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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 · Aug 18, 2025
Engine

The vehicle's check engine light came on and my local independent mechanic confirmed that the cause was coolant leaking into the vehicle's cylinders. The mechanic advised that this is an extremely widespread and well-documented problem with Fords from this era, and advised me to reach out to Ford for assistance given the expens…

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The vehicle's check engine light came on and my local independent mechanic confirmed that the cause was coolant leaking into the vehicle's cylinders. The mechanic advised that this is an extremely widespread and well-documented problem with Fords from this era, and advised me to reach out to Ford for assistance given the expense of this repair ($10k or more), given that Ford has repaired some vehicles in the past. However, Ford (both its corporate office and the dealer from which I purchased the car) was unwilling to help me with repair costs despite the fact that the car has only 43k miles and is in pristine condition. This manufacturing defect is extremely dangerous (I've seen reports online that cars can suddenly overheat, catch fire, etc) and it is very disturbing that Ford isn't making things right on their own, or being held accountable by the NHTSA given the extremely widespread nature of this issue. Furthermore, it is very disturbing that Ford hasn't had to notify owners like me about this problem, as I drive around with my family and it seems like the car could have overheated or caught fire at any time.

NHTSA ODI #11681425

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2025
Engine

Purchased car 4 months ago. 80k miles on it. About 88k miles, engine fault code kicked in along with check engine light. Code was for a misfire on cylinder 4. Started loosing coolant, roughly putting in a gallon every week and a half. Thought it was a faulty cap, so replaced the cap. Vehicle began registering that the key was no…

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Purchased car 4 months ago. 80k miles on it. About 88k miles, engine fault code kicked in along with check engine light. Code was for a misfire on cylinder 4. Started loosing coolant, roughly putting in a gallon every week and a half. Thought it was a faulty cap, so replaced the cap. Vehicle began registering that the key was not in the car, so I replaced the battery the same day. Rough idle was still there. Went to buy coil packs to fix the misfire the next day, however the car would not start. After 2 weeks of running tests, coolant intrusion was noted. Car has only 92k miles on it. Car was also sold as is, no problems noted at purchase, and is still under loan.

NHTSA ODI #11681124

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2025
Engine

The check engine light came on in my 2017 Ford Escape, and a diagnostic scan revealed a C4 misfire code. My local mechanic replaced all the spark plugs, which turned off the check engine light. However, the diagnostic test still indicated a misfire. The car ran fine for three days, but on the fourth day, when I started it, white…

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The check engine light came on in my 2017 Ford Escape, and a diagnostic scan revealed a C4 misfire code. My local mechanic replaced all the spark plugs, which turned off the check engine light. However, the diagnostic test still indicated a misfire. The car ran fine for three days, but on the fourth day, when I started it, white smoke came from both exhaust pipes for about two to three minutes, and the engine idled roughly. I didn’t drive the vehicle, but a few days later, upon starting it again, I immediately received a high engine temperature warning. I had the vehicle towed to the mechanic, who diagnosed a blown head gasket and possibly cracked cylinder heads. The vehicle has 108,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11680680

65,000 miles · Aug 14, 2025
EngineService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the ABS sensor lights was illuminated. Additionally, the engine block was previously replaced and there were unknown failures with the windshield wipers and windows operating previously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the undercarr…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the ABS sensor lights was illuminated. Additionally, the engine block was previously replaced and there were unknown failures with the windshield wipers and windows operating previously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the undercarriage of the vehicle was in a flood and was rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11680562

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2025
Engine

My vehicle recently generated engine codes p0302 and p0304. Taken to the dealer for a diagnostic which indicated water intrusion into cylinders. Ford has issued a TSB indicating this is a known defect for this style engine due to modifications to increase cooling led to failures in the engine block where water can enter the cy…

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My vehicle recently generated engine codes p0302 and p0304. Taken to the dealer for a diagnostic which indicated water intrusion into cylinders. Ford has issued a TSB indicating this is a known defect for this style engine due to modifications to increase cooling led to failures in the engine block where water can enter the cylinders, which can cause acceleration issues, misfires, and engine failure potentially leading to danger while driving. No recall currently exists for the 2.0l version of this engine, although the 1.6l version of the ecoboost engine has been recalled for the exact same design defects. Problem affects multiple versions / displacements of the ecoboost engine and multiple class action lawsuits are in progress for the 2.0l engine. Please upgrade this issue to a recall as you did with the 1.6l version of this engine. The engine can be made available for inspection in the very near future. I will need to use the car as a trade in to get a working vehicle in the coming 1-2 weeks. thank you

NHTSA ODI #11680297

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2025
Engine

I recently took my car to the dealership due to a check engine light. The troubleshooting discovered that there is coolant in the combustion chamber and will now require a new engine. My car has ~76K miles so it's disheartening to know that a new engine is needed. I've read that this is a known problem with Ford escape engines.

