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, Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking abnormally. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact stated that the failure was due to coolant intrusion into the engine. 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 failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, prompting the driver to pull to the shoulder off the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the engine, and 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 39,000.
Engine, Jun 17, 2024
Less than 100,000 miles in and the car completely stopped working. It needs a new engine. The coolant was leaking into the engine apparently and hundreds of other people have had the same issue
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and occasionally surged forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Engine, Jun 17, 2024
I have to get a new engine due to the coolant leak.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2024
I noticed my paint peeling bad around the edges of my windshield, I have not done anything to it to make this happen and upon reading further into the forums there is a large amount of escape owners who have the same issue, it is flaking away so bad I can clearly see metal, I would like to make a formal report
Engine, Jun 15, 2024
I was having to go to stl to see my sons in the NICU in Creve Couer, and when doing so anytime I got over 70 mph for maybe 5 minutes, it would pop up with "Transmission fault, service now." I have to pull over, turn the car off, sit for 30 minutes, then turn my car back on and stay under 65 the rest of the way home. As a mom of a [XXX] little girl and a mom of twin boys I don't have the money to have it repaired right now, but I wanted to let someone know what is going on with my vehicle. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 35 MPH, the engine overheated and lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with coolant leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine block. 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 but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Engine, Jun 13, 2024
I purchased my 2017 escape almost a year ago. It only has 73000 miles on it. Check engine light turned on. I took it into the mechanic and was told that my coolant was leaking and that I needed a new engine. From what I have read this can lead to the engine catching on fire or engine failure while driving. I was told by the mechanic that I can drive the vehicle because the light was not flashing but how am I to know how safe that truly is. I can not afford a new engine and it is my only vehicle so I will be driving it. I have also read that Ford is aware that this is a manufacture defect but no recall has been issue. Does someone have to get injured before this issue is dealt with? There are thousands of these vehicles on the road as ticking time bombs. Before someone loses a life this should be recalled
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that upon start-up the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that coolant had leaked into cylinder #3, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not eligible for the Extended Warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine misfired on several occasions. The contact stated that there was a strong coolant odor coming from the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion in the engine. The dealer related the failure to TSB Number: 22-2229 and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,750.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2024
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 an independent mechanic who replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and found coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Engine, Jun 12, 2024
We are currently having to replace my son's engine in his escape for the second time due to misfire ? He was driving and it lost ability to drive. It was towed to shop which indicates it needs a second engine.
Engine, Jun 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that intermittently the engine would misfire on startup and the check engine warning light would illuminate. Restarting the engine would normally solve the issue. The diagnostic code indicated "P0302" as a Cylinder 2 misfire. The vehicle was taken for service and the technician confirmed there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder. The technician recommended the engine be replaced. This is a common issue with Ford Escapes detailed in Customer Satisfaction Programs 19B37 & 21N12. The manufacturer customer service line was notified of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance.
Engine, Jun 11, 2024
Vehicle started running rough and had no power while trying to get on to a highway or leave from a stop. When the "Check Engine" light cam on I took it for diagnosis and it had a misfire in 2 cylinders and losing excessive amounts of antifreeze without any leaks showing. It was later diagnosed as have a bad motor and that this year and model motor is know to have this problem. Ford even has a service bulletin on it.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the coolant intrusion had damaged 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 approximately 66,000.
Engine, Jun 10, 2024
The engine started rough and has white smoke. The car lost the speed on a highway all of a sudden. Then, it is diagnosed to be a coolant intrusion problem.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where the contact's mother was informed that the failure could not be replicated because the check engine warning light was not illuminated at the time. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, Jun 10, 2024
I had a check engine code on the car #p0304. I took it to the dealer. They told me I need an new engine for 9000 dollars. They said it was coolant intrusion on the #4 cylinder. Now I've found out that there are thousands of 2.0 litre engines with the same problem. Sounds like a recall issue to me. My car only has 81000 miles on it and in great shape. Now it is basically worth nothing. Unless I come up with 9000 dollars to fix it. I have never had anything like this happen before. Please make them recall these engines. They built them badly.
Exterior lighting, Jun 8, 2024
Without any warning, discovered the left brake lamp/tail lamp failed due to extensive water intrusion, caused by the failure of the plastic bonding all along the upper edge of the tail lamp assembly, which allowed copious amounts of water to leak in. The right tail lamp assembly appears to be susceptible to the same failure. Brake & tail lamps are safety components of any motor vehicle, and are critical for accident/crash avoidance/prevention. One online Escape owner's forum cites identical issues, indicating that this defective part is not unique or one of a kind. Original owner.
Structure, Jun 7, 2024
My blue Ford Escape has paint peeling near the left and right edge of the windshield area. This was first noticed in 2022. As of 2024, more paint is peeling.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine overheated, and the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that coolant was added but continued to leak, causing the engine to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine's small block had cracked due to the engine overheating. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the turbo charger became inoperable. The contact noticed smoke emerging from the vehicle, and the vehicle started losing motive power, and decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact checked the oil and noticed that the oil level was low. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine block was cracked. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2024
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware of white smoke emanating from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact also noticed an abnormal coolant odor. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The contact stated that a relative advised that the head gasket might have been blown. The contact stated that while doing research, she became aware that it was a known failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.