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
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 6, 2021
Upon parking the vehicle in my driveway, the vehicle would not turn off after turning off he ignition and removing the key. All the dash lights were on as the would be normally and the engine remained running. Tired everything including in and out of gear, driving, turned key on and off several times, tired both keys. Googled and seen there had been similar issues with earlier models that resulted in a recall, but this is a 2017. Found some online suggestions and after an hour figured out where the fuel pump fuse was and removed it and the engine stopped. The dash still stayed lit up and had a warning to get engine serviced. Put key in ignition and turned to run not start position and vehicle cranked and tried to start. Could not get dash console to power down or look the doors, the horn would beep twice every time I tried to lock the doors. Ended up disconnecting the battery to kill the power to everything. Plan to take it to Ford today if I can get it started again.
Engine, Jul 4, 2021
On 3-7-2019 brought vehicle in for service at Larsen Ford in Lakewood NJ for engine light turned on with OBN code P3020. Service dept employee, Mitch Sperling their was anti freeze in number two cylinder. They kept vehicle till 3/15/2019 and stated repair was made. Except the repair for this should have been a new engine. On 7-2-2021 brought vehicle into service dept for engine light with OBN code P0303. This time it was anti frreze in number 3 cylinder approx 55,000 mileage. Service dept checked vehicle and came back and stated I need new engine. That they would order engine from ford and get back to me in about a week when to bring vehicle back and it would take 3 to 4 weeks to install engine and they will rent me a car. My problem with this is that i have to drive a vehicle that could stall and get rear ended until they get back to me. This vehicle should have gotten new engine back in 3-15-2019 because that is the fix ford recommends. Their on hundreds of complaints for this same problem going back to 2010 with the turbos. My vehicle has a 2.0 turbo and should never have been sold without this problem being corrected. Now I have a vehicle with a history of engine problems and if I attempt to trade in will come back on vehicle history. My position is ford was hoping that I would go over the 60,000 warranty and they would not have to cover any further repair without me shelling out 8,000 dollars for repair.
Engine, Jun 27, 2021
I had left my home about 4 arrived at mall 4:30 all was great a usual day. I push button start my suv out of nowhere all these panel warnings appeared. Engine sign, hill assistance not available, air conditioner stop working, 4 wheel Fault, etc.,Pictures below
Engine, Jun 26, 2021
Purchased 2017 Ford Escape SUV preowned with 56,948 miles. Decided on the 2.0 engine due to the many issues with the 1.6 engine. Drove for seven months and only 6,000 miles. Engine light came on, immediately took the car to an auto mechanic who performed a diagnostic test. The engine was mixing antifreeze in the oil which will lead to a catastrophe engine failure creating a dangerous safety incident. The mechanic informed us that the Ford Escapes have been having ongoing issues with the engines and is currently in a recall program and recommended we take it to a local Ford Dealer. The Ford dealer diagnosis matched the auto mechanic, acknowledged the antifreeze was mixing and recommended they replace the engine. They also acknowledged Ford was doing a recall to replace engines for a similar problem but not on the vehicle with our VIN number. I'm a first-time car buyer who spent $21K on a car, drove it for 6,000 miles, there’s clearly a defect in the engine, the Ford dealership quoted a $8,500 engine replacement but said their hands are tied since our VIN is not on the recall list. Car is sitting at the dealership as we sort through this mess.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 MPH, a warning message appeared stating "pull over, engine overheating" and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the head gasket leaking but was not repaired. The contact stated the failure reoccurred a month ago while driving. The same warning message appeared. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer, then towed to a Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood (11595 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, CO 8021) as requested by the manufacturer. The contact stated the dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced per a TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but declined to cover the repair though the vehicle had an extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Engine, Jun 22, 2021
My car is losing water and the 2.0 ecoboost has a habit of catching fire. Mine is still driveable but very dangerous. The car has 125000 miles in it and is 4 years old and Ford has basically told me tough luck. The dealer verified the problem which is a very common issue with the 2.0 ecoboost.
Engine, Jun 21, 2021
Check engine code came on had it tested came back saying misfiring in piston one vapors coming out of exhaust system leads to believe I have a blown head gasket vapors can be seen in video coming out of exhaust system at high rates weak engine when trying to drive it it's been parked for weeks now
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 mph, the engine started to overheat. The "engine overheating" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s place of employment. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,513.
