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: other or unspecified
153 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that a plastic guard located on the frame of the vehicle would detach and drag on the road pavement at various speeds without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they initially repaired the defect; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they removed the plastic guard but did not replace it. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle has yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated that the part was replaced twice.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2021
My ford escape has experienced premature transmission failure. I bought my 2017 ford escape brand new in 2017 from Ford Southwest in Weatherford, Texas. On 11/19/2021 the ford was getting rpms, but was not accelerating. We were driving on the highway. The escape would not accelerate compromising our safety. We managed to pull to the side of the highway. The car rested and was turned back on, but it would not move. We had to have the car towed to the southwest ford dealership. We had to leave the car there till they could look at it. On 11/23/2021, an employee named Charlie called from southwest ford. He explained there was converter failure damaging the transmission. The transmission needs to be replaced with a new on. Charlie estimated the cost to be $6,000. The 2017 ford escape only has 80,150 miles on it and I am being told that the transmission is damaged and needs to be completely replaced. Ford has known this to be a problem.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2021
Paint around windshield column defective and peeling in multiple spots.
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2021
Engine cracks due to design and leaks coolant into cylinders, causing engine to misfire. This is a known issue with Ford in the 1.5L ecoboost engine and they refuse to do anything.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2021
Replacement of all swollen lug nuts. And was told the replacement lug nuts would go bad again, wasn’t offered a safer or better choice for my 2017 escape. This is a sad day for Ford. A family generation of Ford owners. I was told my escape is not safe to drive until this is corrected. Ford manufacturers you can do better very unprofessionally. Sad.
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2021, crash
I made a left at the light onto 1100 Town East Blvd and a truck side swipe on the passengers side in the back . The other person failed to stop to exchange information. The glass part of my tail light has been busted.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2021
My car has just reached 60,000+ miles and it began to jerk, as if shifting gears and decelerate while driving, and has even come to a complete stop while driving. This has happened while in motion on the freeway and main streets, posing a risk to both myself and my child to cause an accident. When taken to the dealer, they did not see a problem after running many diagnostic tests, and offered to "reset" my vehicle for almost 200 dollars. This posed a great risk, as it came back again to a complete stop on the Main Street again while my family was in the car. Once this reset was done, it showed a "transmission fault". However, this should have been caught before and how is a transmission at fault at 60,000 miles with excellent maintenance? This incident would occur whether it was 35 mph to 70 mph
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
2017 Ford Escape SE paint failure at the windshield (driver side) column.
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF NOWHERE WITH ONLY 81,699 MILES ON IT AS WE WERE ON I275 SOUTH IN TAMPA, FL. I JUST BOUGHT IT A MONTH AGO
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2021
THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF AROUND THE WINDOW DOWN TO THE METAL IT ONLY HAS 50000 MILES ON IT I HAVE READ ABOUT 165 COMPLAINTS ON THE 2017FORD ESCAPE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THERE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS I WANT THIS FIX NOW. S
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 2, 2020
VEHICLE KEEPS OVERHEATING. WE CONTINUE TO ADD COOLANT. WE'RE ABLE TO ONLY DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AGAIN
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2020
ON 10/27/20, I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED TO ME LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST. GLASS STARTED RAINING DOWN ON ME AND I LOOKED UP AND FIND MY SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". FORTUNATELY, NO GLASS LANDED IN MY EYE OR CUT ME BAD, AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORDS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2020
