IllustrationCAR STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN JANUARY AND HAS HAPPENED 5-10 TIMES SINCE. MESSAGE COMES UP TO PUT CAR IN PARK TO RESTART. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WILL RESTART AND POSSIBLE REAR END ACCIDENTS.
2017 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Escape years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Escape are substantially higher than the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1510–25K
17625–50K
30450–75K
25375–100K
237100–150K
34150K+
1,155 reports with mileage · 1,522 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 1,564 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 507 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 390 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
39 crash reports15 fire reports38 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
155 reportsSTARTING ON DEC 12, 2018 MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. OTHER VARIABLES ARE: CAR IN DRIVE, FOOT ON BRAKE, LIGHTS ON, HEATER ON, SEAT WARMERS ON, STEERING WHEEL HEATER ON, RADIO AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 DEGREE…
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STARTING ON DEC 12, 2018 MY 2017 FORD ESCAPE GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. OTHER VARIABLES ARE: CAR IN DRIVE, FOOT ON BRAKE, LIGHTS ON, HEATER ON, SEAT WARMERS ON, STEERING WHEEL HEATER ON, RADIO AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 DEGREES. AUTO START STOP SYSTEM ACTIVE. INSTRUMENT PANEL MESSAGE INSTRUCTED ME TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND MANUALLY RESTART ENGINE, WHICH I DID. ENGINE RESTARTED FINE. NO FURTHER ERROR MESSAGES OR INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED. THIS HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY IN THE MORNING. ONCE THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT DO IT ANY MORE THAT DAY. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAN NOT RECREATE THE ERROR TO SEE WHAT IT IS. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. IT HAS OCCURRED EVERYDAY SINCE JAN 25, 2019. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION, BEING DISABLED IN TRAFFIC WHEN EXPECTING TO ACCELERATE AWAY FROM A RED STOP LIGHT AFTER IT TURNS GREEN. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR POTENTIAL REAR END COLLISION.
'AUTO STARTSTOP' WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE FROM THIS MONTH, APPROXIMATELY ONCE A DAY. INSTRUMENT PANEL MESSAGE SHOWS ME TO 'AUTO STARTSTOP, SHIFT TO P, RESTART ENGINE'. AFTER SHIFTING TO P AND RESTARTING ENGINE, THE ENGINE WORKS WELL. I FEEL SO DANGEROUS TO RESTART ENGINE BY CHANGING TRANSMISSION SHIFT BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT INTE…
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'AUTO STARTSTOP' WOULD NOT RESTART ENGINE FROM THIS MONTH, APPROXIMATELY ONCE A DAY. INSTRUMENT PANEL MESSAGE SHOWS ME TO 'AUTO STARTSTOP, SHIFT TO P, RESTART ENGINE'. AFTER SHIFTING TO P AND RESTARTING ENGINE, THE ENGINE WORKS WELL. I FEEL SO DANGEROUS TO RESTART ENGINE BY CHANGING TRANSMISSION SHIFT BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT INTERSECTIONS.
2017 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM 2.0 ECOBOOST THE ENGINE JUST STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, WAITING AT LIGHT, DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT. A MESSAGE WILL COME ON THE DASH "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE LATELY. PLENTY OF PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE.
MY 2014 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM HAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE HVAC ACTUATING ASSEMBLY. MY LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME TO TSB 17-0004 (JAN. 13, 2017) AND SAID THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THREE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE CAR…
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MY 2014 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM HAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE HVAC ACTUATING ASSEMBLY. MY LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME TO TSB 17-0004 (JAN. 13, 2017) AND SAID THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THREE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF NORMAL WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NO BLOWING HEAT DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING ACTUATING ASSEMBLY AND RELATED COMPONENTS. THE DEFROST DOES NOT WORK AND CREATES A HAZARD IN COLD WEATHER. YOU CAN NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY WITH THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED OR ICED UP. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FORD SHOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND TSB 17-0004 SHOULD BE UPDATED ACCORDINGLY.
THE REAR WINDOWS HAVE GONE OUT TWICE AND NOW THE PASSENGERS WINDOW THEY WON'T ROLL DOWN AND SOMETIMES WON'T ROLL UP. I'VE CALLED FORD DEALER AND ADVISED ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIR. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET REPAIRED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE BATTERY LOST CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAGERSTOWN FORD (LOCATED AT 1714 MASSEY BLVD, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 733-3673) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE BATTERY LOST CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAGERSTOWN FORD (LOCATED AT 1714 MASSEY BLVD, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 733-3673) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO INSTALL A BATTERY BUDDY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL OUTPUT THAT WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TT*JB
THE CAR WILL FREQUENTLY FAIL TO START. SOMETIMES IT WILL START AS EXPECTED. SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE MANY TRIES AND 15-20 MINUTES OF TRYING BEFORE STARTING. IT BEHAVES THE SAME WAY WHETHER IN THE GARAGE, PARKING LOT, OR ON THE STREET. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR. THIS TIME THEY HAVE HAD TH…
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THE CAR WILL FREQUENTLY FAIL TO START. SOMETIMES IT WILL START AS EXPECTED. SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE MANY TRIES AND 15-20 MINUTES OF TRYING BEFORE STARTING. IT BEHAVES THE SAME WAY WHETHER IN THE GARAGE, PARKING LOT, OR ON THE STREET. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR. THIS TIME THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS AND ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE FROM FORD TO EXPLAIN HOW TO REPAIR IT.
I HAVE THE START/STOP ON MY 17 ESCAPE. WITH 16000 MILES. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP COMES ON, I WILL GET A NOTIFICATION ON THE DIGITAL SCREEN SAYING "AUTO START/STOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR POTENTIAL …
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I HAVE THE START/STOP ON MY 17 ESCAPE. WITH 16000 MILES. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP COMES ON, I WILL GET A NOTIFICATION ON THE DIGITAL SCREEN SAYING "AUTO START/STOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR POTENTIAL REAR END COLLISION.
I HAVE THE START/STOP ON MY 17 ESCAPE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP COMES ON, I WILL GET A NOTIFICATION ON THE DIGITAL SCREEN SAYING "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THE PAST 5 MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN HA…
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I HAVE THE START/STOP ON MY 17 ESCAPE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP COMES ON, I WILL GET A NOTIFICATION ON THE DIGITAL SCREEN SAYING "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P RESTART ENGINE." I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THE PAST 5 MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY TIME I DRIVE NOW FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED AND THEY WERE GOOD. NO ISSUES WITH THAT.
Official recalls
426V374000 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Jun 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
26V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
16V617000 · Electrical System:software; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Aug 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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."
Consequence: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
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."
Consequence: If a window closes on a body part, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.