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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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61,836 miles · Aug 14, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was Illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was deemed as mechanically totaled. The contact was informed that the failure was related to Cus…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was Illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was deemed as mechanically totaled. The contact was informed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 61,836.

NHTSA ODI #11608606

77,000 miles · Aug 14, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the check engine, check oil, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wall in…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the check engine, check oil, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wall in between the coolant and the piston was worn, and coolant was leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #11608577

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2024
Engine

Presence of coolant in the engine cylinders with codes P0300, P0301-P0304 with low coolant levels. FORD is stating it is not part of the recall? Has not presented me with an invoice for repairs, fighting with extended warranty company. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55…

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Presence of coolant in the engine cylinders with codes P0300, P0301-P0304 with low coolant levels. FORD is stating it is not part of the recall? Has not presented me with an invoice for repairs, fighting with extended warranty company. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11608441

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2024
Engine

Ford Escape 2017 consuming coolant. Confirmed by independent repair shop. Low coolant level constantly. Already had to replace water pump early because of this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11608356

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2024
Engine

My check engine light came on in my 2017 ford escape with 83,000 miles on it. I brought it to my Ford dealership where I purchased it on 8/2017. The service department employee lifted the hood and said "you need a new engine". I said "what"! "you can tell just by looking at the engine"? He said" I've seen a lot of them". He said…

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My check engine light came on in my 2017 ford escape with 83,000 miles on it. I brought it to my Ford dealership where I purchased it on 8/2017. The service department employee lifted the hood and said "you need a new engine". I said "what"! "you can tell just by looking at the engine"? He said" I've seen a lot of them". He said the coolant is leaking into the engine. He quoted me $9500 for a new one. I took my keys and left.

NHTSA ODI #11608180

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2024
Engine

Engine coolant is leaking into cylinder 2 After diagnosis from Goodyear, car was brought to Huntersville Ford where they ran their own diagnostics and obtained the same coolant leakage. The mgr there deemed the car undriveable. This is a known engine issue with 2017 Ford Escapes!

NHTSA ODI #11608095

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2024
Engine

The check engine light came on. I took it to a repair shop to have the issue diagnosed . I was told that coolant is leaking into the engine due to a design flaw with the engine. This is a safety issue as it causes overheating.

NHTSA ODI #11608015

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2024
Engine

Engine failure due to coolant intrusion in cylinders. Whenever an engine fails there is a safety issue. Local Ford dealer has diagnosed this problem. Check engine light and rough running on start up were the original symptoms. First appeared June 2024, when the vehicle had about 60,000 miles on the odometer.

NHTSA ODI #11607993

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2024
Engine

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI #11607915

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2024
Engine

The car only has 95k miles on it and i maintain it very well and the now i have a coolant cylender and i am going to need a new engine

NHTSA ODI #11607726

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