Engine, Jun 12, 2021
In January 2021 it began with the check engine light coming on. The #2 spark plug and ignition coil were replaced by local mechanic. About a month later the check engine light came on again. Again there was an issue with the #2 spark plug. It was fixed. Another few weeks goes by and the light comes on again. I take it in and the check engine light goes off just before I drive it there. We decide to wait for it to come on again. Each time I got the sense from my mechanic that this was slightly unusual. June 2, 2021 on a cool evening, I notice the heater isn’t working. The next day the check engine light comes on. On June 5th I get a warning light that says my vehicle is overheating and to pull over to a safe spot. My kids and I pull over to a parking lot and I have to have it towed to my mechanic. Today, June 11th, the mechanic finally has a chance to look at it and discovers that coolant is leaking into the engine. He uses a borescope to show me the coolant in the engine. He then pulls technical service bulletin 19-2346 which indicates that the exact symptoms my vehicle is having has been know since at least December 2019! The result is that I need a new engine. It has just over 100,000 miles on it. The vehicle isn’t even paid for and I have to replace the engine! Other than the check engine light, there were no warnings that the coolant was low. When the check engine light came on, I did occasionally have white smoke and it chugged when running like there was a blockage. Why on an issue as serious and as expensive as this has Ford Not issued a recall of this engine? If I get it replaced, will the engine installed have been re-engineered to have fixed the problem? If the company has known about this issue for this long, I should have been notified of the potential problem.
Engine, Jun 11, 2021
My 2017 Ford escape is losing coolant into the engine block. The vehicle mileage is just Over warranty. The local Ford dealership diagnosed the problem and stated that I need a new engine at a cost of $7,000. This issue could cause an engine fire, which makes it a safety hazard. The dealership contacted Ford Motor company for assistance for me, but they denied it. There are other complaints for this same exact issue online.. Ford recalled an earlier year model escape for this same issue, but not later models. There is also a class action lawsuit for this issue which does include some later years of the escapes, but it is out of Arkansas. I am so upset with this entire expense!
Engine, Jun 8, 2021
Blown engine on multiple others of the same year make and model. Caused by coolant leaking into the head gaskets. All of which the computer code reading is cylinder 3 misfiring. However that ends up not being the actual issue and you will be refixing it every 3-5000 miles
Engine, Jun 8, 2021
On May 30, I received the Engine Service Light that remained on constantly. I contacted Ford chat since I was 300 miles from home, determined it was safe to drive home since car ran fine with no vibration or gas smell. Took to dealer on June 1. Car only has about 53K miles. June 1: Dealer said a plug, wire, and distributer coil were bad, replaced it, but during test drive the car shook so badly, they recommended it not be driven and was not safe and should remain in shop. This may be an unnecessary repair costing $549 (attached), but only document received to date. June 2: Tech determined must be bad fuel injection system. Parts must be order. June 7: Injectors replaced. Car started and car shook so badly that the tech and dealer refused to even take it out of the shop and said it would be a danger to take out on the road. More troubleshooting would be needed since they did not know what the issue was. June 8: Still unsure, but believe a total engine replacement may be needed but until further consultation with other experts and troubleshooting occurs, they will not give me a diagnosis. They continue to assert that engine issue does make the car unsafe for highway use.
Engine, Jun 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to run roughly. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while shifting gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that one of the cylinders had failed due to coolant leaking into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The crank pressure sensor also failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Engine, May 31, 2021
Misfire in cylinder 2 coolant going into cylinder # 2
Engine, May 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle shuddered for a couple of seconds. The contact restarted the vehicle and the warning light was disappeared. The failure reoccurred a few days later. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a manufacturer defect coolant leak into the cylinder block. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,543.
Engine, May 12, 2021
IT STARTED OUR AS THE OCCASIONAL MISFIRE AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT IN TO A LOCAL MEINEKE WHERE THEY SAID 1 OF THE COILS (I BELIEVE COIL 2) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO REPLACED ALL 4 PLUGS AT THAT TIME AS WELL. MAYBE A MONTH LATER IT STARTED MISFIRING AGAIN WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT SHOWED THE SAME COIL AS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THEY RECOMMEND I TAKE IT TO FORD FOR BETTER DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY TELL ME I NOW NEED A NEW ENGINE FOR UPWARDS OF 6 THOUSAND DOLLARS... SEE PICTURES FOR FORDS DESCRIPTION.
