← New search

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

Wheels complaints

76 reports
Clear category filter
20,047 miles · Feb 21, 2023
Wheels

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for tire service however, the dealer was unable to remove the lug nuts. The contact stated that the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact stated that the parts to do the repair was not available. The manufacturer…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for tire service however, the dealer was unable to remove the lug nuts. The contact stated that the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact stated that the parts to do the repair was not available. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,047. The contact expressed concerns over the possibility of getting a flat tire and how he would change it. The current defective lug nuts are chrome and need to be replaced with steel ones.

NHTSA ODI #11508376

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2023
Wheels

Lug nuts could not be removed to change flat tire. AAA service provider could not remove lug nuts at external location to change flat tire out with spare. Independent service center needed to replace lugs with new set.

NHTSA ODI #11507229

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2023
Wheels

the lug nuts are being striped when changing for tire rotation or a flat or new tiers

NHTSA ODI #11506781

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2023
Wheels

Took vehicle to service to ford dealership to include tire rotation. Was told technician had difficult time removing lug nuts as the were swollen and frozen. Service Manager informed me they would need to be replaced as in emergency on road may not be able to be removed. Was told by service manager this is an ongoing issue. …

Read full complaint

Took vehicle to service to ford dealership to include tire rotation. Was told technician had difficult time removing lug nuts as the were swollen and frozen. Service Manager informed me they would need to be replaced as in emergency on road may not be able to be removed. Was told by service manager this is an ongoing issue. Have researched this and this appears to be an ongoing issue as per numerous web sites and has resulted in several law suits.

NHTSA ODI #11506302

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2023
Wheels

Was having brakes replaced and was informed the aluminum coating on the lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed/tightened with the normal sized lug wrench. Was not concerned until I realized that meant that if I had a flat on the road, the lug wrench that came with the vehicle would not work. Not a fan of being stranded on…

Read full complaint

Was having brakes replaced and was informed the aluminum coating on the lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed/tightened with the normal sized lug wrench. Was not concerned until I realized that meant that if I had a flat on the road, the lug wrench that came with the vehicle would not work. Not a fan of being stranded on the side of the road with no way to change a tire. Understand that Ford is not recognizing this as an issue. I find it to be a serious safety issue if you have to be stuck on the side of the road for an extended period because you have to wait for someone with the correct tool to show up because the one provided with the vehicle is no longer sufficient.

NHTSA ODI #11501814

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2023
EnginePower TrainWheels

The engine light comes on it doesn’t act like it wants to run the gears won’t shift and it loses power and doesn’t want to go just about got hit because it went from 35mph to 5mph in seconds without me giving warning by hitting my brakes and it makes a loud sound when running and a loud knock sound on right front side where whee…

Read full complaint

The engine light comes on it doesn’t act like it wants to run the gears won’t shift and it loses power and doesn’t want to go just about got hit because it went from 35mph to 5mph in seconds without me giving warning by hitting my brakes and it makes a loud sound when running and a loud knock sound on right front side where wheel is they say it’s safe to drive but no it’s really not

NHTSA ODI #11501390

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2022
Wheels

I cannot remove the lug nuts with the provided tool. The lug nuts are evidently swollen.

NHTSA ODI #11496340

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2022
Wheels

Tires could not be rotated during service at a Ford Dealer because one or more lug nuts were swollen due to corrosion. Had to replace all 20 lug nuts at an additional cost of $136.

NHTSA ODI #11488499

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2022
EngineStructureWheels

I am writing this to inform you of (4) safety issues in just the past year. Last August while driving in Massachusetts (I live in PA) I heard a strange noise. After pulling off the busy highway I found the bottom of my car dragging on the road. I had to find a place that sold duct tape as a temporary fix. Next problem was swo…

Read full complaint

I am writing this to inform you of (4) safety issues in just the past year. Last August while driving in Massachusetts (I live in PA) I heard a strange noise. After pulling off the busy highway I found the bottom of my car dragging on the road. I had to find a place that sold duct tape as a temporary fix. Next problem was swollen lug nuts (never heard of such a thing). While getting new tires I had spent money for new lug nuts. The next problem again, the bottom of the car was falling off and dragging on the road. Most recently, two weeks ago while driving down the highway in West Virginia the car stated shaking and the engine light stated flashing. After being towed to Greenbrier Ford in Lewisburg, WV the dealer informed me the engine had a catastrophic failure. This is the second engine failure. Every time I get in this vehicle I feel unsafe because I never know what is going to happen next.

NHTSA ODI #11484929

65,000 miles · Sep 7, 2022
Wheels

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the tires were being replaced, she was informed that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate fai…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the tires were being replaced, she was informed that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11483279

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