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.
Power train, Engine, Jan 11, 2019
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND OUT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED RECALLS ON ESCAPE VEHICLES IN THE PAST REGARDING THE SAME SITUATION HOWEVER NOTHING HAS BEEN SENT OUT REGARDING THE 2017 MODELS. THIS IS A PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING APPARENTLY AND A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT IS SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2019
THE REAR WINDOWS HAVE GONE OUT TWICE AND NOW THE PASSENGERS WINDOW THEY WON'T ROLL DOWN AND SOMETIMES WON'T ROLL UP. I'VE CALLED FORD DEALER AND ADVISED ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIR. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET REPAIRED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 28, 2018
STRONG FUEL ODOR WHEN STARTING ENGINE.
Service brakes, Dec 27, 2018
REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AFTER 20, 000 MILES, FORD REPLACED THE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WORN PADS. THE RUFF SURFACE OF THE ROTORS CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR. THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE PADS.
Engine, Dec 23, 2018
AUTO START STOP FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. AUTO START STOP SYSTEM WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE. OCCURRED THREE TIMES WHERE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SHIFT LEVER IN DRIVE, 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. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION, BEING DISABLED IN TRAFFIC WHEN EXPECTING TO ACCELERATE AWAY FROM A RED STOP LIGHT AFTER IT TURNS GREEN. EASY TO BE REAR-ENDED. I WILL NOT BE USING THE AUTO START STOP SYSTEM ANY MORE UNTIL THIS IS FIXED.
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.
Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2018
DURING THE FIRES IN CA FROM 2017 &AGAIN 2018 I'VE LOGGED COMPLAINTS WITH FORD ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD WITH THEIR CONFIGURATION OF THE RECYCLED AIR FEATURE. THE ONLY KNOWN WAY TO KEEP THE VENTS CLOSED IS TO TURN OFF THE AIR, HAVE THE AIR ON "LO" OR HA E THE AC ON. AFTER 15 MINUTES OF AIR ON WITHOUT THE TWO SELECTED ABOVE THE VENTS OPEN BACK UP AFTER 15MIN. WITH THE AIR QUALITY BEING BAD I KEPT GETTING A MOUTH FULL OF TOXIC AIR. I'M HOPING SOMEONE CAN UPDATE THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE CYCLED AIR ON WITHOUT FORCING THE DRIVER TO ACTIVELY PRESS THE RECYCLED AIR EVERY 15MIN OR REMEMBER TO PRESS THIS BUTTON IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING YOUR CAR EVERYTIME.
Wheels, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Dec 11, 2018
I TRADED IN MY 2007 FORD FUSION FOR A 2017 FORD ESCAPE SE OVER 5 WEEKS AGO. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES EVER SINCE. THE FIRST FEW DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SHOWED THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD ME DROP IT OFF ON A SATURDAY AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THAT MONDAY. THE ISSUE WAS A FUEL SENSOR. I ALSO NOTICED THE WIPERS WERE MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF RAIN. THE WIPERS WOULD STUTTER QUITE A BIT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEY FINALLY FIXED. THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. I ALSO NOTICED I WOULD GET A LOW TIRE MESSAGE. I TOOK IT TO THEM THE FIRST TIME AND THEY PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. I RECEIVED THE MESSAGE THE SECOND TIME AND PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. I RECEIVED THE SAME MESSAGE A FEW DAYS AGO, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD 2 NAILS IN THE TIRE AND TRIED TO SELL ME A TIRE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WASN'T HAPPY. I TOLD THEM TO PLUG THE TIRE AND I LEFT. ALL THESE ISSUES WITH 5 WEEKS OF HAVING THIS CAR. UNBELIEVABLE.
Electrical system, Dec 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE BATTERY LOST CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAGERSTOWN FORD (LOCATED AT 1714 MASSEY BLVD, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 733-3673) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO INSTALL A BATTERY BUDDY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL OUTPUT THAT WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TT*JB
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2018
THE CAR WILL FREQUENTLY FAIL TO START. SOMETIMES IT WILL START AS EXPECTED. SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE MANY TRIES AND 15-20 MINUTES OF TRYING BEFORE STARTING. IT BEHAVES THE SAME WAY WHETHER IN THE GARAGE, PARKING LOT, OR ON THE STREET. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR. THIS TIME THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS AND ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE FROM FORD TO EXPLAIN HOW TO REPAIR IT.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2018
I HAVE THE START/STOP ON MY 17 ESCAPE. WITH 16000 MILES. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP COMES ON, I WILL GET A NOTIFICATION ON THE DIGITAL SCREEN SAYING "AUTO START/STOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR POTENTIAL REAR END COLLISION.
