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, Jul 1, 2024
The contact called on behalf of her boyfriend, who owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was overheating. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road and inspect the vehicle; however, there was no coolant leak found. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the messages “Engine Overheating” and “LIMP Mode” were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to coolant leak into the engine. The contact believed that the failure was associated with Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated became of a coolant leak on the driveway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and shut off. Additionally, while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop, and the contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to another auto body shop, and an oil change was performed, and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the engine, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the bottom of the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle should not be driven to prevent a catastrophic engine failure. The mechanic informed the contact that there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir nor the engine. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage for the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. The VIN was not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was excessive white smoke emanating from the exhaust. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2024
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact's daughter was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 128,215.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband was able to pull to the side of the road and then drove to the residence. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to not drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the cylinders due to a crack in the engine block. The dealer determined that the engine block needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into cylinder #3 had caused damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 56,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the engine was idling rough. The contact stated that there was an engine misfire, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. 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 intrusion into the cylinders. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 19-2346 - Coolant in Cylinders (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, prompting the driver to pull to the shoulder off the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 35 MPH, the engine overheated and lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that upon start-up the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that coolant had leaked into cylinder #3, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not eligible for the Extended Warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine misfired on several occasions. The contact stated that there was a strong coolant odor coming from the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion in the engine. The dealer related the failure to TSB Number: 22-2229 and 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 107,750.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and found coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the coolant intrusion had damaged the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where the contact's mother was informed that the failure could not be replicated because the check engine warning light was not illuminated at the time. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine overheated, and the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that coolant was added but continued to leak, causing the engine to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine's small block had cracked due to the engine overheating. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the turbo charger became inoperable. The contact noticed smoke emerging from the vehicle, and the vehicle started losing motive power, and decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact checked the oil and noticed that the oil level was low. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine block was cracked. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2024
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware of white smoke emanating from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact also noticed an abnormal coolant odor. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The contact stated that a relative advised that the head gasket might have been blown. The contact stated that while doing research, she became aware that it was a known failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The contact stated that the engine overheated, and the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that engine coolant was present inside the cylinders and caused severe damage to the engine. The contact was informed that 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 provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the Extended Warranty for the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was an unknown red warning light illuminated. The message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contact about a TSB regarding the engine block, which might cause the engine to warp or crack and allow coolant to enter the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine block failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and accepted a claim, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 133,375.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine, requiring that the engine be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12, but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 71,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated with an error message of "Vehicle Overheating – Turn Off Vehicle" prior to the engine overheating. The vehicle was able to be moved to the shoulder before the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with 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 unknown.