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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 · Jun 12, 2025
Engine

Ford knows about a manufacturing flaw on their engine. I have a coolant leak that caused white smoke to come out of my exhaust while I warm up my car in the garage. I immediately had a mechanic look at it and was told my car is not drivable until I have a head gasket replacement. I am an avid backpacker, and could have been stra…

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Ford knows about a manufacturing flaw on their engine. I have a coolant leak that caused white smoke to come out of my exhaust while I warm up my car in the garage. I immediately had a mechanic look at it and was told my car is not drivable until I have a head gasket replacement. I am an avid backpacker, and could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere without cell service for a flaw they know about and should remediate.

NHTSA ODI #11666579

58,000 miles · Jun 12, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal, loud rattling sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, and the contact was informed t…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal, loud rattling sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the engine in June 2022. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the safety failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #11666518

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2025
Engine

Engine began misfiring while driving, and received a check engine light. Brought to a mechanic, who confirmed that coolant had begun leaking into the engine cylinder, consistent with Ford TSB 22-2229. Total engine replacement recommended, but Ford refuses to cover the replacement under warranty, or recall. Vehicle is no longer s…

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Engine began misfiring while driving, and received a check engine light. Brought to a mechanic, who confirmed that coolant had begun leaking into the engine cylinder, consistent with Ford TSB 22-2229. Total engine replacement recommended, but Ford refuses to cover the replacement under warranty, or recall. Vehicle is no longer safely operable.

NHTSA ODI #11666434

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2025
EngineUnknown Or OtherFireInjury

When driving the vehicle it suddenly lost all acceleration power. I coasted to side of road and opened hood to determine the vehicle was on fire from rear of engine bay. I then proceeded to offload what I was able from behind the vehicle of my tools for my job. There was no over heat warning or other indicators of any major i…

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When driving the vehicle it suddenly lost all acceleration power. I coasted to side of road and opened hood to determine the vehicle was on fire from rear of engine bay. I then proceeded to offload what I was able from behind the vehicle of my tools for my job. There was no over heat warning or other indicators of any major issues with the vehicle prior to the fire.

NHTSA ODI #11666420

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2025
Engine

Cylinder 2 has coolant intrusion causing a misfire spark plug and ignition coil have already been replaced after a few days half a gallon of coolant is lost no external leaks coolant is going into cylinder 2 fouling the plug on cylinder 2 causing the vehicle to go into limp mode because the coolant pump is throwing a code becaus…

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Cylinder 2 has coolant intrusion causing a misfire spark plug and ignition coil have already been replaced after a few days half a gallon of coolant is lost no external leaks coolant is going into cylinder 2 fouling the plug on cylinder 2 causing the vehicle to go into limp mode because the coolant pump is throwing a code because there's lack of coolant in the engine called Ford because there is a warranty extension through 88,000 mi for the vehicle knowing that this is an issue with these motors and these vehicles Ford says our VIN number is not included in the warranty extension or the recall don't want to spend $10,000 for an engine nor can we afford $10,000 for an engine replacement on a vehicle that we still have a couple thousand dollars left on payments will try to call the Ford dealer to see if we can get any assistance from them was already turned down from Sarasota Ford said they can do nothing for us

NHTSA ODI #11666171

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2025
Engine

Coolant intrusion ruined block. Overheated on interstate. My family and I had to wait on side of interstate for many hours in 100 degree weather with nothing to drink. We were sunburnt and dehydrated by the time we got to a motel that evening. Vehicle was towed to Pep Boys. Had to pay for a motel room for 3 days waiting on a dia…

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Coolant intrusion ruined block. Overheated on interstate. My family and I had to wait on side of interstate for many hours in 100 degree weather with nothing to drink. We were sunburnt and dehydrated by the time we got to a motel that evening. Vehicle was towed to Pep Boys. Had to pay for a motel room for 3 days waiting on a diagnosis from them. Finally they informed me of the devastating news so I had to rent a U-Haul and car dolly to tow it back home since we were 300 miles away when this happened. There was a warning light that came on about 5 seconds before car shut off. It is available for inspection at this time.

NHTSA ODI #11665830

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2025
Engine

The vehicle began shaking when the engine was turned on and the acceleration was not reliable. It was then accessed by a dealership and found that the engine needs replaced due to coolant leaking into the engine. The dealership told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. The vehicle has been maintenanced regularly and only has 76,…

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The vehicle began shaking when the engine was turned on and the acceleration was not reliable. It was then accessed by a dealership and found that the engine needs replaced due to coolant leaking into the engine. The dealership told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. The vehicle has been maintenanced regularly and only has 76,000 miles on it. The engine needing replaced is due to a defect in the build of this model.

NHTSA ODI #11665535

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2025
Engine

COOLENT INTRUSION INTO THE CYLINDER WHICH CUSE THE CAR STALL AND STOP DURING DRIVING IN TRAFIC ON THE HIWAY. FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE ISUE AND REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11665513

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2025
Engine

Apparently coolant leaked into the engine causing engine failure. No warning! No fix except to replace the engine for $9,500.

NHTSA ODI #11665335

50,000 miles · Jun 6, 2025
EngineCrash

The contact called on behalf of her husband, who owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her husband was approaching a stop sign at 5 MPH, and upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal with both feet in order to bring the vehicle to a complete…

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The contact called on behalf of her husband, who owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her husband was approaching a stop sign at 5 MPH, and upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal with both feet in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop; no warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions where the brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle. On a most recent occasion, the contact parked in an empty lot when the vehicle accelerated, causing her to crash into a wall in front at an unknown speed. The building's wall was damaged, and the vehicle came to a stop upon impact. The vehicle was towed to a local repair center. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where the failure could not able to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11665291

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