IN MARCH 2020 I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED 2017 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM FROM DOWNS FORD IN TOMS RIVER, NJ. APPROXIMATELY IN MID JULY 2020 THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND COULD NOT BE STARTED, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FREEHOLD FORD WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE A FEW DAYS, THEY SAID THEY CLEARED SOME CODES AND WE TOOK THE CAR HOME. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER A MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DASH THAT SAID AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE. AT THAT POINT WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DOWNS FORD THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY HAD THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEK. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS WE TOLD THEM THAT HAD OCCURRED WHILE TEST DRIVING THE CAR SO THEY ASKED FOR PERMISSION FOR THEIR SERVICE MANAGER TO USE THE CAR TO GO TO AND FROM WORK TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THEY SAID IT DID NOT AND SINCE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR ASKED US TO PICK THE CAR UP. WHILE USING THE CAR OVER THE NEXT WEEK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 8/23/20 WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR TURNED OFF MESSAGE ON THE DASH AUTO START STOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE, ON 8/24/20 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT LURCHED FORWARD AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND DROVE AWAY,8/27/20 SLOWING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR LOST POWER AND TURNED OFF MESSAGE ON DASH AUTO START STOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE, THEN WHILE DRIVING THE RPM'S WENT TO ZERO I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THEN SUDDENLY I GOT POWER BACK,8/29/20 SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT AGAIN.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE CAR HAS NO POWER AND STOPS IN TRAFFIC RISKING BEING REAR ENDED.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2020
I'VE HAD MY CAR TWO YEARS AND MULTIPLE THINGS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE. REGARDLESS, MY MOST RECENT CONCERN IS MY HILL START NOT AVAILABLE LIGHT IS ON AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I SENT MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THE SASM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS DOES NOT BECOME AN ISSUE UNLESS THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT NOW NOR PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. CAR FAX SHOW NO RECORDS OF ANY DAMAGE TO THE PHYSICAL BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO OTHER EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THESE LIGHTS WOULD HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT IT WILL CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AGAIN I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR TWO YEARS AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT LONGER, IF SOMETHING CAN BE EXPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2020
EMPLOYEE WENT OUT TO START HIS CAR IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK. HE WENT OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND THE BACK WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. IT WAS COLD OUT THE NIGHT. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUMMERVILLE FORD LOCATED AT 9700 DORCHESTER RD, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29485, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,769.
Other or unspecified, May 19, 2020
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN THE AUTO RESTART KICKED IN. NORMALLY IT START FINE AFTER I LET GO OF THE BRAKE, BUT THIS TIME IT STALLED COMPLETELY AND LOST ALL POWER. I COULD NOT TURN ON THE BLINKERS. I WAS TRYING TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY BUT I COULD NOT EVEN CHANGE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND IT HAD O POWER STEERING. WE CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE BUT WHEN I OPEN THE HOOD TO CHECK FOR THE BATTERY ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER CAME BACK. I DON'T THINK IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM BECAUSE I JUST REPLACE MY BATTERY 2 WEEKS AGO. THE WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE POWER CAME BACK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT DOES THAT FIRST TIME IT JUST STALLED BUT DID NOT LOSE ANY POWER. THIS IS PRETTY SCARY STUFF IF IT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH NO POWER STEERING ESPECIALLY WITH A FAMILY. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2020
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I STOP THE CAR TURNS OFF BUT IT DOES NOT START AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN AT A STOPLIGHT AND MY CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY HAS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND RESTARTED. THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE A CAR COULD EASILY RUN INTO ME BECAUSE MY CAR IS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY CAR IS NOW DOING THIS EVERY TIME I STOP UNLESS I TURN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE BUTTON TO 'OFF'. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEFAULT FOR MY CAR IS THAT IS IT ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OTHER FORD ESCAPES (HTTPS://FORD.OEMDTC.COM/2673/16B31-POWERTRAIN-CONTROL-MODULE-REPROGRAMMING-2017-FORD-ESCAPE) BUT WHEN I CALL FORD THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT MADE AT THE RIGHT FACTORY ON THE RIGHT DAY, YET HAS THE SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2020
WHEN IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND YOU MUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST MONTH. NO CODES OF WARNING LIGHTS COME ON.
