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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2021
THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF AROUND THE WINDOW DOWN TO THE METAL IT ONLY HAS 50000 MILES ON IT I HAVE READ ABOUT 165 COMPLAINTS ON THE 2017FORD ESCAPE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THERE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS I WANT THIS FIX NOW. S
Engine, Mar 8, 2021
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THEN WENT BACK TO RUNNING NORMAL. I DROVE TO MY FORD DEALER AND LLEFT THE CAR FOR DIAGNOSIS. I WAS CALLED A FEW DAYS LATER AND TOLD COOLANT HAD SEEPED INTO THE #1PISTON. THE REPAIR WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I DO ALL SERVICE AT FORD. THE CAR ONLY HAD 67K MILES. IT IS ONLY 4.5 YEARS OLD AND NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. FORD TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FOR FORD AND THE READING I HAVE DONE SHOWS IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. I AM ANGRY.
Engine, Mar 7, 2021
ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST YEAR, MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO AUTO-RESTART AFTER AUTO-STOPPING. WHEN WORKING PROPERLY, THE FEATURE AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE WHEN STOPPED (LIKE AT RED LIGHT) AND THEN RESTARTS WHEN YOU LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO START MOVING AGAIN. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR DOES NOT RESTART. SOMETIMES IT FAILS TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING, OTHER TIMES IT DISPLAYS A MESSAGE THAT SAYS 'SHIFT TO PARK TO RESTART ENGINE'. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS WHEN IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY OR AT AN INTERSECTION, AS THE CAR WILL LITERALLY TURN OFF AND NEED TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK TO BE RESTARTED. TODAY IT DID THIS AT ALMOST EVERY INTERSECTION WE STOPPED AT. OUR BATTERY WAS RECENTLY REPLACED, ALTERNATOR AND CHARGING SYSTEM ALL CHECKED AND NO ISSUES. APPARENTLY THIS IS A RECOGNIZED ISSUE BY FORD, ALTHOUGH THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FIX AS OF NOW. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AS SSM 47043 (ATTACHED).
Seat belts, Mar 3, 2021
VEHICLE IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTS SLOWLY. I ALSO OWN A 2010 FORD ESCAPE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELT ENDS UP GETTING SLAMMED IN THE DOOR WHICH I AM SURE IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE BELT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS
Power train, Engine, Feb 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION NOW MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER CAVENDER FORD (4860 INTERSTATE 10 FRONTAGE RD, COLUMBUS, TX 78934, (855)874-2232) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
Structure, Feb 12, 2021
THE PAINT IS PEELING NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD ON DRIVER'S SIDE POST A. THE PAINT IS NOT EVEN STICKING TO THE VEHICLE IN THIS AREA
Power train, Feb 11, 2021
36,000 MILES AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE LONG BLOCK, BASICALLY REPLACE THE ENGINE. IT'S BEEN A MONTH NOW AND NO WORK HAS BEEN STARTED. THIS ENGINE LEAK ISSUE ON THE FORD ECOBOOST 1.5L ENGINE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FORD MOTOR CO. SINCE AT LEAST 2015.
Power train, Feb 8, 2021
TRANSMISSION WENT WITH ONLY 93,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING IT WAS HESITANT TO GO WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF IT. CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO IN REVERSE. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MECHANIC JUST IN TIME BEFORE CAR WAS TOTALLY OUT OF COMMISSION.
Structure, Feb 6, 2021
THE DOOR PANELS SEPARATE FROM THE DOOR METAL FRAME DUE TO POOR CLIPS OR FASTENERS USED AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE. TWO DOORS ON MY VEHICLE CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. FORD DEALER INSISTS NO PROBLEM -- I DAMAGED DOORS AND THEREFOR 600$ PER DOOR TO FIX. I GO ON INTERNET AND SEE MANY MANY OTHERS HAVEING EXACT SAME ISSUE. BOTH DOORS STARTED EXHIBITING THIS ON DRIVER SIDE ABOUT A MONTH APART.. IF THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE OR I COULD A DANGEROUS COLLISION WAS IMMINENT WHILE PARKED, I COULD NOT GET OUT IN TIME. ALSO IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, I COULD NOT EXIT IN A TIMELY FASHION
Service brakes, Feb 6, 2021
NOTICED ONE OF THE TWO SCREWS THAT ATTACHES THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS MISSING. THE OTHER SCREW WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT AND THE RESERVOIR WAS LEANING SUCH THAT SOME OF THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT THE CAP. IF THE OTHER SCREW HAD FALLEN OUT THIS COULD PRESENT A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. 2017 FORD ESCAPE, V6 ENGINE WITH 25523 MILES.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2021
RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE SAME IGNITION COIL/SPARK PLUG COMPLEX WHERE THE ENGINE WILL MISFIRE ON A COLD START. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME IT FAILS WITHIN 3 WEEKS. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE PRESSURE TESTED AND THERE ARE NO ISSUES THAT WOULD CAUSE MISFIRING. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FEEDBACK ISSUE.
