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: wheels
76 reports, newest first. Show all
Wheels, Apr 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the dealer determined that 20 lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,299.
Wheels, Apr 19, 2023
Lug Nut issues. If I were to have a flat tire on the highway, it would not be able to replaced by the spare because the lug nuts have swollen. I have replaced the lug nuts to the cost of $263.00 from the dealer. No warnings except the last 2 times at the dealership, they did not rotate the tires because of the swollen lug nuts. Now, I need new tires (with on 22,000 miles on them) because of it. I have owned 7 different Ford Vehicles, and NEVER have I had to replace lug nuts! I am retired and don't drive long distances.
Wheels, Mar 31, 2023
I went to an oil change service center to get a tire rotation on my 2017 Ford Escape. They told me that they could NOT remove the tires for rotation because the lug nuts were swollen, which is a known issue. I had just had the Ford dealership put on new tires about 8 months before that and they never told me about a defect with the lug nuts or when or how to get them replaced. Now I have way personally to remove and replace the lug nuts Plus I have been advised that Ford will charge over $200 to replace or $80 after market. Since this is a widely-known defect, why hasn't a recall been issued/
Wheels, Feb 25, 2023
Can not remove the lug nuts using the provided tool. As a result, could not change a flat tire and had to call a tow truck. The tow truck could not remove the lug nuts using additional professional tools. Extra expense and time was incurred to fix the flat tire due to failure of the Ford tool to remove the Ford lug nuts.
Wheels, Feb 23, 2023
Swollen lug nuts. If I had a flat tire I could not change, and or roadside assistance. Dealer could not rotate tires. Inspected by dealer, seems to be because of aluminum lug nuts characteristics. No warning light attached to this part.
Wheels, Feb 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for tire service however, the dealer was unable to remove the lug nuts. The contact stated that the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact stated that the parts to do the repair was not available. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,047. The contact expressed concerns over the possibility of getting a flat tire and how he would change it. The current defective lug nuts are chrome and need to be replaced with steel ones.
Wheels, Feb 14, 2023
Lug nuts could not be removed to change flat tire. AAA service provider could not remove lug nuts at external location to change flat tire out with spare. Independent service center needed to replace lugs with new set.
Wheels, Feb 11, 2023
the lug nuts are being striped when changing for tire rotation or a flat or new tiers
Wheels, Feb 8, 2023
Took vehicle to service to ford dealership to include tire rotation. Was told technician had difficult time removing lug nuts as the were swollen and frozen. Service Manager informed me they would need to be replaced as in emergency on road may not be able to be removed. Was told by service manager this is an ongoing issue. Have researched this and this appears to be an ongoing issue as per numerous web sites and has resulted in several law suits.
Wheels, Jan 14, 2023
Was having brakes replaced and was informed the aluminum coating on the lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed/tightened with the normal sized lug wrench. Was not concerned until I realized that meant that if I had a flat on the road, the lug wrench that came with the vehicle would not work. Not a fan of being stranded on the side of the road with no way to change a tire. Understand that Ford is not recognizing this as an issue. I find it to be a serious safety issue if you have to be stuck on the side of the road for an extended period because you have to wait for someone with the correct tool to show up because the one provided with the vehicle is no longer sufficient.
Power train, Wheels, Engine, Jan 12, 2023
The engine light comes on it doesn’t act like it wants to run the gears won’t shift and it loses power and doesn’t want to go just about got hit because it went from 35mph to 5mph in seconds without me giving warning by hitting my brakes and it makes a loud sound when running and a loud knock sound on right front side where wheel is they say it’s safe to drive but no it’s really not
Wheels, Dec 7, 2022
I cannot remove the lug nuts with the provided tool. The lug nuts are evidently swollen.
Wheels, Oct 8, 2022
Tires could not be rotated during service at a Ford Dealer because one or more lug nuts were swollen due to corrosion. Had to replace all 20 lug nuts at an additional cost of $136.
