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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 21, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. A WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON ADVISING ME THAT THE AUTO START/STOP WAS NOT WORKING AND I MUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.
Structure, Mar 11, 2017
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH PERIODICALLY DOES NOT CLOSE - MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURELY CLOSE DOOR. SO FAR, IT HAS CORRECTED ITSELF SOMETIMES AFTER ONE OR TWO ATTEMPTS AND OFTEN AFTER MANY MORE. SO FAR, THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS PARKED (NOT YET MOVING). I NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL UNDERWAY FOR FORDS UP TO YEAR 2016 (SO FAR).
Structure, Mar 9, 2017
DOOR LATCH HANDLES ON ALL EXTERIOR DOOR POSITIONS DO NOT RETURN TO THE 'HOME' POSITION, POSSIBLY DUE TO A WEAK OR POORLY ADJUSTED LATCH HANDLE SPRING OR OTHER PART OF THE MECHANISM. WHEN IN THIS POSITION IT IS POSSIBLE TO PUSH THE DOOR OPEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE RELEASE HANDLE FOR THE DOOR LATCH(ES). THIS CAN CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN THE DOOR OPENS UNINTENTIONALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WAY, OR AN OCCUPANT LEANS ON THE DOOR, CAUSING IT TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CONDITION IS REPLICABLE ON ALL DOORS, AND COULD BE REPLICATED WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING, BUT SAFETY DICTATED THAT WE NOT ATTEMPT A MOVING REPLICATION OF THE HAZARD. A COMPARISON TO A DIFFERENT VEHICLE OF THE SAME MODEL, BUT ONE YEAR OLDER INDICATES THE DOOR LATCHES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE REQUIRE EXTRA FORCE TO OPERATE. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR AT AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER ON 3/20/16.
Service brakes, Mar 9, 2017
IN EVENT OF MAIN BRAKE FAILURE, PARKING BRAKE CANNOT BE MANUALLY ENGAGED AS A SECONDARY BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE REQUIRING VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED TO ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. THIS COULD RESULT IN FATALITY IN THE EVENT OF MAIN BRAKE FAILURE. (FYI. I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE HOSE FAIL ON A '99 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. USING THE MANUAL PARKING BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A COLLISION. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE THE WAY IT IS IMPLEMENTED ON 2017 FORD VEHICLES.)
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2017
AUTOSTOP FEATURE ENDANGERS LIVES. I EXPERIENCED AN ALMOST FATAL SAFETY INCIDENT WITH THE AUTOSTOP ENGAGED. I WAS STOPPED, EXITING A PAVED DRIVEWAY ONTO A 2 LANE ROAD. I DECIDED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS THE PATH OF A LARGE TRUCK THAT HAD JUST TURNED THE CORNER 300 FT AWAY. THE TRUCK SEEMED TO BE LUMBERING ALONG, SO I MADE THE DECISION TO PULL OUT ACROSS ITS PATH AND MAKE MY LEFT TURN. APPARENTLY THE TRUCK HIT ITS PEAK TORQUE AT THAT TIME AND SUDDENLY SPED UP, JUST AS I PULLED OUT! AT THIS SAME MOMENT,THE ENGINE DECIDED TO SHUT ITSELF OFF TO CONSERVE FUEL! I PRESSED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED! THE ESCAPE ROLLED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC! NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO, I PRESSED ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE STARTED UP AND SAT THERE THINKING!!! I WAS STUCK LIKE A DEER IN HEADLIGHTS! I KEPT THE GAS BURIED IN THE FLOOR, AND BY SOME MIRACLE THE ENGINE FINALLY REVVED INTO TURBO RANGE. ALL 4 WHEELS STARTED SPINNING AND IT SUDDENLY SLINGSHOT ME ACROSS THE SKINNY 2 LANE ROAD. