← 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
35,000 miles · Sep 2, 2022
Wheels

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the original lug nuts installed on all four wheels were made of steel and covered in chrome. Over time, the lug nuts had become swollen which made it difficult to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of the fa…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the original lug nuts installed on all four wheels were made of steel and covered in chrome. Over time, the lug nuts had become swollen which made it difficult to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of the failure. The mechanic declined to remove the lug nuts out of concern that the lug nuts would not be able to be reinstalled once removed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11482541

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2022
Unknown Or OtherWheels

Took vehicle in for routine service and was told need new lug nuts. Said they were swollen and if we had a flat we would not be able to change our tire. We have had a problem with navigation for years. Told dealer is working with Ford for a solution, been over a year and still waiting. Phone is delayed, GPS is way off, sitti…

Read full complaint

Took vehicle in for routine service and was told need new lug nuts. Said they were swollen and if we had a flat we would not be able to change our tire. We have had a problem with navigation for years. Told dealer is working with Ford for a solution, been over a year and still waiting. Phone is delayed, GPS is way off, sitting in Delaware and navigation says we are in Maryland. This is a major disappointment

NHTSA ODI #11481053

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2022
Wheels

Lug nuts could not be removed

NHTSA ODI #11474895

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2022
Wheels

Swollen lug nuts

NHTSA ODI #11473057

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2022
Wheels

We took our car in for oil change and tire rotation, we were informed by service manager tires couldn't be rotated because lug nuts couldn't be removed, did we want lug nuts replaced which we did, after done ask why did the lug nuts fail on a car with less than 21000 miles was told it was a split lug nut poorly designed and whe…

Read full complaint

We took our car in for oil change and tire rotation, we were informed by service manager tires couldn't be rotated because lug nuts couldn't be removed, did we want lug nuts replaced which we did, after done ask why did the lug nuts fail on a car with less than 21000 miles was told it was a split lug nut poorly designed and when seal breaks and swells they can't be removed. In my mind this is a safety issue as we wouldn't have been able to change a flat tire if the service department couldn't change and we wouldn't have known this issue existed had we not had the car in for oil change and tire rotation. So if we had had a tire issue on the highway we would not been about to change our tire, leaving us stuck on the road. I don't have a clue the number of cars on the road with lug nuts that couldn't be removed. I believe Ford should replace all these poorly designed lug nuts

NHTSA ODI #11468324

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2022
Wheels

AT A RECENT OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION THE TIRE LUG NUTS WERE FOUND TO BE BULGING - THESE ARE 2 PIECE LUG NUTS. THEIR TOOLS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT ROTATE MY TIRES, IN THE FUTURE, UNLESS I HAD A NEW SET. CHECKING, ON-LINE, I ALSO FOUND THAT MY FORD SUPPLIED LUG WRENCH MAY NOT ALLOW …

Read full complaint

AT A RECENT OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION THE TIRE LUG NUTS WERE FOUND TO BE BULGING - THESE ARE 2 PIECE LUG NUTS. THEIR TOOLS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT ROTATE MY TIRES, IN THE FUTURE, UNLESS I HAD A NEW SET. CHECKING, ON-LINE, I ALSO FOUND THAT MY FORD SUPPLIED LUG WRENCH MAY NOT ALLOW ME TO FIX A FLAT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FUTURE SAFETY ISSUE. BELIEF IS THAT THE DISSIMILAR METALS THAT MAKEUP THESE NUTS CAUSE CORROSION AND MAY FAIL, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMADE/INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #11465273

85,000 miles · Feb 1, 2022
Wheels

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his son was attempting to remove the wheel from vehicle it was discovered that the wheel lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and all the lug nuts…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his son was attempting to remove the wheel from vehicle it was discovered that the wheel lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and all the lug nuts had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11449840

90,000 miles · Feb 1, 2022
Wheels

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his daughter was attempting to remove the wheel from the vehicle, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer’s lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, and all the l…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his daughter was attempting to remove the wheel from the vehicle, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer’s lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, and all the lug nuts had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11449838

30,000 miles · Jan 28, 2022
Wheels

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side rear tire became flat. While attempting to remove the wheels to install the spare tire, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen, and the manufacturer’s provided lug nut wrench cou…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side rear tire became flat. While attempting to remove the wheels to install the spare tire, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen, and the manufacturer’s provided lug nut wrench could not fit over the lug nuts. The contact was unable to remove the wheel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who indicated that all the lug nuts for each wheel had experienced the same failure and would need to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11449276

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2022
Wheels

I had to change a tire on the shoulder of a busy 4 lane highway. I was unable to fit the lug wrench onto a lug nut. I was unable to change the tire as I could not remove the lug nut. I had it taken to an independent service center where he confirmed that there were 4 other lugs total on the other (3) wheels that were swollen …

Read full complaint

I had to change a tire on the shoulder of a busy 4 lane highway. I was unable to fit the lug wrench onto a lug nut. I was unable to change the tire as I could not remove the lug nut. I had it taken to an independent service center where he confirmed that there were 4 other lugs total on the other (3) wheels that were swollen as well. There was no indication that these lug nuts were faulty.

NHTSA ODI #11447825

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