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: structure
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 10, 2022
Tailgate lowers on its own without stopping on contact. Also does not beep.
Structure, Jul 25, 2021
Underneath safety shields Heat shield came loose due to broken clips that held it up Took the vehicle back numerous times,while under warranty ,and requested it to be fixed dealer said it was fixed but it would fall down soon as started driving. Scraped the road when it fell down. Took it back was told to just remove it because that's what most people do well I refused to remove it and will not remove it. I called Ford main headquarters was told not to remove it and take it to another dealer. I took it to another dealer they actually ordered clips and installed new clips to hold the panels up. Within 2 weeks of being fixed it has another clip broke again. I feel this is a huge safety hazard when driving and should one or both panels fall off it could cause a wreck and or damage to other vehicles that may be behind my vehicle. I have read were this is an on going issue and I do not understand why it can not be fixed and why I have to keep paying for it to be fixed when its been an ongoing issue since the purchase of the car. I understand the warranty is now out but this is a hazard that needs to be fixed instead of waiting until someone is hurt or killed due to an accident because the panels feel off the underneath of the car. Do not know exact date when it fell down and dragged on the road. I drove very slow and when I got home fixed it to were it would stick back up until I could get it into dealer.
Structure, Jul 16, 2021
There are thousands of complaints regarding this vehicle year and model paint pealing around the windshield. First it was my left and now its my right. This is a known issue with Ford!
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 3, 2021
THE REAR HATCH TAILGATE DOES NOT RELEASE OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. IT INDICATES THAT THE HATCH IS OPEN.
Structure, Mar 21, 2021
ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONE STATIONARY, ONE IN MOTION, THE TAILGATE WILL COME UNLATCHED. I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC TAILGATE WITHOUT THE FOOT ACTIVATED SENSORS. WHEN STATIONARY THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS ALL THE WAY CLOSED. THE HORN WILL CHIRP TWICE TELLING ME A DOOR IS OPEN AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I KNOW IT'S NOT CLOSED. WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, BUT I WILL GET A WARNING IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER TELLING ME THE TAILGATE IS OPEN. IT DOESN'T OPEN ALL THE WAY. I HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED IT ONE TIME WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW SPEEDS, LESS THAN 40 MPH, AND I PULLED OVER SAFELY. TO FIX THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO STAND BEHIND THE TAILGATE WHEN IT'S CLOSING AND PUSH THE DOOR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT EITHER.
Structure, Mar 17, 2021
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN A SNOW STORM HIT. ICE/SNOW ACCUMULATED ON THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN IT MELTED IT TOOK THE PAINT WITH IT. THE A-PILLARS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFER SIGNIFICANT PAINT LOSS AND RUST IS STARTING TO FORM. PAINT FLAKES OFF IN THE WIND WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN. ABOUT 15 INCHES OF PAINT IS GONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND ABOUT 4 INCHES OF PAINT IS GONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Structure, Mar 10, 2021
HAVE A 2017 FORD ESCAPE AND NOTICED THE PAINT WAS PEELING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD.AFTER INVESTIGATING THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME THING.FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BECAUSE IT'S SAFETY ISSUE,SO THEY WON'T RECALL IT.I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR A YEAR THIS MONTH IT SEEMS ALSO TO HAPPEN TO FORD ESCAPES THAT ARE WHITE OR BLUE IN COLOR.PAINT ON A VEHICLE SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR.
Structure, Feb 12, 2021
THE PAINT IS PEELING NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD ON DRIVER'S SIDE POST A. THE PAINT IS NOT EVEN STICKING TO THE VEHICLE IN THIS AREA
Structure, Feb 6, 2021
THE DOOR PANELS SEPARATE FROM THE DOOR METAL FRAME DUE TO POOR CLIPS OR FASTENERS USED AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE. TWO DOORS ON MY VEHICLE CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. FORD DEALER INSISTS NO PROBLEM -- I DAMAGED DOORS AND THEREFOR 600$ PER DOOR TO FIX. I GO ON INTERNET AND SEE MANY MANY OTHERS HAVEING EXACT SAME ISSUE. BOTH DOORS STARTED EXHIBITING THIS ON DRIVER SIDE ABOUT A MONTH APART.. IF THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE OR I COULD A DANGEROUS COLLISION WAS IMMINENT WHILE PARKED, I COULD NOT GET OUT IN TIME. ALSO IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, I COULD NOT EXIT IN A TIMELY FASHION
Structure, Dec 30, 2020
PAINT PEELING FROM THE WINDSHIELD PILLAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. PAINT PEELED OFF IN A 6" X 1" FLAKE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.
Structure, Dec 21, 2020
PAINT ON DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD FRAME FLAKED OFF IN A 6"X1" CHUNK. THIS 2017 FORD ESCAPE SE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED. NO HAIL OR HEAVY RAIN PRIOR TO THE FLAKING. MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE EXACT SAME THING.
