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, Engine, Sep 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The engine overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and engine failure. 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 contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 116,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the Customer Service Program: 19B36 had been completed in July 2020. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while cold starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough until the engine had warmed up. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine block and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and lost motive power. The contact stated that the message "Engine over temperature" was displayed and the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H). Additionally, the contact observed an abnormal burning odor after exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle began to shake and vibrate abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant inside the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced but shortly after retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the radiator started overheating, and the vehicle started to leak coolant. The contact added water into the radiator. The contact stated that the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the message that the “Engine was overheating - Stop Driving" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine block and the cylinders. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19-2139 Coolant Intrusion into Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated abnormally while idling. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off independently while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant leaking onto the spark plugs, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine misfired and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact noticed white smoke coming from the tailpipe. In addition, the low coolant level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2 and 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 but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle experienced rough idling and an abnormal vibration. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2229 (Coolant in Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke And/or Illuminated MIL); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 64,733.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while inspecting under the hood of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a crack in the engine. The engine fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was entering the engine and because of the failure, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who sent the vehicle to a nearby mechanic where the oxygen sensor was replaced. The failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder # 2 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was determined that cylinder # 2 might be faulty and cylinder #2 was replaced again. After the repair as completed, while driving approximately 62 MPH, the vehicle stated in an audio message that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and the contact was informed that the coolant level was low. The mechanic retrieved DTC code: P0302 indicating there was an issue with the fuel running lean, and the fan relays had failed and needed to be replaced. The fan relays had been replaced, the vehicle was refilled with oil, and the wheels were rotated. The contact stated that after having the vehicle repaired and driving for approximately 1 mile the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 141,060.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,421.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated on several occasions while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking violently before the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the message "Service Engine" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was coolant inside the engine cylinders, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 67,245.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with timing belt, water pump, and engine failure. The contact was informed that the timing belt, the engine, and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with a misfire in the engine. The message of cylinder #2 misfire was displayed. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message to “Have Vehicle Checked Immediately" was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of coolant intrusion into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and became aware of TSB Number: 19-2346; and linked the failure to the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the check engine, check oil, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wall in between the coolant and the piston was worn, and coolant was leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while cold starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling roughly. The contact stated that once the engine had warmed up the engine started running normally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact checked the engine and observed that the coolant level was extremely low. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the check engine warning light was illuminated and needed to be taken back to the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds and was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the engine hot message was displayed, and several unknown warning lights were flickering on and off. The contact was informed that the water pump and thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure occurred. The vehicle was driven back to the independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was driven back to the independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that there was fluid leaking from the bottom of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the radiator needed to be replaced and coolant added. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that coolant was added constantly for the vehicle to operate as needed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,600.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into engine and the engine could be damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, an unknown warning light illuminated. The message, high heat, pull over immediately was displayed. The driver pulled over, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact noticed there was no coolant inside the radiator. The contact stated that the mechanic added coolant and drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle failed to restart. The coolant reservoir was empty, with no indication of a leak. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the cylinder, and it was recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flashing while starting the vehicle; however, while driving, the warning light independently turned off. The contact stated that after driving for a while, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated while accelerating after the vehicle had been parked. The contact immediately stopped driving. The contact called the dealer and was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2; causing several engine misfires, and the spark plugs to oxidize between the cylinder head and the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact became aware of Customer Satisfaction Program, NHTSA ID Number: 10213732 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the Customer Satisfaction Program. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 59,554.