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
2,686 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2019, fire
BURNED
Service brakes, Engine, Mar 29, 2019
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 11, 2019 AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, EVEN THOUGH THE BREAKS WERE BEING APPLIED. FOR ANY TYPE OF BREAKAGE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO ACCEL THE CAR TO GO FASTER. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT BEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 29, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY CAR BEGIN TO LOOSE PRESSURE AND THE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR BEGIN TO SHAKE VERY BAD. SO I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. THE CAR DROVE OKAY AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOW BUT, EVERY TIME I STOPPED AT THE LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME BACK ON. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE THEN AND THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE. AT FIRST THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS MY WHEEL BEARING & MOTOR MOUNT, THEY REPLACED THOSE AND MY CAR STILL CONTINUE TO SHAKE WHEN STOPPING. THE SHOP IS CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO MY TRANSMISSION AS OF 3/29/2019.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2019
THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY EARLY FEB. 2019 THE WIPERS WOULD "HIT" EACH OTHER AND GET STUCK ON THE WINDSHIELD UNTIL THEY WOULD FINALLY RETRACT DOWN TO THE OFF POSITION. DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER MOTORS. AFTER ABOUT 1 - 1 1/2 WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADJUSTED THE ALIGNMENT OF THE WIPERS AND TIGHTENING A NUT IN THE INTERMITTENT WIPER SWITCH. ON 3/23/19 THE WIPERS AGAIN GOT "STUCK" IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND "STUTTERED" VERY SLOWLY ON THE WINDSHIELD UNTIL THEY FINALLY RETRACTED DOWN INTO THE OFF POSITION. THE FIRST INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION WARMING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING IN A HEAVY RAIN ON A CITY STREET. THE 3RD INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Engine, Mar 25, 2019
MY FORD ESCAPE HAS THE ENGINE START/STOP FEATURE. SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN STOPPED, AND I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK TO BEGIN DRIVING AGAIN, THE VEHICLE MESSAGING STATES THAT I MUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS (SUBURBAN IN STERLING HEIGHTS, MI) AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE ESCAPES AND THAT I CAN COME IN FOR A SOFTWARE FLASH THAT WILL TAKE A FEW HOURS TO FIX. JUST WONDERING IF THIS WOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL? THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE SITUATIONS COME IN FOR REPAIR. SHOULDN'T FORD BE CONTACTING THEIR CUSTOMERS IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE? THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND AT A DEAD STOP, AND ALSO, TURNED OFF AT A RED LIGHT, AND WHEN TURNED GREEN, I HAD TO TURN OFF CAR AND RESTART. IT HAS BEEN VERY SCARY.
Engine, Mar 21, 2019
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE AUTOMATIC START STOP FEATURE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, HOWEVER, WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. A MESSAGE FLASHED GIVING DIRECTIONS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE MANUALLY. THAT WORKED BUT A FEW DAYS LATER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE CRUISING ON A CITY STREET AND DISPLAYED THE SAME MESSAGE. AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTARTING, THE START/STOP FEATURE DID NOT WORK AT ALL. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT DID NOT RESET THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE. THE ON OFF SWITCH DID NOT RESTART THE FEATURE AND THE SYSTEM INFORMATION DISPLAY STATED THAT ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. IT TOOK A VISIT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TO THEN RESET THE SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER ANY INFORMATION ON WHY THIS HAPPENED OR IF IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH, I FOUND TSB #SSM 47043 ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
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.
Engine, Mar 17, 2019
THE STALL / START HAS FAILED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE: WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AT A FOUR WAY STOP INTERSECTION WITH IN THE CITY, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO THE STALL MODE. WHEN I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE: WHILE SITTING AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A BUSY CITY STREET THE VEHICLE WENT INTO STALL MODE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND AGAIN I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. BOTH TIMES THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES PRESENT CAUSING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAY.
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.
Engine, Hybrid propulsion system, Mar 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN EVERY TIME THE SPEED EXCEEDED 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY WYNNE FORD (1020 W MERCURY BLVD, HAMPTON, VA 23666) PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) ON FEBRUARY 26, 2019; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MARCH 2, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Mar 6, 2019
WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE AUTO ON/OFF FUNCTION IS ENGAGED, SOMETIMES THE ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE MUST THEN BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THIS HAS NOT BEEN NOTED TO OCCUR WHEN THE AUTO ON/OFF FUNCTION IS TURNED OFF.
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2019
WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE'S AUTO START FUNCTION FAILS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. YOU GET A MESSAGE TO PUT YOUR CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE KEY TO RESTART. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH COULD RESULT IN SOMEONE GETTING REAR ENDED.
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2019
THE STOP/START SYSTEM FAILS TO RESTART THE ENGINE FROM A STOP LONG ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THE FEATURE. (CAR STATIONARY). FAILURE TO START UNPREDICTABLE. TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND AN INFO SCREEN WARNING APPEARS AND SAY TO PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE. COULD BE HAZARDOUS AS IT TAKES TIME TO ALLOW THE PROCEDURE AFTER A LIGHT HAS GONE GREEN.