Service brakes, Feb 1, 2021
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND ALSO THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE MAKES THE SAME NOISE.WHEN TAKING OFF BY BACKING OUT OR PULLING OUT AND APPLYING THE BRAKES IT MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND
Engine, Jan 29, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AT A LOW-SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE CYLINDERS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MIKE NAUGHTON FORD, INC. (150 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012; (720) 712-0678) WHO HAD COMPLETED A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A MISFIRE HAD ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE WARNING LIGHT TO NO LONGER BE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 3-4 DAYS LATER WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE FROM A COLD START, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE EMITTING WHITE SMOKE AGAIN. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT OIL HAD GOTTEN INTO THE COOLANT AND IN CYLINDER NUMBER 1 AND NUMBER 2. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 02/12/21 . THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.*DT*JB
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE ATTEMTPTED TO ADJUST THE SEAT JUST A TINY BIT WHEN SHE STARTED OUT , SINCE I HAD DRIVEN IIT PREVIOUSLY, AND SHE HAD ADJUSTED IT BEFORE SHE LEFT BUT AS I SAID SHE NEEDED A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT FORWARD. WHEN SHE DID THIS THE FORWARD LEVER KEPT GOING AND WOULD NOT STOP CRUSHING HER AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE SEAT BELT SQUEEZING HER, TO THE POINT SHE HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND ALL SHE COULD DO WAS GET A TOE ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE OF BEING IN SUCH A COMPRESSED POSITION AND WAS ABLE TO SKID TO A STOP. WHEN SHE GOT HOME AND EXPLAINED IT TO ME I WENT OUT AND TRIED THE FORWARD SEAT BUTTON TWICE AND IT DI THE SAME THING, LOCKED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. I TRIED A FEW MORE TIMES BUT IT DID NOT DO IT.. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T GET IT TO DO THE SAME THING AND ARE KEPPING IT OVERNIGHT AND WILL TRY IN MORNING, AND IF IT DOESN'T DO IT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO HE SAID.
Steering, Jan 19, 2021
CAR STEERING COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. COULD STILL MOVE. COULD NOT STEER CAR. VERY UNSAFE. CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Engine, Jan 11, 2021
MY VEHICLE BEGAN TELLING ME IT WAS OVERHEATING AS SOON AS I WOULD TURN IT ON IN THE MORNING(12+ HOURS AFTER NOT BEING DRIVEN) AND BEGAN SHAKING. I WOULD TURN OFF/ON THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR THROUGHOUT THE DAY BUT DROVE FINE. EVENTUALLY THE ISSUE BEGAN WHEN I WAS PHYSICALLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE, LEADING ME TO PULL OVER IN A NEIGHBORHOOD TO HAVE IT TOWED. FORD DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME THAT THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO MY CYLINDER HEADS(1.5L ENGINE). THEY QUOTED ME AN ESTIMATE OF $6K TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOT YET MADE THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE REPAIR AS I AM WEIGHING MY OPTIONS. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 2.5 YEARS WITH ZERO ISSUES. BOUGHT AT AROUND 40K MILES AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT AROUND 82K.
Structure, Dec 30, 2020
PAINT PEELING FROM THE WINDSHIELD PILLAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. PAINT PEELED OFF IN A 6" X 1" FLAKE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.
Engine, Dec 22, 2020
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RECEIVED CODE P0302 MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 2. REPLACED PLUGS AND COIL DIDN'T CORRECT PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WENT STRAIGHT TO THE TOP READING IT WAS RUNNING HOT. CALLED A TOW TRUCK FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING AND DIDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN. HAS 50,200 MILES ON IT. FORD DEALER SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT BUT I HAVE TO GET IT TO THEM. SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE JULY OF 2019. I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD GET IT TOGETHER AND ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOT PUT BANDAID ON IT.
Structure, Dec 21, 2020
PAINT ON DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD FRAME FLAKED OFF IN A 6"X1" CHUNK. THIS 2017 FORD ESCAPE SE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED. NO HAIL OR HEAVY RAIN PRIOR TO THE FLAKING. MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE EXACT SAME THING.
Power train, Dec 17, 2020
I PURCHASED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE 4 MONTHS AGO. MONDAY MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS STOPPED WHEN THE CAR JERKED, I TRIED PRESSING THE GAS AND IT WOULDN'T GO JUST THE ENGINE REVIVED, IT FINALLY JUMPED INTO GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND GOT A RECALL FIXED FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, HOPING THAT WOULD HELP THE ISSUE, ONLY TO GET A CALL SAYING I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2020
MY VEHICLE IS 3 YEARS OLD. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIED OR JUST STOPPED RANDOMLY WORKING. FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE.
Engine, Dec 16, 2020
2017 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO COOLANT INTRUSION SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED THE FAILURE COOLANT INTRUSION OCCURRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLEASED. THE MANUFACTURER DID OFFER SOME ASSISTANCE. *JS
Engine, Dec 15, 2020
AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF I COULD HEAR COOLANT RUNNING THROUGH THE ENGINE. TODAY I STARTED THE CAR TO LET IT WARM UP, WENT OUT TO GO TO WORK AND THE CAR WAS OFF. THE DASHBOARD WAS SAYING THAT THE CAR WAS OVER HEATING, CALLED AND HAD IT TOWED TO GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE WILL FORD COVER EXPENSES
Engine, Dec 15, 2020
BOUGHT CAR IN DECEMBER 2019. IN APRIL 2019, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WITH 35,000 MILES, AND WAS ADVISED COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO CYLINDER 3 AND 4. FORD REPLACED ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY. DECEMBER 2020, WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH, AND CAR WOULD PERIODICALLY JERK/LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WITH 62,000 MILES, AND WAS ADVISED COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO CYLINDER 1. SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FIRST ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 35000 MILES, AND THE SECOND REPLACMENT IS NEEDED AT 62000 MILES, LESS THAN 30000 MILE DIFFERENCE
Wheels, Dec 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO BONDY'S FORD LINCOLN (3615 ROSS CLARK CIR, DOTHAN, AL 36303) FOR AN OIL CHANGE, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LUG NUTS ON THE FOUR WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SWELLING. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED WITHOUT APPROVAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED AN EMAIL WHICH STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO REIMBURSE FOR THE COST OF THE LUG NUTS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE LUG NUTS AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE LUG NUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.