Structure, Nov 5, 2020
PAINT PEELING OFF . 2017 WITH 27.000 MILES. BOUGHT IN 2016 IN NOVBEMER. THREE YEAR WARRENTY JUST EXSPIRED. THIS IS A MANIFACTOR ISSUE.FORD DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FULL PRICE.
Structure, Nov 2, 2020
PAINT IS DELAMINATING ON WINDSHIELD PILLAR. PEELING OFF IN SHEETS. NO BODY WORK OR WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN DONE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FACTORY PAINT.
Suspension, Structure, Engine, Nov 2, 2020
FRONT SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED PAINT PEELING OFF BODY COMPUTER RECALLS CAR MOVING
Structure, Oct 4, 2020
LIFT GATE KEEPS OPENING. IT IS CLOSED BUT SHOWS OPEN AND OPENS WHEN DRIVING. IN MOTION SITTING STILL. NONSTOP. EVERY SINCE PURCHASE.
Structure, May 13, 2020
THE PAINT ON MY LIGHTING BLUE FORD IS PEELING OFF NEAR THE WINDOWS. THERE APPEARS TO BE NOTHING UNDER THE PAINT. IT IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS. *TR
Structure, May 9, 2020
PAINT IS PEELING OFF AT THE PERIMETER OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Jun 26, 2019
REAR TAILGATE IS GOING OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND FORD WANTS TO CHARGE ME A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO GET FIX AND MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK.
Structure, Mar 21, 2019
RETAINER CLIPS FOR SPLASH SHIELD ARE FAULTY AND HAVE BROKEN OR GONE MISSING CAUSING THE SHIELD TO BECOME LOOSE AND FLAP UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. OUT OF 10 CLIPS, ONLY TWO ARE HOLDING THE SHIELD IN PLACE. FOR A CAR OF LESS THAN 3 YEARS OF AGE, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. FORD WILL NOT COVERING THE $45 PARTS OR LABOR $100. THIS KNOWN ISSUE CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE THE SHIELD TO ACTUALLY DETACH FROM THE FRAME OF THE UNDER BODY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DAMAGE OR EVEN AN ACCIDENT TO NOT ONLY THE VEHICLE THAT IS AFFECTED BY THE LOOSE SHIELD BUT THOSE IN THE PATH OF THIS OBJECT IF IT WERE TO DETACH FULLY FROM THE VEHICLE. MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT AND ISSUE IS PRESENT. VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS EVEN COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OPTION AS WELL- STILL NO COVERAGE FOR "CLIPS". DEALER EVEN INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR FORD VEHICLES 2017 AND OLDER.
Structure, Mar 16, 2019
THE REAR HATCH ON MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE IS NOT LATCHING. THE SECONDARY LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE AND CINCH THE HATCH CLOSED AND SECURED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE BEEN TOLD OF THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPING ON OTHER FORD ESCAPES AT LEAST 3 IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AT THIS ONE DEALERSHIP.
Structure, Jan 21, 2019
ALL DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE THE LATCH WILL REMAIN EXTENDED AND NOT SPRING BACK INTO PLACE. IF UNNOTICED WHEN YOU GET INTO THE SEAT AND CLOSE THE DOOR IT WILL EITHER BOUNCE BACK OR SEEM TO BE CLOSED ONLY TO OPEN WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE AGAINST IT.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 18, 2018, crash
AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND WENT TO BRAKE. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. I WAS PUMPING THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T STOP, CAUSING ME TO HIT A CEMENT POLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND CONTINUING INTO A BRICK BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE SEATBELT TIGHTENED AND I GOT 2 BROKEN RIBS AND TERRIBLE BRUISING WHEREVER THE BELT IMPACTED MY BODY. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOTALED BECAUSE OF EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BODY AND UNDER THE HOOD.
Structure, Dec 1, 2018
CAR KEEPS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2018, crash
THE CAR STALLS IN MIDDLE OF ROAD, SUDDENLY AND THE DASHBOARD READS TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME WHEN RESTARDED THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR SPED UP AND HIT THE CAR AHEAD.THE CAR BEEN CHECKED BY TWO DIFFERENT FORD SERVICE DPTS AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE FIXED.
Power train, Structure, Oct 4, 2018, crash
ON OCTOBER 3, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 P.M. MY WIFE WAS GETTING INTO OUR 2017 FORD ESCAPE. SHE HAD THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN, BUT THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, AS SHE WAS GETTING IN SHE FELT A JOLT, THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD, THE DRIVER'S DOOR SIDESWIPED OUR OTHER CAR AND KNOCKED HER TO THE GROUND. THE CAR ROLLED ACROSS THE STREET AND STRUCK THE CAR PORT BEAM AT THE ADJACENT HOME. SHE YELLED FOR HELP AND WHEN I GOT THERE SHE WAS TRYING TO STOP THE ROLLING CAR. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, I STARTED THE CAR AND MOVED IT OFF THE STREET.