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2020
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED RESULTING IN A REPLACEMENT AT 87,000 MILES. THIS WAS INITIALLY MISDIAGNOSED WITH A COMPUTER UPGRADE, HOWEVER A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST PROVED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED AND WAS MISFIRING AT A HIGHER RATE THAN REQUESTED. THE TECHNICIAN RODE WITH ME WHILE I DROVE AND THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD FLUTTER AT AROUND 1500 RPMS WHILE MAINTAINING CONSTANT SPEED. IT WOULD ALSO SHIMMY THE VEHICLE. IT SHOWED ON THE COMPUTER WHILE I WAS DRIVING THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE, THE COMPUTER WOULD REQUEST A 4 AND WAS GETTING A 40 ON THE SPECS. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE DIAGNOSIS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 31, 2019
MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTO/START STOP SYSTEM. IT HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING DURING AUTO STOP AT RED LIGHTS & IN TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN AT A TRAFFIC RED LIGHT OR IN STOPPED TRAFFIC, A MESSAGE DISPLAYS TO DRIVER WHEN STOPPED TO SHIFT TO PARK AND RESTART ENGINE. THIS REQUIRES TAKING YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THEN STEPPING BACK ON THE BRAKE TO START THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN TO BE ABLE TO GO. OTHER DRIVERS WILL HONK AT YOU TO GO WHEN YOU CANNOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE UNTIL YOU GET THE VEHICLE BACK RUNNING AFTER DOING WHAT THE MESSAGE STATES.
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2019
THERE ARE WATER STAINS ON THE TOP OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE PANELS. WHEN IT RAINS, THE PANELS BECOME SATURATED. I NOTICED THE SATURATION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THERE ARE OLDER WATER STAINS ON THE PANELS SO IT COULD HAVE ALSO HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 16, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND CODES INDICATE MISFIRE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW, AND AS OF 9/10/19, IT IS WAITING FOR A NEW LONG BLOCK. THEY SAID TO EXPECT AS LEAST 3 MORE AFTER THEY HAD IT FOR A FULL WEEK. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND HAVING NEW COILS INSTALLED, AND SPARK PLUGS, IT IS MY THOUGHT THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDER IS THE ISSUE. I WILL CALL ON MONDAY TO SEE ABOUT GETTING A NEW CAR, THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE HEADACHE SINCE THE LIGHT CAME ON 2 WEEKS AFTER TAKING OWNERSHIP IN JULY. EACH TIME LIGHT GOES ON, IT IS USUALLY RIGHT AFTER STARTING CAR, IT DRIVES FINE BUT MAY IDLE RUGGEDLY FOR A BIT. ONE TIME, THE LIGHT CAME ON BUT TURNED OFF BEFORE I CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEN IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN, AND I BROUGHT IT RIGHT BACK TO THE SHOP. I AM WONDERING AT ONE POINT THIS CAR WOULD BE CONSIDERED A LOSS SINCE THE DEALERSHIP GIVES ME A RENTAL EVERY TIME IT IS IN THE SHOP.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 22, 2019, fire
I WAS THE OWNER OF A 2017 FORD ESCAPE WITH UNDER 27000 MILES. ON 7/16/19, IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 6 HOURS AT MY PLACE AND I WAS AWOKEN AT 12:30 AM BY FIRE/POLICE THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE PASSENGER HOOD AREA. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS AND FIRE DEPT DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. STILL WAITING ON THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FIRE. I'M JUST GLAD THAT I WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE OR HAD ANYONE WITH ME WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. THIS IS THE SECONDARY CAR I HAVE GOTTEN FROM SAM PACK'S 5 STAR FORD IN CARROLLTON. THE FIRST CAR I PURCHASED FROM THAT DEALERSHIP WAS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE PRE-CERTIFIED USED BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS WITH ISSUES, IT TURNED OUT TO BE PART OF AN INSURANCE FLOOD SCAM AND WAS NOT LOOKED OVER FOR IT BE CERTIFIED USED. THEY PUT ME IN A NEW 2017 FORD ESCAPE WHICH HAS NOW BURNED UP. I HAVE NOTHING FROM THIS WHOLE SITUATION. I HAVE ALSO CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND GOT A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD BE CONTACTING ME. STILL HAVE NOT HEAR BACK FROM FORD AND THAT WAS OVER 2 WEEKS AGO. THIS SEEMS TO BE BAD BUSINESS AND THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE CAR THAT COULD AFFECT OTHER CONSUMERS. AT THIS POINT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY/HOW THE PARKED CAR CAUGHT FIRE. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE CAR