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 and engine cooling
508 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the cylinder head. The dealer related the failure to Ford TSB Number: 19-2346 and determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,853.
Power train, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with faulty spark plugs and failed ignition coils. The contact was informed that the four spark plugs and the four ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that transmission fluid needed to be refilled, and the transmission filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact related the failure to Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2229; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the TSB. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 91,250.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and turning out of a parking lot onto a road, the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #2. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs and ignition coil. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the check engine warning light became illuminated again. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ignition coil and spark plugs needed to be replaced with OEM parts. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine light was again illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion in the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 19-2346 - Coolant Intrusion Into the Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,849.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 1, 2024
The contact's fiancé owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for sale. The contact stated that while the dealer was test-driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer determined that the head gasket and engine block had failed, resulting in coolant intrusion into cylinders #1 and #3. The dealer also discovered that the engine had consumed a quart of oil, and there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe due to engine blowby. The dealer added a quart of engine oil and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flashing, and the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle was not responding as needed. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle was still shaking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P0304 (Coolant Intrusion into engine) Engine and Engine Cooling. The mechanic linked the failure Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 - Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion in the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine started to overheat. The contact stated that the temperature gauge was raised beyond the hot level. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a cracked head gasket and a failed sensor. The contact was informed that the head gasket and the unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer several times due to the failure. The contact stated that the dealer installed a camera on the head to check for a coolant leak. The contact was unclear of the diagnostic reports; however, the contact was informed that the spark plugs, and the crankcase sensor needed to be replaced. The spark plugs and crankcase sensor were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the message "Engine Hot" was displayed. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #1 due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 53,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe with several warning lights illuminated. The crankshaft position sensor, power control module short circuit sensor, and other warning lights are illuminated. The contact had reset the sensors however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the coolant was leaking however, there was no location of the leak. The contact stated that driving and then shifting into the park(P), the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted but failed to shift into gear. While driving 55 MPH, the speedometer decreased, the vehicle failed to accelerate and then stalled. The contact was able to veer over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called for a tow truck. The tow truck driver informed the contact that there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ignition coils and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic again and the ignition coils were replaced; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated. The contact was informed that there was a coolant leak into cylinder #1. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2024
The contact's mother owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed a significant amount of smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The driver drove to the residence. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had experienced difficulty in starting. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 25,901.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage it was discovered that large amounts of oil had leaked from the engine onto the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had been damaged due to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine misfired with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the same diagnostic was provided, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 55,162.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the engine started misfiring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the contact scanned the vehicle and retrieved a DTC code for cylinder #2 misfire. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the same assessment was made, and the dealer determined that the cylinder #2 exhaust valve was burned. The dealer determined that the cylinder head assembly needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the short block had a manufacturing defect and recommended that the short block be replaced. The contact related the short block defect to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe at start-up. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer, and a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that coolant had leaked into cylinder #2. The contact was informed by the dealer that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact's wife called the manufacturer and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder and that the engine long block needed to be replaced. The dealer made the contact aware of Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21N12 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 42,198.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the message "Service Engine Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The dealer determined that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2208. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 29,499.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while cold starting the vehicle, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the message “Stop Driving – Engine Overheating” was displayed and an audible chime was heard. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC codes: P0302 and P0306; and determined that coolant was leaking into the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Stop Driving" warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2134 Coolant Intrusion into the engine block (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,517.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud noise coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact thought that the vehicle was going to explode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where the same diagnostic was provided to the contact that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing 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 referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond while the RPMS had risen significantly high. The contact stated that upon releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle responded as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant leaking from the head gasket. The mechanic replaced cylinder #3 and the spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle would be repaired at the contact’s expense because the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 19-2346. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the same diagnostic was provided, and 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 approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into idle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant intrusion leaked into the engine's cylinders which caused the engine to fail. 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 referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 119,239.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after a recent oil change, the contact was informed that the coolant level was lower than normal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the mechanic discovered that there was coolant intrusion into a cylinder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving, the engine started to overheat. The contact added coolant. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder, and that the long block needed to be replaced. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.