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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.

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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.

39 crash reports15 fire reports38 injury reports

Engine complaints

1,564 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I have a coolant leaking issue, that has harmed my engine and QuickLane at Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, recommended an engine change. There is a class action lawsuit about this, so it is a known defect.

NHTSA ODI #11690734

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2025
Engine

Engine intrusion. Crack in block is allowing coolant to leak into the engine and am now being told a complete engine repair is needed. Even though it's a known issue with Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229 they are saying we need to pay the whole thing and is not covered under any recall issue and only has 70,000 miles on it. …

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Engine intrusion. Crack in block is allowing coolant to leak into the engine and am now being told a complete engine repair is needed. Even though it's a known issue with Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229 they are saying we need to pay the whole thing and is not covered under any recall issue and only has 70,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11690396

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2025
Engine

Coolant leaking into the motor, Ford won't cover it because it was not manufactured in a certain plant. This issue is very common in these eco boost engines.

NHTSA ODI #11689816

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2025
Engine

The check engine light came on and is still on at this time. I was told that there is coolant in the cylinders of the engine. I was informed that the engine has to be replaced. I purchased the SUV a year ago with 60,000 miles on it and I have added another 1,000 miles. So far I have been lucky in the fact the vehicle is stil…

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The check engine light came on and is still on at this time. I was told that there is coolant in the cylinders of the engine. I was informed that the engine has to be replaced. I purchased the SUV a year ago with 60,000 miles on it and I have added another 1,000 miles. So far I have been lucky in the fact the vehicle is still running. it has been about a week now since the light came on and 3 days since I was given the information. From my research this problem is known to Ford Motor Company and has been for some time. I am aware that there is Technical Service Bulletin #22-2229. I know there is a class action suite dealing with this matter. There is also a Lemon Car suite on going. My next step will be to contact a local dealership to see if we can come to a resolution in this matter.

NHTSA ODI #11689792

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2025
Engine

My engine is done from coolant infusion in cylinder 2. It is available for inspection upon request. Because of this known issue my engine could have stopped at anytime allowing for endless ways my family and I could have been killed. I found out about this issue when I took my car into Kerry Ford for a simple oil change and ment…

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My engine is done from coolant infusion in cylinder 2. It is available for inspection upon request. Because of this known issue my engine could have stopped at anytime allowing for endless ways my family and I could have been killed. I found out about this issue when I took my car into Kerry Ford for a simple oil change and mentioned that my car had just started shaking upon starting it and until I drive for a bit. I’ve now had the engine inspected by the dealership and someone from my extended warranty. The check engine light came on after the car started shaking and my only warning was that I knew the car was shaking.

NHTSA ODI #11689789

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System

My Ford Escape 2017 at 77,000 was diagnosed with coolant intrusion, causing catastrophic damage to the engine & requiring a total engine rebuild. This is a known issue identified by Ford in CSP 21N12 by Ford and TB 22-2134, but Ford has refused to subsidize any repairs because the car warranty is over 7 years old (it is currentl…

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My Ford Escape 2017 at 77,000 was diagnosed with coolant intrusion, causing catastrophic damage to the engine & requiring a total engine rebuild. This is a known issue identified by Ford in CSP 21N12 by Ford and TB 22-2134, but Ford has refused to subsidize any repairs because the car warranty is over 7 years old (it is currently an 8.5 year-old car). This issue can cause overheating, engine failure, and fires & has been known by Ford since at least June 2022, but they failed to notify me via mail or otherwise & have refused all requests to grant an extension or partial coverage for the necessary engine repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11689274

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2025
Engine

Coolant leak in engine as described in Ford customer service program 21N12. [XXX] ). The fact that this was not a recall or covered past November 2022 is quite frankly irresponsible and despicable from the Ford motor company. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11689006

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2025
Engine

I own a 2017 Ford Escape. Recently, my car issued a Engine Failure Service Now message. In inspecting the check engine code, it was discovered that coolant was intruding into the cyclinder(s.) Upon researching, this is a know problem to a series of Ford vehicles in a certain date range. It was learned that Ford knows about t…

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I own a 2017 Ford Escape. Recently, my car issued a Engine Failure Service Now message. In inspecting the check engine code, it was discovered that coolant was intruding into the cyclinder(s.) Upon researching, this is a know problem to a series of Ford vehicles in a certain date range. It was learned that Ford knows about this problem, has not done any sort of recall or notification to owners of affected vehicles, it is not covered under any extended warranty, and the recommendation, known by Ford, is a full motor replacement, which to say is costly would be an understatement. I find this incredibly negligent and Ford has allowed this problem to not be remedied by them in bad faith.

NHTSA ODI #11688958

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2025
Engine

I am having to replace the engine for the second time in 3 year due to a design defect where the antifreeze is leaking into the cylinders and burning up the coolant and possibly cracked the head.

NHTSA ODI #11688880

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2025
EnginePower Train

Issue of coolant leaking into the engine which will need engine replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11688565

Official recalls

4

26V374000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems