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, Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle misfired. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle and had persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown cylinder and valve needed to be replaced due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The engine was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer confirmed that there was no coverage. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,671.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after her grand-daughter had started the vehicle, the vehicle experienced a rough idle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact's grand-daughter later informed the contact that the failure had recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same mechanic who referred the contact to a dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the fourth cylinder, and the engine 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 85,426.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal, rough sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the third cylinder, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 107,789.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2025
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 the second cylinder was misfiring due to coolant intrusion. The dealer determined that the engine long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough starts. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store and was diagnosed with a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket was leaking, causing coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and 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 notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 87,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and vibrated abnormally, and started to decelerate unintendedly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #4, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown TSB related to coolant intrusion into the engine; however, the vehicle was not included in the TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 112,513.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the earliest available date to diagnose the was 10-14 days. The vehicle was taken to the Dicky's Doghouse, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder #4 head was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was awaiting an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to a dealer for an oil change, the contact was informed that the coolant level was low and that there was a coolant leak somewhere in the engine. The contact was advised to monitor the coolant level because the contact was frequently adding coolant to the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the check engine warning light became illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who discovered coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine long block needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 188,415.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shaking and vibrating, and the vehicle started to decelerate. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer and was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion inside the cylinders. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 71,000. The VIN was not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle experienced rough idling. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was damaged due to coolant intrusion and need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle sputtered for thirty seconds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, and that the cylinder head was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine misfired with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the cylinders, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was also referred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 34,755.
Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the spark plugs. The spark plugs were cleaned. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact stated that white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe and vehicle was sputtering while idling or accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the cylinders, and cylinder #3 cylinder was filled with coolant. The dealer confirmed that Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37 (Engine and Engine Cooling) was previously completed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with complete engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. Additionally, while shifting from fourth to fifth gear, there was a violent clunk coming from the transmission. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who test-drove the vehicle for an hour but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the failure persisted. While the contact’s wife was driving, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head had fractured, and coolant was leaking into the engine. The dealer recommended that the engine and transmission be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the dealer was servicing the vehicle, the dealer noticed that coolant was leaking into the engine. The dealer diagnosed that the head gasket had failed, causing coolant to leak into the engine cylinder, and the spark plugs were damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact was referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a vehicle safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 101,800.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer several times for maintenance or service, and the contact inquired about the cause of the white smoke. The contact was informed on several occasion that the smoke as normal, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The contact was informed that there was a misfire coming from cylinder #4 due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, May 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal vibrating sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a 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. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,786.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the 9-1-1 Assistance and seat belt warning alerts activated. The contact stated that the key fob sensor intermittently failed to recognize the key fob inside the vehicle with the message "No Key Detected" displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that during cold starts, the vehicle hesitated, and the RPM became elevated. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Eby Ford (2714 Elkhart Rd, Goshen, IN 46526) where the vehicle was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into engine and cylinder #4. The contact stated that the engine relay was replaced after the vehicle failed to start. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Ikon Motorcars Group, where the water pump and the temperature gauge sensor were replaced, and coolant was added to the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where the mechanic confirmed that there was no visual leaks coming from the cooling system. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be an internal coolant leak into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a mechanic inspected the vehicle and used a scanner to scan the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact that there was coolant intrusion into the engine due to the head gasket coolant leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,500.
Engine and engine cooling, May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a diagnostic scanner to retrieve DTC: P0302 (cylinder #2 misfire). The contact replaced the spark plugs and the ignition coils; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that after further inspection, the contact became aware that the coolant reservoir was almost empty. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shaking slightly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed 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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.