Tires, Nov 27, 2018
2017 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH TIRES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TRAVELING ON A GRAVEL ROAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES, THE VEHICLE ALERTED TO A LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE LUG NUTS ON THE WHEEL HAD SWOLLEN MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO CHANGE THE TIRE. *JS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 20, 2018
I HAVE THE START/STOP ON MY 17 ESCAPE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP COMES ON, I WILL GET A NOTIFICATION ON THE DIGITAL SCREEN SAYING "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THE PAST 5 MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY TIME I DRIVE NOW FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED AND THEY WERE GOOD. NO ISSUES WITH THAT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2018
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VECHIEL THE MESSAGE APPEARS: NO KEY FOUND, THIS IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKING SPOTS. WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN A MESSAGE APPEARED NO FRONT RADAR, GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. WENT TO CHANGE SPEED ON MY CRUSE CONTROL GOING FROM 30 TO 35 GET MESSAGE NO ACC. WHEN STOPPED AT RED LIGHT GETA MESSAGE TELLING ME TO PUT IN PARK AND START CAR.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING MORE THAN ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE 51 TSBS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2018
REAR CAMERA AUDIBLE WARNING FOR PEDESTRIANS DOES NOT DETECT PERSON FURTHER THAT 5 FEET FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. SYSTEM USED TO WARN IF A PEDESTRIAN WAS PRESENT AT A MUCH GREATER DISTANCE FROM BACK OF CAR. FORD DEALER BELIEVES 5 FEET IS ACCEPTABLE WHEN TOOK INTO SERVICE WITH THIS CONCERN.
Engine, Nov 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE "RESTART ENGINE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING AWHILE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,696.
Seat belts, Oct 24, 2018, crash
WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND A CAR CAME UP AND HIT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND ENDING UP TEARING OFF THE FRONT OF THE CAR. AS OUR CAR CAME TO A STOP THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT KEPT TIGHTENING AND MY ABDOMEN STARTED TO BE PUSHED UP INTO MY DIAPHRAGM AND WAS CAUSING ME TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BREATHING AND SO AT FIRST THE BELT DID NOT WANT TO RELEASE SO PUSHED THE RELEASE A COUPLE OF TIMES AND FINALLY IT RELEASED. TWO OTHER PASSENGERS, THEIR SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESPOND THE SAME WAY. IF I HAD BEEN UNCONSCIOUS WOULD THE BELT HAVE CONTINUED TO CLOSE OFF MY BREATHING UNTIL I EXPIRED? I DO HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND ROADWAY IF YOU NEED ANY INFORMATION FROM THEM.
Power train, Engine, Oct 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FROM FRONT TO BACK. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TUTTLE-CLICK FORD LINCOLN (43 AUTO CENTER DR, IRVINE, CA 92618, (949) 472-5200), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND A CHIME SOUND WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUNRISE FORD OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD (5500 LANKERSHIM BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 91601, (877) 510-8967), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS16062115. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,852.
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.
Power train, Sep 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V471000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE A DEALER DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.
Seat belts, Service brakes, Sep 14, 2018
WITHIN 17,000 MILES ON THE 2017 FORD ESCAPE THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS WENT OUT AND WITHIN 8 MONTHS OF HAVING BOUGHT THE ESCAPE ONE OF THE REAR SEATBELTS IS NOT WORKING
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2018
PANORAMIC MOONROOF EXPLODED & SHATTERED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. GLASS WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECTS. LOOKS AS THOUGH THE STATIONARY MOONROOF BUCKLED FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARDS & GLASS FRAGMENTS ARE FALLING INTO THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD OF BEING FLAT, IT IS NOW SHAPED MORE LIKE A BUBBLE. MOONROOF SHADE ALSO FELL OUT OF TRACK WHEN I OPENED IT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. COINCIDENTALLY, IT HAPPENED TO BE RAINING AT THE TIME I NOTICED IT & THE INSIDE WAS NOW WET. WE HAVE BEEN IN A HEAT ADVISORY FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, WITH THE ADVISORY BREAKING THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, FOLLOWED BY RAIN.