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
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 29, 2017, crash
I TURNED FROM THE PARKING LOT INTERSECTION IN EAGLE RUN SHOPPING CENTER, NW OF WENDY'S, FROM WEST TO SOUTH ONTO THE PARKING LOT ROAD THAT ACCESSES THE W MAPLE RD & BIRCH ST INTERSECTION. I COMPLETED MY TURN AND DROVE SOUTH DOWN THE PARKING LOT ACCESS ROAD TO THE W MAPLE & BIRCH ST INTERSECTION WHERE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS RED. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO WAIT FOR A GREEN LIGHT. I STOPPED A WAYS BACK FROM THE MEDIAN CURB OF THE INTERSECTION TO ALLOW FOR TURNING TRAFFIC FROM THE WEST. SHORTLY LATER, WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, I NOTICED A VIBRATION OF THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE TACHOMETER WHICH SHOWED 1,200 RPM & RISING (600RPM IS NORMAL). IMMEDIATELY THE CAR BEGAN TO PHYSICALLY LUNGE FORWARD WITH INCREASED ENGINE NOISE SO I INSTINCTIVELY PLACED MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH HAD NO AFFECT. THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS NOW RACING WIDE OPEN & I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR'S RAPIDLY INCREASING FORWARD MOTION. AT THIS POINT, TO AVOID A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT BY BEING PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION, I STEERED TO THE RIGHT TOWARDS THE SHOULDER HITTING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED THE ENTIRE TIME.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2017
I AM WRITING DUE TO MY CONCERN ABOUT MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN MAY 2017. SEPT 8TH ,THE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN I BRAKED TO PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK..THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH BOARD WAS : MANUAL START REQUIRED SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY I WENT TO WORK FOR THE DAY. AT THE END OF THE DAY I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED ONTO A VERY BUSY CITY STREET . I DROVE ABOUT 100 FEET WHEN I BRAKED AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN ,IN TRAFFIC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON SEPTEMBER 13TH I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM THAT MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND READY TO GO . I WAS RELUCTANT TO TRUST THIS VEHICLE I WAS CONCERNED IT WAS UNSAFE HOWEVER I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TRUST IN THEIR REPAIR. SEPTEMBER 22ND .I AM COMMUTING HOME AGAIN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WHEN I BRAKE AT BUSY INTERSECTION DURING A RAIN STORM AT RUSH HOUR IT WOULD NOT RESTART THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. I TURNED ON THE 4 WAY FLASHERS SO I EXITED THE VEHICLE , CALLED 911 AS I WAS AFRAID MY VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WAS GOING TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. CARS WERE BLOWING HORNS AND SWERVING TO AVOID MY DISABLED VEHICLE. I ALSO CONTACTED MY HUSBAND AS I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE GOING BY SWAPPING OUT A FUSE AND I GOT IT HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN TOWED FOR REPAIR I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AS I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE THIS WAS THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED.I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUY BACK YOUR 2017 FORD ESCAPE. REGRETTABLY, I MUST ADVISE YOU THAT FORD WILL NOT BE BUYING BACK THE VEHICLE IT APPEARS THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A REPURCHASE OR REPLACEMENT UNDER THE STATE GUIDELINES . I HAVE EMAILS AND RECEIPTS BUT AM NOT SURE HOW TO SHARE THEM FOR YOUR PURPOSES.
Power train, Engine, Aug 26, 2017
SUV REGULARLY OVERHEATS WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILL IN WARM WEATHER. THE SUV WAS PURCHASED WITH THE LARGEST ENGINE BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS IN WARM CALIFORNIA. WHEN CAR OVERHEATS POWER IS LOST AND WE LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IN AN EMERGENCY SAFETY CONDITION. THE CAR ALSO RUNS ROUGH AND JERKS ONCE IT COOLS DOWN AND POWER REGAINS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL CODES VERIFYING THE PROBLEM HAVE NOT FIXED IT (OR EVEN ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT EACH TIME IT IS BROUGHT IN. THE CAR HAS A 3500 POUND TRAILER RATING. IF A TRAILER WAS ATTACHED WE WOULD BE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN DANGEROUS WEATHER. VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY $36,000 CAR WITH LESS THAN 17,000 MILES ON IT.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 14, 2017, fire
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 5:30 PM ON 8/11 AND, WHEN I GOT HOME, MY HUSBAND SAW THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN LEAKING OIL AND I WAS LOW ON OIL DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAD AN OIL CHANGE ONE MONTH PRIOR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 10:45 AM ON 8/12, THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING NORMALLY AND THE MPG READINGS WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE. AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE ITS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WELL, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE COMPLETELY. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH AT THE TIME THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE SO I COASTED THROUGH AND SAW A PARKING LOT FOR TOLL BOOTH OPERATORS. AS I WAS TRYING TO MAKE MY WAY TO THAT PARKING LOT, SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS. I COASTED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RAN OUT AT WHICH POINT I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE ESCAPING THROUGH THE GRILL, UNDER THE HOOD AND OUT THE BOTTOM. THE STATE POLICE ARRIVED IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER AND USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. NO WARNING NOTICE CAME ACROSS THE DASHBOARD UNTIL THE CAR LOST ACCELERATION ABILITY COMPLETELY AT WHICH POINT THE SCREEN SAID TO SHIFT TO "P" AND MANUALLY RESTART. AT THAT POINT, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS FILLING WITH SMOKE SO I IMMEDIATELY VACATED, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RAN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND AM AWAITING CONTACT.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 10, 2017
AT 100 MILES CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE NO WARNING LOST ACCELERATOR PRDAL NO RESPONSE SEWRVICE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY TURN CAR OFF ON SIDE OF THE ROAD RESTARTED DID IT AGAIN AT ABOUT 3800 MILES AND THEN AT ABOUT 11500 MILES. DEALER DOESNT KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH IT. HAD TO TURN CAR OFF AND ON FIND NEUTRAL AND RESTART WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE BAD BUT CANNOT REPRODUCE ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE. YOU LOSE FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE. LAST TIME I HAD MY 14 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. I AM DONE WITH IT. FORD SAYS DRIVE IT AS IS AND KEEP PAYTING FOR IT. I SURRENDERED THE IRREPAIRABLE VEHICLE BACK TO BOZEMAN FORD. I AM AFFRAID THIS CAR WILL END UP IN SOME YOUNG MOMS HANDS AND THERE WILL BE FATALITIES.
Engine, Jul 3, 2017
THE 2.0 ECOBOOST ENGINE IN MY 2017 ESCAPE HAS STALLED TWICE AT LOW SPEEDS. ON 6/18/17 WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE MOVED APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET AND THE ENGINE STALLED IN REVERSE. ON 6/24/17 THE ESCAPE STALLED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE SUV WAS IN DRIVE, MOVED ABOUT TEN FEET, AND STALLED. AFTER BOTH INCIDENTS, I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO FORD DEALERS FOR THE MECHANICS TO LOOK FOR THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. THE DEALERSHIPS CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT FIXED. THANKFULLY STALLING HASN'T OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT IF IT DOES I DREAD THE THOUGHT OF TRYING TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES AS OF TODAY.
Engine, May 22, 2017
A RODENT CHEWED ON THE CABLES TO MY TURBO SENSOR PLUS STARTED CHEWING ON MY OIL PAN COVER. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TURBO SENSOR CABLE BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND LOSE POWER OF MY TURBO. WHICH COST ME OVER 500.00 IN REPAIRS ON A VEHICLE LESS THEN 6MONTHS OLD.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 21, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. A WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON ADVISING ME THAT THE AUTO START/STOP WAS NOT WORKING AND I MUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.