Engine, Apr 29, 2021
2017 2.0 L ECOBOOST FORD ESCAPE HAD ROUGH IDLE AT START, STEADY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. DEFROST WAS NOT WORKING DURI G COL SNAP. CHECK OF RESERVOIR SHOWED FLUID LEVELS BELOW MINIMUM, HAD TO PULL INTO SERVICE TO GET FLUID LEVELS UP TO MINIMUM LEVELS. UPON TAKING CAR TO FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE CONCLUSION WAS FAILED ENGINNE DUE TO COOLANT INFILTRATION INN ENGINNE. WAITING ON ENGIN REPLACEMENT 3-4 MONTHS.
Engine, Apr 19, 2021
WHILE DRIVING, CAR ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER WARNINGS. TRIED TO GET RESTARTED BUT UNABLE AND HAD TO PUSH OUT OF TRAFFIC ON A BUSY CITY STREET. TOWED TO CORWIN FORD AND ENGINE WAS EVALUATED BY FORD SERVICE TECH VAN LAMONTHE. "SCAN=MANY CODES INTERNAL ENGINE NOISE. PERFORMED RELATIVE COMPRESSION = #2 CYLINDER HAS LOW COMPRESSION. NEEDS NEW ENGINE."
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 16, 2021
WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, AFTER I GOT GAS, THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STARTING THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING HOME, I GOT A "HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING, PULL OVER SAFELY" ALSO MY HEAT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN, A TUNEUP WAS DONE AS WELL AS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD RADIATOR COOLANT WAS LOW. AFTER A FEW DAY, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, TOOK BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND THAT THE COOLANT IS LEAKING BUT FROM DEEP INSIDE THE MOTOR AND WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR AND I WILL BE BETTER OFF TRYING TO TRADE IN MY CAR.. THIS IS A KNOWN DANGEROUS FORD ISSUE AND THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE I GOT IT 2 YEARS AGO.
Engine, Apr 13, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HAD A MANUFACTURER SOFTWARE UPDATE SERVICED AT LAKELAND FORD PARTS (1430 W MEMORIAL BLVD, LAKELAND, FL 33815). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH AN ENGINE BLOCK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 12, 2021
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW DAYS AGO AND MY DOOR CLOSES BY ITSELF WHEN I'M TAKING THE GROCERIES OUT OF TRUNK
Engine, Apr 10, 2021
MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE 1.5L ECOBOOST ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AFTER FIRST BEING CRANKED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SHELBY, NC. THEY SAID IT WAS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 4 AND THAT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDER. QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $8600 TO REPLACE THE LONG BLOCK OR $5100 TO REPLACE THE SHORT BLOCK. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HOPED TO SEE FORD DO A RECALL SOON ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS WAS THE FIFTH ONE THEY HAVE SEEN THAT IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING. THEN I READ ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM WITH THESE SAME TYPE YEAR MODELS AND ENGINES. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75681 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL POSSIBLY GET SOMEONE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IF THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDING ACCELLERATION POWER. I WAS PULLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC HEADED TOWARD ME. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE.
Engine, Apr 8, 2021
COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE CYLINDER RESULTING IN LOST COOLANT AND OVERHEATING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH CODE P0302. RECENTLY BOUGHT VEHICLE UNKNOWINGLY OF THIS ISSUE AND ARE NOW STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE FROM FORD ESCAPE OWNERS. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE
Engine, Apr 6, 2021
SPARK STUCK IN CYLINDER CREATING A MISFIRE CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF CONTINUOUSLY
Engine, Apr 3, 2021
WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST RUNS VERY ROUGH AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKS INTO FIRST CYLINDER. ONCE TORE DOWN VISIBLE DIVOT IN BLOCK THAT APPEARS TO BE MANUFACTURED THAT WAY. CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ALMOST 6,000 OUT OF POCKET. WARRANTY PURCHASED WITH VEHICLE 5 MONTHS AGO WON'T COVER REPAIR