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, May 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was revving as if the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact slowed down and depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle was jolting like shifting gear. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Engine, May 21, 2024
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the engine ran rough, and the vehicle started shaking violently. On one occasion, the check engine warning light flashed. The vehicle stalled but was restarted after one attempt. The contact stated that violent shaking persisted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where DTC code: 6006 was displayed. The contact was informed that cylinder #2 was misfiring and the contact was informed that the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.
Engine, May 21, 2024
Blown head gasket. Block corrosion
Engine and engine cooling, May 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the engine ran rough, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle shut off and failed to restart until after approximately five hours. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was observed that fluid was leaking from the engine block and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, May 21, 2024
The check engine light continuously came on and would go off. I also noticed that the coolant was needing refilled extremely often. I took the car up to the check engine, light reader, and it informed me that cylinder was misfiring. I cleaned out them out using product from Autozone. There have been two incidents where my car overheated while driving when coolant was just refilled (within a month). After researching online, many others have this exact situation.
Engine, May 20, 2024
Check engine light came on, and then car started misfiring. Took it to dealership who stated coolant was leaking into the engine and was a result of TSB 22-2322. Technician said if the engine is not replaced it could result in engine malfunction such as overheating and leading up to a fire. Received an estimate of repair from the FORD dealership which confirms issues.
Engine, May 20, 2024
Driving to work and message pops up on the dash that says “High Engine Temperature Stop Safely”. I had the car towed and the engine likely has a coolant leak.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and checked the fluids, and the fluid levels were sufficient. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic retrieved DTC code: P0450. The vehicle was not repaired. The check engine warning light illuminated became illuminated again. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the failure code P0450 was retrieved again. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and the failure code information. The fault code identified a failure with the evaporative emissions system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 122,089.
Engine, May 20, 2024
While I was driving on the highway at 70mph all of a sudden the car started to shake and slowed down, could not go over 35mph. At 91k miles, the car developed a misfire in coil 2. It was recommended to replace the spark plugs, which we did (all 4). The code received is P0302. Still having having issues, upon further testing, it was found that there is no compression in coil 2. After researching - there are tens of thousands of complaints of this same issue. Talking with a dealer, then to Ford's customer service, I was told there is nothing they can do. I need a new short block which will cost upwards of $8,000. This is a known issue with Ford and thousands of complaints, yet no recall has been done. Ford said the warranty is 7 years or 84,000. While I am within warranty for the years, I am just over the mileage. However, a car that is just at 90,000 miles and only one owner (myself), driven about 3-4 days a week for work should not be having this problem. There were NO notifications or messages that there was a problem. There still is NOT a check engine light or other notification. We had to have a scan put on it to learn of the P0302 misfire in coil 2. There is a class action lawsuit starting up and we will join.
Engine, May 20, 2024
Check engine light came on and vehicle idled roughly at start up. Diagnosed as bad ignition coil and spark plugs at the Ford dealership; those parts replaced. Within 2 months the same thing happened again and I noted the coolant level was low. Monitored over the next 2 months and noted a 1/2 inch drop in coolant level per month. Returned to Ford dealership with my concern that coolant maybe leaking into engine (only 38,435 miles on vehicle), Dealership confirmed diagnosis of coolant leaking into engine requiring engine to be replaced.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2024
The splash shield on underneath both the driver and passenger sides are falling off the vehicle. Passenger side started last year and the driver side was yesterday 5/17/2024 it appears the plastic pieces holding to the care are failing. Have zip tied them in to place to keep them on. I have seen many reports of this happening to other 2017 ford escapes online but dosnt seem like they have found a way to fix it.
Engine, May 18, 2024
The exhaust for the engine is leaking into the coolant, the engine's head gasket is failing. There is a risk of engine fire. It is a known design flaw in regard to the 2.0L engine. The recall has not been expanded to Ford. The solution is engine replacement with a Long Block design. Which is saddling consumers with an $8,000 repair bill for Ford not owning up to its design flaw. Consumers should not be saddled with repair bills that are a direct result of poor design on the part of the manufacturer. Much less be worried that an engine may catch fire as a result of said poor design.
