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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

507 reports
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147,000 miles · Jan 31, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact's partner owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that he was with his partner who was driving approximately 45 MPH and the vehicle stalled. The contact's partner was able to pull over to the side of the road while the engine was misfiring. The contact stated that he was able to push the vehicle to an independent…

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The contact's partner owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that he was with his partner who was driving approximately 45 MPH and the vehicle stalled. The contact's partner was able to pull over to the side of the road while the engine was misfiring. The contact stated that he was able to push the vehicle to an independent mechanic which was nearby. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that coolant fluid was leaking into the engine causing the misfire. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle should be taken to a dealer. The contact said that the vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into the second cylinder and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11449591

107,000 miles · Nov 30, 2021
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and opened the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle did not have coolant and he …

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently started jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and opened the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that he noticed that the vehicle did not have coolant and he refilled the coolant. The contact stated that as he continued to drive the vehicle, the vehicle started jerking significantly and was misfiring. The contact checked the engine coolant level and noticed that it was almost empty 15 minutes later. The contact stated that he added distilled water to the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that as he continued to drive that same day, the vehicle was jerking significantly. The contact turned off the vehicle and was unable to restart the vehicle without a jump start. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket was fractured and there was water in the engine oil reservoir. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired as his VIN was not included in any recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired since the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #11442144

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2021
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The car was overheating so I brought it to the dealership to have it looked at. I was informed that there was coolant leaking into one of the engine cylinders causing the car to overheat with the possibility of it even catching on fire.

NHTSA ODI #11427484

77,000 miles · Jun 24, 2021
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 MPH, a warning message appeared stating "pull over, engine overheating" and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the head gasket leaking but was not repaired. The contact stated the failure reoccurred…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 MPH, a warning message appeared stating "pull over, engine overheating" and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the head gasket leaking but was not repaired. The contact stated the failure reoccurred a month ago while driving. The same warning message appeared. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer, then towed to a Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood (11595 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, CO 8021) as requested by the manufacturer. The contact stated the dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced per a TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but declined to cover the repair though the vehicle had an extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #11422159

89,513 miles · Jun 14, 2021
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 mph, the engine started to overheat. The "engine overheating" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s place of employment. The manufacturer was informed of the failure a…

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 mph, the engine started to overheat. The "engine overheating" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s place of employment. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,513.

NHTSA ODI #11420886

48,000 miles · May 21, 2020
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAVALIER FORD GREENBRIER (1515 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A COOLANT LEAK. THE REPAIR WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAVALIER FORD GREENBRIER (1515 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A COOLANT LEAK. THE REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11325402

70,000 miles · Apr 9, 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL THE EVAP SYSTEM WAS FAULTY THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL. ALSO AFTER REFUELING THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL THE EVAP SYSTEM WAS FAULTY THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND STALL. ALSO AFTER REFUELING THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE EVAP SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING THE PURGE SOLENOID, CANISTER, AND THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11320638

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