 miles on it.
Engine, Jun 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion in the cylinder head. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine was misfiring. The mechanic replaced four spark plugs and the ignition coils. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who replaced the ignition coils another time and informed the contact of a coolant leak. The contact called the local dealer, who informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Engine, Jun 7, 2023
Vehicle has 77,000 miles on it and now needs motor replaced for coolant intrusion into cylinder. After discussing with mechanic it is something they see all the time in the 2.0L ecoboost engines. Mechanic states Ford did not make a block strong enough and they all do this. Apparently ford even sells remanufactured engines where they have corrected this issue.
Engine, Jun 5, 2023
While driving on the interstate, I passed a vehicle. Once I got back into the left lane my vehicle flashed a warning saying ‘service engine now’. My vehicle went from 70 mph to 50 mph very quickly! Cars and semi trucks were passing me by and almost hitting me because of the immediate decrease in my speed. Took my vehicle to the dealership where it was purchased. They told me the turbo was bad. Nothing that I did on my end, it was a bad turbo from the beginning.
Engine, Jun 3, 2023
My car is at 86k and the block cracked causing the antifreeze to leak out into the exhaust system, and overheat. The incident left us stranded. There was a check engine light that came on when the vehicle overheated. We took the car to the mechanic and he told us that there is a flaw in the engine block that caused this problem. We have not had the vehicle inspected by our insurance company or the police.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the head gasket could be replaced; however, the contact was advised that the failure might reoccur. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that coolant was leaking inside the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Engine, Jun 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine was idling rough with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated there was blue-colored vapors coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that after experiencing the issue several times, the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with cylinder #1 failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,842.
Engine, Jun 2, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed 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 102,800.
Engine and engine cooling, May 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was stated that cylinder #3 was misfiring, and that coolant was leaking into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to contact the local dealer. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed and advised to contact the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 76,588.
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle overheated and went into LIMP Mode. The engine overheating warning light was illuminated. The failure reoccurred while driving approximately 65-70 MPH. The failure recurred approximately four times. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and the contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine block and the cylinders causing a misfire. The spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 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 and the engine misfired. The contact detected smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was antifreeze leaking into the cylinder head. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to check for recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Engine, May 25, 2023
The vehicle first started running in a very ragged manner. We first tried better gas but that didn’t help. Then a strange smell, soon followed by car overheating. Realized coolant had all drained out, when actually it was running into the design-flawed engine. It would not hold coolant and has gotten to the point where if I go more than 10 miles the vehicle has to have coolant put into it. I am constantly having to check issue. Also an issue with white smoke coming out. Have been told if the car runs hot too long it will catch fire and burn. 61,000 miles and must replace engine at $8,200. Or risk burning. The contact stated the vehicle is leaking antifreeze into the engine and then burning it off, producing a white smoke. Further, driving the vehicle can produce a rough, shaky ride, especially upon start-up. Another issue is the “check engine” light comes on and does not readily go off.
Engine, May 23, 2023
Head gasket issue with coolant getting in the engine. Recommendation from Ford is to basically replace the engine/block, etc estimating $7900 is repairs. Service bulletin 22-2229 exists but Ford will not provide any financial assistance as the vehicle is at 91k miles with a 60K warranty.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the contact became aware that the coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that cylinder #2 and #3 were misfiring, and that coolant had leaked into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and stated that the dealer was aware of the failure but that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 67,000.