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, Jul 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Engine Fault Service Immediately" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,114.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into various cylinders had resulted in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Engine, Jul 18, 2025
At 51,000 engine needs replaced due to defect that causes coolant to leak into engine. Vehicle has a very slow start when stepping on the accelerator due to no compression from the coolant leak into the piston. White smoke would come from exhaust when accelerating. When pulling out into traffic car will almost stall out. Check engine light had been on repeatedly for the issue and Ford service. They claimed they did not see any issues. I had taken it to other places for service and they stated it should be under warranty with Ford. Ford does have a TSB on the issue but no recall
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 17, 2025
We are having a problem with the fuel injector system and maybe the fuel pump. It seems that there is not enough fuel getting the the engine and while on the road it seems like it wants to stall or something. I have had 2 different mechanics do a OBD and nothing shows up. There is no engine light that comes so they say they can't get a good read. I saw the article of ford recalls about low pressure fuel pump may fail. I called Ford to explain what is happening and they said there is no recall. I said maybe this is the start of something and they said to contact (NHTSA). I have tried fuel injector cleaners twice with 2 full tanks of 93 grade fuel and no change at all. The Ford escape might have the same problem with the other Fords that are being recalled. I hope someone can help me with this problem before something happens on the highway! Thankyou!
Engine, Jul 17, 2025
Check engine light illuminated. Produced codes 012, 014, 1299. Took to have it check out. Coolant level was low. Codes were cleared and a day or two afterward, check engine light came back on with same codes.
Engine, Jul 17, 2025
Component/System Involved: Engine – Coolant Intrusion into Cylinder #4 Vehicle: 2017 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L EcoBoost; mileage 47k. My 2017 Ford Escape Titanium with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine experienced engine misfires and sudden coolant loss. Upon inspection, it was confirmed by a Ford-authorized dealership (Koons Falls Church Ford, VA) that this is due to coolant intrusion into cylinder #4—a known defect with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine in many Ford models from similar years. This issue appeared on July 9, 2025. The issue began with a misfire warning and engine vibration around 47,000 miles. The Ford dealer diagnosed coolant entering the combustion chamber as the root cause, requiring engine replacement. The engine is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a clear safety hazard, as coolant entering the cylinder can lead to engine stalling or complete failure while driving. The loss of power and unexpected misfire episodes posed a risk to me, my spouse, and our two children while driving. Ford Motor Company denied goodwill financial assistance, citing the vehicle’s age (>7 years), despite its low mileage (47k), excellent service history, and the well-documented design flaw. The defect is known to occur between 60K–100K miles across various Ford vehicles with the same engine type, yet no recall or consumer repair program has been issued. I am reporting this for safety and accountability reasons and urge NHTSA to investigate this issue further. No check engine light appeared until the misfire occurred, and there were no prior warnings of coolant loss.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 16, 2025
The coolant leaks into the the cylinders. I bought this car June 7th 2025 and was told it was being sold as is due to hail damage. I have no issue with cosmetic problems but I come to find out that there is major defect with ford escapes. My vehicle started to overheat with my children in the car so I checked the coolant and it was empty. I have been keeping my eye on it and filling when needed but when I went to turn it on a couple days ago it will not start at all. I put 4,000 down on this car and got into payments because I trusted the dealership to put me in a car that was not known for these issues. I had no idea because I am not in the car business and I scrambled to get a car because mine was wrecked. The check engine light even came as the salesman was pumping gas to give me the car after I bought it and told me they would check into. I was told a couple days later it was a loose ignition coil and that they topped off the coolant for me. It was within the same week that I started having these issues because I am sure this issue was preexisting but they did not want to tell me.
Engine, Jul 15, 2025
Check engine light came on and engine began to run rough. After inspection by Ford Dealer, it turns out this was because of a known issue with 2017 Ford Escapes. Continuing to drive could cause catastrophic engine failure or engine fire. This issue was diagnosed by Crossroads Ford of Apex, NC, where it was determined that coolant entered the combustion chamber and spark plug #1 has seized. This is a well-documented design flaw in the 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines and is identical to cases addressed under Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and TSB 22-2133. When the dealership requested assistance from Ford Representative the request was denied. Now the estimate to fix car that we bought new in preparation for retirement and diligently paid off is $10708. We have also requested an escalation of this issue with Ford Customer Relations at of July 15, 2025. As of this time, dealer says car could die while driving at any time, leading to fire or accident.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle vibrated, and the transmission was shifting rough. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the head gasket, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with coolant intrusion into the engine and advised the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Engine, Jul 15, 2025
Coolant leaking into cylinder of the engine. Recommendation from the dealer is that the engine has internal damage and replacing the main engine to fix it (long block). Cost estimate provided is; $10,000.