Steering, Feb 20, 2019
POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER. I STARTED TO VEER INTO THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC LANE AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH AN ON-COMING VEHICLE. THE WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH SCREEN AT THE SAME TIME THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 19, 2019
AUTO START STOP SPORADICALLY CEASES TO WORK. IT WILL NOT RESTART AND VEHICLE DIRECTS ME TO PUT THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER INTO PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I MIGHT BE REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WHO EXPECTS ME TO LEAVE A STOP SIGN RED LIGHT, ET AL. QUICKLY. MY WIFE PUTS THE TEMPORARILY DISABLES THE FEATURE EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES THE VEHICLE. I FORGET WHEN I DRIVE IT AND THEN I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT AND (SEE ABOVE). THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN THE 3RD YEAR OF OUR LEASE (SEPTEMBER 2018)
Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2019
DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT INCLUDE TAIL LIGHTS. CARS DRIVEN AT DUSK, DAWN, OR WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE ADDED SAFETY ARE DRIVEN WITH ONLY DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHT AND NO TAIL LIGHTS. MANY TIMES CARS APPEAR TO BE DIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS, OR LIGHTS, ONLY TO SEE THEY ARE DRIVING WITH DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS. PLEASE ENGAGE ALL LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS AT ALL TIMES FOR ADDED SAFETY. TOO MANY TIMES VEHICLES ARE DRIVEN WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE NO TAIL LIGHTS. DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS WITH ONLY HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS.
Engine, Feb 13, 2019
THIS VEHICAL STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. FOR EXAMPLE, IT STALLS AND TELLS YOU TO AUTO RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE MOVING ON. THIS IS UNSAFE AND PUTTING RISK ON MY FAMILY AND I.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 9, 2019
STARTING IN DECEMBER WHEN MY CAR WAS AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE AUTO STOP/START TOLD ME TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND RE-START THE CAR. IT HAS DONE THIS A FEW TIMES AFTER THIS. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT LIKE BEING REAR-ENDED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 9, 2019
CAR STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN JANUARY AND HAS HAPPENED 5-10 TIMES SINCE. MESSAGE COMES UP TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO RESTART. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WILL RESTART AND POSSIBLE REAR END ACCIDENTS.
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2019
STARTING ON DEC 12, 2018 MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. OTHER VARIABLES ARE: CAR IN DRIVE, FOOT ON BRAKE, LIGHTS ON, HEATER ON, SEAT WARMERS ON, STEERING WHEEL HEATER ON, RADIO AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 DEGREES. AUTO START STOP SYSTEM ACTIVE. INSTRUMENT PANEL MESSAGE INSTRUCTED ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND MANUALLY RESTART ENGINE, WHICH I DID. ENGINE RESTARTED FINE. NO FURTHER ERROR MESSAGES OR INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED. THIS HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY IN THE MORNING. ONCE THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT DO IT ANY MORE THAT DAY. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAN NOT RECREATE THE ERROR TO SEE WHAT IT IS. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. IT HAS OCCURRED EVERYDAY SINCE JAN 25, 2019. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION, BEING DISABLED IN TRAFFIC WHEN EXPECTING TO ACCELERATE AWAY FROM A RED STOP LIGHT AFTER IT TURNS GREEN. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR POTENTIAL REAR END COLLISION.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 30, 2019
'AUTO STARTSTOP' WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE FROM THIS MONTH, APPROXIMATELY ONCE A DAY. INSTRUMENT PANEL MESSAGE SHOWS ME TO 'AUTO STARTSTOP, SHIFT TO P, RESTART ENGINE'. AFTER SHIFTING TO P AND RESTARTING ENGINE, THE ENGINE WORKS WELL. I FEEL SO DANGEROUS TO RESTART ENGINE BY CHANGING TRANSMISSION SHIFT BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT INTERSECTIONS.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 26, 2019
2017 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM 2.0 ECOBOOST THE ENGINE JUST STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, WAITING AT LIGHT, DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT. A MESSAGE WILL COME ON THE DASH "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE LATELY. PLENTY OF PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE.
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.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jan 19, 2019
MY 2014 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM HAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE HVAC ACTUATING ASSEMBLY. MY LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME TO TSB 17-0004 (JAN. 13, 2017) AND SAID THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THREE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF NORMAL WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NO BLOWING HEAT DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING ACTUATING ASSEMBLY AND RELATED COMPONENTS. THE DEFROST DOES NOT WORK AND CREATES A HAZARD IN COLD WEATHER. YOU CAN NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY WITH THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED OR ICED UP. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FORD SHOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND TSB 17-0004 SHOULD BE UPDATED ACCORDINGLY.
Service brakes, Engine, Jan 17, 2019
THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. THEN THE BRAKING IS VERY DIFFICULT . YOU FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR WILL NOT STOP . THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN THE SPAN OF 300 MILES .THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS.