The brake light assembly seem separates and water leaks in causing the brake lights to fail. I went online to see if this was an issue, it seems to be a very big issue with this vehicle.
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
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.
Exterior Lighting complaints
38 reportsWith no warning the suv over heated and I took it to pep boys to see what was happening. They simple told me that I needed to replace the entire engine. This isn’t fair because I didn’t even get a warning. This suv has other problems as well that Ford should have issued recalls for but there’s so many to list. I would just like …
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With no warning the suv over heated and I took it to pep boys to see what was happening. They simple told me that I needed to replace the entire engine. This isn’t fair because I didn’t even get a warning. This suv has other problems as well that Ford should have issued recalls for but there’s so many to list. I would just like my suv to be fixed as I’m a single mom trying to make it through this trying times and now I have no car to get work, take my children to school, or even the day to day things that we need like a grocery store trip. I don’t 6,000 to 9,000 to repair my truck and I can’t afford to lose it either as I’m still paying the note on it. Can you please help us, I’m only trying.
The body control module failed on a main road at night. My inside lights and dash lights emergency flasher along with the outside lights shut off. The car behind me had to swerve around me to keep from hitting me. My vehicle was not seen by the other drivers and was almost hit several times. Luckily I coasted to a light and made…
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The body control module failed on a main road at night. My inside lights and dash lights emergency flasher along with the outside lights shut off. The car behind me had to swerve around me to keep from hitting me. My vehicle was not seen by the other drivers and was almost hit several times. Luckily I coasted to a light and made a sweeping turn onto a wider shoulder area of the road. It was towed to a shop but they were not able to do anything with the vehicle do I had it towed to a Ford dealership. It was almost 30 days before I got my vehicle back. Apparently there is a shortage of body control modules. I received no warning lights at all. Everything inside the vehicle flashed and then the car and electrical just shut off. Prior to that incident I had not had any other issues with the vehicle. The drivers side seat module had to be replaced as well.it cost 1005.38 for the body control module to be replaced and 786.00 for the seat module to be replaced.
My 2017 Ford Escape began letting water inside of the tail light assembly, eventually filling up to the point that it shorted the brake light. When I went to replace the bulb, I found out that it is not replaceable unless you replace the ENTIRE tail light assembly, a $750 fix. Ford refuses to fix this for free, as they deem cond…
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My 2017 Ford Escape began letting water inside of the tail light assembly, eventually filling up to the point that it shorted the brake light. When I went to replace the bulb, I found out that it is not replaceable unless you replace the ENTIRE tail light assembly, a $750 fix. Ford refuses to fix this for free, as they deem condensation not a reason. Upon doing research, it’s come to my attention 1,000s of people have had this exact same problem. The tail light assembly, the seam on top of the assembly has faulted. Not only did Ford produce a faulty product, they produced a light that costs $600 to replace. This is highway robbery, not to mention unsafe since the brake light does not function.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THERE WAS CONDENSATION BUILT UP INSIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT. UPON A VISIT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THERE WAS CONDENSATION BUILT UP INSIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT. UPON A VISIT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE OCCURRING NEAR THE GAS TANK, THE DEFECT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TONIGHT, 11/16/2020, MY ESCAPE STARTED TO IDLE ROUGHLY. THE TACHOMETER WOULD GO UP AND DOWN BY AT LEAST 500 RPM WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE DASHCAM I HAVE MOUNTED TURNED OFF. I TRIED MAKING IT HOME AND IT JUST DIED. LOST ALL LIGHTS. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE LEFT TURN LANE. WHILE DOIN…
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TONIGHT, 11/16/2020, MY ESCAPE STARTED TO IDLE ROUGHLY. THE TACHOMETER WOULD GO UP AND DOWN BY AT LEAST 500 RPM WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. THE LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE DASHCAM I HAVE MOUNTED TURNED OFF. I TRIED MAKING IT HOME AND IT JUST DIED. LOST ALL LIGHTS. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE LEFT TURN LANE. WHILE DOING THIS, THE AUTO START SYSTEM TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DISABLED. I TRIED TO START THE CAR MANUALLY, ABOUT FIVE OR SIX TIMES. IT FINALLY STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I TURNED OFF THE HVAC AUTO FEATURE, MY DASHCAM AND RADIO IN CASE IT WAS A VOLTAGE ISSUE. JUST ONE MORE ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE ELECTRONIC PACKAGE IS FINICKY AND HORRIBLE. IT HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE DEALER DO THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE [XXX] SYSTEM. IT STILL ACTS UP OCCASIONALLY LEAVING ME DEAD IN THE WATER UNTIL I CAN SHIFT TO PARK AND MANUALLY RESTART IT. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT INCLUDE TAIL LIGHTS. CARS DRIVEN AT DUSK, DAWN, OR WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE ADDED SAFETY ARE DRIVEN WITH ONLY DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHT AND NO TAIL LIGHTS. MANY TIMES CARS APPEAR TO BE DIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS, OR LIGHTS, ONLY TO SEE THEY ARE DRIVING WITH DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS. PLE…
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DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS DO NOT INCLUDE TAIL LIGHTS. CARS DRIVEN AT DUSK, DAWN, OR WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE ADDED SAFETY ARE DRIVEN WITH ONLY DAYLIGHT HEADLIGHT AND NO TAIL LIGHTS. MANY TIMES CARS APPEAR TO BE DIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS, OR LIGHTS, ONLY TO SEE THEY ARE DRIVING WITH DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS. PLEASE ENGAGE ALL LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS AT ALL TIMES FOR ADDED SAFETY. TOO MANY TIMES VEHICLES ARE DRIVEN WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE NO TAIL LIGHTS. DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS WITH ONLY HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS.
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE, BRAND NEW, 6 MONTHS AGO. WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC COVER WAS FOGGING OVER MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE BRAKE LIGHT. AFTER CHECKING WITH OUR DEALER, MAC HAIK FORD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NORMAL. NORMAL? SOUNDS MORE LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. I WAS AL…
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MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE, BRAND NEW, 6 MONTHS AGO. WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC COVER WAS FOGGING OVER MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE BRAKE LIGHT. AFTER CHECKING WITH OUR DEALER, MAC HAIK FORD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NORMAL. NORMAL? SOUNDS MORE LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT WATER LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT UNIT WAS ALSO ?NORMAL.? I CAN?T IMAGINE ALLOWING WATER TO COLLECT INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL ITEM AS IMPORTANT AS A BRAKE LIGHT AND IS VERY STRANGE AND VERY WRONG! IF IT?S FOGGING UP NOW WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE A YEAR FROM NOW OR EVEN TWO YEARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY MADE A MISTAKE AND THEY NEED TO REPLACE THIS BRAKE LIGHT UNIT! IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY KNOW IT. [XXX] , LEANDER, TEXAS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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.
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