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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.

About this comparison →

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 · Apr 23, 2024
Engine

check engine light came on. took to dealer. Dealer reported coolant bottle was empty. Verified coolant is leaking into engine and recommended replacement of long block. Estimated cost $9000. Vehicle has 65000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11584656

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

Coolant intrusion into engine cylinders causing engine overheating.Due to defective ford 2.0 ecoboost engine.

NHTSA ODI #11584629

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2024
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Since last four months I get multiple warning lights with alarm in my car . 1) Engine failure contact dealer immediately announcement 2) steering assist failure announcement ( & steering becomes heavy) 2) Hill assist failure 3) rear park aid failure announcement 4) 911 assist is not operational contact dealer . The odometer and …

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Since last four months I get multiple warning lights with alarm in my car . 1) Engine failure contact dealer immediately announcement 2) steering assist failure announcement ( & steering becomes heavy) 2) Hill assist failure 3) rear park aid failure announcement 4) 911 assist is not operational contact dealer . The odometer and speedometer goes blank and I can not see what speed I am driving at. I have given my car to dealership 4 times so far. For multiple weeks. still the same issue. I am not getting any replacement vehicle . I am concerned about safety of my, my family and other people on the road. I need help to get a reliable vehicle that I can use safely. I have valid extended warranty. I have attached example invoice showing I was asked to pay lot of money out of pocket ispite of having warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11584488

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2024
Engine

Started out as misfire codes. Replaced spark plugs then ignition coils. Still getting misfire codes. Discovered engine coolant low and through research found there to be an KNOWN design flaw/issue with these engines that usually results in an entire COSTLY replacement to the customer. Listed in Ford TSB 22-2229. This should be…

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Started out as misfire codes. Replaced spark plugs then ignition coils. Still getting misfire codes. Discovered engine coolant low and through research found there to be an KNOWN design flaw/issue with these engines that usually results in an entire COSTLY replacement to the customer. Listed in Ford TSB 22-2229. This should be a recall covered entirely by ford.

NHTSA ODI #11584301

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2024
Engine

White smoke from the exhaust, engine knocking, low coolant levels with no visible leak and check engine light on. These things happened simultaneously out of nowhere. Went to the dealership to get diagnostic and was told water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. Reported to my insurance company which prompted the dealers…

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White smoke from the exhaust, engine knocking, low coolant levels with no visible leak and check engine light on. These things happened simultaneously out of nowhere. Went to the dealership to get diagnostic and was told water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. Reported to my insurance company which prompted the dealership to investigate further by doing further diagnostic (a leak down test) and found that there was a coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores and the entire engine needed replacing. Repair is currently still in progress. My vehicle has been inoperable for 9 weeks, and at the dealership for 7 weeks now; with no ETA on repair completion.

NHTSA ODI #11584180

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2024
Engine

The engine has a crack in cylinder 2. The vehicle is available for inspection in either Lakeland Florida or Dade City Florida. I am at risk of total engine failure while traveling, which could cause a multiple vehicle accident on the very busy roads here. The problem has been confirmed by a certified Ford mechanic who checked th…

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The engine has a crack in cylinder 2. The vehicle is available for inspection in either Lakeland Florida or Dade City Florida. I am at risk of total engine failure while traveling, which could cause a multiple vehicle accident on the very busy roads here. The problem has been confirmed by a certified Ford mechanic who checked the engine fault code and pulled the ignition coil and spark plug to examine the cylinder. No others have examined the vehicle. I have contacted the local Ford dealership but have yet to hear back. The check engine light came on on [XXX], 3 days after I had a Ford dealership change the oil. I tried to make an appointment with the Ford dealership on April [XXX], but the clerk said I had to wait 8 more days (April XXX) for them to put it on the machine to read the code. I took it to a certified Ford mechanic who is at an independent garage on April [XXX]. He used the machine to read the code. He also noticed that the coolant was at the bottom of the tank. Had I waited until April [XXX] for the dealership to see my vehicle, the engine would have completely seized up and the entire engine would have been ruined. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11584049

85,000 miles · Apr 17, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cylinder head was cracked, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later towed to…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cylinder head was cracked, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who confirmed the original diagnosis that the engine was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11583612

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2024
Engine

Engine coolant leaking causing overheating

NHTSA ODI #11583307

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2024
Engine

Got low coolant light while on highway and car lost power. Had to pull over. Car was completely out of coolant but no visible coolant leaks. This apparently is a known problem with this model engine from Ford.

NHTSA ODI #11583008

84,340 miles · Apr 15, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant and oil were leaking and the turbocharger and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaire…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant and oil were leaking and the turbocharger and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence where a handheld diagnostic machine diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it had faulty wheel bearings, spark plugs, and a coolant leak. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the check engine light illuminated within a week. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coolant leaked into cylinder #1 and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,340.

NHTSA ODI #11583002

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