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.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle intermittently sputtered. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2025
I have taken my car to 4 different service technicians/mechanics and I have been told that there was nothing wrong with my car only for the issue to increasingly get worse. Two of the mechanics, including the Ford dealership, charged me diagnostic fees of $120 and $175. They both confirmed that the transmission was the cause of the issue. The torque converter was established as the primary cause of concern and issue. My car only has 59,959 miles on it, the transmission should not be going out. I have looked at reviews for my vehicle online and many others have experienced similar issues with the torque converter breaking down almost immediately at 40-90,000 miles. I think that because of this unacceptable occurrence, there should be recalls on these vehicles.
Engine, Sep 22, 2025
Coolant leak in engine as described in Ford customer service program 21N12. [XXX] ). The fact that this was not a recall or covered past November 2022 is quite frankly irresponsible and despicable from the Ford motor company. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Sep 22, 2025
I own a 2017 Ford Escape. Recently, my car issued a Engine Failure Service Now message. In inspecting the check engine code, it was discovered that coolant was intruding into the cyclinder(s.) Upon researching, this is a know problem to a series of Ford vehicles in a certain date range. It was learned that Ford knows about this problem, has not done any sort of recall or notification to owners of affected vehicles, it is not covered under any extended warranty, and the recommendation, known by Ford, is a full motor replacement, which to say is costly would be an understatement. I find this incredibly negligent and Ford has allowed this problem to not be remedied by them in bad faith.
Engine, Sep 22, 2025
I am having to replace the engine for the second time in 3 year due to a design defect where the antifreeze is leaking into the cylinders and burning up the coolant and possibly cracked the head.
Power train, Engine, Sep 20, 2025
Issue of coolant leaking into the engine which will need engine replacement.
Engine, Sep 18, 2025
My car was diagnosed with coolant incursion into cylinder #2. This has been noted as a defect by Ford on their service bulletin TSB 22-2229 which informs to replace the engine long block. My engine was initially just running rough with poor gas mileage. Now the engine is dying while I am driving it making a very unsafe condition. It is hard to steer and brake when the engine dies. The car was inspected by Murgado Ford in Chicago who informed me that the only fix is to replace the faulty engine. The check engine light comes on intermittently with a misfire code. Ford knows about this issue and it affects thousands of cars. They have refused to provide any assistance in fixing this well documented faulty engine design.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 18, 2025
ABS light and traction light is on then hill assist information comes on then the 4 wheel drive disabled comes on then for minutes later comes back on and says abled. It’s been going on for sometime now but now when I am driving it seems like it just shuts off and then starts again and at times it goes very quick. It is very dangerous. I only have 45000 miles on it.
Engine, Sep 17, 2025
The ford escape 1.5L ecoboost engine was built with a flaw that causes coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. This caused an overheat in my engine and cracked the small engine block. I am aware now that this is a known issue that ford has a service bulletin for, but has not issued a recall. A check engine light appeared a few days prior to the failure, but when I brought it in, the error code was determined to be an ignition error.
Engine, Sep 15, 2025
Coolant infiltration in engine. Lost of power White smoke from the exhaus Do not start Use a lot of cooler liquid Many missed fired Burned coolant odor Check engine light Engine shaking I am from Québec Canada
Engine, Sep 15, 2025
My 2017 Ford escort is showing signs of Coolant incursion into the engine block. This is a known issue by the Ford Motor Company and Ford refuses to do anything to fix the issue.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #2 and the engine. The contact was informed that because of the coolant intrusion, the engine was misfiring. In addition, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 and Technical Service Bulletin: 22-22-29; with a similar failure description. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,963.
Engine, Sep 15, 2025
engine overheating allegedly caused by an internal engine coolant leak
Engine, Sep 13, 2025
Engine failure do to leaking coolant into the engine that is a known problem with the 2017 2.0l eco boost engines
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the engine overheated. The message to "Immediately Pull Over" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where coolant was added. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The contact filed a complaint with the Ford chat division and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 12, 2025
Water intrusion severe in both taillight assemblies with normal rain. Safety issue due to water dimming or completely blocking out the bottom light Car has less than 40k miles.
Engine, Sep 11, 2025
1-The piston of cylinder 1 exploded due to the coolant leak in the engine (. 87000 miles) 2- Regarding the Explosion, it caused a movement to the left and we ended up going the wrong way. 3- Confimed by a mechanical garage center 4- No, we just call FORD to prevent but just said after warranty and this engine doesnt have recall now but few other Ford 2017 with Ecoboost 2.0 had same issue 5- No warning, no heather lamp and no engine motor warning.
Engine, Sep 10, 2025
#2 cylinder is misfiring caused by coolant leaking into engine block. There is a technical service bulletin 22-2322 describing the issue and the recommended repair. To solve the issue the short block & head gasket must be replaced
Power train, Sep 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle independently downshifted and decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and hitchhiked to her destination. In addition, while the vehicle was being lifted to be towed, a transmission fluid leak was noticed coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
Engine, Sep 9, 2025
My 2017 Ford Escape 1.5 Liter has an engine that failed due to antifreeze intrusion as confirmed by a Ford service center, where it is currently located. The vehicle is 8 years old and has approximately 125,000 miles. This problem (engine failure due to antifreeze intrusion) was addressed by Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12, Ford and my dealer stated my vehicle was not part of the program. However it seems to have the same problem as other vehicles that were included. While that program has expired, I bought the vehicle while it would have met the mileage and age requirements. It would seem to me that there are more vehicles that should have been included in the CSP since they are showing symptoms of the same defect.
Engine, Sep 9, 2025
I bought a used 2017 Ford Escape Titanium in Jan, 2025. The car had no issue at time when bought it. But a few weeks ago, the engine starts to have issue, after the engine starts for a couple minutes, the idle dropped and run rough with the engine check on. The fault code reading P0302, #2 Cylider misfired. I took to auto repair shop for a repair and later got a call from them telling me that Ford built defective engine where #2 and #3 cylinder block wall too thin causing leak air compression in the #2 cylinder.
Engine, Sep 9, 2025
My car has been diagnosed by the dealership with a coolant intrusion issue. This is triggered by a "check engine light" warning on my dashboard. The dealership advised me to replaced the whole Engine Block due to some crack or something, thus the coolant intrusion. The amount to pay is $10K++ CAD. Seems this issue is common to Ford Escape car and I believe this is a Ford Mfg. issue. My car is on time regular maintenance twice a year, yet this issue just happening now without prior report from the last maintenance two months ago.
Engine, Sep 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and jerked while attempting to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,629.
Engine, Sep 8, 2025
For the last few months, the vehicle has been to the mechanic for engine running rough and misfire. Each time the cylinders were replaced and on my belief that the issue was finally was solved the vehicle again have the same issue. The mechanics thought that the parts used were defective and replace them. During their test drive the engine blow up. At that point I was informed that the engine needs to be replace and the warranty has expired. I conducted some research and notice I wasn't the only the one that experience this issue. The thing that got me upset is that FORD is aware of the issue for a long time and nothing has been done. This issue if you decided to investigate has been going for more than 10yrs. Unfortunately, I have to swallow that expense. Hoping you follow thru so this issue will not happen to another consumer, Thanks for help in this matter.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2025
When using automatic start stop I get a message to put in park and restart.