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH. FORTUNATELY, THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE AWD AND STEERING WERE RESPONSIVE, ALLOWING ME TO HOP INTO THE CORRECT ANGLE, IN THE PROPER LANE, WITHIN A HAIR'S BREATH OF BEING T-BONED AND POSSIBLY LOSING MY OWN LIFE AND THE LIFE OF MY PASSENGER! I HAVE BEEN HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT THIS FOR THE LAST WEEK AND HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. LESS THAN 250 MILES ON ODOMETER WHEN THIS OCURRED. THIS AUTOSTOP FEATURE NEEDS TO BE PERMANENTLY DISENGAGED FOR SAFETY.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON I-81 NORTH IN PA, THE INSIDE LAYER OF THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS. NOTHING HIT THE GLASS. THERE ARE NO CHIPS OR OTHER MARKS. ON MONDAY 2/20/17 I STOPPED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER. BECAUSE THE CRACK WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND THE OUTSIDE LAYER WAS NOT CRACKED, THE MANAGER BELIEVED IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES, AND CALLED ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME TO ASK ME TO COME BACK SO THAT THEY COULD TAKE MORE PICTURES BECAUSE FORD WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH WHAT THE TOOK. A DAY LATER THEY ASKED ME TO COME TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BECAUSE FORD WANTED EVEN MORE PICTURES. ON 2/24/17 FORD AGREED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. EACH DAY THE CRACK HAS INCREASED IN LENGTH. THE CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEAR THE "NEW FOR 2017" WIPER DE-ICER ELEMENT. A CRACKING WINDOW IS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND CAN MOST DEFINITELY PUT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF INJURY.
Power train, Jan 19, 2017
HAVE NEW 2017 FORD ESCAPE 1.5 ECOBOOST SE 4WD. ONLY 800 MILES ON THE CAR. WHEN TURNING TIGHT TURNS, HEARING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM REAR OF VEHICLE THAT IS NOT PRESENT WHEN TEST DRIVING OTHER NEW 2017 ESCAPES ON THE LOT WITH 4WD. ONLY DOES IT FROM A STOP AND BARELY MOVING, THEN SOUND GOES AWAY. CALLED FORD DETROIT, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. WENT TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, SAID THE SAME THING. HAVE A FRIEND WHO GOT THE SAME CAR BUT DIFFERENT COLOR. HAS 1000 MILES ON HIS AND IT DOES NOT MAKE THIS NOISE. SOUNDS LIKE AXLE BINDING AND WHEEL HOP BUT NOT FEELING GOOD ABOUT THIS SINCE THE NOISE IS NOT BEING DUPLICATED IN OTHER CARS LIKE MINE. SOUND GOES AWAY AFTER VEHICLE SPEEDS UP AND STARTS TO TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2017
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN PARKING AT SLOW SPEED WITH ECO ON. OFTEN SEEN INTO GARAGE WHICH IS SLIGHT INCLINE. AUTOMOBILE STOPS MOVING AND ANY TOUCH OF THE ACCELERATOR CAUSES FAST SURGE REQUIRING VERY QUICK BRAKING. VERY REPEATABLE UNDER SLOW CONDITIONS. SELLING DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT SYSTEM OPERATING AS DESIGNED WHEN AUTO STOP/START IS ACTIVATED. THIS DESIGN IS DANGEROUS AND THE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT DEFAULT TO ENGINE AUTO STOP ACTIVATED. *TR
Structure, Jan 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,124.
Air bags, Oct 14, 2016, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A 5 CAR PILE UP ON AN EXPRESS WAY TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND HAD MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS AND CONCUSSIONS FROM WHIPLASH.
Structure, Oct 10, 2016
SEVERAL TIMES AFTER PULLING THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND GET IN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED, THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, SO THAT WHEN YOU GET INSIDE AND TRY TO SHUT THE DOOR, THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH SHUT AND THE DOOR IS NOT SECURELY CLOSED THOUGH YOU MAY THINK IT IS.