Structure, Wheels, Engine, Sep 17, 2022
I am writing this to inform you of (4) safety issues in just the past year. Last August while driving in Massachusetts (I live in PA) I heard a strange noise. After pulling off the busy highway I found the bottom of my car dragging on the road. I had to find a place that sold duct tape as a temporary fix. Next problem was swollen lug nuts (never heard of such a thing). While getting new tires I had spent money for new lug nuts. The next problem again, the bottom of the car was falling off and dragging on the road. Most recently, two weeks ago while driving down the highway in West Virginia the car stated shaking and the engine light stated flashing. After being towed to Greenbrier Ford in Lewisburg, WV the dealer informed me the engine had a catastrophic failure. This is the second engine failure. Every time I get in this vehicle I feel unsafe because I never know what is going to happen next.
Wheels, Sep 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the tires were being replaced, she was informed that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Wheels, Sep 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the original lug nuts installed on all four wheels were made of steel and covered in chrome. Over time, the lug nuts had become swollen which made it difficult to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of the failure. The mechanic declined to remove the lug nuts out of concern that the lug nuts would not be able to be reinstalled once removed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2022
Took vehicle in for routine service and was told need new lug nuts. Said they were swollen and if we had a flat we would not be able to change our tire. We have had a problem with navigation for years. Told dealer is working with Ford for a solution, been over a year and still waiting. Phone is delayed, GPS is way off, sitting in Delaware and navigation says we are in Maryland. This is a major disappointment
Wheels, Jul 20, 2022
Lug nuts could not be removed
Wheels, Jul 9, 2022
Swollen lug nuts
Wheels, Jun 8, 2022
We took our car in for oil change and tire rotation, we were informed by service manager tires couldn't be rotated because lug nuts couldn't be removed, did we want lug nuts replaced which we did, after done ask why did the lug nuts fail on a car with less than 21000 miles was told it was a split lug nut poorly designed and when seal breaks and swells they can't be removed. In my mind this is a safety issue as we wouldn't have been able to change a flat tire if the service department couldn't change and we wouldn't have known this issue existed had we not had the car in for oil change and tire rotation. So if we had had a tire issue on the highway we would not been about to change our tire, leaving us stuck on the road. I don't have a clue the number of cars on the road with lug nuts that couldn't be removed. I believe Ford should replace all these poorly designed lug nuts
Wheels, May 19, 2022
AT A RECENT OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION THE TIRE LUG NUTS WERE FOUND TO BE BULGING - THESE ARE 2 PIECE LUG NUTS. THEIR TOOLS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT ROTATE MY TIRES, IN THE FUTURE, UNLESS I HAD A NEW SET. CHECKING, ON-LINE, I ALSO FOUND THAT MY FORD SUPPLIED LUG WRENCH MAY NOT ALLOW ME TO FIX A FLAT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FUTURE SAFETY ISSUE. BELIEF IS THAT THE DISSIMILAR METALS THAT MAKEUP THESE NUTS CAUSE CORROSION AND MAY FAIL, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMADE/INJURIES.
Wheels, Feb 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his son was attempting to remove the wheel from vehicle it was discovered that the wheel lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and all the lug nuts had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Wheels, Feb 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his daughter was attempting to remove the wheel from the vehicle, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer’s lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, and all the lug nuts had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Wheels, Jan 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side rear tire became flat. While attempting to remove the wheels to install the spare tire, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen, and the manufacturer’s provided lug nut wrench could not fit over the lug nuts. The contact was unable to remove the wheel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who indicated that all the lug nuts for each wheel had experienced the same failure and would need to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Wheels, Jan 18, 2022
I had to change a tire on the shoulder of a busy 4 lane highway. I was unable to fit the lug wrench onto a lug nut. I was unable to change the tire as I could not remove the lug nut. I had it taken to an independent service center where he confirmed that there were 4 other lugs total on the other (3) wheels that were swollen as well. There was no indication that these lug nuts were faulty.