NHTSA ODI #11680279

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2025
Engine

Our 2017 Ford Escape SE FWD 1.5L Ecoboost overheated on two separate occasions, on the second occasion the car also began to shake, and we took it to Pep Boys for evaluation. After the diagnostics were done, they told us it had to go to the dealership because it was serious and they could not handle this repair. We took it to t…

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Our 2017 Ford Escape SE FWD 1.5L Ecoboost overheated on two separate occasions, on the second occasion the car also began to shake, and we took it to Pep Boys for evaluation. After the diagnostics were done, they told us it had to go to the dealership because it was serious and they could not handle this repair. We took it to the Ford dealership in Wesley Chapel, Florida, where we bought the car in 2017 and have been bringing it in for most necessary service. After being at the dealership for three days, we got called that the coolant has leak into the engine and we need a new engine block at the cost of over $13,000. We are unable to pay this and I’m currently attempting to figure out how to fix this car and make it drivable again without costing a fortune. They said there were no other fixes. This evaluation from the dealership took place on Monday, August 11, 2025. The car is not safe to drive and we are suddenly out of a vehicle due to this leakage from the coolant into the engine.

NHTSA ODI #11680170

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2025
EnginePower Train

My 2017 Ford Escape began leaking transmission fluid in May of 2025. I had it assessed at my local engine and transmission exchange shop and they found that the leaking was coming from the font main seal and the front pump bushing of the transmission was damaged. The only fix to ensure that this issue would not happen again was …

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My 2017 Ford Escape began leaking transmission fluid in May of 2025. I had it assessed at my local engine and transmission exchange shop and they found that the leaking was coming from the font main seal and the front pump bushing of the transmission was damaged. The only fix to ensure that this issue would not happen again was to put a different transmission in the car, because this model was so prone to have this issue. I spent the money to have a new transmission installed and the car worked well. Two months later, however, the car began having episodes of not starting, or the engine completely shutting down, no matter where I was on the road. When this occurred, a messaged popped up on the dash counsel stating "Engine Fault, Service Now." I had the car looked at at the same car shop and they found the engine now had an issue. A head gasket was damaged allowing coolant to enter the piston cylinders, fluid locking the engine and shutting down the car. Like the transmission, the only repair is to replace the engine with a new model due to the original model being so prone to this issue. Ford does have a warranty for these issues for a model that is less than 7 years old and less than 84,000 miles. I purchased this vehicle preowned and already outside of that warranty date, therefore these expensive fixes are not covered. The dealership did not report these issue or recalls when selling us the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11679793

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2025
Engine

I was told the head gasket was leaking coolant fluid into the engine and the engine needs to be replaced. I have only driven 37,000 miles on it, always treated on time and only in Ford dealerships. I found out Ford knew about that problem and did not issue a recall or extend the warranty on that issue. I was quoted $14,000 to re…

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I was told the head gasket was leaking coolant fluid into the engine and the engine needs to be replaced. I have only driven 37,000 miles on it, always treated on time and only in Ford dealerships. I found out Ford knew about that problem and did not issue a recall or extend the warranty on that issue. I was quoted $14,000 to replace the engine, which is roughly the value of the car.

NHTSA ODI #11679402

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2025
EngineUnknown Or Other

My check engine light came on and my mechanic found codes P0300 and P0316 for engine misfires. Upon further inspection, they found coolant leaking onto cylinders, which they deemed could be a failed head gasket, cracked cylinder blocks, or a cracked engine block, which does include a warranty extension for this. They referred me…

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My check engine light came on and my mechanic found codes P0300 and P0316 for engine misfires. Upon further inspection, they found coolant leaking onto cylinders, which they deemed could be a failed head gasket, cracked cylinder blocks, or a cracked engine block, which does include a warranty extension for this. They referred me to the dealership because this is a documented common problem, but the dealership is saying that there are no extended coverages pertaining to that on my car. My vehicle is available upon request and there were no symptoms prior to the failure. It seemed to happen out of nowhere.

NHTSA ODI #11679033

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