Wiring harness rubbed on frame. It blew a fuse, disabled hill assist, traction control, and AWD.
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
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.
Electrical System complaints
155 reportsUpon parking the vehicle in my driveway, the vehicle would not turn off after turning off he ignition and removing the key. All the dash lights were on as the would be normally and the engine remained running. Tired everything including in and out of gear, driving, turned key on and off several times, tired both keys. Googled a…
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Upon parking the vehicle in my driveway, the vehicle would not turn off after turning off he ignition and removing the key. All the dash lights were on as the would be normally and the engine remained running. Tired everything including in and out of gear, driving, turned key on and off several times, tired both keys. Googled and seen there had been similar issues with earlier models that resulted in a recall, but this is a 2017. Found some online suggestions and after an hour figured out where the fuel pump fuse was and removed it and the engine stopped. The dash still stayed lit up and had a warning to get engine serviced. Put key in ignition and turned to run not start position and vehicle cranked and tried to start. Could not get dash console to power down or look the doors, the horn would beep twice every time I tried to lock the doors. Ended up disconnecting the battery to kill the power to everything. Plan to take it to Ford today if I can get it started again.
PURCHASED NEW 2017 FORD ESCAPE SE 4WD IN 2017 - OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS INTERMITTENT SHUT OFF WHEN AUTO STOP ENGAGE AT A STOPLIGHT. THEN WILL NOT RESTART. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PUT CAR IN PARK. SOMETIMES HAVE TO CALL AAA FOR ASSISTANCE. SOMETIMES RESTART AFTER 20 TO 50 MINUTES. THE INCIDENT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING IN D…
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PURCHASED NEW 2017 FORD ESCAPE SE 4WD IN 2017 - OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS INTERMITTENT SHUT OFF WHEN AUTO STOP ENGAGE AT A STOPLIGHT. THEN WILL NOT RESTART. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PUT CAR IN PARK. SOMETIMES HAVE TO CALL AAA FOR ASSISTANCE. SOMETIMES RESTART AFTER 20 TO 50 MINUTES. THE INCIDENT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING IN DANDGEROUS SITUATION WITH ONCOMING CARS AT HEAVY INTERSECTIONS. AND DO 3 TO 15 MILE TRIPS AND PARK CAR. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START/CRANK. CALL AAA FOR ASSISTANCE. SOMETIMES RESTART/CRANK AFTER 45-50 MINUTES ON ITS OWN. CHANGED BATTERY. NO SHUT OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS. INCIDENTS RETURNED. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE. LAST VISIT DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SHUT OFF. EEC TEST AND FOUND CODES P06E9 AND P164C. REPROGRAMMED BCM. DRIVEN 6 DAYS SINCE REPAIR. ONE INCIDENT OF SHORT TRIP, PARK, NO RESTART. CALLED DEALER. TRYING DISENGAGE AUTO STOP BUTTON.
WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, AFTER I GOT GAS, THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STARTING THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING HOME, I GOT A "HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING, PULL OVER SAFELY" ALSO MY HEAT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN, A TUNEUP WAS DONE AS WELL AS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD RADIATOR COOLANT WAS…
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WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, AFTER I GOT GAS, THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STARTING THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING HOME, I GOT A "HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING, PULL OVER SAFELY" ALSO MY HEAT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN, A TUNEUP WAS DONE AS WELL AS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD RADIATOR COOLANT WAS LOW. AFTER A FEW DAY, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, TOOK BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND THAT THE COOLANT IS LEAKING BUT FROM DEEP INSIDE THE MOTOR AND WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR AND I WILL BE BETTER OFF TRYING TO TRADE IN MY CAR.. THIS IS A KNOWN DANGEROUS FORD ISSUE AND THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE I GOT IT 2 YEARS AGO.
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW DAYS AGO AND MY DOOR CLOSES BY ITSELF WHEN I'M TAKING THE GROCERIES OUT OF TRUNK
THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN CHANGING LANES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO STEERING ASSIST WHEN DOING THIS. I TRIED SWAPPING TIRES BUT THIS DIDN'T CHANGE THINGS. IT'S REALLY NOTICEABLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I ONLY HAVE 47800 MILES ON THE CAR.
VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOP LONGER CRANKING TO START, COLD AND WARM...BATTERY WAS WEAK, SO I REPLACED IT.. SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT DEVELOPED RELAY CHATTERING UNDER HOOD IN FUSE/RELAY BOX WHEN JUST OPENING EITHER FRONT DOOR OR INSERTING KEY...SOMETIMES WOULD START BUT THEN JUST DIE.. LUCKY CAR WAS IN GARAGE, SO I WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO D…
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VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOP LONGER CRANKING TO START, COLD AND WARM...BATTERY WAS WEAK, SO I REPLACED IT.. SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT DEVELOPED RELAY CHATTERING UNDER HOOD IN FUSE/RELAY BOX WHEN JUST OPENING EITHER FRONT DOOR OR INSERTING KEY...SOMETIMES WOULD START BUT THEN JUST DIE.. LUCKY CAR WAS IN GARAGE, SO I WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT IF IT CONTINUED TO RUN.. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP RELAY CHATTER WAS TO REMOVE PCM FUSE OR RELAY...CALLED FORD ,AGREED TO TOW TO MY DEALER.. VEHICLE WAS 3 YRS AND 5 MONTHS , BUT UNDER 11K MILES.. TOOK 3 DAYS TO FIND CAUSE,,. ,THE WIRE HARNESS/FUSE/RELAY BOX HAD SHORT OR BREAK. .THEY DISCOVERED IT BY WIGGLING THE WIRE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE FUSE/RELAY BOX...I WENT TO SEE IT AND AFTER STARTING, HE WOULD WIGGLE THE WIRE HARNESS AND VEHICLE WOULD DIE, ,DID IT SEVERAL TIMES TO SHOW ME. .I SAID ITS A FACTORY DEFECT SINCE THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT , FLOOD OR FIRE. FORD AGREED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR SINCE THIS ISN'T COVER BEYOND 3YRS..TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT COULD HAVE JUST DIED ANYTIME , ANYWHERE.. AFTER REPAIRED, I FOUND FORD IN FEB, 16, 2018 PUT OUT A TSB # SSM 47086, THAT DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM AND DEFECTIVE PART.. SO FORD NEW ABOUT THIS ON SOME 2017-18 FORD ESCAPES 3YRS AGO...
FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS, INTERMITTENTLY, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, THEN THE HILL ASSIST LIGHT, THEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WOULD DISENGAGE, AND NOW THE PARKING BRAKE FAULT LIGHT. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AS IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEY DON'T ALL FAULT AT THE SAME TIME. IT S…
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FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS, INTERMITTENTLY, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, THEN THE HILL ASSIST LIGHT, THEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WOULD DISENGAGE, AND NOW THE PARKING BRAKE FAULT LIGHT. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AS IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEY DON'T ALL FAULT AT THE SAME TIME. IT SEEMS EACH CONSECUTIVE DAY THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS GROWS. MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT NOW THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH AND THE THROTTLE WILL BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT MAY HAPPEN. TWICE TODAY IT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I AM FILING THIS REPORT JUST IN CASE I GET INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE I CAN HAVE IT CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER.
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 A…
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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.
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.
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.
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