Power train, Jul 15, 2025
My 2017 Ford Escape has been exhibiting recurring transmission and torque converter-related issues, especially during low-speed driving. The vehicle frequently hesitates when accelerating and experiences sudden reductions in power, creating unsafe driving conditions in traffic and on inclines. These symptoms often occur below 40 MPH and are accompanied by a noticeable shudder and jerking sensation. Despite regular maintenance, the drivability continues to deteriorate, resembling the widespread problems other owners have reported. I am submitting this complaint in hopes that Ford will acknowledge and address this serious mechanical defect.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating abnormally, and the engine became overheated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine head gasket was blown and recommended that the engine be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Engine, Jul 14, 2025
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a serious safety defect in the Ford Escape equipped with the Ecoboost engine, which is known to suffer from internal coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders. This defect poses significant safety risks, including engine misfire, sudden loss of power while driving, and the potential for engine fires. In my specific case, a Ford dealership has confirmed that my vehicle is experiencing coolant intrusion into cylinder #2, which has led to a cracked cylinder sleeve and engine misfire. Despite this being a well-documented issue linked to a flawed engine design, my Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) was not included in the Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12, which addresses this exact problem. The symptoms and confirmed diagnosis of my vehicle match the description and root cause identified in Ford's internal documents and the scope of the CSP. However, Ford has not taken responsibility for vehicles outside the limited range of VINs it chose to cover, leaving many owners—myself included—at risk of catastrophic engine failure and serious safety consequences. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue more comprehensively. The scope of Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 is clearly too narrow and excludes many vehicles suffering from the same dangerous condition. This issue warrants a formal safety recall, not a limited service program, due to the substantial risk it presents to vehicle occupants and others on the road. Please take action to compel Ford to take full responsibility for this defect and protect consumers from preventable mechanical failures and fire risks.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, there was an excessive amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to not drive the vehicle because the engine could seize. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,900.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,500.
Power train, Jul 14, 2025
Transmission total catastrophic Internal failure. Parts of the transmission broke loose internally and came out the side of the bellhousing. Total replacement cost is over $5000 and parts are unavailable due to frequency of issues with these transmissions.
Engine, Jul 12, 2025
The engine light came on while driving, and the car immediately started sputtering and producing a lot of smoke. Luckily, I was able to pull over safely and turn off the vehicle. After the car cooled off, I inspected the oil level and noticed it was low. I had my partner bring me new 5W20 oil, and I refilled the oil compartment, but upon restarting the engine, the light did not go away. The vehicle had to be towed to the shop, where it was diagnosed with low pressure on piston #2 caused by coolant intrusion and recommended engine replacement, with a quote of $12,391.83. There were no signs or symptoms before the catastrophic failure. The car is very well taken care of and has had all oil changes done at the recommended frequency. The car is 8 years old and has 92,855 miles, just outside of the limits covered by Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. I feel that there should have been a recall for this known issue that put my life at risk due to Ford's negligence. I still have the car and it is available for inspection, but I don't know what to do since the repair is more expensive than the retail value of the vehicle.
Engine, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on three occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jumpstarted on each occasion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that on two occasions when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where a handled diagnostic machine retrieved a code that the VVT valve timing solenoid had an error. The vehicle was taken to the residence and the part was replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred after several days. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving on two occasions the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not reared. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was approximately 150,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and was running abnormally rough. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the contact became aware of smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stopped and parked the vehicle. The contact inspected the fluid levels, and the fluid levels were sufficient. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a coolant intrusion and engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the failure was due to coolant intrusion, causing engine failure. In addition, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. 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 was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle sputtered and the engine was running rough. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic, who replaced the ignition coils; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer a third time, and the mechanic diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in cylinder #3. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V431000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 81,277.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the message to pull over at the earliest safe warning light illuminated. The contact immediately drove the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed that there was coolant was leaking into the engine and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Power train, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle vibrated and jerked. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter and the pump for the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle experienced a rough idle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,397.