IllustrationI am having coolant leaking into my engine. This is a known issue and with only 60k miles I am already have that issue and it was confirmed by my local Ford dealer.
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
1510–25K
17625–50K
30450–75K
25375–100K
237100–150K
34150K+
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 reportsDiagnosis-Coolant intrusion into number 2 cylinder. check engine code misfire #2 cylinder causing engine to overheat and vibration with loss of power. Pulled over and let vehicle cool down and took it in for service. I’m told a new engine is needed. I am also told by Ford my VIN is not included on their list of vehicles havin…
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Diagnosis-Coolant intrusion into number 2 cylinder. check engine code misfire #2 cylinder causing engine to overheat and vibration with loss of power. Pulled over and let vehicle cool down and took it in for service. I’m told a new engine is needed. I am also told by Ford my VIN is not included on their list of vehicles having same problem. I called Ford and apparently today is 17 days past campaign date to get immediate review. Ford customer care says Management will review but unable to say when. We really liked our Escape and hope Ford will come through with a good resolution timely.
Approximately six months ago, for few months the vehicle would misfire when trying to accelerate quickly or above 2500 rpms. It randomly went away and I had the car diagnosed, but since it was not having the issue at the time, I was told I would have to wait until it started back up in order to find out what was wrong. 2 months …
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Approximately six months ago, for few months the vehicle would misfire when trying to accelerate quickly or above 2500 rpms. It randomly went away and I had the car diagnosed, but since it was not having the issue at the time, I was told I would have to wait until it started back up in order to find out what was wrong. 2 months later (7/12/24), when I started the vehicle in the morning, it felt as though it was idling very high and vibrating. There were no signs in the 2 weeks leading up to this happening. The check engine light was also on. We took it to the Ford dealership and found there was coolant leaking into cylinder 4 and I need a new motor. Ford wants to charge me $7000 for a new motor.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 2,000 RPM intermittently. While driving approximately 40 MPH or exceeding 40 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and hesitating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic…
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 2,000 RPM intermittently. While driving approximately 40 MPH or exceeding 40 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and hesitating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed and it was determined that the vehicle had experienced spark plug and cylinder failure. The spark plugs and the ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another certified mechanic, and it was determined that the engine block was fractured, allowing coolant to leak into several cylinders, causing the engine to misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacture referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 41,455.
antifreeze intrusion from head gasket into cylinder 3. broke down on roadway. was diagnosed by ford, Lincoln, mercury dealer kept having to fill antifreeze every other month for years when it became severe the check engine light came on with code to cylinder 3 Ford diagnosed failed head gasket do to bad engineering design and …
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antifreeze intrusion from head gasket into cylinder 3. broke down on roadway. was diagnosed by ford, Lincoln, mercury dealer kept having to fill antifreeze every other month for years when it became severe the check engine light came on with code to cylinder 3 Ford diagnosed failed head gasket do to bad engineering design and recommended replacement of engine... $10,200 called ford and was told no help available submit complaint on NHSTA, was my only option
Dealership says there is coolant leaking into engine. I had the car in the dealership 6 weeks ago for it’s 65k miles checkup and no issue was noted then, have driven less than 1,000 miles on it with no noticeable issues other than the check engine light coming on which is why I brought it back in.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced…
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,773.
Coolant leaking into the cylinder compartment (cylinder 3) and Ford refuses to fix it even though it is a known issue. The service technician at the Ford dealership acknowledges that this is a widespread issue for the EcoBoost engines. There is a service bulletin that was put out but Ford acknowledging the issue https://static.o…
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Coolant leaking into the cylinder compartment (cylinder 3) and Ford refuses to fix it even though it is a known issue. The service technician at the Ford dealership acknowledges that this is a widespread issue for the EcoBoost engines. There is a service bulletin that was put out but Ford acknowledging the issue https://static.oemdtc.com/TSB/MC-10214126-0001.pdf
There is coolant intrusion in cylinder 3. My engine needs to be replaced and it has 95,000 miles on it. Ford only covers it to 84,000 miles.
Engine block design is defective and allows coolant to leak into cylinders 2 or 3. This causing white smoke, engine misfires and overheating that can cause an engine fire. Ford has issued service bulletins to replace the engine but no recall at this time.
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.