Power train, Engine, May 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, attempting to go uphill, the vehicle failed to shift gear and surged. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was cracked, and there was antifreeze leaking into the engine compartment, causing engine failure. The dealer was informed that the transmission and engine needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,500.
Engine, May 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted on the first and second attempts. Additionally, a catastrophic failure and engine overheating message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the engine block, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Engine, May 15, 2024
Coolant is leaking into the engine block in Cylinder 1. This is a known issue. The Vehicle has 61,000 miles on it. Local dealership has confirmed this and diagnosed that the Small Block and the head gasket need to be replaced. The car could stop at any moment while driving due to this defect. A TSB was issued but Ford will not work to assist coverage of repair.
Engine, May 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was misfiring, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
Engine, May 15, 2024
Coolant is leaking into the cylinder. Engine block now needs to be replaced. This is a known design flaw but not being addressed by Ford.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, May 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle misfired, with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the RPMs were unusually low. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. 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. In addition, the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Engine, May 14, 2024
THERE IS A COOLANT LEAK. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP IN APRIL 2024 . THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY IN 3 WEEKS. I FILLED IT BACK UP AND IT RAN EMTY AGAIN IN 3 WEEKS.
Power train, May 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a ticking noise was present coming from the transmission. Later, the transmission failed, and the transmission shifter would not go into gear and the vehicle failed to go in drive or in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to 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 105,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine was misfiring with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine, causing the misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Power train, Engine, May 13, 2024
The engine was emitting white smoke at approximately 55,000 miles. After a quick inspection a low coolant level was noted and a code for a misfiring cylinder 2 was noted. This issue is likely coolant intrusion into the cylinder. I was made aware of the Customer Service Program 21N12.
Engine, May 10, 2024
On [XXX] 2024 my vehicle began to vibrate while driving, then the engine light came on. The following day I took the vehicle to the dealership, Sam Galloway Ford and was given an appointment to have the vehicle checked. The vehicle was dropped off on [XXX] and was left overnight. The following day [XXX], the service advisor Reid contacted me to let me know the diagnosis result which was coolant intrusion into the cylinder and that I need a new engine. I was told the cost to replace the engine is $9,329, this includes labor, materials, tax. Needless to say, I was astonished and informed Reid that I could not afford to do the repairs and needed to consult with family before I give permission to proceed with the work. I later found out that the Ford Escape is included in class action lawsuits due to the EcoBoost engine issues which cause the engine coolant to leak into the cylinders, this is the exact issue with my vehicle! I further learned that Ford Motor Company has been aware of this issue with their vehicles since 2010. I have only had my vehicle serviced at the Ford dealership for over 6 years, and at no time was I notified that there was a potential problem with the engine of my 2017 Ford Escape. This is negligence and I am extremely perturbed that this information was not shared. I now feel that I was putting my family at risk driving this vehicle. I feel that Ford Motor Company should take responsibility to inform customers and provide compensation accordingly. There should be a recall on these vehicles. Please investigate this matter, as I am sure there are thousands of customers who are not aware of the potential danger with the Ford EcoBoost Engine problems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a loud clanking noise coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated the engine began to misfire. The vehicle was able to be restarted on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was misfiring. The contact was informed that the spark plugs, and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted with the engine warning light illuminated and the engine continuing to misfire. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failure with the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHSTA Hotline for further assistance The failure mileage was 101,000.
Engine, May 10, 2024
The engine started using coolant. it uses so much I have to add coolant every other day. The engine now has started to be hard to start and chugs for a short time after starting. After research I found that the ecoboost engine had a design flaw the Ford corrected in 2020 with an engine upgrade. I think Ford should be responsible for replacing my engine not me.